"Where do I start? What do I do first?" 

These questions run through your mind and it's totally normal as it comes with the territory - to be quite honest. 

My best advise is, do your research!

Yup, good 'ol fashion  r e s e a r c h , sis.

This was and still is the foundation of my hair journey.

I truly believe that taking the time to explore the fundamental categories for a successful journey is key yet commonly overlooked. Today, I'm sharing the top 3 topics to research when you are starting your hair journey.

The Top 3 Topics To Research When Starting Your Hair Journey are:

1. Scalp Health

2. Breakage vs. Shedding

3. Hair Ingredients

Let's get started....

Scalp Health

Scalp Health is major. This is the foundation of where your hair grows. Ensuring it remains healthy should be a priority in your regimen. It's important to find ways to keep your scalp healthy and product-free on a routine basis that works for you. Having a clean yet stimulated scalp is vital for healthy hair growth. Why? Because a dirty scalp can inhibit growth, therefore, it's important to shampoo your scalp on a consistent basis. The only way to know that, is by doing your research. I encourage you to examine your scalp and address its needs, first. Do you have dry, itchy, flaky scalp? Perhaps you need certain essential oils in your regimen, maybe you need to cleanse weekly as opposed to biweekly. Are you looking to promote and stimulate hair growth? Researching the best methods, oils, and techniques for optimal scalp health is vital. 

Breakage vs. Shedding

You would be surprised by the amount of people who don't know the distinct difference between a broken hair verses a shed hair. Why? Lack of research. Breakage is different from shedding and shedding is different from breakage.

Taking the time to understand breakage vs. shedding (the causes and cures) early in your hair journey will better equip you to attain healthier hair and longer lengths. This is huge! Research what breakage is, then go deeper into the types of breakage that can occur (moisture deficiency vs. protein deficiency, mechanical breakage, product build up, split ends etc.) and as a result research the type of remedies that will help minimize that breakage. Same goes for shedding, investigate the possible causes of shedding and use process of elimination to see what could be the cause. Sometimes, the cure can be topical, other times it's an internal issue that requires further digging and/or professional help. Researching will be your go-to!

Hair Ingredients

All to often I hear "My hair is super dry, rough and constantly breaking, what do I do?" 

Usually, one of my first responses/questions would be "What products are you using on your hair?"

Without a doubt, 9 times out of 10 the arsenal of products being used are heavily laden in protein with zero moisture in sight! Protein is important in every hair care regimen, however, too much of it can cause an imbalance making your hair feel rough, dry, and brittle. Without the proper support of moisture, it can cause unnecessary breakage.

This is why researching ingredients is imperative to the overall health of your hair! How can you effectively treat the needs of your hair if you don't know what's in the products you are using? I always say, the best way to start getting familiar with ingredients is to research the top 5-10 ingredients in a few of your favorite hair products. This will allow you to know which ingredients agree with your hair so you can look out for those exact ingredients in future products. Stick to what works - right?

Say you don't have any favorite hair care products at the moment?! Research moisture based and protein based ingredients so you can easily pin point them out when you're on the hunt for new products. This has been a game changer for me! Too, being aware of your ingredients will better prepare you for a wash day hit as opposed to a wash day miss! So instead of picking up products blindly, take the time to explore various ingredients and their characteristics to propel you along your hair journey, in the right direction.

Of course, there's a lot more to learn but I feel as though researching those 3 categories, to start, will help set the tone for a successful hair journey. 

You can't escape the research. There's no shortcuts, sis! 

Do the work, and trust me, it will pay off.

Xoxo

HAVE YOU EVER TRIED RICE OR ONION WATER? IF YOU HAVE WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF IT THAT YOU HAVE NOTICED?

I tried rice water years ago, wasn't really impressed by it. It made my hair hard and stringy. Never, tried onion water. Not really into the gimmicks, to be honest.

CAN THE ORS HAIR MAYONNAISE BE USED JUST LIKE THE APHOGEE KERATIN 2 MIN RECONSTRUCTOR?

Yes. They are both protein based conditioners to help repair the hair. However, the protein content in the Hair Mayo is slightly stronger as the Hydrolyzed Protein is higher up in the ingredient list as opposed to the Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor.

HOW LONG DO YOU WEAR YOUR PROTECTIVE STYLES?

I never sleep in protective styles i.e. braided ponytails, buns etc. I don't wear them for extended periods of time. If I choose to wear a protective style, I take them down nightly.

WHAT CAN I USE TO GROW MY HAIRLINE?

You can try massaging any one of these oils into your hairline daily: Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Atarah Hair Treatment or a carrier oil mixed with Rosemary, Peppermint and Lavender essential oils.  These oils really help to stimulate blood flow in the scalp and promote hair growth. 

