So, what is a HABIT?

A habit is a routine of behaviour that is repeated sometimes REGULARLY and tends to occur subconsciously.

At this point in my hair care journey, my healthy hair habits have become a lifestyle. I pretty much operate on autopilot when it comes to the maintenance and care for my hair. And that's the goal. But it wasn't always like this.

In the beginning of my hair journey, I had to be intentional, consistent and make a conscious effort to implement these healthy hair habits. Keep in mind, these habits don't necessarily exempt you from experiencing setbacks (because they do happen), but it will allow you to bounce back faster as your routine will offset the severity of the setback - you get me?! 

So what healthy hair habits should be a part of your hair routine? 

Basically, methods and techniques that promote healthier hair resulting in you attaining your hair goals. Repeating these healthy hair care habits will build the foundation to help formulate a solid and successful regimen. 

10 Healthy Hair Habits You Should Be Doing In Your Hair Regimen:

1) Wear Your Satin Scarf/Bonnet To Bed Nightly - Cotton sheets and pillow cases dry out your hair! Protect your hair and ends with a satin scarf and/or bonnet (or pillowcase) nightly to retain adequate moisture levels in your hair preventing dryness.

2) Moisturize and Seal Daily (or every other day) - Dry hair breaks! Maintaining healthy hydration levels in your hair is important in promoting healthier longer hair. Your ends are the oldest part of your hair and require moisture, frequently. More moisture results in less breakage which equals length retention. P.S. - The frequency of when you moisturize and seal will depend on your hair type and density - so pay attention.

3) Prepoo Weekly - Making a habit of applying a pre-shampoo treatment, using either an oil or conditioner (or both), before you shampoo can promote healthier hair strands. Shampooing is a very rigorous process on the hair and scalp. Prepoo's not only prevent the natural hair oils from being stripped  from the hair but it also prevents hygral fatigue (the swelling and contracting of the hair cuticle during the uptake and loss of water) which can cause cuticle damage overtime. My advice would be to use a penetrating oil of your choice for this step. It will nourish the hair and prevent the hair shaft from swelling reducing the cortex from being exposed.

4) Shampoo Weekly - Happy scalp, happy hair! A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair growth. Using a sulfate-free shampoo weekly helps to remove dirt, oil and build up off of the scalp which can inhibit hair growth. A clean healthy scalp is vital for optimal hair growth. 

5) Deep Condition Weekly (with heat) - This is HUGE. Deep conditioning does wonders for your hair and ends. This process nourishes, restores, hydrates, strengthens and conditions the hair prepping it for manipulation, daily wear and tear while helping to prevent breakage and shedding. Making an effort to deep condition weekly, is an essential habit to include in your hair routine. This will determine the success of your hair journey and health of your hair.

6) Minimize Direct Heat - Let me say this first, heat is not the enemy! But, improper use of heat can be counterproductive to your healthy hair care goals. Frequent use of heat can cause heat damage, dry the hair out, increase breakage and eventually increase thinning. Laying off direct heat i.e. flat irons, blow dryer, curling iron and only reserving it for relaxer day or special occasions is a good rule of thumb. Direct heat can be a lot of manipulation on the hair and we all know that too much manipulation can cause unnecessary breakage. Use heat wisely.

7) Use a Widetooth Comb - In my mind, it's almost a crime to comb my hair with a fine tooth comb! lol. It's not happening unless my hair is flat ironed - if that! I make it a habit to finger detangle (as much as possible) and then use my wide tooth comb during the week and on wash days. Widetooth combs are much more gentle and "forgiving" on your strands causing less strain while preventing unnecessary breakage.

8) Minimize Manipulation - This will take some time to adjust to but less hands in your hair - the better! Constantly touching, combing, detangling, lifting, moving, styling your hair is a recipe for unnecessary strain, breakage and thinning. Keep your styles simple, finger detangle as much as possible and your hair will thank you for it!

9) Care for Your Ends - Your ends are the oldest part of your hair! It's fragile and experiences more wear and tear requiring more care, patience & attention than the roots of your hair. Regular protection and maintenance of your ends plays a huge role in the overall health and length of your hair. Make a habit of choosing styles that will not add stress and/or strain to the hair or just leave your hair alone as much as possible! Caring for your ends also includes trimming on a regular basis to prevent splits and thinning. Thin ends is not the look, sis! I make an effort to trim with every relaxer and that habit works well for me.

10) Don't Relax Sooner than 10 Weeks Post Relaxer - I swear by this time frame! It's not too soon or too far out. Having enough new growth, prior to your relaxer touch-up, and being consistent with a specific timeframe (that works for your hair) will produce consistent relaxer results. Consistent relaxer results is what you need. Making a habit of spacing out your relaxers, while protecting your previously relaxed ends, is the recipe for fuller, stronger, healthier hair. 

