Hair Health Update: 2014 Year-end Reflections Part 2

In part one of my 2014 Year-end Update, I recapped the action items I laid out at the beginning of my hair journey to achieve healthy hair by year-end. I also shared a video showing how far I've come. Action items weren't the only things that I used. I had used the tools of the trade - a regimen and hair products.

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During this past year, I developed a hair regimen that works for my relaxed hair and can be easily tweaked when needed. I found that when creating a regimen it's partly trial and error, partly listening and learning your hair. I tried some products and steps that other bloggers were doing. Some of them worked for others didn't.

Typical wash day

• Detangle new growth
• Pre-poo 
• Cleanse (clarify once a month or co-wash)
• Deep condition
• Moisturize and seal
• Detangle

Protein heavy wash day

• Detangle
• Pre-poo
• Cleanse (clarify)
• Hard protein treatment (every 4-6 weeks)
• Deep condition (moisture)
• Moisturize and seal
• Flat iron new growth (optional; typically only one week before relaxer touch up)

Post-relaxer touch up wash day

• Pre-poo
• Cleanse (balancing shampoo)
• Express condition with light protein (opt.)
• Deep condition
• Moisturize and seal

In addition to building my regimen, I searched for a set of products that would improve my hair. That was something I didn't do before. I used to buy products based on smell, price, and brand name. Now I pay more attention to the ingredients, the purpose of the product, how it will be used in my regimen, and how often. Here are some of my go-to products:

• SheaMoisture African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo
• Eden BodyWorks Jojoba Monoi Deep Conditioner
• L'Oreal Paris Total Repair 5 Ceramide Conditioner
• Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream
• Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Leave-In Conditioner 
• Green tea for a hair rinse
• Apple cider vinegar as a hair rinse
• Coconut oil for hot oil treatments and sealing
• Sunflower oil is also used for hot oil treatments and sealing