Reporting: CO-washes are da truth!!

[SweetCaramel1]

i did my first co wash new year's eve and it was GREAT! my hair was SUPER SUPER soft !!!

 

[Healthb4Length]

Glad that you liked your co-wash experience. I find they are a must, especially when I stretch my relaxers.

 

[*Happily Me*]

Yes indeed!

Helps me to retain length.

 

[shortness]

I tried it last night and I am already addicted. I am gonna do it again tonite. I can't wait to get home! I put Garnier Fructis soft curls creme in my hair and twisted afterwards and sprayed my own leave in conditioner concoction. Get curls this morning with TONS of compliments. Can't wait for my boyfriend to see it!

Has anyone tried blowdrying (on a low temp) after co-washing?

 

[StartinOvah]

i'm a co-washer! i never heard of co-washing before this site. the idea of me keeping my scalp clean and moisturized had never dawned on me even with a severe dryscalp and breakage. not to mention the yucky old hair smell. i wash every third day, rotating betweeen co-washes and washes. my scalp is hardly ever dry anymore unless i go days without moisturizing. i used to have a dry scalp after getting it washed. it would be wet and dry, if that makes sense! co-washing has been a hair saver for me. i also air dry all the time.

 

[SherryLove]

please do not laugh at me, yall... but how in the heck can you wash your with conditioner???? LOL....does it even clean your scalp????

 

[foxybrownsugar]

please do not laugh at me, yall... but how in the heck can you wash your with conditioner???? LOL....does it even clean your scalp????

Hi sherrylove, after i saturate my hair with water then condish the key for me is using the pads of my fingertips to gently massage the scalp thereby lifting the grease, flakes, lint (if present). Believe me when I first started CWing I checked to see how clean my scalp was and also I think clipping the hair in sections ensures the area is cleaner and no areas are missed. hth

 

[SherryLove]

Hi sherrylove, after i saturate my hair with water then condish the key for me is using the pads of my fingertips to gently massage the scalp thereby lifting the grease, flakes, lint (if present). Believe me when I first started CWing I checked to see how clean my scalp was and also I think clipping the hair in sections ensures the area is cleaner and no areas are missed. hth

that was very helpful, foxy... what do you mean when you say "clipping" the hair?????

 

[foxybrownsugar]

that was very helpful, foxy... what do you mean when you say "clipping" the hair?????

I use those hair clips used to secure the hair. The neon ones in sally's close to the rollers. I don't know their exact name. They also come in black and white.

 

[SherryLove]

I use those hair clips used to secure the hair. The neon ones in sally's close to the rollers. I don't know their exact name. They also come in black and white.

thanks again, foxy......

 

[foxybrownsugar]

Your Welcome.

 

[Suri]

girrrrl you ain know..they are indeed the troof.

I will accept nothing other than co-washes. It's funny after I reached this conclusion, I was telling my mother that she shouldn't use shampoo to wash. She's like "I have been washing with conditioner for years" she says it keeps her color lush.

 

[Mestiza]

I love to CO Wash my hair, too! I do it as often as I like (usually, 1 - 2 times a week).

 

[Mestiza]

I want to try co washes but my hair gets so tangled when wet. Anybody else having the same problems. Does co washes help with this?

ACV rinses have helped me a lot w/ tangled hair.

 

[Lucia]

yes ITA w/ ACV rinses keeps the hair from tangling, and helps w. shine and curl definition.

 

[Jewell]

I tried it last night and I am already addicted. I am gonna do it again tonite. I can't wait to get home! I put Garnier Fructis soft curls creme in my hair and twisted afterwards and sprayed my own leave in conditioner concoction. Get curls this morning with TONS of compliments. Can't wait for my boyfriend to see it!

Has anyone tried blowdrying (on a low temp) after co-washing?

I lightly blow dried my hair earlier this week after a CW. My hair was shiny, silky and sooo soft. Didn't feel dry at all. I prefer airdrying because it takes about 20-30 mins to blow dry, depending on new growth. I CW daily and do a bun like Anky. I let it dry as it will...then don't take it down til the next night's CW.

I tie it up at night w/my satin scarf...in the morning I throw off the scarf and don't have to touch my hair for work, although I might spritz w/water. I usually do them at night because I am usually always cold, so I dare not go out in the cold with damp hair...I'd freeze!

