Wash Day Product Evaluation

Ever since I’ve regained some form of homeostasis to my hair, I’ve neem very careful about the products that I use on wash day. Before the henna gloss treatment, I had no strategy when choosing products. I knew which products worked well with my hair, but I didn’t give enough attention to the products that I used together on wash day. I took my favorite products and I counted the total of protein ingredients in each of them. The higher the protein count, the more I would classify it as a high-protein or strengthen product. Many of my other hair care products endorse moisturizing or nourishing on the label and tend to help hair retain moisture.

To keep the balance of protein and moisture that my hair needs. I consider the needs of my hair on wash day. If I feel that my hair is drier than usual, I tend to stray away from conditioners with high protein count. If my hair has a gummy feel to it and won’t hold a curl throughout the day, my deep conditioner will have more protein ingredients on the label, and I follow up with a leave-in conditioner that had a few more proteins.

It’s an added step to my wash day, but a crucial one. There needs to be an extra consideration with products used on our hair. Taking the time to evaluate my hair products weekly will help me keep track of my hair’s tendencies, as well as which products are the most effective.

And if I can help others understand their hair, then why not?

Today, my hair feels a little dirtier than usual. It also feels drier than I have been experiencing. It’s time for another henna gloss treatment, but until then I must retain moisture through my wash day products. I’ll be using:

SheaMoisture’s Sacha Inchi Oil Omega 3, 6, 9 Rescue + Repair Clarifying Shampoo – I use this shampoo when I feel like my hair has a product build up because it does exactly what a clarifying shampoo should do. It removes the built-up dirt and product residue but doesn’t leave my hair feeling dry and stripped of its vital natural oils. All the ingredients work together to clean the scalp, even on a microbial level, while using a combination of oils to reverse dryness.

SheaMoisture’s Mongongo & Hemp Seed Oil High Porosity Moisture Seal Masque – This is my favorite mask when it comes to sealing in as much moisture as I can. Its consistency is very thick and reminiscent of yogurt; it coats my thick hair without needing to use a generous amount. It’s made especially for high porosity hair (hair shaft cuticles are open causing the hair to lose moisture almost as soon as it is absorbed). The natural oils seal in moisture and the Baobab Proteins smooth down the cuticles of the hair shaft.

Crème of Nature Argan Oil Strength & Shine Leave-in Conditioner – The leave-in conditioner is the last chance to get strengthening proteins onto/into your hair. This conditioner contains an average amount of proteins for hair. It contains a two-phase formula that combines Argan Oil liquid shine and a strengthening protein complex – and when I tell you, my hair SHINES!

Creme Of Nature Butter-Licious Curls Hydrating Crème – This is my favorite butter/cream. It’s thick and creamy enough to moisturize even the driest tresses. I use it when resetting my twist-out styles. It creates a shine that lasts for days. My hair is never weighed down by the cream and it makes my hair noticeably softer. I will use this along with my oil cocktail (castor & sweet almond oil) and the Crème of Nature leave-in conditioner as a part of the L.O.C. method.

This should boost my moisture levels back to where they should be. I think that I will also do an apple cider vinegar rinse, it’s supposed to help reduce shedding. And until I can set aside time to do the henna gloss conditioner again, maybe a rinse can prevent some shedding for now.