My current products & routine

Let me preface this by saying I have only recently come to realize how to look for cones in the products I chose. To my horror I discovered all of my shampoos and conditioners contain them. I'm a very cheap person, so I'm not going to run out and replace them now, but I will definitely have to be more careful when I buy new products after these are gone.

 

For straight styling
Thermasilk Color Revitalizing Shampoo
Garnier Fructis Long & Strong Fortifying Conditioner
Redken Extreme Anti-Snap (occaisionally)

For wearing it curly
L'Oreal Curl-Moisture Shampoo
L'Oreal Curl-Moisture Conditioner
Tresemme Curl & Scrunch Hair Spray (really I can use any hairspray)

I wash my hair every three to four days in the summer if I'm straightening, or every other day if I wear it curly. I wash my scalp with shampoo and allow the suds to wash over the length as I rinse out. I condition the length for several minutes then follow with a cool rinse. If I'm going to straighten, I allow my hair to air-dry, usually over night, then brush it when it is dry. I straighten section by section with a flat iron, which usually takes about 20 minutes.

To wear it curly, I shampoo and condition in the same manner, but I comb it while it is still wet. This takes a very long time and is rather unpleasant. Perhaps I should shop around for a good spray conditioner or something that would help me gently detangle my wet hair. I know brushing when wet is a no-no, but it's the only way to style my hair without heat. Anyway, once it is brushed, I flip my hair over a couple of times to encourage the waves to form. I use hairspray thoroughly while scrunching with my hands, paying close attention to the top layers since they will be showing.

I straighten my hair much more than I curl it. When it is straight, I sleep with it loose on a satin pillowcase. When it is curly, I'll usually braid it to preserve the waves. My hair has loose s-waves, not spirals, so they require gentle handling or they will fall out.

I do S&D pretty often. I don't go over my entire head - that would take an insane amount of time - but whenever I have a minute, am thinking about it, and have access to a good pair of scissors, I will snip a split ends. Unfortunately, they are not hard to find.

I started coloring my hair at home several years ago. Never anything drastic, just a new shade of brunette. I don't have a problem with roots because my last permanent dye job was as close to my natural color as I could get it. Now I occaisionally (once, maybe twice a year) use temporary dye if I think the ends look too brassy. I love deep dark shades of brown and wish perhaps that my hair was naturally darker.

Well, those are the basics. As summer turns into fall, my routine will change somewhat. Looking forward to reaching my next goal in the spring!