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 of QP 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 some Tresemmé 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?
The Accidental Natural 
You know my regimen stays the same year round thus far I havent really noticed a need in changing much. But, I will say I have up’d my deep conditioning to a few times a week oppose to 1x a week, and it working great. Btw, Qhemet Biologics is having a november 26 sale. Keep your eye out for that 🙂
Take care,
zainab1
AuNaturale007.blogspot.com
Thanks for the post! I’ve been wondering what changes I need to make to my daughter’s routine, now that we have to walk to school every day in the beautiful winter weather we get (insert sarcasm at beautiful.)
I’m thinking that I’ll be deep conditioning every week rather than every two weeks that I’m doing now. I’ll still shampoo every two weeks though (I shampoo and dc at the same time.) As well I’ll be swapping my coconut oil for EVOO as I’ve been informed that the coconut oil can be drying in the winter.
I stopped by HoneyFig recently (thank you so much, I found out about them through your blog) and picked up the Qhemet’s Amla and Olive Heavy Cream. My daughter’s hair is very dry and the products I’ve been using for twists and braids just haven’t been cutting it. I used it for the first time on the weekend for her box braids, so I can’t wait to see what it’s like when we take them out.
Great post! Any recommendations on where I can find Henna Sooq shampoo bars, Jamila henna and Amla? Also, I recommend Talia Waajid products, which you can find at Discount Beauty Supply in Scarborough. Great shampoo, conditioner, leave-in and mousse, specifically for kinky hair.
Hey Akilah! Hope you’re doing well 🙂 Khadija, who owns Henna Sooq, said that they hopefully will be selling products from Honey Fig. I’ll update everyone once that happens (and Lord, let it happen soon!) Their products are also available at Green Instead (200 Spadina Avenue, 2nd floor). I order my shampoo bars, henna and amla at http://www.hennasooq.ca. Delivery is pretty quick and customer service is AWESOME. Hope that helps!
I wanted to try Taliah Waajid product, but, sadly, they had coconut products in them. A huge no-no for me 😦 Thanks for the suggestion!