TOP 7 HAIR CARE PRACTICES ( Which Made My Hair Journey Successful)

7 changes collage

I was looking through some of my really old (and mostly blurry) hair pictures and was reminiscing about the ups and downs my hair journey.

I found myself thinking about the practices that I believed truly made my hair journey a success and decided it would be a good blog post.  I hope this post will serve as a reminder that hair care techniques are way more important than hair products for a hair journey to be successful.

My Top 7 Changes I Made To My Hair Care Habits

Please note that this list is personal. These techniques may have different effects on your own hair but as always I am only offering up my own experience as a guide.

No 7 : Air Drying

Pre Hair Journey:
I knew regular washing was supposed to be good for black hair so I would wash my hair weekly and I would blow dry on a high heat setting. I would drag the comb attachment of the blow dryer through my hair. Unbeknown to me a lot of things I was doing on my wash days were making my hair break and was actually causing damage.
Blow drying on high heat always left my hair feeling extremely dry and brittle…aka crunchy. I would lose sooooo much hair but thought that was expected for black hair.
I had read in so many magazines that blow drying wasn’t great for our hair but I always thought “common, once a week can’t hurt”.

Post Hair Journey:
I decided to give the air drying thing a try. What I noticed firstly was that I didn’t have tons of hair breaking off each weekend and that may hair was did not feel as brittle. Although I did miss the swing that blow drying gave my hair.
With time I noticed a vast improvement in my hair and blow drying weekly became ancient history for me. My hair was getting fuller (because it was growing and I was getting less breakage) and it absorbed and retained moisture better.
After a few months of air drying, my hair looked so much healthier and had better elasticity. With time I have learnt how best to air dry my hair so that it feels bouncy and fluffy.

 

No 6 : Combing Only on Wash Days

Pre Hair Journey
I would comb my hair every morning before styling it because it seemed like a regular morning ritual…like brushing your teeth.
I would drag the comb through my hair and loads of hair would break off.

Post Hair Journey
I finally understood that our hair is fragile and realised that daily combing was not advisable for black hair. Combs tend to cause breakage when dragged through matted or tangled hair. Combing regularly also physically stresses and contributes to the damage of our hair fibres over time.
Weaker damaged hair = higher risk of breakage

The less often we comb our hair the better. This does not mean we should allow our hair to tangle and matt. Finger detangling and finger combing is a better option. Also you can locate and remove tangles better with our fingers.
I initially switched to combing my hair a few times a week and eventually began combing it only on wash days. I noticed less breakage and less thinning of my hair at my ends.

 

No 5 : Moisturising and Sealing

Pre Hair Journey
I used to use greasy products to “moisturise” my hair. I thought at the time that moisturising my hair was something I need to do to make styling my hair easier. Applying a form of hair crème or grease and then combing my hair was just another morning ritual. I never ever sealed my hair before my hair journey.
My hair always felt coated but dry.

Post Hair Journey
I finally understood why black hair tends to be drier than that of other races and that this was why ensuring our hair is moisturised is important to minimise breakage. I began to experiment with a few “truly” moisturising products and picked the ones I felt worked best with my hair.
I learnt about the benefits of sealing with an oil to help lock in moisture within our strands for longer.
My hair felt soft through the week and was not weighed down with grease. I also noticed that I had less breakage when my hair was due for a relaxer touch up. This was because I had learnt the importance of keeping my new growth well moisturised.

blog texlax result 2  Dec 2010

Texlax Result December 2010. This was 1 year and 3 months into my hair journey and I could see that all my hard work begining to pay off.

No 4 : Working in Sections

Pre Hair Journey
I knew nothing about caring for hair in sections. I thought hair only had to be sectioned for processes like relaxing or perhaps trimming.

Post Hair Journey
I learnt a lot from other ladies who had started their hair journey before me and inspired me to start my own journey. These ladies often talked about applying product in sections to ensure even distribution and to have better access to their roots.
They also discussed combing and manipulation their hair in sections to reduce the risk of tangling and breakage. I tried it and experienced all the benefits I had read about.

A huge benefit that I would like to add is that working in sections will help you get to know your hair a little better. I was able to identify which part of my hair grew faster or slower, which parts sheds more, which parts were sensitive at the scalp, which parts needed more or less products, which parts tangled more, etc. I think it’s the best way for you to learn how to understand YOUR hair so that you give it what it needs.

 

No 3- Protective Styling

Pre Hair Journey
I knew before I started my hair journey that regular heat styling should be avoided and that leaving my hair down every day could lead to dry frizzy and split ends. I ignored these facts and did whatever I liked with my hair. On some days if I was bored at home I would use a curling iron to create various styles in my hair just for fun and would be at it for over an hour.
When I started experiencing severe breakage I cut down the heat and wore my hair in ponytails (not buns). My ends were still exposed to the elements and would rub on the back of chairs, clothes and scarves, etc which led to split ends.

