Sample Winter Reggies!

hello beautiful curlies,

So this is my first winter caring for my natural hair. I've been natural my entire life but I just started paying attention to it Summer 2009. I'm still not solid on a regimen yet and would like to know what you ladies do for your winter reggies! Share styles, products, recipes, or any useful info for natural hair during the winter.

thanks [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Here's mine (also found http://www.curlynikki.forumotion.com/butters-n-bars-miss-naturally-beautiful-you-2010-challenge-f14/tiashauntee-t445-100.htm#13065 )
I HATE (yes I need a strong word for how I feel) cold weather. So I was putting off adjusting my hair regimen for the winter. I figure if I don't admit that cold weather is real it won't happen.....it's not working. I mean geesh, the first day of winter is December 21. It's like we went from summer straight to winter. As I type, I can't feel my fingers. Why my job will not turn on the heat I will never understand.

So far I have considered the following:

Cleansing
Alternate between shampoos and co-washes. The winter hair is already drying to I don’t want to shampoo too often. Every week might be too much for my hair.

Conditioning
Deep condition every week with LeKair Cholesterol/Rosemary Oil/Olive Oil Mix

Moisturizing:
After rinsing and while hair is still damp, leave a small amount of condition in the hair and apply coconut oil to the entire length with special focus on the ends.

Special Treatments
Protein treatments - are now an option for me because I am no longer drinking the protein smoothies in the morning. It's too cold for those now. (Still unsure about this)

Oil Rinse - Twice a month (I love these!!!)

Styling:
Styles for the cold weather will consist of braids, cornrows, buns, and twists that are pinned up or styled in updos. Now that I can do roller sets, I will incorporate those as well.

Trims:
Since I have been more loving towards my ends they have not given me a problem with splits and knots. I am going to trim when needed.

@tiashauntee: what is an oil rinse? Is there a thread where I can look it up? Please, make me a little hair-wiser [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

oshunista wrote:@tiashauntee: what is an oil rinse? Is there a thread where I can look it up? Please, make me a little hair-wiser [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

No problem....
I wrote about it here: http://tiashauntee.blogspot.com/2009/11/oil-rinse.html

hmm, that oil rinse sounds really interesting. I think I might try it this weekend and see if I want to incorporate that into my routine...

thanks, Tiashauntee. I`ll try this next time I wash my hair. BTW I like your blog! You have a new follower [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Oil rinses saved my hair because I was about to cut it. I thought I needed my ends clipped. They just needed extra love and care.

what oils were used for the rinse?

I use olive oil.

I used Africa's Best Herbal Oil.

You can really use whatever oil your hair likes best

Here's my winter routine so far:

Cleansing
Every week or every other week, cleanse with co-washes (trader joe's nourish spa or sauve coconut), bentonite clay mask (bentonite clay mixed with yogurt or kefir, a little apple cidar vinegar and water for consistency) or black/castille soap.

Conditioning
Deep condition after every wash with a mix of LeKair Cholesterol, Aubrey organics HSR/GBP/IN, coconut oil and/or castor oil.

Moisturizing:
After washing, apply Giovanni Direct leave-in. Moisturize with something creamy (QB burdock root butter cream is my favorite), then seal with shea butter or coconut oil. I just mixed a batch of shealoe using Peace, Love and Sunshine's whipped shea, aloe juice, and coconut oil, so I'm looking forward to using that as a one step moisturizer and sealer. During the week, I spritz my braids with rosewater and reapply my moisturizer as necessary.

Special Treatments
Henna about every other month. I add a package of maka to my henna, then mix them with tea and some honey or agave for moisture. The maka makes my hair super soft and moisturized.

Styling:
My main style is a braided bun. I part my hair into four or eight sections, braid those sections, then pull the braids back into a bun. It's so easy that I haven't bothered to experiment with any other styles this winter.

Trims:
My ends are generally pretty good, so I just cut out knots as necessary.

Overall, my routine works well for me. My hair is healthy, moisturized, and growing. I'm still waiting on Afroveda and Hairveda products that I ordered in the Black Friday sales, so this may change once I get those.

thank you ladies, this is my first winter as a natural...with some type of length. last year i had a ceasar/twa - so hair was never out.

tia = new hair idol [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

you ladies seem to really be on point, I have a lot to learn still thank you...keep sharing!