Should you prep natural hair for fall and winter? What is required for a fall prepping of natural hair? Most often it depends on what your hair needs but starting with an end-of-season clarifying wash and moisture-boosting conditioning is an excellent start.
It's officially fall this Thursday but I'm not waiting to get my hair ready for cooler temperatures, drier air and harsher elements. I've been neglectful the past few months with family obligations and my more-than-normal amount of stress, but this routine is a great one. The best part is it can be altered to what your hair needs.
This is a great way to not only get hair in ideal shape for a new season but a reminder to get back into a regular maintenance routine if you nixed it for those carefree summer days. Here's what I did and why:
Pre-poo: a treatment done BEFORE shampooing your hair to help against hair stripping by shampoos and to aid in detangling.
I am not one for a pre-poo every wash day and actually only do it when my has been neglected (by me) and pretty tangled. I also haven't washed my hair with a shampoo in at least a month, haven't properly (fully) detangled my hair in weeks and wanted to help my hair to stay moisturized and tangle-free before my washday.
What I used and did: I slathered my hair with Fractionated Coconut oil and covered with a plastic cap for three hours. It was a drippy mess so I made sure to wear an old house dress (yes, I'm old) and hung around the house all day. I often cowash but was in dire need of something stronger. I hadn't washed my hair with a clarifying shampoo in a long time so I needed to get my hair completely cleaned of product build-up, dirt and oil. Before I wash I do rinse my hair with water to help remove some of the tangles prior to adding shampoo.
I do not normally use two different shampoos but when my hair is really dirty I have trouble removing all the build-up so I clarify+cleanse and then cleanse+moisturize to fully remove everything without stripping my hair.
We should be using a deep conditioner during every single wash day but I've been neglectful the past two washes. I NEVER do this but the past couple of months have been hectic so I let this slide.
What I used and did: I love my SheaMoisture line but gave another deep conditioner a try this go around. Eden BodyWorks Natural Deep Conditioner has a great consistency (not crazy about the smell) but glided in my hair well. I got my Wet Look Shower Comb (which I NEVER USE because I only finger detangle) but needed to fully detangle my hair. It was a chore but I got through it by starting at the ends and working my way up.
To penetrate quicker and better I use my Deep Conditioning Microwavable Heat Cap for 30 minutes before rinsing hair.
Tea Rinse: A hair tea/hair tea rinse is simply brewing a type of tea, allowing it to steep and cool prior to pouring it over your hair and scalp. Massaging your scalp with the hair tea is next and this all happens after hair has been washed.
I love tea rinses and you can simply use any black, green or blend but I love those blends that are created to stimulate hair growth and fight hair loss like Chagrin Valley Hair Tea Stimulation Blend. What I used and did: I boiled water and allowed loose tea leaves to steep for 45 minutes. Once cooled I pour tea over my head once I rinse my deep conditioner out and massage. I never rinse it out.
Leave-In Conditioner (well, sort of)
I do not care for traditional leave-in conditioners as they are too watery. I prefer to use a regular conditioner on washday and this helps my curls last longer.
What I use and did: After massaging the tea rinse I apply SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Marfura Oil Intensive Hydration Conditioner throughout my hair. I used to think washday did not require a styler but this is what is needed for 2nd, 3rd and even 4th day hair. I allow it to air dry before removing the gel cast for soft, fully defined curls.
What I use and did: After blotting my hair I raked Kinky Curly Original Curling Custard Natural Styling Gel in my hair. Woah! That was a lot but this is not my regular wash day routine and if it was I would rock a TWA! I'm not for all day long wash days but with my neglect and the cooler weather approaching I needed to up my hair game.
Now, you can substitute the deep conditioner for a protein treatment if you need that but I needed moisture more than anything. A trim is also a great end-of-season component but I will be doing that in November. I only trim twice a year. Tailor your end-of-season routine to your needs and the products you trust and love. What's your end-of-season routine?
Sabrina
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.