I can’t believe I created Tasha B’s World almost two years ago! My second post ever was an explanation of my natural hair regimen, and I was so excited about that post. Since then, I’ve made a lot of changes to my hair care routine and use almost entirely new products on my hair now. Since switching up my routine, my hair has grown a lot, my curls are more defined, and my hair has just gotten a lot healthier. Keep reading to learn about my updated hair regimen.
I said goodbye to Cantu last spring, and now I’m using OGX products. I wash my hair with Coconut Curls shampoo and conditioner every other week. Because OGX doesn’t have any co-wash products, I don’t co-wash my hair anymore. Honestly, I didn’t think it was doing much for my hair anyway. I enjoyed the Coconut Curls shampoo and conditioner so much that I eventually ended up buying all the products from the Coconut Curls line with absolutely no regrets! All the products smell so good, like a tropical breeze, and I love how they make my hair look and feel. My hair and I are both very much in love with OGX.
The night before wash day, I put Shea Moisture 100% Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Head-to-Toe Nourishing Hydration in my hair for a pre-poo treatment. I section my hair in about 6 to 8 sections, thoroughly apply the coconut oil to each section, twist my hair up, then go to bed. The coconut oil moisturizes my hair and makes it super soft before I wash it the next day.
I wash my hair while I’m in the shower, and when shampooing, I always lather twice. I do this because I feel like I always get a better lather when I do it a second time, and I like to make sure my hair is super clean. Admittedly, it’s also kinda fun playing with my extra soapy hair on the second lather. 😆 When I shampoo it for the second time, I part my hair in 4 sections and wash each section while simultaneously detangling my hair. That’s also my time for a much-needed scalp massage! So pretty much the first wash is for cleansing only, and the second wash is more for cleansing, easy detangling, and scalp massages.
After my second wash, I condition, and can I tell you how much I freakin’ love the Coconut Curls conditioner! Like, no other conditioner has ever made my hair feel so soft and had that much slip. OGX for the win! Anyway, I use my fingers to distribute the conditioner all over my hair and let it sit for a while so it can do its job. While the conditioner is in my hair, that’s when I bathe myself. After rinsing the conditioner out, my hair feels so soft, and my curls look so amazing! Seriously, I’m obsessed with this conditioner!
I started using rice water (with a few drops of lavender essential oil) in my hair care routine after I got fed up with my hair not growing, and I think it’s seriously made a difference. My hair feels and looks a lot better since I started using rice water, and my curls are more defined. After I rinse the conditioner out, I spray my hair with the rice water then add in my deep conditioner. I recently started using a deep conditioner from As I Am called Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner, and I have no complaints so far. It doesn’t just sit on top of my hair like the last one I used from Au Naturale did. Once the deep conditioner is in my hair and I do about 8 to 10 big twists, I put on my deep conditioning cap for about 30 minutes to an hour. I started putting a T-shirt over the deep conditioning cap for more heat and deeper treatment. The results leave my curls looking beautiful and my hair feeling soft.
I use a T-shirt to dry my hair, and I very rarely use my blow dryer anymore. I’ve been trying not to manipulate my hair as much by having my sister help me with twist outs, wash n gos, or just twisting my natural hair. I stopped flat-twisting my hair every night to stretch it out, and I think that helps me retain length since I’m not combing it every night anymore. I also get protective hairstyles like crochet, twists, and braids like twice a year now. I think once every year I’m going to start getting it straightened and trimmed at the salon so I can check in on my length.
I have noticed a big difference in the health of my hair once I started being more patient with it. I’ve also been trying to pay attention to what my hair likes and what it doesn’t like. For example, I notice that my hair seems to react well to coconut oil, so a lot of the products that I buy for my hair have coconut oil in them. I also made the switch back to hair grease, and it’s helping out big time with my dry and itchy scalp. I started using Blue Magic after hearing a lot of praise from it, and not only does it smell heavenly, but it also keeps my scalp moisturized, so it doesn’t itch nearly as much.
It’s still going to take some getting used to, but I’m slowly starting to embrace my natural curls and my shrinkage. Now my hair is just a little bit past my shoulders when it’s stretched. Let’s see if I can get to mid-back length by the end of the year!
Cheers to healthy hair in 2020 🥂👩🏿🦱
Yours Truly, Tasha B. 