Caring for and loving our hair is key to our self-care journey. Sometimes, it is hard to feel the love when wash day seems to take all day. Not to mention wondering if you are using the right products correctly. We reached out to our trio of experts: Los Angeles’ celebrity stylist Marquita Lynch, who does Tia Mowry’s tresses., Rochelle Chappelle and Atlanta-based stylist and trichologist Keka Heron for tips to achieve and maintain healthy hair with your own hands! They offered their suggestions on how to streamline washday and make it more efficient for all hair types, including:
Always have these tools on hand.
You probably already have a wide-tooth comb, a detangling brush, a diffuser attachment for a blow dryer, a microfiber towel, or an old T-shirt for drying after washing. Heron says level up with a focus on the scalp. Add a scalp scrubber to your arsenal to increase blood circulation. Invest in a hair steamer to help conditioning and treatments penetrate the hair and the scalp.
Make pre-poo optional (except in one special instance).
If you fell down the rabbit hole of black hair care influencers, you would think pre-poo, adding oil or conditioner to the hair before shampooing, was the holy grail of healthy hair and, therefore, an essential step. Not so, explains Lynch; it is helpful if you have difficulty detangling or coming out of a protective style because it adds more moisture.
Enhance your wash technique.
For the best wash experience, detangle your hair before wetting. Wet hair thoroughly. Begin with a clarifying shampoo (we love 4U by Tia’s Clarifying Shampoo with Apple Cider Vinegar ), gently massage into the scalp in circular motions, and work your way down. Follow with a moisturizing shampoo like Pattern Hydration Shampoo to replenish moisture. Wash every seven to ten days. Be gentle with wet hair, as it is vulnerable to breakage.
Make gray great.
Gray hair requires special attention due to its unique characteristics, maintains Chappelle. The pigment has evaporated from the hair strand, leaving it opaque; use clear gloss and violet shampoos. These products help protect and seal the cuticles, making the hair structure flexible against damaging UV rays, which can tarnish gray hair. Play up silver strands with Maison 276 Hydrate Shampoo.
Save a weave.
Sounds daunting, but the key to cleansing a weave or extensions is prioritizing the scalp. Chappelle suggests before and after installing them, consider scalp exfoliation to remove dead skin cells, allowing scalp and hair follicles to breathe. Ensure thorough drying of braids underneath extensions or weaves to prevent bacterial growth; reach for TPH Maskin & Relaxing Scalp Mask to break down scaly buildup.
Work with a wardrobe of conditioners.
Having a wardrobe of conditioners can be beneficial depending on your hair needs. Lynch recommends rotating conditioners to keep hair from getting used to the product, which decreases efficiency and causes build-up. Keep your hair hydrated and strong with a protein-strengthening conditioner like African Pride Feel It Formula Peppermint, Rosemary & Sage Strengthening Mask. Rotate with a moisturizing conditioner (coddle strands with Cecred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner ). Both boost strands’ shine, suppleness, and strength. Maintain during the week with a spritz of Leave-in Conditioner Spray like As I Am Rosemary Water, which is great for temporary moisture and detangling. Note it’s not a stand-in for the deep conditioners, as leave-in conditioning alone will eventually lead to dryness, dullness, and loss of curl pattern.
Moisturize by the minutes.
It is not necessary to leave a conditioner on overnight. Experts recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions and, in lieu of instructions, keeping the conditioner no longer than 30 minutes. Leaving a conditioner in too long can make your hair limp and may affect how styling products work.
Set up for successful styling.
Gone are the days when it took a spritz of water, a hooded drier, and a blue grease finish to style your hair. Healthy, relaxed, and natural hair go-to products include setting mousse for a smooth roller set. Get The Doux Crazy Sexy CurlHoney Setting Foam. Look to a curl cream to add body and fight frizz. Try 4U BY Tia Soft Curl Defining Mousse. Round out your hair essentials with a heat protectant, a gel for sleek styles, and hydrating oil to finish. Braids and loc girlies shouldn’t be without a natural lightweight oil, rosemary oil, or African Pride Feel It Formula Peppermint, Rosemary & Sage Strengthening Oil. Keep scalp buildup down by hitting your parts with a scalp soothing treatment like Briogeo Scalp Revival Buildup Detox Spray To quell the itch.
