There are different kinds of naturalistas in the 4c hair space. There’s the product hoarder— that needs to have every Tom, Dick and Hair Conditioner ever produced. There are the wig heads, these ones are natural only in secret because no one ever actually sees their hair. There are the ones that can’t even be bothered. Getting by with the barest minimum work done.
That’s me! That’s my category. I’m on my natural hair as often as I can and I try to pull off not looking like a racoon that just got out of bed.
And when my hair gets dirty, I like to use the easiest and best steps to achieve the maximum result.
So, if you are like me, here’s my lazy girl, wash day routine.
The Tea Rinse
My hair is prone to excessive breakage. When I discovered the tea rinse, it was eye-opening. Tea toughens your hair and reduces breakage during and after washing. Green tea bags are preferable but you can use black tea as well. Just soak the tea bag in hot water, as usual, wait for your water to get cool and then get the tea all over your hair. Leave on for 15 minutes before shampooing. Don’t worry about your hair getting tough, that’s where your moisturizing shampoo comes in.
Shampoo
Earlier on as a natural hair girl, I would soak my hair in oils for six hours before washing. This was in a bid to prevent my hair from being stripped by the shampoo. My lazy girl solution to this would be to use an extremely moisturizing shampoo free of sulfates and parabens. Now, I just wash my hair with it and I don’t have to sleep in a shower cap once in a week while soaking my pillow with oils.
Conditioner
A naturalista’s best friend! You know that meme that says you run through four bottles of conditioner while your shampoo remained halfway? That’s real! Your conditioner makes or mars your entire routine. In fact, your hair is basically sponge if you don’t have that in your routine. Section your hair into parts and work that conditioner in, girl! Be generous with it. Your hair, scalp and comb will thank you later.
Leave in conditioner and styling
The Last step is to lock in all that moisture goodness. A quick tip to drying your hair safely is to use a cotton cloth that isn’t harsh and won’t take off your hair. When your hair isn’t dripping wet anymore, get some leave-in conditioner, Shea butter or coconut oil on it. Anyone works.
That’s it, girls! That’s my lazy girl, natural hair, wash day routine!
What type of naturalista are you? And what is your wash day routine? Do share in the comments.