My regimen

Here’s another update on my regimen for fall/winter 2010. Actually, I think my regimen is more to the point – I’ve taken off my product junkie crown and that is totally streamlining the products I’m using. But I will be swapping out some products for the season just because of the frigid Canadian winter. (It’s still fall, but it minus one degree right now. Brrr!)

Shampoo (weekly): Last time I updated my regimen, I told you that it’s necessary for me to shampoo my scalp. I know that plenty of people online talk about low and no-poo, but that just can’t work for my head. After watching some videos on YouTube, I’ve learned a new technique! What they showed was pretty muc shampooing and then adding some conditioner (I used Suave Naturals) to your hair to rinse. So far, so good – my hair is less squeaky clean. Also, I’m separating my hair into four sections. I’ve heard this helps with the dreaded single strand knots. Personally, I believe SSKs are my destiny – what else can you expect with super coily hair? – but we’ll see. This is what I’m using:

• Liquid black soap – it’s easily available and it works – especially when my hair is in kinky twist extensions.
• Henna Sooq shampoo bars – I’m loving the berhempsu bar. It’s crack for the hair.
• Country Rose Soap Co. liquid soap – I’m going to phase this one out. I don’t mind ordering it, but I find that it’s too strong for my hair. It’s good for my scalp, but why buy this when I can get my liquid black soap for $10?

Conditioner (weekly, after every wash): I’m cheap and I refuse to spend over $20 for a conditioner. I don’t care who makes it. So, for now, until I figure out what I’m going to use, I’m sticking with:

• Aussie Moist
• Any other leftover conditioners I have knocking around

Deep conditioner (3 – 4x per month): I love DC’ing! Currently, I’ve just been adding oil to a regular rinse out conditioner because I’ve run out ofQP Elasta DPR-11 and Miss Key 10 en 1. I’m not repurchasing either at this point because I really am trying to integrate more natural, organic products into my regimen. Until then:

• Aussie Moist with oil (it isn’t organic, but I have it – along with someTresemmé conditioners which I will use out)
• My super moisturizer (shea butter, cocoa butter and EVOO)

Treatment (four to six weeks): Well, it’s been about eight weeks or more since I last henna’d my hair (I ran out of henna, sigh). I will probably henna next just before Christmas when I go to get my hair blown out professionals. I just ordered:

• Jamila henna – I heard so much about it, I wanted to try it out.
• Amla – I still have this in my freezer, so I will be using the rest of it.

Co-wash conditioner: I only really co-wash after a henna treatment and no I use it as a rinse with my liquid shampoos (the shampoo bar is really moisturizing, so I don’t feel like I need that step). See deets above:

• Suave Naturals – any scent, I don’t care.

Oils (2 – 3x per week): Over the summer, I didn’t feel the need to oil my scalp as regularly. Now, the weather is cooling down, it’s time to start oiling more often. Definitely after a wash and at least once or twice during the week.

• Mixture of EVOO and castor oil

Styler: It’s time to back away from the gels. The air is drying out and really, I don’t need anything to further dry my hair out. For now, I will be using:

• Carol’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter for twists and twist-outs
• Organics Olive Oil gel/Eco-Style Olive Oil gel/Ampro-Styl Clear Ice gel for buns.

My regimen is getting stronger and more simple – and my PJism is under control, but there are a couple of products I wouldn’t mind trying and may pick up in the new year: Qhemet Biologics Amla and Heavy Cream (I’ve been wanting to try this for a dog’s age) and Jane Carter’s Curl Defining Cream. We’ll see!

Does your regimen change from season to season? What are you doing differently this fall and winter?

See my older regimens here:

• June 2010
• February 2010
• September 2009