3 Tips for a Better Wash Day
Last updated on September 3rd, 2017 at 05:51 pm
It’s been established that when it comes to caring for our natural hair, there’s no one size fits all approach. Yet, while that may be true, it has also been established that there are certain hair care practices that work for most hair types across the board.
For one thing, none of us can get away from washing our hair. Well, that is unless you want to grow all sorts of nasty fungus in your head while simultaneously smelling like bum butt. None of us wants that.
We all have to wash our hair. We know we need to do it but sometimes you just don’t feel like it. Maybe it’s because you know it can involve way too much work…more than what you may be prepared to do.
I personally, don’t mind a few hours of doing my hair. It’s kinda like having some “me time.” Yet, there really are times (although rare) that I want wash day to be quick but I also want it to be effective. Here are 3 tips that I have found help get the job done.
I. Pre-Poo the night before
Pre-pooing is basically, applying a natural oil, conditioner or both to your hair prior to washing it. When you pre-poo the evening before you wash, it allows that pre-poo concoction (whatever it is) to really soak into your strands, making the wash process much easier. I have literally applied my pre-poo to tangled hair, gone to bed and when I got up the next morning to wash my hair, the tangles melted away under the shower stream. I’m currently using coconut oil mixed with Aubrey Organics GPB or another conditioner.
II. Stop detangling before, during and after washing
Detangling your hair before, during and after washing is not only waaaaay too much manipulation (especially for fine strands), it’s unnecessary and wastes a lot of time. You can lightly finger detangle your hair while applying your pre-poo but save the real detangling for after washing. If you wash your hair without bunching it up on your head (working in a downward, smoothing motion), it shouldn’t be very tangled. You can then apply your products (leave in conditioner, oil, gel, styler, etc) to your hair and they will help you detangle (HINT: Aloe Vera Gel has the best slip!). As you are work these items through damp hair, detangling is easier and faster.
III. Get all the moisture in you can
Last off, while we want wash day to be easy, we also want it to be effective. Effective is what makes it better. Washing our hair isn’t just about cleaning it. It’s also the time for us to get true moisture into our strands. How you do this will depend on your hair’s porosity levels. So, one person may follow the LOC (Liquid, Oil, Cream) method while another may follow the LCO (Liquid, Cream, Oil) or LCOC (Liquid, Conditioner, Oil, Cream) method. It’s up to you to figure out the combination of product layering that works best for locking moisture into your hair but universally, we all start with water.
How do you make your wash day better? Is it about how fast you can make it happen or how effective it helps you to maintain your hair til the next wash day?