Post Hair Journey
I realised that the mistake I was making was not fully grasping the concept of protective styling. I was only going half way…I was wearing protective styles but did nothing to care for my hair whilst it was in those protective styles. So even though I began hiding my hair under wigs my hair continued to suffer from neglect.
Some of my styles were low manipulation hair styles like the ponytail but they were not completely protective because my ends would get dry from exposure to sun and wind. They were also sustaining damage and wear and tear. I would need to trim very regularly as I always had split ends.
Now when my hair is out I ensure that majority of my ends are hidden in the styles I choose to wear. Off course I can leave it down occasionally if I want to.
I created my wig regimen which I still follow to ensure my hair would not become damaged from neglect when wearing wigs.
With my wig regimen, I was able to retain more hair than ever before and as I have always said, this was the regimen that took me from shoulder length to bra strap length and beyond.
This was my own personal formula for growing (retaining) hair.

blog texlax result 6 Jan 2012

Texlax Result January 2012. This was 2 years and 4 months into my hair journey. I saw this picture and then I really believed that my hair could groooooow just like all those ladies I had seen on YouTube

2- Balancing the Use of Protein & Moisture

Pre Hair Journey
I knew absolute zero about whether a product was protein based or moisture based or how it affected my hair.
What I did know was that my hair always felt dry, brittle and crunchy like dry hay or straw leaves. I had no idea that using my hair products incorrectly was the cause of this.

Post Hair Journey
On starting my hair journey, I would often notice write ups about protein and moisture balance but always ignored them. Finally one day on a long commute to work I read about it and suddenly EVERYTHING (on a hair front) made sense. It was the missing piece of the puzzle for me.

With protein and moisture balancing I could “choose” how I wanted to make my hair feel but most importantly I understood what my hair needed to thrive. My hair was no longer a mystery.
I understood why my hair had been feeling dry for years…….90% of my products were protein. I remembered times in the past when my hair felt mushy and limp and over stretchy and realised that that had been caused by using too many moisture products.
Its like my eyes were finally open and I felt like Neyo in The Matrix.

Now my approach to selecting conditioners and leave in conditioners is always guided by whether the product is moisture or protein based. My hair thanks me for this by thriving.

Please see this post for more information about protein and moisture balancing.


No 1 : Washing in Braids

Pre Hair Journey
I always washed my hair together as one and was usually left with very matted and tangled hair on most wash days. Every wash day felt like a mini set back. I would lose tons of hair.
The worst thing is that when I wore weaves or braids, I would sometimes try to wash and deep condition my hair a week before relaxing because I read in a magazine that it would prepare my hair for relaxing. However, when I followed that advice I often suffered from major tangling and locking which would result in major setbacks.
I decided to begin relaxing my hair the same day I removed extensions which obviously caused its own set of problems and I would still lose a lot of hair. It was a lose-lose situation.
My wash day tangles were one of the major reason my hair never really grew past shoulder length.

Post Hair Journey
I am not sure when exactly on my hair journey I learnt about washing hair in box braids but I can say that for ME without a doubt this is the ultimate technique. It stopped completely what was causing ME to have minor and major setbacks with my hair. So for me it is number one because it was the solution to MY biggest hair problem.
Although my wash days became significantly more time consuming as have to put my hair in box braids before washing, it is worth it. I always ALWAYS wash my hair in braids.

 

Ladies whatever challenges you are facing on your hair journey, do a little research on what that problem is and see how other ladies have overcome it. Remember what works for someone may not work for you but if you don’t try then you will never know.

This post was waaaaay longer than I planned but I hope it has encouraged someone out there to not give up on this mini lifestyle change we call a hair journey.
I still have my challenges but hey….its not called a journey for nothing….. I am still learning, changing and growing…..
What issues are you having on your hair journey ladies?  What have you tried to overcome them?

The next blog post will be a hair update and a hair style pictorial.  I really wasn’t keen on the last ones I did and I am determined to do better on the next one.
See you soon

x

Lade
Learn | Change | Grow

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18 Comments

  1. Hilda Yaila
    December 6, 2014 / 11:48 am

    So glad you wrote about this. Since I started my hair journey I constantly go back to check my hair practices and change any bad habits. I have a book where I write down the processes of all my wash days and always check to correct them. One question though; do you want to grow your hair to tailbone length??

    • omolade
      Author
      December 17, 2014 / 3:12 pm

      Hello Hilda

      Thank you for your comment. You keeping a record is great dedication.
      I don’t “intend” to grow my hair to tail bone. Right now I am focusing on cutting off my thin ends gradually until they are thicker.

  2. Gift
    December 6, 2014 / 7:03 pm

    please can you show us how you keep your hair in buns before putting on your wig? thanks

    • omolade
      Author
      December 17, 2014 / 3:14 pm

      Hello Gift

      I do not have my hair in buns under my wig, I have it in box braids (calabar) made with my own hair alone, no extensions.
      x
      Lade

  3. December 7, 2014 / 12:17 am

    I’ve tried washing in braids on and off and I just don’t think it’s for me. My hair clumps and mattes around the line of demarcation. Great list! I definitely share some of your same a-ha moments.

    • omolade
      Author
      December 17, 2014 / 3:38 pm

      Hello Divachyk!!!!!

