Discover a wash day routine that’s low on harsh chemicals and high on hydration!
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Posted: 11/01/23
Do you find that your curls, kinks and coily hair need a bit of a helping hand in the hydration department? We’ve got a step-by-step wash day routine that spills our top tips for cleansing, conditioning and protecting your hair until the next wash day rolls around. Plus, we’ll also give you the lowdown on the different hair types, so you can get to know your unique texture better!
Let’s talk hair types…
Heard talk of hair types, but not sure where your hair slots in? We can help! There are four hair types: 1, 2, 3 and 4. Excluding 1, these types can be further divided into 3 sections: a, b and c. A is the loosest curl type of that category, c is the tightest curl within this hair type and b is somewhere in the middle! Find more of the lowdown below…
Type 1: Straight hair without any curl
Type 2: Wavy hair that resembles an S shape. Hair closer to 2c is likely to have a courser texture and a greater chance of frizz.
Type 3: Curly hair that resembles a corkscrew shape. Curls within this type can range from large and loose curls to tight corkscrews.
Type 4: Coily hair can range from small, tight coils to closely packed Z shaped strands. This hair type is the most prone to shrinkage and breakage.
No matter the curl type, Black natural hair requires TLC and a whole lot of hydration. But why is this? As the curls, coils and kinks get tighter, the scalp’s natural oils find it harder to travel down the hair shaft. Therefore, a routine that works to gently nourish and restore moisture is exactly what’s needed for your curls or coils to thrive.
Cleansing
To kick off the wash day routine, you’ll want to start by cleansing the hair to help get rid of product buildup (think: gel, dry shampoo and serum), dirt and excess oils. To do so without stripping the hair of its natural oils, opt for a shampoo with a gentle formula. Also, look out for chemicals like parabens and sulphates on the packaging, as these can dry out your curls.
Still pondering the age-old question of how often you should be washing your hair? Well, the truth is there is no right or wrong answer! It’s all down to your unique texture, lifestyle and personal preferences. The general benchmark is every 7-10 days, but you may want to do some investigative work to find out what works best for you.
Next step: conditioner. Not only will this help the elasticity, moisture and softness of your strands, but it’s also a must-have for detangling. Start by separating your hair into multiple sections, applying a liberal amount of conditioner to each section. To coat as much of your hair in conditioner as possible, use your fingers (or a wide-toothed comb) and take your time to rake the product through well. Soft and silky locks, coming right up!
Do you ever find that you nail your washday routine but still find yourself fighting off frizz and battling breakage? It could be down to how you dry your hair. Black natural hair prefers gentle treatment, so rubbing your hair dry with a rough bath towel is a no-no for curly or coily hair. Instead, wrap your hair in a microfibre towel or cotton t-shirt to dry it. After removing, you can also use the towel or t-shirt to scrunch any excess water.
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Style
Before you style your hair, you might want to give your hair an extra boost of health and hydration with a leave-in conditioner! It’ll also help soften and add shine to your hair, helping it to look it’s best when styled.
To help prevent damage to your hair before your next wash day, you might want to wear a protective style that encases the hair, e.g. braids, faux locs and wigs. Alternatively, you could go for low manipulation styles that involve minimal handling, such as wash and go, buns, puffs and Bantu knots.
Wash day routine for black natural hair
Do you find that your curls, kinks and coily hair need a bit of a helping hand in the hydration department? We’ve got a step-by-step wash day routine that spills our top tips for cleansing, conditioning and protecting your hair until the next wash day rolls around. Plus, we’ll also give you the lowdown on the different hair types, so you can get to know your unique texture better!
Let’s talk hair types…
Heard talk of hair types, but not sure where your hair slots in? We can help! There are four hair types: 1, 2, 3 and 4. Excluding 1, these types can be further divided into 3 sections: a, b and c. A is the loosest curl type of that category, c is the tightest curl within this hair type and b is somewhere in the middle! Find more of the lowdown below…
Type 1: Straight hair without any curl
Type 2: Wavy hair that resembles an S shape. Hair closer to 2c is likely to have a courser texture and a greater chance of frizz.
Type 3: Curly hair that resembles a corkscrew shape. Curls within this type can range from large and loose curls to tight corkscrews.
Type 4: Coily hair can range from small, tight coils to closely packed Z shaped strands. This hair type is the most prone to shrinkage and breakage.
Want to know more? Check out our blog on finding your hair type!
Washday routine for Black natural hair
No matter the curl type, Black natural hair requires TLC and a whole lot of hydration. But why is this? As the curls, coils and kinks get tighter, the scalp’s natural oils find it harder to travel down the hair shaft. Therefore, a routine that works to gently nourish and restore moisture is exactly what’s needed for your curls or coils to thrive.
Cleansing
To kick off the wash day routine, you’ll want to start by cleansing the hair to help get rid of product buildup (think: gel, dry shampoo and serum), dirt and excess oils. To do so without stripping the hair of its natural oils, opt for a shampoo with a gentle formula. Also, look out for chemicals like parabens and sulphates on the packaging, as these can dry out your curls.
Still pondering the age-old question of how often you should be washing your hair? Well, the truth is there is no right or wrong answer! It’s all down to your unique texture, lifestyle and personal preferences. The general benchmark is every 7-10 days, but you may want to do some investigative work to find out what works best for you.
Condition
Next step: conditioner. Not only will this help the elasticity, moisture and softness of your strands, but it’s also a must-have for detangling. Start by separating your hair into multiple sections, applying a liberal amount of conditioner to each section. To coat as much of your hair in conditioner as possible, use your fingers (or a wide-toothed comb) and take your time to rake the product through well. Soft and silky locks, coming right up!
Dry
Do you ever find that you nail your washday routine but still find yourself fighting off frizz and battling breakage? It could be down to how you dry your hair. Black natural hair prefers gentle treatment, so rubbing your hair dry with a rough bath towel is a no-no for curly or coily hair. Instead, wrap your hair in a microfibre towel or cotton t-shirt to dry it. After removing, you can also use the towel or t-shirt to scrunch any excess water.
Style
Before you style your hair, you might want to give your hair an extra boost of health and hydration with a leave-in conditioner! It’ll also help soften and add shine to your hair, helping it to look it’s best when styled.
To help prevent damage to your hair before your next wash day, you might want to wear a protective style that encases the hair, e.g. braids, faux locs and wigs. Alternatively, you could go for low manipulation styles that involve minimal handling, such as wash and go, buns, puffs and Bantu knots.
Perfect your wash day routine!
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