Last year I big chopped my hair. My hair had shed a lot after I had Leo and I just wanted a fresh start. I got a tapered cut and it has grown out. I am now in the awkward stage of hair length, though I have not done much to it lately. I am still rocking my wash and go most of the time which has actually encouraged hair growth and retention.
I do not get a lot of protective styles mostly because I can not keep them in for long plus most take time to do. I do not want to sit for hours on end to get my hair done unless if it is necessary. Over the years I have gotten my hair done by a stylist once or twice a year for this reason.
This week I got box braids done. I have not had box braids in so long, I can not even remember how long.
Each time I get a protective style I follow a simple routine before. I like to clean and stretch my own hair before I go to the stylist. I am paranoid about having someone else wash and stretch my hair, they never seem gentle enough. PLus it saves me time at the salon. This is what I do:
Pre-poo
I apply coconut oil to my hair before shampooing and gently detangle my hair. I section my hair at this stage. I will let it sit a couple of hours or overnight. You can any oil that you like.
Shampoo
I shampoo my hair in sections, making sure I give a good clean to my scalp. I rinse in cold water.
Condition
I will apply the conditioner in sections and rinse it with cold water.
Deep condition
I will apply deep conditioner to my hair at the same time detangling with a wide tooth comb and or denman brush. I do not use a comb any other time. I will use my microwavable heating cap for deep conditioning. I will let my hair sit for a minimum of fifteen minutes but usually longer because I will be multi tasking. I will rinse this out.
Seal and moisturize
I will will apply coconut oil and leave in conditioner to my wet hair and allow it to air dry if possible.
Stretch
Depending on my time and what else I have to do. I will use hair threading to stretch my hair or tension blow dry my hair. This time around I want to avoid using a lot of heat on my hair.
I will keep my protective style for a maximum of 8 weeks, any longer than that I will not have a hair line.