      Thanks for the comment. Yes what works for me certainly wont work for everyone and some ladies have told me that washing in braids really didn’t help them. I am just glad it works for me.

  4. chocolatestarbx
    December 8, 2014 / 1:26 am

    lovely post!! your hair is so inspiring! this post was so informative. the key was finding a positive routine that works for me!

    • omolade
      Author
      December 17, 2014 / 3:47 pm

      Thank you so much. I am glad you are inspired and I am sure you are taking better care of your hair. I hope you find a routine that works for you.
      x
      Lade

  5. Aïssé
    December 8, 2014 / 9:35 am

    Hi,
    I love your blog, thank you so much for sharing all your tips.
    Thanks to you I now know that African women can grow long healthy hair.
    I started my hair journey back in April 2014 and I plan on transitioning long term (maybe 2 years) before big chopping.
    Although I know theses tips are for all types of hair, maybe you have some specific tips for transitioners?
    Thank you so much

    • omolade
      Author
      December 17, 2014 / 3:57 pm

      Hello Aisse

      Thank you for your compliment and congratulations on your transition.
      I probably could write a few posts about transitioning. In the interim I have written posts about stretching which I am sure will help.
      You can find them by using the search area at the top right of this page.
      Hope that helps
      x
      Lade

  6. Ruqayya
    December 10, 2014 / 1:05 pm

    Hey Lade, very inspirational blog you’ve got here, and may I add useful and do-able too.
    I started my hair journey when a friend introduced me to GHE( Green House Effect) and I’ve seen tremendous improvement since then. Of course I’ve added air-drying, co-washing, pre-pooing and other healthy hair practices and they all work to give me longer, healthier hair.

    I do handle my hair in sections, including washing. But when I wash, I undo each box braids (aka calabar), wash the hair and put it back in a loose braid. That’s bit tiresome actually. I want to know if by “washing-in-braids” you mean you wash each box braid as it is, braided? Sounds like the cleansing process may not reach all the hair strands in the braid, or there will be residual dirt and products, or is it all in my head? Would appreciate a reply dear. Keep hairducating us!

    • omolade
      Author
      December 17, 2014 / 4:03 pm

      Hello Rukayat

      Thanks for your comment. when washing in braids I create the braids before washing and only undo them after the conditioner has been rinsed out thoroughly. My hair is clean and happy and I’ve not had any issues so long as I ensure I take my time when rinsing out the conditioner. If I undid and replaited whilst washing, with hair my length, I would be in the bathroom for days 🙂
      hope that helps
      x
      Lade

      • Lara
        January 22, 2015 / 12:07 am

        Hi Lade.

        Started my hair journey last Sept 2014. Slightly bumpy as I learned what products to use, and in what mix. And of course, my air drying disaster in Dec 2014 where I slept off, and woke up to an hopelessly tangled mess of hair.

        I just washed my hair this evening, and will never again wash without sectioning.

        Do you recommend use of warm water to wash off shampoo/conditioner if hair is in box braids? The residue bit worries me a bit.

  7. Ese
    December 21, 2014 / 9:31 pm

    I am 3months into my hair journey and yepiiiiii ii see a significant different! My hair actually has the potential to grow and fast too. Still experiencing breakage some days better than the other, but I’m encouraged to keep moving now that I see a significant difference. Thank you Lade!

  8. Monique
    December 26, 2014 / 6:24 pm

    Hi! This blog is wonderful! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your journey. I had a question about trimming your hair. How do you approach trimming your ends if at all? Is this something to build into the regimen, and if so how often and should it be professionally done, done while hair is dry for wet etc… Any advice on how to approach keeping ends trimmed?

    Thanks

  9. elsie
    December 30, 2014 / 10:10 pm

    Hey Lade, I have a relaxed hair but for a long time I have been on the quest to get a thicker hair cos any time I relax my hair breaks profusely.
    September this year I saw ur blog and decide to try texlaxing and I must say am loving it . before we enter a new year I still have some hair problems esp breakage I want to leave behind in 2014.
    I just got of kinky twist and the breakage is still much although I am abt e month post relaxed . I have tried moisturizing but it still breaks pls Wat can I do

  10. Rachel
    January 27, 2015 / 8:13 pm

    Hey Lade!

    Just to let you know that its been a 4 weeks following your regimen and my hair has dramatically grown. God led me to this website, my hair just wasn’t growing and I was the type that loved short hair and cut it anytime and every time. within just 4 weeks its changed and everyone is commenting because there has been a huge difference. Thanks for paying it forward. I’ve been recommending this site to everyone I know.

    God bless

  11. Kira
    November 8, 2015 / 1:45 am

    I love your post. It is very informal. I just have a few questions. My daughter is in middle school and she wears her hair in weave. It is very damaged right now and I am trying to restore it. I want to cut it off but I’m worried about her being bullied at school because of it. I’m not sure on how to maintain it with a weave, and what types of products to use. I don’t know what to use on her hair and what not to use. I’m thinking of cutting and leaving it in box braids. What should I do.