Also, if you relax your hair, try relaxing your hairline last or every other relaxer to give it a break. Refrain from tight hairstyles and protect your hair at night with a satin scarf and/or bonnet.

WHAT DO YOU USE TO PREPOO AND FOR HOW LONG?

I use Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor to prepoo mixed with Coconut Oil. I leave it on for 15-20 minutes.

DO YOU DEEP CONDITION/STEAM WHEN YOU CO-WASH AS WELL?

If I have time, yes. Otherwise, I'll skip the steaming/deep conditioning phase and just co-wash.

IS IT SAFE TO TAKE HAIR VITAMINS WHEN TRYING TO CONCEIVE? AND WHICH WILL YOU RECOMMEND?

I think a prenatal vitamin is more than sufficient plus it has all the essential vitamins and minerals for hair growth! Too, a daily prenatal vitamin is vital prior to conception.

CAN I DEEP CONDITION EVERY TWO WEEKS INSTEAD OF WEEKLY?

For sure. Do what's best for you, your hair and your schedule!

AMAZON SUPPLIER FOR KERACARE HUMECTO CONDIITIONER?

You bet - Click Here! 

HOW DO YOU TREAT YOUR HAIR A DAY AFTER RELAXING? ANY MOISTURIZER OR JUST OIL?

My hair is in a flat ironed style after a relaxer. I don't moisturize until approximately day 2/3. I use an oil based moisturizer to preserve the sleekness.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE UNTIL YOUR HAIR FINALLY CAUGHT ON THE ROUTINE?

About 3-4 months into my journey, my hair started to take off and respond positively to the products and routine I was using. 

WHAT IS THE BEST MOISTURIZER AND LEAVE-IN CONDITOINER FOR RELAXED HAIR?

It's hard to say because the answer will be very subjective - no matter who you ask.

For me, I love and use As I Am So Much Moisture Hair Lotion or Scurl No Drip Activator to moisturize. I also like to use the moisturizers mentioned above as leave-ins sometimes. But a couple other amazing leave-in conditioners are Taliah Waajid Protective Mist Leave-in and Shea Moisture Sugarcane Extract & Meadowfoam Seed Silicone Free Leave-in. A few other moisturizers, that many relaxed ladies love, are ORS Hair Lotion, TGIN Daily Moisturizer, and Mielle Organics Hair Milk.

DO YOU USE A HEAT PROTECTANT BEFORE STRAIGHTENING YOUR HAIR?

Always - without a doubt!

AFTER PUTTING IN MY DEEP CONDITIONER, MY ENDS STILL FEEL DRY? DO YOU KNOW WHY IS THAT?

It varies. It could be the deep conditioner that you're using, perhaps it's filled with a lot of protein and you're not balancing it with moisture or it's not moisturizing enough or rather you have a lot of buildup and you need to clarify your hair. Also, you may be due for a trim, definitely look into that!

THE MORE I STRETCH THE MORE MY NEW GROWTH GETS TANGLED UP DURING WASH DAY. WHATS THE BEST WAY TO WASH?

This is common!  It's so vital to wash and massage your roots gently yet strategically when stretching your relaxer. For a 'fool-proof' method, thoroughly detangle your hair prior to shampooing and then put your hair in 6-8 plaits to prevent the roots of your hair from matting while shampooing. The shampoo will go directly on your scalp and run down the length of your hair for adequate cleansing. It works!

WHAT HAIR STEAMER THAT IS NOT TOO EXPENSIVE CAN YOU RECOMMEND?

Try the Kingdomcares Hair Steamer or the Vicarko Hair Steamer Heat Cap. Both are effective and affordable!

IS SCURL ONLY FOR THE NEW GROWTH?

Not at all. I love and use it for moisturizing my hair and ends. It's a gem!

WHICH PROTEIN TREATMENT BASED PRODUCTS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR APHOGEE?

Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor is amazing! However, there are a few alternatives:

1. ION Effective Care Treatment

2. ION Reconstructor

3. Mielle Organics Babassu Oil Mint Deep Conditioner 

4. Creme of Nature Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment (moisture/protein balanced)

5. ORS Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner (moisture/protein balanced)

WILL YOU BE MAINTAINING THE HAIR LENGTH YOU ARE NOW OR GROW IT OUT?

It's funny because I've been getting this question a lot lately. I'm loving my new length!! It's such a breeze and easy to manage, especially on wash days. Right now, my plan is to maintain it for a long as I can - going into Summer. Most likely, I will keep this length until Fall. We shall see *wink*

So that was pretty fun! Of course, if I missed your question, please re-submit it during the next Q&A. I will be hosting an upcoming Q&A session for the month of May on my Instagram Stories - stay tuned!

Xoxo.