Mask days are so important for us curly girls to help keep our strands healthy, moisturized, and strong. When I was younger, one of my best friends, whose grandmother would send her hair treatments from DR, would always help me out and give me some jars to try. After my hair was extremely damaged by the keratin treatment, these deep conditioners really helped rejuvenate my hair. Honestly, if it weren’t for her and her family, my hair would’ve taken so much longer to bounce back because they truly worked wonders! So if you’re reading this, and you know who you are, thank you so much! At the time, I was going to a Dominican hair salon, and I would always bring those treatments with me for the stylists to use.
As I grew older and went away for school, I stopped my mask days. But now, I am back on the weekly mask game! Here is the regimen I follow to ensure my hair stays healthy and strong:
Step 1: Frequency
I coordinate my mask day with my clarifying wash day to combat the harshness of the shampoo with the moisturizing treatment. Some people like to do hair treatments more than once a week or even everyday. Sometimes, if I feel my hair needs a boost, I will do a mask with my co-wash. But for me, it’s better to do it once a week. The most important thing to do is to pay attention to your hair and what it needs. If you see that it’s over moisturized and on the border of hygral fatigue (over watered), take a break! If it’s feeling dry, brittle, and weak, then it’s time to mask it up!
Step 2: Protein and Moisturizing Treatments
Each week, I alternate between a protein treatment and a moisturizing treatment. Right now I love to use the Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Protein treatment. For my moisturizing treatments, I am using the Curlsmith Double Cream Deep Quencher and the Not Your Mother’s Matcha Green Tea Nutrient Rich Butter Masque. The last product isn’t specifically for moisture, however my hair does feel super soft and extra juicy after I use this mask.
I want to reiterate, make sure you are paying attention to your hair! There are some weeks I do protein back to back or moisture treatments back to back. Recently, I mixed a moisturizing mask with a protein mask because I felt my hair was in need of both. Your hair will tell you what it needs, so please make sure you are listening to it!
Step 3: Add Heat
Once on the hair, I cover my head with a plastic cap and a heat cap as well. I do not have a hooded dryer at my apartment, I don’t know many people that do. So this is a great alternative to use! I bought mine off of amazon (peep the image in this section) and have it on my Amazon list — I was skeptical of buying a microwavable heat cap on amazon at first, but I just read through all of the comments until I found the one I felt would work best! All you have to do is microwave for 2.5 minutes and then place on the head. When heating up, I microwave in two 1 minute intervals and one 30 second interval, and I pull the cap inside out each time.
I always make sure to marinate my hair for at least 20-30 minutes. I don’t leave my conditioners in my hair overnight or any longer than that. Sometimes I go over the 30 minute cap, but that’s usually because I lose track of time. If you do leave it in for longer than the recommended time, you’re hair may become over moisturized or may start showing signs of hygral fatigue.
Step 4: Rinse with Cold Water
I know… nobody wants to rinse with cold water, I get chills just thinking about it. But rinsing the deep conditioner out of your hair this way helps close the cuticles and pores. It also locks in moisture and reduces frizz! I usually start with slightly warmer water to get my scalp used to the change, then increase the colder water.
Bonus Step! Deep Condition in a Protective Style:
This step is optional, but many people use it! After applying your hair mask and detangling, try twisting or braiding your hair in two or more parts. This helps to keep your hair detangled while its deep conditioning. Once you rinse out you should have less tangles to remove again. I only just start using this method myself, .
I’m always looking for new treatments to try and have a whole list of products waiting for me to buy. If you have any suggestions let me know, and I’ll add it to my list!
Naturally, Taylor 💙
TAYLOR LYNN 