When I Move, You Move...

 ...just like this. After much contemplation I have decided to restart my blog using Tumblr. The URL for my new blog is dearauset.tumblr.com. It is a general lifestyle blog, which includes advice on natural hair, but also features discussions on skin care, health and wellness. It is very much like this blog. LOL. I am, however, using the focus of minimalism or simple living. Since my almost two year anniversary of my FIRST BC on May 7, 2010, I have tried many products and many techniques. Some have worked, most were a flop. I do however believe the best thing for my hair is all natural products and low maintenance styling. Finally, I decided to make things simpler and embrace the minimalist lifestyle. If you like the content you have found here at this blog, please follow me over at Tumblr. The link again is dearauset.tumblr.com.

Thanks!

TWA Wash and Go Regimen

Well, now that I am happily back in the TWA phase (I cut my hair on February 14), I am readjusting my hair regimen greatly. I decided to share that regimen here. I have just decided today to start co-washing again daily, because my hair always gets smushed down when I sleep and I hate the look. It was okay when my hair was really very short, but now that it is growing, I hate that it looks like I slicked it down in the morning. So here goes. But first a brief description of my hair:
My hair is considered Type 4 even though I don't really care for the Andre Walker typing system myself, but I know it gives people perspective. It has a definite curl pattern and forms tight small crochet hook size curls. The strands are baby fine and the density is thick. Don't ask me about porosity, I have no idea what that means in spite of all the explanation I have read. My hair loves soft water, aloe, oils, and light moisturizing creams, conditioners and shampoo bars (esp. Chagrin Valley). My hair hates hard water, heavy oils, butters, shampoos with detergents (the only detergent that didn't dry my hair out was decyl glucoside found in Shea Moisture Black Soap Shampoo or Raw Shea Butter Shampoo), and added fragrances and dyes. I use only all natural products such as Shea Moisture, Oyin Handmade, Giovanni, and Yes to Cucumbers. And there you have it.

Here is my regimen:

TWA Wash and Go Regimen

AM

• Pick out hair with a seamless comb.
• Conditioner Only Wash (daily) or Shampoo and Deep Condition (once a week)
• Apply Leave-In
• Apply Oil (half castor, half another light oil such as jojoba or argan)
• PLOP!
• Apply Cream Moisturizer, my favorite is OH Hair Dew
• Top with Organic Virgin Coconut Oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Both (A little goes a long way, and I tend to use coconut oil in the warmer months and olive oil in the colder months)
• Air Dry! Absolutely no heat. It's warm and my hair is short, so why would I apply direct heat?

PM

• Apply water-based moisturizing spray such as Oyin Handmade Juice or a Homemade Spritz
• Apply coconut or olive oil
• Cover hair with a satin cap and get some shut eye.

Hope this helps. I also believe that this regimen can be tweaked for longer hair, just don't co-wash everyday if you don't like and do a pineapple at night to keep curls from smooshing.