BONUS) Pay Attention to Your Hair - Your hair will speak to you. Listen to your hair and pay attention to the way it behaves. This is a habit you will need to routinely implement into your hair routine for a successful hair journey. Feel it, look at it. Does it look dry? brittle? does it feel rough? Your hair speaks and if you listen, it will put you at an advantage to attain your hair goals. In the end, you will know the unique do's and dont's according to your hair. This is essential!

Again, daily/weekly hair habits repeated overtime...compound!

Though you may not see a difference immediately, it will add up and the results will show. 

Continue to be intentional. Be consistent. Stay committed.

Xo.

In today’s video, I’m sharing 7+ tips on how you can prevent under-processed hair for your next relaxer session. This seems to be an issue MANY of us have gone through or will go through at some point in our healthy hair journey's. I’ve gone through it (and it’s not fun) but all of the tips I’m sharing - I swear by it.

These tips have helped me in preventing under-processed hair moving forward. Also, I share signs on how to know if you are in fact under-processed and step-by-step instructions on how to do a corrective relaxer to fix the under-processed areas. Be sure to comment what helps to prevent under-processed hair for you! See you in the comments :)

Xoxo

♥PRODUCTS MENTIONED:

ORS Olive Oil Relaxer - https://amzn.to/3crVp8E
Processing Bowl + Brush - https://amzn.to/3vbxgd7

As always, thanks for watching! Oh, and don't forget to LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:) 

Hair Mask: After shampooing with Rosewater Sulfate Free Hydrating Shampoo and conditioning with Rose Water Frizz Free Hydrating Conditioner, apply a generous amount of Rose Water Hydrating Hair Mask to hair and comb through to ensure distribution from roots to ends. Place a plastic cap over hair and sit under dryer for 10-15 minutes or leave on the hair for 35 minutes to 1 hour without heat, rinse thoroughly with warm water, followed by cool water.

Hair Mask: Water, Rosa Centifolia (Rose) Flower Extract, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Ginger Root (Ginger) Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Fragrance, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone.

Hair Mask: I've been on the hunt for more protein-free deep conditioners to add to the arsenal and to recommend to my hair sisters (like you! xo) and this right hereee...definitely made the cut! The consistency and thickness is the EXACT same as the Honey Miracle Hair Mask - another fave. Because it's so thick, it's best to apply this mask to damp hair for easier spread and distribution on the hair strands. 

I like to use the shampoo from this line along with the hair mask for optimal results. Love them together! This hair mask smooths my cuticles so well. I couldn't stop touching my hair all week. So smooth. It works well in penetrating my strands, melting away tangles and closing my cuticles for a smooth sleek finish. I'm assuming it's the Rose Water that decreases frizz + tangles. 

I find that the hair mask works very well with or without the use of indirect heat i.e. heat cap, steamer, hooded dryer. However, I did notice that my results were slightly better when using my hooded dryer for 25-30 mins and rinsing with lukewarm water - oh sooo so good! Also, it claims to have vitamins A, B, C, D E and B3 in the ingredients plus Omega 3, 6, and 9 to help support the health of the hair shaft - I'm here for it!

It has great penetrating oils as well but offers a lightweight hydration which is perfect for Spring and Summer months. The only thing I don't like is the fact that it's a little expensive for the amount you're getting. I probably got 3/4 uses out of the jar. It's $24.99, without a sale. Moving forward, I think I'll continue to grab this only when it's on sale. 

Price: $19.99 (shampoo) & $24.99 (hair mask)

As always, thanks for watching! Oh, and don't forget to LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:) 

Xoxo

I love deep conditioning on my dry relaxed hair because it absorbs differently (in a good way) and my hair remains hydrated, smooth, soft, manageable and tangle free. Plus, wash day is super fast and I'm not in and out of the shower..LOL. You know what I'm talking about!!

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♥ITEMS SHOWN:

Wide-tooth Comb - https://amzn.to/3DVeYQB
Water Mist Spray Bottle - https://amzn.to/360wc2o
Hair Clips - https://amzn.to/3DW298D
Hair Steamer Alternatives - https://amzn.to/3v64JVB and https://amzn.to/3JsdxtK
Shower Filter - https://amzn.to/3NWX44v
Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner - https://amzn.to/3x2Catc
Aussie Moist - https://amzn.to/3lVaVvu
Creme of Nature Moisture Recovery Leave-In - https://amzn.to/3z3wFNp
OGX Argan Oil Serum - https://amzn.to/3zdRkhA
Scurl No Drip Curl Activator - https://amzn.to/3wZlrGU
Hair Trimming Shears - https://amzn.to/3LYgXq9