Last month, on my Instagram Stories, I hosted a Q&A and as usual you guys SHOWED OUT with an abundance of hair related questions. Certainly, I wasn't able to answer every question, at that time.
So per my usual Q&A routine, I take up the remaining most common questions, here on my blog, to help you guys out.
I love being able to answer your hair questions...so lets get right into it!
CAN YOU RECOMMEND SOME NON PROTEIN CONDITIONERS?
Protein-free conditioners are a MUST! Here are a few of my favourites :
2. Keracare Humecto Creme Conditioner
3. Shea Moisture Manuka Honey Mafura Oil Masque
4. Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex 10 in 1
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU RELAX YOUR HAIR?
I think no sooner than 10 weeks is perfect. I love to stretch my relaxers anywhere from 10-12 weeks. Nothing too drastic yet effective enough to prevent relaxer overlap.
MY HAIR BREAKS A LOT AND I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING AND WHEN I COMB A LOT COMES OUT. HELP!
Sorry to hear this! It could be a number of variables that's causing your breakage i.e. your products, over manipulation, over-processed hair etc.
For starters, it's best to do a strand test to determine what your hair may be lacking. Take a shed or broken strand of hair and slightly tug on the ends of the strand. If it breaks easily without much stretch, chances are, your hair is moisture deficient. If you tug your strand and it begins to stretch, stretch and stretch before breaking, your hair is protein deficient. Once you 'diagnose' the deficiency in your hair, clarify your hair using a clarifying shampoo to get rid of any product build up. This will reset the hair to accept and absorb product efficiently. Next, proceed with the necessary treatment for your hair i.e. moisture or protein. Continue to assess your hair and make any adjustments to your regimen as you see fit.
Be sure to check out these links to help you further:
Hair Breakage 101 - Moisture Deficiency in Hair - Click Here!
Hair Breakage 101 - Protein Deficiency in Hair - Click Here!
WHAT DO YOU DO AFTER RELAXER DAY? LIKE THAT DAY AND WEEK? WHAT DOES THAT ROUTINE LOOK LIKE?
After a relaxer, I typically flat iron my hair and proceed to trim my ends at the salon. I then rock my straight style for approximately 5-7 days. I preserve it by wrapping it at night and lightly moisturizing it. Once my hair starts to feel weighed down (or I'm just over it), I go back into my usual wash day routine by doing a protein prepoo, shampoo, deep condition, and air dry or I do my Olaplex routine.
If you haven't already, check out my Post Relaxer Olaplex Routine
SCALP OILS?
Lately, I've been loving Coconut oil mixed with Rosemary, Lavender and Peppermint essential oils. I also enjoy using JBCO and Atarah Hair Treatment Oil on my scalp after wash day.
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
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.
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