This routine is suppose to bring forth maximum curl definition via wash n go without the aid of heavy products or one's with an apparent cast. I am told the more I do it, the stronger my curl definition will show without product. She didn't necessarily tell me how to start day 1, but I'm going to begin it from the shampoo day. I am piecing together what she told me along with my observation of her techniques in her videos. I want to emphasis that this info is going to be kinda long. I think implementing the routine won't be too complicated though.
Day 1
She suggests saturating the hair fully with water. Smooth out strands and gently remove shed hair. Im assuming from our convo and watching videos that if my hair is not looking defined, then my hair is not fully saturated. I am not to starting shampooing until I get the curls popping. Then coat the ends in conditioner and clarify the scalp. Really get in there and clean the scalp. She uses a small applicator bottle to get to the scalp. If the hair has been properly rinsed with water, I wont need to do multiple shampoos on the hair. From watching the videos, she pulls the shampoo through the coated strands and then rinses it out. Seems like she is treating the hair like a fabric. Remove most of the grime first and the cleanser will work better with less effort. Also, she is keen on protecting the ends since they are the most delicate. I'm just going to do a full on clarify for my first day. Beyond this day, I will do it her way. Another thing, she said to clarify the scalp, but did not mention specifically using a clarifying shampoo. I'm just going to use common sense here.
From, there I am to condition my hair twice. I will first use a heavy conditioner While watching videos she pats the conditioner on to the ends first. Then she gradually makes her way up the strand. During this step, I am to really smooth the conditioner in. After rinsing conditioner #1, I follow it with conditioner #2. The second conditioner is an easy rinse light conditioner. Once again smooth the conditioner in. From our convo, I believe I am suppose to smooth, detangle and go back and smooth again. Then rinse it all out. I must rewatch her videos to see the process. Examples of conditioners would be Pattern Beauty Intensive or Heavy for heavy conditioner and AG Boost for light conditioner.
Lastly, I put in leave-in, styler, or nothing at all. The leave-in is not limited to creams and lotions. It can also be a spray leave-in if I want. With leave-in or styler I must place it on wet hair. I should glide it over my strands gently. If the product is not soaking in and leaves strong white coating, then I am using too much product. It's best that I air dry. If drying tools are needed, I am to use lowest heat setting or cool. She has 2 videos of adding leave-in to her son's hair. Will also need to rewatch for this. For now, my main product will be my leave-in instead of styler. Also when using a styler, she prefers a leave-in underneath.
I do this routine every 2 weeks or when I can feel buildup on my scalp. Which ever comes first.
Between Cleansing Days
Option #1 spritz hair with water
Option #2 water rinse hair and put in leave-in
Option #3 water rinse hair, condition, and put in leave-in
I do not believe that I am to use a detangling tool for these days.
Every 3rd Day Cowash Hair
Wash my hair and scalp with a cleansing conditioner. Can mix half and half shampoo with conditioner to create this if necessary. Then condition hair twice. Once with heavy conditioner followed by light conditioner. Then use leave-in or styler. I think Innersense Hydrating Cream Hairbath and Bread Hair Wash are both quite moisturizing and can probably work just fine. On my last CIK stylist visit, I was told I could use the Innersense Hydrating Hairbath as my main shampoo for my 2 to 3 times per week cleansing sessions. I then can use AG Balance once a month and clarify as need probably around 6 to 8 weeks.
For Next Month I Am To Deep Condition Once A Week (Example on a Friday)
This is to counteract any potential issues like dehydration I may have acquired by using excessive indirect heat. I am to use a deep conditioner or mask. Follow the directions, put on a processing cap and do not apply heat. I am to do this once a week for a month. Afterwards, do it twice a month or once a month. I assume it doesn't matter if I do this on a co-wash day or a shampoo day. Most deep conditioners are balanced. So use which ever I like.
If I Want To Give Myself A Little Break (Example for the Weekend)
This is a day that I use an actual styler instead of just leave-in. Do this on Friday (my deep conditioning day) and keep style in Saturday and Sunday. Then go back to usual on Monday. I was suggested to use either of the 2 Ouidad Curl Quencher stylers (cream or gel) or Design Essentials Mousse. Hard Hold and heavy weighted stylers are to be avoided.
What Made Me Bite The Bullet
I decided to do Lou's method because I've seen progress with my experiments. Areas that are hard define like my cowlick temples are usually tufts of undefined fluff. When using light weight stylers and frequent cleansing, those areas turned into perfectly cylindrical beady beads with a silky texture. You know, like looking at the hairline of a young child. My hair has not done that since I was little kid. I also noticed that my spongy areas were also able to achieve more individualized spirals and began to have a silkier quality as well. Basically, those areas looked like that had a smoother surface texture and reflected more shine.
In addition to that, I have had several opportunities to sheer sheep this year. I am disappointed in Aishia's assessment of hair feeling hard like wool aka Burberry coat. She needs to come up with another example to justify hair feeling hard and looking dull. Yes, wool can eventually look like a 30 year old forgotten teddy bear, but it can still feel soft right on the sheep. In fact, the wool on new born lambs feels firmer than the wool on adult sheep. Once the matted stuff is cut off, the wool looks and feels like fleece. I have sheep bread for meat. I can only imagine how much softer the wool would be on a Merino sheep.
The process to create itchy hard wool jackets is to damage the coarse wool strands. They first boil the wool for hours in effort to remove the lanolin. When the coarse cuticles become damaged they lift and can scratch the skin when worn as clothing. That's why vinegar washes and using actual conditioner are suggested to reduce itchiness and stiffness of wool. Its to help seal down that damage cuticle. Also, there are various sheep with different textures. To say hair is akin to a Burberry coat while knowing what I know pisses me off. So it's also the little things that make me want to try a different process with a different philosophy.
lol
