I’ve seen many techniques on how to wash natural hair. Most of the techniques that I’ve seen involved so many steps that I started dreading my next wash day, the minute I completed the current wash day. I wanted so badly to be a “good” natural. I wanted to follow all of the rules: pre-poo, wash in sections- while in the shower, deep condition for 30 minutes, rinse in cold water. It was exhausting, uncomfortable, and took hours. I couldn’t keep that up for the rest of my life.

I started skipping steps to see what was an absolute necessity… pre-poo didn’t make the cut. Below is my quick and easy wash routine which only takes about an hour.

Step One – Preparation

I usually wash my hair in the kitchen sink. The amount of water I used to waste trying to shampoo in the shower was shameful. I much rather wash my hair and my body separate in order to be environmentally friendly.

With me, I bring a towel, clean white cotton t-shirt, medicated shampoo, Shae Moisture conditioner, butterfly clips, and my vibrating scalp massager.

Step Two – Shampoo

I have a condition called seborrheic dermatitis, a fancy term for inflammation of the scalp which causes dandruff. Because of this, I have to use a medicated shampoo that helps my scalp keep from getting inflamed. Before I add shampoo, I begin by rinsing my hair with warm water until the water runs clear of product, at that point, I take a quarter size amount of shampoo into the palm of my hands and rub it through my hair and scalp, focusing mainly on the scalp. I don’t wash my hair in sections, but I am careful not to cause more tangles as I wash by holding the ends of my hair firm as I massage the shampoo onto my scalp with my fingertips. 

When I feel like treating myself to a longer more thorough wash day, I’ll use my vibrating scalp massager. Using the same technique of holding my ends firmly so they don’t tangle, I’m sure to run the massager over my entire scalp, then I rinse in warm water.

Step 3- Conditioning

Using my favorite conditioner, the Shea Moisture Curl & Shine Coconut & Hibiscus Conditioner,
I squeeze a tennis ball size amount into the palm of my hand and rake it through my entire head. At this point, I step away from the sink to detangle. In the mirror, I split my hair into 6 section using my butterfly clips and finger detangle each section. I do this by splitting the section into smaller sections over and over again until I feel there are no more tangles or resistance when splitting into smaller sections. Once the section is detangled, I put it into a braid and move on to the next section. This process takes me less than 10 minutes to get through all 6 sections.

If I’m in the mood for a longer wash day, I’ll put on a shower cap and allow the conditioner to sit on my hair like a deep conditioner. But when I want to get my wash day over quickly, I go straight to rinsing out the product after detangling.

Step 4 – Rinse

I cannot do a cold water rinse. If you can, I say go for it, but I rinse my hair (while still in 6 braids) in warm water. I let the water run over each braid one at a time to ensure the conditioner is thoroughly rinsed out. Once the water runs clear, I gently squeeze excess water out of each braid and wrap my head in a clean white cotton t-shirt. Using t-shirts to dry hair can help minimize frizz and is gentler on the hair strands. However, I’ve found that it doesn’t soak up all of the water that drips from my hair, so I cover the white t-shirt with a towel.

Step 5 – Dry & Style

I allow my hair to air dry until it’s 50-80% dry, then I prepare to style the hair. I start by moisturizing my hair using the L.C.O. (liquid, cream, oil) method. For liquid, I use the water that’s already in my hair from the wash, for cream, I use the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, and for oil, I use either olive oil in the warmer months, or shea butter in the colder months.

To dry my hair completely, I will either blow dry using the tension method on low heat if I’m in the mood for a longer wash day. Or I’ll use the Chic Natural’s approach to the overnight blowout using no heat, video can be found here (skip ahead to 3:40).

To style, I do 6 flat twists around my head – 2 on each side and 2 in the back. I allow it to set overnight.

Step 6 – GIVEAWAY (**NOW CLOSED**)

This routine has worked out great for my hair. It’s moisturized, full, and growing. I owe a lot of my wash day success to the brand Shea Moisture. I love their products and never go a wash day without them. The coconut and hibiscus line always leave my hair feeling soft and fluffy. I love the brand so much and I’m sure you will too, so I’m giving away the shampoo, conditioner, and curl enhancing smoothie! This giveaway is not sponsored. I believe in the product so much, that I wanted to share it with my readers.

To enter, all you need to do is like @passionmethis on Instagram and tag three curl-friends to the photo that announces the giveaway.

You can receive a second chance to win by liking the Passion Me This Facebook page and tagging 3 curl-friends to the Facebook announcement photo.

One lucky winner will have their name drawn from a hat on Sunday, January 31. The winner will be announced on the Passion Me This social media pages and contacted by direct message on Instagram or Facebook (whichever the winner used to enter the giveaway).

I hope you  like the giveaway! Feel free to leave me comments telling me products that you’d like me to review and giveaway in the future. And don’t forget to share with all your curly hair friends. If this post helped you, share to help your curly hair friends too!

Good Luck to all who enter!

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