October is not only a month of changing weather, it also includes Halloween costumes and trick or treating. With all those things on my mind, I decided to deal with the drier, cooler weather by treating my hair to new products and new product combinations.
1. Use Cleansing Conditioners
My first change was to start using cleansing conditioners for co-washing. I had been using a daily conditioner for this, but with the drier weather I wanted to add more moisture to my hair. I also wanted to try cleansing conditioners and maybe follow up with a conditioner if needed.
At the moment, Ouidad Curl Co-Wash is my favorite. Usually any product that uses the word “cleansing” to describe it immediately makes me hesitate in fear that my hair will have that stripped, dried out feeling after I use it. But this product was a surprise. It was moisturizing and I just did a quick conditioning rinse afterwards with Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner. My curls really have to be very moisturized in the fall and winter, so this doubling up of products worked for me.
MORE: Cleansing Conditioners
2. Modify Leave-in Conditioners
The second change I made was to try and modify Kinky-Curly Knot Today, my favorite leave-in conditioner. I was feeling like KCKT needed a little more moisture, and I really didn’t want to try another leave-in product. Yes, I am ridiculously attached to KCKT. I decided I was going to experiment with adding some oil to it. In the past I have had zero luck with oils. They either weigh my hair down or break up the clumping I have worked so hard to get. I was thinking by mixing an oil in with my leave-in conditioner, I might be able to add some needed moisture to my my curls without having to switch to another product.
I tried several different oils and had the best results with Ouidad Mongongo Oil. I poured my usual amount of KCKT into the palm of my hand. I then sprayed two little pumps of the Mongongo Oil into the center of the the KCNT and rubbed my palms together. I scrunched the mixture into my hair and could tell immediately that it was working. Good clumping was happening, and my hair felt smooth and moisturized. I followed with my favorite mousse of the moment, Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Boosting Mousse.
MORE: Leave-in Conditioners
3. Alternate Deep Conditioners
The third change that I made was to start alternating my deep conditioners. I have always deep conditioned once a month with a product that has a lot of protein in it. Curl Junkie Repair Me! is one of my favorites. But I was thinking, why not deep condition twice a month during the fall and winter? I didn’t want to do another protein treatment, fearing that my hair would become brittle. A once a month dose of protein is just enough, so I decided to add a moisture rich, protein free deep conditioner to my routine. The one I had the best luck with was Spiral Solutions Deeply Decadent Moisturizing Treatment.
The thrill of using a good hair product is almost as good as the Almond Joys that I always take out of my kids Halloween candy pile.
What tricks are you using to change up your routine and treat your curls this fall?
