Let's Talk Shampoo

Hi Beauties,

You may be wondering shampoo? Hmm...that is fairly simple! Wet hair, squeeze shampoo into hands, lather, rinse, repeat, voila! NOT!

In reality, there are a few things to consider including the kind of shampoo, shampoo techniques, and frequency. Let's break this down shall we?

To Shampoo or not to Shampoo? 

This is an ongoing debate in the hair community. Some shampoo from once a week to once a month even twice a year while doing condition washes (co wash) in between.  Others have migrated to cleansing conditioners and have completely done away with shampoos altogether.  My answer, it depends.

Choosing how often you shampoo should depend on the product use. Do you use heavy silicones and slab on the moisturizer and oils several times a week? If yes, you may consider using shampoo at least once per week especially if you use use heavy silicones. These can weigh the hair down and cause a significant amount of product build up over time. If you are light on products  then you may be able to get away with shampoo washes every 2 weeks or once a month with regular co-washes.

Shampoo Types

All shampoos are not created equally and vary in their cleansing capabilities. For instance, there are sulfate free shampoos that do mild cleansing and are good for weekly use (my favorites). There are also clarifying shampoos that are good for bi weekly uses and even monthly uses for removing excessive product build up and chlorine after a day at the pool. These are usually stripping and be used with caution. For even deeper cleaning there are chelating shampoos that remove mineral deposits along with product build up. These are particularly helpful for those who cleanse with hard water and use kit relaxers. Finally, there are neutralizing shampoos that lowers the pH of the hair and bring it to a neutral ph7, essentially stopping the relaxer process in its tracks.

The burning question  is which one should I use? The answer, it all depends on the intended outcome. In general beware of sulfate shampoos, these are the most damaging to our hair types because of its stripping tendencies. These shampoos leaves the hair and scalp dry and should not be used too often.

Shampoo Techniques

The most common mistake we make is to  apply shampoo all over the hair, bundle the hair on top of heads and wash vigorously. Rinse, repeat until squeaky clean. Essentially, this is the hair's version of overkill. A quarter size amount of shampoo applied to the scalp and a gentle massage used only by the pads of our fingertips, done at least twice is enough. Do not be overly concerned with shampoo getting to the ends of your hair. The rinsing process will take care of this for you. The ends of the hair are inevitably the oldest part of the hair and the driest. Adding another potentially drying element increases the chance of breakage. The focus should be removing build up towards the base of the hair and not the ends.
Also try not to bundle the hair into a ball, keep the hair as straight as possible, flowing in one general direction. This reduces the likelihood of knots and will save you time when detangling.


The shampoo process is one I look forward to weekly. I do use a sulfate free shampoo quite often and a chelating shampoo once a month. Be sure to follow with a deep conditioner and your favorite oils to add moisture to the hair. What your thoughts? How often do you shampoo and what kind... feel free to share below.

Until next time! HHJ

My Regimen

Hi Beauties!

So I have been getting many questions about the products I use in hair. Before I go any further it is important that I point out one major point.

Products DO NOT grow your hair!!!

It is important to note that as long as you are breathing your hair grows. Much like everything else in your body it will only stop working once pass away. I know there are many naysayers who will beg to differ considering they may have only had neck or shoulder length hair (short hair runs in the family).  I am 98% percent certain that the length of the hair has to do with breakage due to several factors such as harsh manipulation, lack of protein, and lack on proper moisture just to name a few and not genetics. The human hair growth phase is long enough to take one's hair beyond neck and shoulder length. Our curl pattern is our achille's heel in that the tight coils and kinks inhibit moisture from passing down out strands. Also our hair type is very fine contrary to what we may think making it very easy to break. Start by ditching that standard comb fine tooth we get in the market replace with a wide tooth comb, trash the hair grease (Blue Magic and like), and lay off the harsh sulfate containing shampoo.  Substitute for milder shampoos (preferably sulfate free), wash your hair more often (water is your friend), moisturize and seal your hair. I promise you will notice an immediate difference in the texture and fullness of your hair. Later on even the length, your hair grows only 1/4 to 1/2 inch every month  so you will not see a major difference in length overnight. Remember products will only help in hair maintenance. Pay attention to the words in bold and become familiar with them. You do not have to look for the exact products I use,everyone is different what works for me may not work for you.  I am providing my regimen only as a guide. Happy Hair Growing!

Clarify     ~ 1x per month with Joico KPak Chelating and Clarifying Shampoo

Shampoo ~ Giovanni Deep Moisture Shampoo

Condition ~ Giovanni Deeper Moisture Conditioner

Cowash   ~  1-2x per week with VO5 moisture milks conditioner

Moisturize and Seal ~ as needed no less than every 2 days with my own   moisturizing spritz of 100% natural shea butter, coconut oil, AVJ, Jojoba Oil (winter) Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie ( Spring and Summer). Seal with Jojoba oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or argan oil.

Deep Conditioner ~ Nexxus Humectress with fav oils (castor oil, EVCO, Olive Oil) honey, and Silk Amino Acids

Protein Conditioner- Giovanni Nutrafix Hair Reconstructor/Aphogee 2-Step Treatment

Leave In Conditioner ~ Giovanni's Weightless Direct Leave In

Trim ~ Every six months, dust regularly, search and destroy regularly

Relaxer ~ Olive Oil (Regular)/ Dark and Lovely (Regular)

Additive ~ Silk Amino Acids added to my conditioner