Washing transitioning hair became a burden at some point and I stopped doing wash day posts. My wash days were lasting so long that I truly felt I had put in 8 hours of work. By the time wash day was over, I had no energy to write a post about it. Now that wash day is manageable again, I will do my best to bring wash day posts back, at least periodically if nothing more.
l decided to live on the edge this past wash day and I was willing to accept whatever punishment came my way. I had been wearing a bun for about 4 days straight. My hair was filled with gel and had not been combed in days nor did I bother to detangle it before washing my hair.
Please do as I say and not as I do on this one — you should properly detangle your hair before washing it. However, I did not feel like it plus I wanted to see if I could have a successful wash day without all the pre-work. I guess you could say this was somewhat of a washing transitioning hair experiment to see what my hair is capable of doing. Knowing the odds were stacked against me, I went for it anyway.
Related: How to Properly Detangle Your Hair
Washing Transitioning Hair Experiment (The Products)
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Hairveda Amala Cream Rinse Cleansing Conditioner. Moisture based cleansing conditioner that hydrates while gently removing buildup. This cleansing conditioner performs much like a sulfate free cleanser.
Paul Mitchell The Detangler
Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose
Liquid, Cream, Butter layering method. Bekura Honey Latte Detangling Milk, Cantu Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream, My Honey Child Type 4 Cream.
I air dried in 6 two strand twists.
Washing Transitioning Hair Experiment (The Result)
My shampoo and conditioner routine has been on point for a while. My leave in conditioner routine, however, has been hit and miss. Finding the right product combination takes a lot of trial and error but the liquid, cream and butter combination provides my hair with definition and hydration.
My curls were soft, springy and defined in most places. I have a few more sections that need a little work. Clearly, the relaxed ends are stopping me from achieving greatness but I’m to blame for that. I want to hold on to them for a short while longer until I can cut my hair in a bob that looks worth something. Right now, the natural hair is so varying in length that I would have to cut my hair lower than I prefer to shape it. However, the relaxed ends will be removed with the quickness when I gain a little more length because I’m ready to wear my hair loose and free which I’m unable to do unless wearing a braid out.
Related: Braid Out on Transitioning Hair
How to Maintain a Wash and G0 (Curly Texture)
I did not comb my hair throughout the week because I did not want to disturb the curls. I finger detangled several times per week to remove shed hair. I moisturized and sealed twice daily and kept my hair stretched by banding my hair throughout the week.
Related: Banding Method
My Style for the Week?
My style for the week was a textured hair bun because the ends of my hair are/were too stringy for much else. Plus, I didn’t feel like forcing then to cooperate so I rocked a textured hair bun by simply tucking the straight ends away.
Great post! (And long post incoming)
I’ve got so many favorite leave-ins now it’s ridiculous. Plus, I still have tons in my stash to try out (Bee Mine, TreLuxe Naturals, CurlLuxe, Sarenzo, Claudie’s Hair Revitalizer, Naturelle Grow, The Mane Choice, APB, Qhemet Biologics)! I stay looking for leave ins LOL. I don’t really M&S during the week so I need leave ins that get it done on wash day and set me up for the week.
Creamy: Kurlee Belle Thirsty Kurls Leave In (so sorry it didn’t work out for you), Inahsi Naturals Aloe and Hibiscus Leave In Conditioner, TGIN Green Tea Leave In Conditioner, Purabody Naturals Murumuru Moisture Milk (I’m still holding on to this), SSI Cranberry Cream Hair Cocktail, SSI Coco Creme Leave In Conditioner, Silk Dreams Wheat Germ Butter Conditioner
Spray: LRC Shake and Go, APB Blueberry Cheesecake Leave In Conditioner, Mielle Organics White Peony Leave In Conditioner
TY Sweet Cakes!
I have a lot of leave in conditioners that I have not tried yet so there may be some gems hiding in the stash. That Bekura though — mercy me. It’s pure hydration in a bottle.
