That Time of The Month Hair

Why did I even bother pre-pooing?!

This post may be a little TMI for some. However, I can’t help but address this topic, based on my experience. My hair is typically predictable and easy to care for, given I follow my low porosity regimen. Although, there is one time during each month where it’s drier, more tangled, duller and harder to care for and that’s during menstruation. Shortly after “Aunt Flo” has made her visit, my hair gets a breath of life and looks instantly healthier.This is probably due to the drop in hormones during the start of the cycle and the increase in hormones after and during ovulation.

Since my hair is unwilling to cooperate with me during that time, here are some tricks and I use.

1. Increase conditioning. During this time of the month, I try not to skip deep conditioners and moisturize my hair more.
2. Protective styling. I don’t wear a lot of protective styles. I like to wear my hair out. However, you’ll find me in a bun one week out of the month. I just tuck it away and don’t bother trying to force it to do what it won’t.
3. Increase H20 intake. I generally try to drink enough water, but am more conscious of my fluid intake during this time.
4. Eat more healthily. See above.

Do you notice any differences in your hair around that time of the month?

Twisted Twist Out Feat. Slippery Elm and Dry Deep Conditioning

Happy Spring. Hope you’re all enjoying milder weather, blooming trees and longer days.

I’m no hair styling queen and rarely post on styling. However, I’ve found a twist-out method that I had to share. So there are different twist out techniques. I’ve used two on my hair. 1. The two strand twist. This is simple. You take two pieces of hair, wind them round and round from the roots to the tips. 2. The flat twist. This one is a little more involved, you take small sections of hair and twist them from root to tip, incorporating more as you work your way down. Kind of like a french braid, but a twist instead. I find method 1 is faster and easier for novices like myself. The latter method takes times, but yields more defined  results than the first.

Since, I’m low on time, I typically do two strand twists. Recently, I accidentally enhanced this style. I don’t have pictures or a video, but it’s quite easy to explain. You put your hair in twists. Let it air dry, or as I prefer partially dry under a hooded dryer. You then wind/twist the twisted hair around from root almost to then ends, but not all the way down (to reduce manipulation on the ends of your hair), pin the twisted twists, in place with a hair pin, so they don’t unwind. This method results in a more defined and stretched twist out. When you’re twisting your twists, it’s a similar motion to making a bantu knot, but not as tight.

Another new technique I’m using to get a different  style and more defined look counter clockwise twisting (just made the name up). I twist towards my face, so the curls go forward rather than off my face. I like the final look a lot more than my usual twisting direction.

Finally, I’m loving my short on time, dry deep conditioning routine. My hair is still very moisturized and it’s a great alternative to rhassoul. Here’s what I do:

1. Apply a deep conditioner mix. This week it was coconut milk, Giovanni deeper moisture, a few drops coconut oil and honey.
2. Sit under a dryer for 20 – 30 minutes.
3. While conditioner is still in my hair, shampoo my hair. Rinse.
4. Apply my slippery elm mixture, apply some consitioner on top of that (Aussie Moist, this week) and detangle.

I then sealed my hair with jojoba oil and applied leave-in to my ends.

Here’s the final result.

Now to you, I’m curious… Have you ever used slippery elm? What’s your favorite stretched style?

Updated Regimen

So, I added this information to my “regimen page”, but thought I’d just take a moment to chat with you, as I’ve been MIA lately. I’m still experimenting with skipping my leave-out. However, this is only when I do rhassoul clay treatments or use my slippery elm mixture to condition my hair. These products tend to leave me with moisturized hair. So I find that just sealing in the moisture with an oil, is enough for my hair.

Another practice I’ve added to my regimen, that I’m very excited to share with you is deep conditioning on dry hair. I LOVE this method. Not only does it save me time, but I feel it also gives my hair a kick of moisture. Per usual, I divide my hair into four sections and work a moisturizing conditioner into each section. Concentrating on my ends and detangling as I go along. If I’m feeling fancy, I might throw in some honey and oil for an extra moisturizing deep conditioner. I then, put on a plastic cap and sit under the dryer for 20-30 minutes. The conditioner that I use, must have water as the first ingredient. I feel that deep conditioning on dry hair, allows me to maximize my use of the conditioner. When the hair is wet the conditioner, slips off or gets diluted, this method encourages my hair to absorb the product.

Finalls, I hop in the shower and shampoo the areas of my  hair and scalp prone to buildup (while the conditioner is still in my hair). I rinse this out after and then use another slippery rinse out conditioner to do the rest of the detangling job. This method cuts down on a lot of time for me and I really enjoy it.

Have any of you ever condtiioned on dry hair?