CurlyNikki’s Winter 2009/2010 Routine

My hair in the KPLR interview, as well as other recent pics have been the result of the routine below:

Current Product Rotation:

• Shampoo – Mehandi Shampoo Bar, or Giovanni Tea Tree
• Deep Conditioner – Jessicurl Weekly Deep Treatment or Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose
• Conditioners – Depending on how I feel, I use one, or a combo of the following to co-wash, detangle, and leave-in: Herbal Essence’s Totally Twisted, Giovanni Direct Leave-in, Desert Essence Green Apple and Ginger, Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle.
• Sealant – Afrikan Republic Unrefined Shea Butter from Butters-n-Bars, or Oyin’s Burnt Sugar Pomade.
• Henna – Bridal Art Quality Jamila from Mehndiskinart.com. I buy the Jamila in the foil pouch only, not the cellophane. I also purchase henna from Butters-n-Bars.

*I now henna once a month (if I remember”>, and DT twice a month.*

Hair Styles (listed in order of how often it is worn”>:

• Braid-n-Curl**
• Twist-n-Curl
• Chunky Twist-n-Curl (looser waves, and easier to do!”>
• Messy Side Bun
• High Bun – The same basic steps as this done on dry, previously twisted hair.
• Curly Fro

I haven’t done a Bantu Knot-Out in a while due to the amount of time it takes to dry. I love the look, but hate sitting under the dryer!

To see pictures of my hair in the various styles, browse through My Hair.

Current Routine:

Every other Saturday (yes, twice a month”> afternoon I do the following:

1. Thoroughly saturate hair with water in the shower, and divide into two (left and right”>.

   Cleanse hair with poo bar—one side at a time.

2. Apply conditioner of the day to both sides in a smooshing motion (usually Herbal Essence”>.
3. Pass my head back under the shower stream for a second for better distribution and added slip.
4. Clip the hair up and out of the way while I complete shower rituals.
5. Take down the right side and finger detangle a bit—detangling the rest under the water stream after the big knots are out. Follow up with the left side. If the conditioner is washed away and tangles are left, I add more conditioner, and repeat. The power of the water stream and the slip of the conditioner should make detangling a breeze!
6. Once all the tangles are melted away, and the Herbal Essence is rinsed clean, I apply a generous amount of Jessicurl Weekly Deep Treatment or Aubrey HSR. I get out of the shower, don a plastic cap and let it sit for 30 minutes with heat (the bonnet or my micro heat cap”>.
7. Get back in the shower and rinse thoroughly. Apply leave-in of choice—usually Desert Essence or Giovanni Direct Leave-in.
8. Make 8-10 twists- 4 or 5 on each side. **This step is to stretch the hair for the ‘real’ hairstyle**. You could also pull the hair into a bun, do cornrows, a roller-set, chunky plaits, or band.
9. Seal the ends with shea or Oyin Burnt Sugar.
10. Allow to airdry overnight, using a bonnet dryer if you’re in a rush.
11. The next morning (Sunday”>, take down the twists and finger detangle if necessary.
12. Divide hair into two. I now prepare to braid my dry hair for a wavy effect.
13. I do 9 plaits total, 4 on each side (one in the back, one above my ear, one framing my face, and one immediately behind that one”>, and one at the crown, braided toward my face.
14. Start with the back- left side. Brush the hair out (this is optional… I use a goody paddle, but a wide tooth comb or fingers should suffice”>, apply a teeny bit of Burnt Sugar pomade, and make a braid/plait. I braid until I reach the last 2 inches and then I twist.
15. Complete all braids/plaits in the same manner—adding Burnt Sugar Pomade along the way, and twisting the last two inches (makes for an easier take down”>.

    Now, gather hair rollers and find your spritz (in a 2 dollar spray bottle from Sally’s, I combine 1 part water, 1 part Desert Essence Green Apple Conditioner”>.

16. Spritz each braid, making it damp, not dripping wet. This step sets the hair. To make sure the braid gets thoroughly saturated I cradle the braid in one hand and spritz directly, in close range, with the other. Finally, I squish the mix through by squeezing the braid gently. Set the end on a rod roller, and move on to the next one.
17. Once all the braids are damp and the ends are rolled, I tie on a satin scarf, leaving the braids dangling, but the crown secure to control the frizzies.
18. On Monday morning, I carefully take down each braid and fluff.

Preserving the Style:

• I re-braid every other night. Since the hair is somewhat straightened and already detangled, your fingers and a wide tooth comb should get the job done.
• On nights that I don’t re-braid, I pineapple (gather the hair at the crown and secure with a loose, satin scrunchy, and tie on a scarf”>, and sleep on a satin pillow case.
• I’ve been experimenting with this routine for a little over a month now. I like that I don’t have to wet my hair as often, and that it yields fluffy, HUGE hair on day one. I’ve received tons of compliments and people that know me, keep asking if my hair has grown! It makes my hair look thick, healthy, and full of life.

Pros:

• Moisturize once daily or every other day
• Stretched Hair (prevents breakage, splits, tangling”>
• Makes fine hair appear voluminous
• Only have to re-style (wet, detangle, etc.”> once a week, or bi-weekly. yay!!!