You have quite a number of LIs that I don’t have. I need to get like you. I usually spend my $$ on deep conditioners. But, my focus is shifting to LIs because I think that’s where the lasting hydration comes from (for my hair anyway).
I never tried Silk Dreams but want to. APB is a solid line! Blueberry Cheesecake is so so yummy.
ooo Jay! I can see your natural hair coming through and I’m loving it! I’m over here patiently waiting for the fully natural hair revealed postl. 🙂
TY My Friend! It’s finally starting to form. One while, I had zero curl definition and I was like what the what? But, it’s starting to happen – finally!
I don’t favor many hair products but I have favorite conditioner. I started using it back in 2005 when I rediscovered my natural hair. I freaking love it still to this day.
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I’m starting to love it too. I don’t know my natural texture but it’s working out so far.
Great tips! I use You Be-Natural’s shampoo and conditioner. My favorite leave in is Garnier right now.
Thank you D.M.! I haven’t heard of You Be Natural. Off to look that up.
I love how you’re able to transition so well! Your hair looks amazing. I struggle with finding a good leave in conditioner also. I started using Obia Naturals products and have been happy with them.
TY so much. I like Obia’s DCner.
YASSS for banding! If you think that you like banding now—you will LOVE it once our is completely natural. I just started using the technique to elongate and give my wash & go shape—FANTASTIC!!!
Oh and I use Jessicurl Too Shea as my moisturizer/leave-in. It’s amazing!
KLP @ SavingOurStrands recently posted…Perfecting My Wash and Go | The #WashDayExperience
It definitely works better on the natural hair than relaxed hair. That’s for sure. I tried the Too Shea as a leave in but it didn’t give me what I needed. As a DCner though, yes, yes, yes!
I am experimenting with just leave ins for moisture as well cause these butter based moisturizers does nothing for my hair. It only sits on my strands and does not penetrate it at all.
Light moisturizers do nothing for me. Creamy ones work best for my hair. Layering the two is the ultimate hydration. They work well together.
I love the Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner. It always left my hair feeling soft.
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Oh yes, oh yes!
Awesome detailed post! I’ve been natural my whole life but stopped straightening my hair a few years ago. My style after wash day is typically two strand twists or flat twists.
I need to get better at two strand twisting. Mine seem to unravel.
Jay i’m itching to see you fully natural. Those stringly relaxed ends needs to go. I can see you rocking wash n go so easily.
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Hi Girlfriend! I know I need to let them go but I’d be left with a little puff. I just have to convince myself I’m ready for that.
Great tips. I lived for “wet buns” when I was relaxed and transitioning. Can’t wait to see when you’re fully natural.
TY Joanna! I have the hardest time getting my hair to dry when wet bunning. My hair will stay damp all day and night. Did you have that problem?
Thank you for being so transparent in your natural hair journey! I can only imagine how hard it is to keep up with your regimen.
Hi Arnitris, TY! it was challenging in the beginning but I’m so glad I’m beyond that point now. Whew!
I don’t use a lot of products so wash day isn’t that hard for me. But I am thinking about trying a coconut pre poo, just to see how it works for me.
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If you have protein sensitive hair (as I do), your hair may or may not like it. Mine so happens to love it but that’s not the experience of everyone…just as a heads up.
Having 2 textures is tough, but you’re handling it well! Life will be so much easier when you chop off the relaxed ends, but I understand wanting to have length before going all in. Best of luck on your hair journey!
TY Shari! Life would be easier and I’m definitely move toward doing that. I already reached out to my stylist for styling / haircut ideas.
I’m sooooooo lazy with mine. My wash day only involves pantene conditioner, avocado oil, and black castor oil. Cocoa butter or shea butter if I’m feeling fancy. I need to check out some new stuff!
Your hair is gorgeous so it’s working — roll with it. Simple is so much easier, especially when it works.
My hair was a mess when I was transitioning. I did not have the patience. Your hair looks great and I can tell you take great care of it.
TY, I’m at a point now where my level of care is lacking because I’m so close to the end.