pre poo Archives - Curly in Colorado

Olive Oil Pre-Poo for Dry Hair

Posted on by Michelle

Just thought I would share that my hair is making a turn around thanks to my new bestie Extra
Virgin Olive Oil. This stuff is amazing! I’m so glad because I was really beginning to worry about where my tresses would end up without some major TLC. One of the ways I have incorporated the oil is demonstrated in my video below. I’m learning how important a good pre-poo treatment is if I’m going to continue using shampoo.

I have used mild shampoos and sulfate free versions in the past. I noticed though that they didn’t always remove all of the product from my hair. Last summer, I was using shampoo all of the time because we were doing lots more swimming. It all caught up with me and resulted in dryness that my natural hair is not accustomed to. Also, the dryness that comes with the Colorado winter weather doesn’t exactly help either. So, I’m super excited that the olive oil is working for me.

WATCH HOW I DO A PRE-POO WITH OLIVE OIL

Also, my braid outs have been looking a lot better since I’ve started using the olive oil. I first apply leave-in conditioner, which lately is Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in, and then put a little oil on the section. Then I braid it up and finger coil the ends. My hair is turning out a lot softer using this method because I’m moisturizing the hair from root to tip. So it’s olive oil for the win! I’ll be using this in my regimen for the next few months and post an update on how my hair is doing.

Straight Natural Hair: Prepping My Hair for Heat

Posted on by Michelle

curlyincolorado.com Straight Natural Hair

“Platform” Flat Iron with 1″ plates
by FHI

I am proud to say that I’m finally coming to the end of my four month No Heat Challenge. The challenge started on October 1st of 2013 and ends on February 1st, 2014. I was able to get through the holiday season without using heat to style my hair. This is a first for me because I’m known for wearing my hair straight for special occasions. This challenge taught me that there are plenty of other styles for when I want something more exciting.

In my no heat challenge video I explained that I would be straightening my hair and doing a length check in February. Then I will see if giving my hair a break from the heat resulted in more length retention. Now that the day is fast approaching, I’ve been thinking of ways to fortify my hair so that it will be ready for the heat. My first thought was to use the Aphogee 2 Step protein treatment because it is known for it’s ability to strengthen the hair. I’ve been experiencing some breakage though so I thought maybe I would address that issue first before doing such a strong treatment.

WATCH HOW I DEEP CONDITION MY HAIR

WITH TRESEMME NATURALS CONDITIONER

Aphogee 2 Step Protein Treatment for
extra protection against heat and breakage

That led me to thinking about some of the things I did in the beginning of my journey when I had fewer problems with my hair. Back then, I used a whipped shea butter mix that I made myself. I was also a huge fan of olive and coconut oils for deep treatments. Another thing I did were deep conditioning treatments one time per week, without fail. Well, my regimen has gotten a little simpler but I think that some of these things were working for me so I’m bringing a few of them back.

Whenever I had dryness or breakage before, I always did moisturizing deep treatments twice a week until the issue was resolved. After that, I would go back to once per week. In that fashion, I deep conditioned last week using Tresemme Naturals Conditioner, for moisture, under a hooded dryer for about 30 minutes. A few days later, I co-washed and then used the new Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Strong version. I would consider this conditioner a light protein treatment. I wanted to alternate the moisture and protein treatments for balance. Thankfully the Aussie conditioner also gave excellent slip so detangling was a breeze.

This week I still may do the Aphogee 2 step treatment but then, the day before straightening, I plan on doing nothing but moisture. For this, I revisited an old video by Patchouli85 where she explains how to deep condition with coconut oil for moisture and honey for shine. It’s a pre-poo treatment so you end up washing it out before using the heat. The last time I did it my hair was so shiny and soft. That’s exactly what my hair needs.

It’s so funny how right now the best thing for my hair is what I started doing at the beginning of my hair journey. I’m just glad that I’m finally getting back on the right track.

The Benefits of Using Coconut Oil as a Pre-Poo Treatment

Posted on by Michelle

curlyincolorado.com coconut oil pre poo on natural hair

Getting ready to Pre-Poo with
Coconut Oil

After recently purchasing extra virgin coconut oil for the first time in ages, I have been on the huntpatchouli85 on Youtube. Fast forward to this month where my hair is longer but in need of repair. I have already been experiencing dryness and breakage so I can’t afford to make any more mistakes.
for more information on how to use it. Years ago, I used the oil to combat frizz when my straight natural hair started to revert. Later, I was inspired to try it in a moisturizing deep conditioning treatment mix demonstrated in a video by

I knew that there were a lot of benefits to using coconut oil but wasn’t exactly sure how to work the product into my weekly routine. While looking at some Youtube videos on the subject I found out how great coconut oil is for pre-pooing. Again, this is when you apply something to the hair, oils or conditioner, prior to using shampoo. This helps the hair to retain moisture during the washing process. Coconut oil has a molecular structure small enough for it to penetrate the hair strand. When using it to pre-poo, you are helping the hair to hold onto it’s moisture. In addition, the oil has the ability to prevent hygral fatigue. This is when the strands swell and de-swell from constantly going from wet to dry. This stretching and contracting can be damaging and even lead to protein loss. Lately I have been wetting my hair and cleansing it often so, without this added protection, my hair is vulnerable.