I first heard about CO washes in the last part of 03...I may have read it in Sophisticate's Black Hair or Essence. This was before I stumbled upon hair boards. I began doing them off and on in 04 and my hair has done nothing but thrive. My curl pattern is so tight that I HAVE to CW when I get a lot of new growth or my hair will dry out and loc up... Definitely a keeper for life...increases my growth rate and everything...

ETA: I shampoo once a week.

 

[foxybrownsugar]

ITA CWing is great for defining my curls. Sometimes I leave alittle condish in my hair and my hair stays soft and smells good & yummy all day!

 

[Candy_C]

please do not laugh at me, yall... but how in the heck can you wash your with conditioner???? LOL....does it even clean your scalp????

my hair HATEEEESSSS co-washing. went brittle and allsorts. even though it sounds good, it may not be for everyone

 

[a_ caribbean_dream]

yes ITA w/ ACV rinses keeps the hair from tangling, and helps w. shine and curl definition.

What are acv rinses??

 

[Mestiza]

What are acv rinses??

Apple Cider Vinegar mixed w/ water and poured on the hair

 

[Crystalicequeen123]

Hehe...Yeah, I LOVE Co washes!

In fact, I don't know about anyone else, but I used to hate to wash my hair more than once a month ( ), NOW I'm itching to either wash my hair or CO wash my hair every 3-4 DAYS! (I alternate during the week btwn Shampoo and co washes)

It's gotten to the point where I literally can't WAIT until my next "wash"!

 

[Mestiza]

Hehe...Yeah, I LOVE Co washes!

In fact, I don't know about anyone else, but I used to hate to wash my hair more than once a month ( ), NOW I'm itching to either wash my hair or CO wash my hair every 3-4 DAYS! (I alternate during the week btwn Shampoo and co washes)

It's gotten to the point where I literally can't WAIT until my next "wash"!

I feel the same way! I look forward to my hair wash days! I love, love, love washing my hair, now!

 

[KhandiB]

:scratchch

I may try this technique...

So after you co-wash you do your normal styling??

and what kind of conditioners do you use?? is Suave, or something like that ok to use?

 

[Crystalicequeen123]

:scratchch

I may try this technique...

So after you co-wash you do your normal styling??

and what kind of conditioners do you use?? is Suave, or something like that ok to use?

GIRL try it! I guarantee, you will wonder why you haven't done this SOONER!

I alternate between the conditioners I use sometimes. Like, sometimes I'll use VO5's Strawberries and Milk, or Suave Humectant. But MOST of the time I use Lekair Cholesterol conditioner. I LOVE this conditioner! It detangles like no other. And it's CHEAP enough to use for co-washes.

Like, some conditioners are great (Like Nexxus Humectress), but they are so expensive that I don't dare use them for my co-washes. I'm not shy with the conditioner when I'm doing my co-washes.

After I wash with conditioner, I usually deep condition with Humectress or Keracare humecto, and then do some type of protective low-maintenance style after rinsing it out.

It has worked WONDERS for me. Especially when stretching relaxers!

 

[Southernbella.]

Hehe...Yeah, I LOVE Co washes!

In fact, I don't know about anyone else, but I used to hate to wash my hair more than once a month ( ), NOW I'm itching to either wash my hair or CO wash my hair every 3-4 DAYS! (I alternate during the week btwn Shampoo and co washes)

It's gotten to the point where I literally can't WAIT until my next "wash"!

Girl, I'm the exact same way. I would never wash my hair between salon visits (every 2-3 weeks), because I knew I couldn't get my hair to look as good. Now, my hair looks BETTER, and I look forward to washing days. My hair starts to feel dirty to me after 4 days. How the heck did I go 3 weeks before?

I also love deep conditioning. Even when I co wash, I deep condition, which I also never used to do.

 

[Crystalicequeen123]

Girl, I'm the exact same way. I would never wash my hair between salon visits (every 2-3 weeks), because I knew I couldn't get my hair to look as good. Now, my hair looks BETTER, and I look forward to washing days. My hair starts to feel dirty to me after 4 days. How the heck did I go 3 weeks before?

I also love deep conditioning. Even when I co wash, I deep condition, which I also never used to do.

I know right??! I often wonder that question. Back when I was in middle school, man...I was AWFUL! I never washed my hair unless I went swimming. (What was I thinking?? ) I only got my hair washed when I got my hair done, OR when I had my next relaxer (and that was usually when I got my hair done. ). I'm surprised my hair didn't completely fall out! LOL* I never even conditioned my hair back then!

