I used to hate my hair. I didn’t know what to do with it. It was long, and was just sort of…there. Sound familiar? I’ve been there. I have wavy-curly hair that has always been difficult to manage. I’ve had the pyramid haircut, puffy science-teacher hair, hair that I straightened every day for literally years…the list goes on. It’s been a process, but I’m finally at peace with it. I’ve found what works, and I’m in a good place. I like how it looks. I don’t feel self-conscious again. At the same time, I definitely have a week-long cycle that I go through of when to wash, and what styles work best, according to my work schedule and how much time I want to put into it. I thought it might be fun to take you through a full week in my hair.

Before we start, some stuff about my hair. I have a 2B-C wave/curl. It’s also color treated, and easily damaged. Because of this, I try to limit heat on my hair to just once a week. My hair feels a ton healthier, and it’s been great! Okay, here we go.

Sunday

Sunday evening, we’re not doing much, so I wash my hair. These days, I’m using the Kristen Ess Shampoo from Target, and following it up with a deep conditioning mask. I’m currently using the Garnier Avocado Oil one. After, I spray some Ouai Leave-in Conditioner. Then I’ll toss it into a hair towel (I use this one from Kitsch) and let it dry nearly the whole way. Then I’ll tkae it down and let it continue drying. This gives me a ton of volume, and I don’t mind how big it gets. When it’s totally dry, I’ll take it down and curl it using a 1-inch curling iron. My favorite one is this cheap one from Conair. It’s seriously the best. I curl away from my face, and take medium-ish sized sections. No rhyme or reason! Just grab a chunk, curl it. Then, I’m usually heading to bed, so I throw all my hair up into a bun on the top of my head using an Invisibobble and go sleep on it.

Monday

Monday morning, Im headed to work, and I can wake up first thing and shake out my fun bun. The curls have fallen out into waves, and I brush them out with a Tangle Teezer and leave for the day. Super easy. When I come home at night, I will spray in some dry shampoo on the back of neck and at my temples before I stick it into a fun bun and go to bed. Dry shampoo is life.

Tuesday

Tuesday is another work day, and it’s usually my day of meetings and straight-to-happy hour after work. I rub the dry shampoo areas with my fingers, and then I brush my curls out again. They’re even looser. At this point, things might be getting a little frizzy too, so I will rub through some Verb Ghost Oil to help moisturize the ends. I then typically pull it into a half-up, half-down using a claw clip or a barette. Night time? I can make it another day without washing, but just one more. No dry shampoo this time though! Again, sleeping with the hair up, in a fun bun with the Invisibobble.

Wednesday

Wednesday is here! I use some more of the Ghost Oil and put my hair into a French braid. If I’m feeling really girly, I’ll do the pigtail look. The Ghost Oil makes it look sleek and less little-girl, but it keeps it out of the way for a little bit.

Thursday

Thursday morning, I wash my hair. This time, my after-shower products are different. I use the Garnier Curl Jelly and the Bumble and Bumble Curl cream. I use a quarter sized amount of each, and then I rake it through my hair. Then, I’ll go through and twist out individual curls, and use the sprunch method to bring out my natural curl. When that’s handled, I go ahead and let it air dry, because why not? Let’s not heat damage it any more. Then I’ll go ahead and leave for the day. At night, I do funny braids. I do ten braids. 4 on each side and two in the back Then I wrap them around my head to make it more comfortable to sleep in. Cute look, I know.

Friday

Friday is fun day! I take those braids down and do whatever I feel like. SOmetimes this is one of those Rodarte-inspired half-updos, circa 2014. My good year, right? Or I’ll leave it down, or pin up. Kind of whatever.

Saturday

Saturday. Here we go. The fun bun makes an appearance again. Hair goes up in the fun bun. Saturdays are usually pretty low-key. I write some blogs (like this one) and run some errands, and it works. If you’re ever thinking, hey, a messy bun isn’t cute. Two things — one, Megan Markle does it and people don’t say anything, so whatever, two, put on some lipstick and suddenly it’ss on purpose! Yay! And it’s Sunday again!

What about showers where you don’t wash your hair?

Shower cap! I recommend this one, or this one. I wash my body, but don’t get my hair wet.

What about going to the gym?

Any time I work out, I usually toss some dry shampoo in before n my temples and nape of my neck, and pull it all up into a bun and hold the front in place with a wide cotton headband. Then I’ll throw a shower cap on before I shower.

Do you ever straighten it?

Yes! I use my Chi flatiron from Ulta. Gif of straight hair is below.

Good luck! Let me know — how often do you wash your hair?