Ever since I did the big chop back in March, I’ve been experimenting with different products for the perfect natural hair care routine. I’m not really that concerned about growth or curl pattern, so my criteria was mostly around the following three areas:
- How do I keep my hair clean?
- How do I keep my hair moisturized?
- How do I maintain some type of cute style that I could rock on the regular?
It also had to be simple and fairly inexpensive. And I think I’ve finally figured it out.
How I Keep My Hair Clean
I’ve been using Giovanni Products since June and they work really well on my hair. Their organic hair care products smell good and are reasonably priced ($7 each shampoo and conditioner at Whole Foods or on Amazon.com). I use the Giovanni Smooth as Silk Shampoo
How I Keep My Hair Moisturized
After my initial foray into product junkie land, I realized that the most expensive products are not always the best ones for your particular hair type. On the recommendation of other naturals, I tried several different oils, from Carol’s Daughter to castor oil to jojoba oil. It turns out that my hair loves the most simple of these combinations: coconut oil and water. I use Barlean’s Organic Oils Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (
As for conditioner, I use Giovanni Weightless Moisture Direct Leave-In Conditioner every few days. I just wet my hair in the shower and then apply a quarter-sized amount all over my hair when I get out. Instant softness and manageability!
How I Maintain My Hairstyle
I’ve been rocking finger twists for a few months now – tight little coils that give my hair a ton of texture (pictured above and below). Sometimes I just pick it out into an afro after I wash it, but mostly I twist it up afterwards. I literally just twirl a small section of hair around my finger and it makes a little coil. For me, it works best when my hair is completely dry. Once I twist my whole head (which takes a few hours, so I have to do it on days when I don’t really have anywhere to be), it stays in the hairstyle for about a week. To keep it from drying out, I put coconut oil in my scalp and on the hair itself, spraying with water when it needs extra moisture. To preserve the style, I sleep with a bonnet on my hair, which also reduces frizz.
So there you have my “minimalist” natural hair care regimen: Giovanni, coconut oil, water and my trusty bonnet. I love it because it’s quite simple for me to maintain my hair now and I want to keep it that way! It’s reduced my “get out the door time” to about half an hour and I get so many compliments on the hairstyle itself. How have you been able to simplify your natural hair care routine?
happyblackwoman
happyblackwoman
happyblackwoman
happyblackwoman
Love the minimalist technique. I don’t understand how people can use so much product or spend so much time with their hair. I am also a fan of water and coconut oil to help keep my hair looking good.
Read my latest blog post…Brother from another mother
Beautiful! I put locs in my hair because I wanted to keep my regimen to a minimal (I’m a minimalist too!
). I wash it and get it retwisted (from a friend) about every 6 wks. 
I really need to learn to twist my own hair. lol
Read my latest blog post…A Message from the Turkeys…
Completley and utterly fabulous!! I am currently trasitioning from relaxed to natural, though I am still at the beginning (last relaxer was 5 weeks ago). Do you have any other tips for transitioning, cause i’m nowhere near brave enough for the “Big Chop”?
Fabulous! Simple. Plant Based and Beautiful. I just cut my locs after about six years. I am loving my short cut. I first transitioned 17 years ago!!!! Seems like yesterday.
Read my latest blog post…Hydrate & Shine Chanelle’s Duo for Locks
Beautiful! Glad I know what to look forward to.
Thank you
All the best to you in your natural hair journey!
I was in Dominick’s the other day and I saw the Giovanni products that you were referring to. I just might give it a try. I have extremely coily hair, which means my hair is dryer than the Sahara!
After having natural hair for 15 years, I just discovered that sleeping on a satin pillowcase is SOOOOO much better than sleeping with a scarf. Scarves just don’t stay on my head because I have too much hair — and it gets hot. My life is simple!
That top photo is absolutely gorgeous
Your hair looks great.
Giovanni products are really good. I was using the shampoo before I locked and really liked it.
I’m extremely minimalist with my hair care routine right now on my baby locs. Daily wheatgrass smoothies and Biotin to help with growth (among other things). Daily spritz with a rosemary and sage pure essential oils and distilled water (I have very dry scalp). Little jojoba oil directly on my scalp on occasion.
I wash every two weeks or so with Aveda Brilliance shampoo (need a clarifying shampoo), Dr Bronners Unscented Castile Soap or Aubreys Organics shampoo. I alternate between these. I can’t condition my babies yet.
Once a month, I do an ACV rinse. I add rosemary and sage tea that’s been steeped overnight.
I get my new growth re-tightened roughly every 6-8 weeks. My roots and hair are usually way fuzzy by then but I’ve given up on always having a manicured look. When I was able to do that, I knew I was ready to wear MY hair after years of being “natural” underneath twists with hair added in.
Now that I typed all that, looks like a lot!
Thanks darlin’
I need to go harder on taking care of the inside of my body in order to make my hair grow out healthier. I *hate* smoothies, even though my mom swears by them and I still can’t remember to take my damn vitamins on a daily basis. So I basically try to get all my nutrients from food itself, which means that I need to cook more and plan for when I have to eat on the road. It’s an ongoing process, but at least I am drinking more water. Thanks to my trusty Brita filter. I should have put that in my post, because I do notice that my hair is drier when I don’t drink enough water.