When it comes to taking care of natural hair, I’ve found that the standard rules for everyone else’s hair just don’t work for me. I don’t use shampoo on my hair, instead I engage in water-only washing. I use a clay mask (Bentonite Clay*) on my hair once a month, which removes dirt and product buildup to keep my hair clean.
I use my fingers instead of a comb to maintain and detangle my hair. Pretty much everything I was used to doing while taking care of relaxed hair just went out the door and my hair has never looked better because of it. One of the rules I broke has now become an integral part of my hair regimen.
Somewhere in the beginning of my hair journey, after I fully transitioned, I had found that certain deep conditioning* recipes that I had made were making my curls pop. This was the first time I had ever seen defined curls on my normally frizzy head and as long as the deep conditioner* was in my hair they popped, locked and dropped.
That’s slang for they separated, became defined, and had movement. But like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight, as soon as I washed out the deep conditioner after the allotted time, they vanished back into thin, “frizzy” air. It was very depressing. I could see that I had the potential to have these beautiful curls, but I couldn’t figure out why they wouldn’t stay.
So, being the daring person I am, I decided to break the rule of washing out your deep conditioner. I know, I can hear the gasps from every corner. I’ll admit, I was scared at first, but I figured, what’s the worst that could happen? I was using an all-natural deep conditioner* with ingredients that I had whipped up from scratch, and what did I really expect: That my hair was going to all fall out of my head?
The chances of that happening were slim to none since this particular deep conditioner when I applied and finger combed my hair produced almost zero shedding. It also practically disappeared once applied, leaving zero residue and often looked like I had not put anything on my hair at all. Instead, my hair looked revived, moisturized, my curls were swollen, and defined.
This was the best decision I ever made on my natural hair journey. My low porosity hair languished in the joy of taking in the moisturizing treatment for an extended period of time.
I left in in my hair for about two days (it dried after several hours and looked as if I had nothing on my hair). The result was that my hair became a little crunchy (similar to the results after using EcoStyler* Gel), but that when I washed my hair with just water—they curls stayed.
Yes, they stayed, and although they shrank a bit because they did not carry the same weight as they had with the product in my hair, they were there: separated and defined. That’s all I had ever wanted, to know that I had a curl pattern, and chances are you do too.
Not washing your conditioner out over a long period of time will weaken your hair. You can over condition hair and make it more porous.
Didnt know that thanks for the tip
She says in the article that she leaves it for two days and then wash and put it back again 🙂
That still can cause over-conditioning.
Im not sure. What about build up?
She uses benzonite Clay to clean her hair
I believe this also
Yea hygral fatigue is what they call it
Can you please share your recipe for your deep conditioner? Thanks for the post!
Exactly what my hair does.
Do you leave your hair in a wash and go state or can you put it up in twists?
TRUE
Well I plan to keep rinsing mine out (in cool water). They make leave in conditioners for a reason.
Yes…Could you give us the DIY recipe for the hair conditioner, I have been fighting the dryness seems like for ever. I just haven’t found the right conditioner.
I would also like to know the recipe for the deep conditioner you used.
It would be great to know the ingredients in the deep conditioner!!
How do you wash out the Clay?
OMG..So i had just put the deep conditioner in my hair getting ready for the 30 min under the dryer, and my mom saids lets go to the casino…what is a girl to do? so i got the blow dryer and dried my hair 85% not washing out the deep conditioner….WOW my hair loved it…from that point on ive been applying the DC, BD, and may leave in for 1-3 days…so I understand the results that you are talking about I also have low porosity hair…I will include that i do a gelatin protein treatment once a week, just to balance out all the moisturizing…all that being said my hair loves it and always remember to do what works for you..thanks for sharing
What are the ingredients she uses for the leave in conditioner?
Is it possible to leave in a deep conditioner?
Yes!! I love doing this (with regular conditioner) to my 5 year olds hair and she likes it too bc she rocks her curls and it’s quicker!!
I was just telling my friend that I had the same experience when I left my deep conditioner in. I hear & respect the other comments on this post, but like she said we all should continue experimenting and do what is best for our individual hair.