In high school I got a little better. By "better" I mean that I was basically washing my hair every 2 weeks. haha! I thought washing more than once every week was something only "white people" did/should do. HA!! Boy have I come a long way! Now, not only do I actually look FORWARD to washing my hair, but I also see it as a "special" treat of pampering for me. It's really relaxing for me to get in the shower, let the water actually touch my hair (LOL) and trickle down to massage my scalp.

 

[KhandiB]

GIRL try it! I guarantee, you will wonder why you haven't done this SOONER!

I alternate between the conditioners I use sometimes. Like, sometimes I'll use VO5's Strawberries and Milk, or Suave Humectant. But MOST of the time I use Lekair Cholesterol conditioner. I LOVE this conditioner! It detangles like no other. And it's CHEAP enough to use for co-washes.

Like, some conditioners are great (Like Nexxus Humectress), but they are so expensive that I don't dare use them for my co-washes. I'm not shy with the conditioner when I'm doing my co-washes.

After I wash with conditioner, I usually deep condition with Humectress or Keracare humecto, and then do some type of protective low-maintenance style after rinsing it out.

It has worked WONDERS for me. Especially when stretching relaxers!

So you ALWAYS only do protective styles when CO? Im not a huge fan of many Protective styles (mainly cuz my bantu knot set hasnt turned out good lately ) I love my hair straight. Im going to co wash 2ce a week for a month and see how that goes..

So from Jan 10th to Feb 9th

 

[Crystalicequeen123]

So you ALWAYS only do protective styles when CO? Im not a huge fan of many Protective styles (mainly cuz my bantu knot set hasnt turned out good lately ) I love my hair straight. Im going to co wash 2ce a week for a month and see how that goes..

So from Jan 10th to Feb 9th

Eh..well, most of the time. Usually I try to do as low maintanance style as possible period simply because my hair is just naturally fine to begin with. I try not to use a lot of heat on my hair either. So, when I do my Co washes once a week, I usually just air-dry, or put my hair in twists and air-dry that way. But if I shampoo my hair (which I do once a week), then I may do a rollerset or use heat.
I tend to alternate.

But usually, I try to keep my hair as low-maintenance-free as possible. I find that I don't have as much shedding that way. But I know what you mean about protective styles. I don't like them much either. I much prefer my hair down and long/swinging. BUT...my hair is at a critical stage now were it could break if I don't keep it up. I've noticed a DRASTIC improvement in my ends too.

I will try alternating more btwn up-do's and down-do's from now on though because I think my edges and the front of my hair COULD be thinning due to always combing and brushing my hair back into a protective bun. I noticed that when I was wearing bangs, my hair in the front edge wasn't thinning as much.

 

[NoNapNique]

I guess I am the only one who hates CO washes... I stopped when I saw how much hair I was losing, and how much time it was taking up... I just see it as another opportunity to shed "wash day" hairs, and it's just extra manipulation my tangle prone hair doesn't need... I wash once a week and deep condition overnight. In between I use liquid leave-ins and moisturizers. My hair has been thanking me for it by getting thicker and healthier... and it's growing like a WEED!

 

[KhandiB]

Eh..well, most of the time. Usually I try to do as low maintanance style as possible period simply because my hair is just naturally fine to begin with. I try not to use a lot of heat on my hair either. So, when I do my Co washes once a week, I usually just air-dry, or put my hair in twists and air-dry that way. But if I shampoo my hair (which I do once a week), then I may do a rollerset or use heat.
I tend to alternate.

But usually, I try to keep my hair as low-maintenance-free as possible. I find that I don't have as much shedding that way. But I know what you mean about protective styles. I don't like them much either. I much prefer my hair down and long/swinging. BUT...my hair is at a critical stage now were it could break if I don't keep it up. I've noticed a DRASTIC improvement in my ends too.

I will try alternating more btwn up-do's and down-do's from now on though because I think my edges and the front of my hair COULD be thinning due to always combing and brushing my hair back into a protective bun. I noticed that when I was wearing bangs, my hair in the front edge wasn't thinning as much.

Im gonna start tonight, this is something I need to do to have some me time..always taking care of hubby & baby... Im going to take some steps and create a new album in my fotki for my own challenge and keep ya up on it..