I really want to retain as much length as possible this year. I’m finally understanding the negative effects of shampoo (or any cleansing agent) and the toll that it is taking on my hair. I’m hoping that the coconut oil will help my hair bounce back so I can start retaining more of my length. I have included a link to a video by GreenBeautyChannel that further illustrates the benefits of using coconut oil as a pre-poo. Check it out!

COCONUT OIL VS. CONDITIONER PRE-POO

WHICH ONE IS BETTER AND WHY?

Fighting Hair Breakage with Olive Oil and Coconut Oil

Posted on by Michelle

If you follow my Instagram page, @mitchellzee, then you already know that I have been experiencing some breakage lately. I have already taken steps to help strengthen my hair with protein. For this I went back to my trusty Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor but I also picked up some Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in. Both products claim to help strengthen damaged hair so I figured they may be what my hair needs right now.

When I started examining my hair regimen over the past couple of months though I noticed that I had been shampooing more often. Now, I’m not afraid to cleanse my hair with shampoo because I’ll sometimes use an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse afterwards to help restore my hair’s pH level. Recently though I was skipping this step altogether. I also started using a cheapie Suave shampoo with sulfates and silicones instead of my staple, Elasta QP’s Creme Conditioning shampoo. I like using shampoo once per week because my scalp does not feel as clean with other products. That’s why I decided I should start using oils to give my hair extra moisture and protection from the drying effects of the shampoo.

WATCH MY VIDEO ON HOW I MIX MY APPLE CIDER VINEGAR RINSE

First, I used the Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor in the shower for a few minutes after cleansing my hair with Suave’s Almond Shea Butter shampoo. The Aphogee products are protein based so I used this to help with breakage and split end prevention. I hadn’t used it in a while but I remembered having the best results on clean hair. After that I did a moisturizing deep conditioning treatment using coconut oil and Tresemme Naturals conditioner. I sat under the dryer with a plastic cap for about thirty minutes. Aftwerwards, my hair felt like buttah! It was so much easier to detangle than before so this was definitely a winner.

curlyincolorado.com fight hair breakage olive oil coconut oil

I’m using Olive and Coconut
Oils for moisture and conditioning

The following week I tried a pre-shampoo (pre-poo) treatment with olive oil. This was just to ensure that my shampoo wouldn’t strip my hair during the washing process. I also applied the oil to my scalp and massaged it in thouroughly to treat any dryness or flaking. After using shampoo and conditioner I used the olive oil again with the Cantu Shea Butter leave-in and put my hair into plaits. The resulting braid out was fab-u-lous!

My hair this week is feeling much more pliable and moisturized than before. Right now I’m looking for a new shampoo that is not as drying. Otherwise, I will continue to use the coconut and olive oils consistently over the next few months. I really want to start retaining more of my length this year. I can see that the oils will play a big part in helping me achieve my goals.

My new Pre-Poo Method

Posted on by Michelle

My shiny, supple hair
after using a
Moisturizing Pre-Poo with honey,
olive oil and conditioner

I always do a moisturizing deep conditioning treatment on my hair prior to straightening it with my flat iron. This usually means either using a conditioner that doesn’t contain any protein like Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose or making up my own concoction using a cheapie conditioner as my base. I like to add oils but this is too heavy right before I use heat on my hair.

A few months ago I rediscovered a video by Patchouli85 on YouTube that explained how to use a moisture rich deep treatment before using direct heat on the hair. The only difference was she suggests that it be done prior to washing the hair with shampoo. This would make it a Pre-Poo and means that it goes on dry hair instead of damp hair like I was doing before. Her recipe was pretty simple and I improvised with what I had at home. I think that the ingredient that made the biggest difference was the honey. I have been deep conditioning my hair at least one time each week ever since my transition days. Using her method was the first time I noticed a huge difference in the way my hair felt as I was rinsing it out. My hair was a lot easier to detangle and I also had a much easier time with blowdrying.

You would think that since you wash the treatment out with shampoo, you wouldn’t get the full benefit. I’m guessing that since I’m applying it to dry hair and then using heat to open up the cuticles, my hair is absorbing the treatment so much better than before when I did it on wet hair. When I straightened my hair after that first treatment, I could not believe the shine and how supple my hair felt. It’s been so effective that it is something I have since decided to incorporate into my weekly regimen.

My Pre-Poo Recipe

Conditioner (I use Suave Naturals Coconut)

1 Tblsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Tblsp Honey

1 Tblsp Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (I use Vatika Oil for this part)

**You can also add 3 Tblsp of Mayo or Cholesterol conditioner depending on what your hair needs

I combine the above ingredients in a small plastic bowl until well combined. I use as much conditioner as I think that it will take to make sure all of my dry hair is completely saturated. Then I separate my hair into 4 sections and apply it while it is still dry, starting at the ends. If there is any left, I go back and coat my hair again making sure to use up all of the mixture. I put on a plastic cap and then sit under the dryer for 30 minutes. Then I co-wash or shampoo it out depending on what style I’m wearing next.