Hair Journey - Malika

Hey guys! First of all, unlike all of the hair features so far on this blog, my hair is actually relaxed. However, I am still on a healthy hair journey and a journey to grow my hair. I currently relax my hair every 4 months which works out as three times a year. My hair journey actually only really started this January, after I had taken my hair out of weave after two months. The detangling process was so bad as my hair was extremely knotted, but my mum helped me with it and we tackled it. We did a black seed hot oil treatment on my hair after washing it which also really revived the healthiness of my hair. It was then that I realized that my hair was actually healthy and that I had retained length, thus motivating me to start my journey. My sister started her own hair journey several years ago and although she always advised me on how to take care of my hair, I cared more about how it appeared than its health. Her hair is now past BSL (bra-strap length) and she is still going on! Apart from the time that I had weave, I protective style my hair in buns, braids or twists. I rarely ever use heat on my hair and after washing I always air dry my hair.

This is post 4 months relaxer, and I got a protein treatment at the salon following a trim and straighten. My hair has grown rather remarkably since then and is very healthy.

- Protective styling space buns.

- Bantu twist out 

- Protective styling weave 

- Protective styling braids

Currently this is what my hair regimen entails:

- Moisturize and seal daily using the LOC method. I wrap a silk scarf around my hair before sleeping to make sure that all the moisture in my hair is sealed, and I’d recommend this to everyone. Moisture is key for black Afro-Caribbean hair and is simply the base to most hair regimens.

- I co-wash my hair every other Sunday (at the moment I’m using Aussie’s 3 minute miracle), followed by a protein treatment and a deep condition.

- Protein treatments (I use Aphogee 2 minute reconstructor) are essential as our hair is made up of mainly keratin. On the Sundays that I don’t co-wash, I shampoo with a sulfate-free shampoo and do a black tea rinse which is also followed by a deep-condition. I find deep conditioning my hair most effective and moisturizing when I use heat, so I deffo recommend this to those who struggle with dryer hair. Another tip to make a deep conditioner effective/moisturizing is to add a humectant/oil to it. I use honey or coconut oil, but you can also use jojoba oil, glycerin oil etc.

- Once a month I shampoo with a clarifying shampoo which gets rid of product build up without stripping the hair of essential oils and moisture. This is definitely key as we tend to underestimate how much product our scalp soaks up in even just one week, which can block the scalp and not allow for moisture to penetrate through.

Hair products: left to right -> Tresemmé deep cleansing shampoo. (I use this to clarify). Underneath it - Mega Growth Daily Leave-in Strengthener (I use to this to moisturise). Aussie Repair Miracle Shampoo (moisturising shampoo, I also use Creme of Nature Argan Oil Sulfate Free Shampoo). Cantu Shea Butter thermal shield heat protectant. Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer (I use this to moisturise and add protein). ORS Olive Oil Repleneshing Conditioner (I use this to deep condition. It works wonders!). Aphogee 2 Min Reconstructor (I use this do my protein treatments). 

Front row: Creme of Nature Argan Oil Perfect Edges (I use this to lay my edges. Works quite well, especially on my relaxed hair). Coconut oil - (I use this after moisturising as a sealant. I also use JBCO and almond oil). Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Shine Deep Treatment (I use this as to co-wash and also sometimes prior to deep conditioning). 

Last month, I tried the inversion method for the very first time which I found very effective as I saw progress in my length. For those of you who don’t know what the inversion method is, here is  a really good link explaining it all:

https://hairdiary.wordpress.com/2013/08/31/the-inversion-method-for-hair-grow-an-inch-of-hair-in-7-days/

When I do use heat, which is fairly rare, I use a thermal shield / heat protectant before hand.

So that is pretty much the basics of my hair care regimen. So far, everything seems to be working pretty well. If anyone has any questions please send them through to Kia and I’ll be pleased to reply.

Thanks guys, take care!