Ok, so it's been one month since I chopped the relaxed ends and have been fully natural. Things have been going very well, maybe better than the last time I was natural. I feel that using salon quality products this time is a major factor, especially as far as moisture levels in the hair are concerned. I have been doing a "wash & wear" or "wash & go" routine, and it's been working well for me.
Here's what I've been doing: Twice a week (every 3-4 days) I shampoo with Kenra Moisturizing shampoo, then condition with Kenra Moisturizing conditioner (love this!). On the days I don't shampoo, I just rinse my hair and scalp with water and then condition the hair with Kenra conditioner. I don't "co-wash" or mess with my scalp any other time except on shampoo days; I just don't see rubbing conditioner into my scalp as being useful. I also deep condition every or every other weekend, alternating protein reconstructor treatment** (Joico K-pak) and moisture deep treatment (Paul Mitchell Super-charged Moisturizer, Joico Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm, Kenra Nourishing Masque, etc).
**Even though my hair is natural now, I want to continue to ensure the strands stay in good condition, considering I did blow dry and flat iron every week for over a year prior to cutting...
To style, I choose from a variety of products, but my faves are: Joico Curl Definer Creme, Redken Curl Wise, Joico Joigel Medium, Hair Rules Curly Whip. Each of these produce consistent results. After applying product to very wet hair, I airdry-- or if I don't have time, I diffuse dry--and then stretch curls with the blowdryer for more curl length and volume. Depending on the product and if I need it, I'll layer a leave-in conditioner (like Paul Mitchell The Conditioner, L'anza Daily Leave-in, or MOP Leave-in Conditioner) underneath the styling products, but most of the time I don't.
At night, I sleep in a satin bonnet, on a satin pillowcase :)
I can't wait for my hair to get longer so that I can get my hair in a ponytail. I can make a "puff", but I want a real ponytail :-) Patience is a virtue, though. So I'm enjoying the journey.
Here are some pics I've taken so far...
