When I was starting my natural hair journey I did not understand the importance of a leave-in conditioner. I felt that I was already investing in oils, deep conditioners, rinse out conditioners, stylers, and cleansers. My first wash day as a natural was nothing but crazy. I transitioned for a year with weaves. So, wearing and understanding my natural hair was very foreign. Throughout my journey I’ve created the best regimen that has helped me achieve my hair goals. One of the driving forces behind my hair growth journey is using a leave in conditioner on wash day and a hair milk on days I need to refresh my hair.
Leave-ins are not regular conditioners!
TRADITIONAL CONDITIONER. As a new natural thought that all conditioners were were all the same. They are not! Traditional conditioners cannot be left on the hair for a long period of time. They are meant to be rinsed out after a certain amount of time. If they are used like a leave-in conditioner you will experience build up. In other words this method will be suffocating your hair shaft. If used as a leave-in with a sealing oil this will cause a major set back on your hair journey.
LEAVE-IN and HAIR MILKS. These conditioners are made to stay on your hair. They will not cause build up on your hair. Their consistency is different from traditional conditioners because they are light. Comparing the ingredients you’ll notice that leave-ins have protecting reagents that will protect your hair from environmental damages. I love to use the As I Am Leave-In and the Mane Choice 3-In-1 Conditioner. They both give me great slips and provide me with the best moisture.
Don’t skip the leave-in step
Even when your hair feels great after using a great deep conditioner do not just apply a cream/styler. Your hair needs moisture that’s provided by the leave-in. While some stylers do have similar ingredients as a leave-in it should not be used as a replacement.
Leave-ins vs Hair Milks
Leave-ins are great for providing your hair with moisture. However, during the rest of the week you might notice your hair needing a touch up. I used to use leave-in conditioners to refresh my hair. It was a mistake! My hair would revert back. I love wearing my hair in a stretched out state. This provides me with less single-strand knots. I started using hair milks to refresh my hair during the middle of the week. Keep in mind I do this towards the very end of my week. Having the proper wash day routine will provide your hair with enough moisture for about 4-5 days. The hair milk is creamier and less water based compared to leave-ins. My two favorite hair milks are the Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk and Mane Choice Heavenly Halo Herbal Hair Tonic & Soy Milk Deep Hydration Softening Milk. Both leave my hair moisturized until my next wash-day.
Naturally tracy 