CALLING ALL HEALTHY HAIR ENTHUSIASTS 2012 CHALLENGE: PRESERVE YOUR ENDS!!

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Before you start any challenge  I suggest doing a quick assessment of your hair care routine.  Assessing hair care practices is critical and will help you decide if this is something you should embark in.  Starting this challenge would only be beneficial if your hair is in a healthy state.  And may I add healthy hair has nothing to do with length.  If you have 2 inches of hair and it is not broken, damage or full of split ends by all means challenge away.  Having a healthy hair regimen will lay a solid foundation and is the first step before starting any hair care challenge.  Below is an easy checklist:


Checklist

CLEANSE
How you are going to cleanse your hair and scalp is the first step to building a solid regimen.  Forget about the advice that you may have been given that Black hair will dry out and break off if it is washed to frequently.  There is some truth to that statement depending on WHAT you are washing your hair with...but remember, that WATER is the best moisturizer for our hair and Black hair craves and thrives on it.  There are several ways that you can cleanse your hair and scalp including traditional shampoo, Ayurvedic powders, oil washes, apple cider vinegar mixes or, plain  ole'conditioner. Whatever method you choose it is important that you are cleansing  (co-washing is also a form of cleansing your hair too) AT LEAST once per week - more if possible.

Tip**When you detangle your hair, only use a seamless, wide-tooth comb and detangle in sections.

CONDITION
Deep conditioning with a moisture-based deep conditioner at least once per week is imperative for Black hair.  If your hair is dry, brittle or chemically treated, you MUST make time to deep condition weekly.  Deep conditioning revitalizes natural oils, hydrates and protects your hair.  But keep in mind that not all conditioners are deep conditioners and be aware whether the conditioner you are using is MOISTURE or PROTEIN based.  Protein conditioners are often called rebuilders or reconstructors and contain wheat, soy, animal or hydrolyzed protein among its top ingredients. If you do not have a hooded dryer or a heating cap, put on a stocking/wig cap over your plastic cap and leave the conditioner on your hair for an hour.

CARE
When selecting products, pay attention to the ingredients and stay away from key ingredients (as much as possible) such as petroleum and mineral oil.  Both petroleum and mineral oil are known to clog the pores on your scalp and inhibit hair growth.  When selecting products, pay attention to the ingredients and stay away from key ingredients (as much as possible) such as petroleum and mineral oil.  Both petroleum and mineral oil are known to clog the pores on your scalp and inhibit hair growth. 

Moisturizing - OIL AND GREASE ARE NOT MOISTURE!!!  Purchase a WATER-based moisturizer and moisturize your hair at least once per day, paying particular attention to the ends of your hair.  A water-based moisturizer is one that has water listed as one of the first three ingredients.  Spritzing your hair with spring water is a good way to moisturize your hair when your moisturizer is not available.  Co-washing is a great way to get moisture into your strands and so is sleeping with a plastic conditioning cap.

Lock-In -  Locking in moisture is simply putting oil, grease or natural hair butter on the length and ends of your hair AFTER you have moisturized it.  At Night - Cover your hair each night with either a satin scarf or bonnet.  If you do not want to cover your hair, sleep on a satin pillow case instead - but  note that covering your hair is most effective. 
***You can view my regimen here: My Regimen


MY CHALLENGE BLUE PRINT:

MONDAY - Rinse hair with water, then apply condition or a leave -in ( I will alternate between Mane n Tail Conditioner and Qhemet Biologics Alma & Olive Heavy Cream)  today will use Qhemet Biologics Alma & Olive Heavy Cream and seal with Jamaican Black Castor oil I purchase here. Apply plastic cap to ends of hair and cover with satin bonnet. 

TUESDAY - Dry twist  or pineapple hair (which means place a high pony at the top of head) and cover with satin bonnet.

WEDNESDAY - Rinse hair with water, then apply Mane n Tail conditioner-in and seal with Jamaican Black Castor oil I purchase here. Apply plastic cap to ends of hair and cover with satin bonnet. 

THURSDAY - Dry twist or pineapple hair (which means place a high pony at the top of head) and cover with satin bonnet.

FRIDAY - Rinse hair with water, then apply leave -in Qhemet Biologics Alma & Olive Heavy Cream and seal with Jamaican Black Castor oil I purchase here. Apply plastic cap to ends of hair and cover with satin bonnet. 

SATURDAY - WASH DAY!! YOU CAN VIEW MY ROUTINE HERE:  WASH DAY

SUNDAY - Rest day!!!!!

This post is to inspire women to not get complacent in their hair journey, there are always new techniques and habits we can incorporate to achieve longer growth. I will be using the Green House technique or Real Queens Method. The challenge will last 90 days and every month I will post progress pics on Qrush Velvet and QV Facebook pg. I strongly believe in documenting everything to view progress!

Helpful Tips for the challenge:

1.  DOCUMENT YOUR STARTING POINT WITH PICS.
2.  WRITE DOWN YOUR GOAL(S) TO ACHIEVE AT COMPLETION OF CHALLENGE.
3.  INCORPORATE GREEN HOUSE METHOD AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK.
4.  SEAL IN MOISTURE WITH AN OIL AT ALL TIMES.
5.  PROTECT YOUR HAIR EVERY NIGHT WITH SATIN CAP OR SCARF.

My hair rinsed with cold water put into a loose and low pony tail.  Then I applied a leave-in and sealed w/ an oil.

My hair twisted in sections.

Plastic baggie placed over twisted sections of hair.

Satin cap on ready for bed!

***Post your progess pics on Qrush Velvet's Facebook pg****

Preserve You, Peace and Blessings!!!