Do you dread your wash days because they seem to take forever? If so, you’re not the only one! Unless you have a routine down pat, wash day can be quite the time suck. Make the most of your time by trying out this wash day routine .
Before each wash:
Before you even think about stepping into the shower, make sure you pre poo your hair. This includes coating your strands with an oil to help seal them down. This will prevent your curls from losing moisture during the washing process.
Coconut or olive oil are great for this, depending on how heavy your curls are.
Every other week:
You’re going to want to get your curls on a rotation and start alternating cowashing and shampooing. On one week, you’ll be cowashing, which is when you use a conditioner based cleanser to wash your curls. Cowashing breaks up buildup without stripping your curls of their natural oils and moisture.
On the alternative weeks you’ll be shampooing. Make sure to pick up a shampoo that is free of sulfates and parabens, as both ingredients are more harmful than helpful to curls. When you shampoo make sure to section your curls out beforehand so it’s easier to work with each strand and you can be assured you’re getting a great cleanse. Rinse your shampoo with cool water to help close back down your curl’s cuticle.
Following each wash:
Any time you use a shampoo or cowashing you need to make sure you’re following up with a conditioner. Use a moisturizing conditioner every single time. Coat your curls from mid shaft down with the product and allow it to sit for a few minutes so your curls can absorb the moisture. Before you rinse, use the slip created by the conditioner to help detangle any snarls or knots. Start from the bottom of your strands and work your way up, tackling one area at a time. Use a wet comb or your fingers, and work on one snarl at a time to minimize damage.
Alternate ever other wash:
On the week you shampoo, consider using a protein treatment if your curls need it. Make sure you consider your curl’s needs and type before picking the product that works best for you. After cleansing, section your curls out and cover each strand from the mid shaft to the ends thoroughly with product. Cover with a cap and allow it to sit for a minimum of 30 minutes. You can also apply heat to help the product penetrate more deeply into your curls. Rinse with cool water to close the hair shafts back down and remove any excess to avoid weighing down your curls.
On the weeks you cowash or when your curls just need an extra boost, use a deep conditioner. This will help add moisture and hydration that’s lost over the weeks. Apply it how you would a protein treatment, making sure you allow it to sit for a minimum of 30 minutes to get the most you can out of the product.