PRODUCTS FOR TYPE 4 MEDIUM POROSITY HAIR

It's been a long time since I've discussed my Type 4 hair and a lot has changed. Most notably, I dyed my hair which changed it's porosity from low to medium, so not all the products from my Products for Type 4 Low Porosity Hair work for me now. Below are a few other changes:

• I tried the Abby Yung Method on my 4B/4C hair - let me know if you want to know how that went!

• I got the buzz cut and have since grown it out 😅

• I've started incorporating bond builders in my hair care regimen

• I no longer grease or oil my scalp

• True to my #ProductJunkie nature, I've tried new hair care brands

• I now wash my hair weekly

• I'm currently trying out some scalp serums

My main focus for my hair care routine is to maintain healthy hair. To do this I try to balance moisture and strength, and this is reflected in the products I use, as they provide one or the other.

PRE-POO

I have alternating pre-poos depending on whether or not I will be doing a treatment that week. When I am not doing a treatment, I use a bond builder, Olaplex No. 3 or Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment. When I am doing a treatment, I pre-poo with olive oil.

SHAMPOO

I now use two different shampoos in each wash, a detoxing or clarifying shampoo and then a moisturising one.

• Detox: Ouai Detox Shampoo; K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo

• Clarifying: Cécred Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub

• Moisturising: Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo; Cécred Hydrating Shampoo; Redken All Soft Mega Curls

CONDITIONER  

This is a step that hasn't changed at all - I'm still not sure if it is required, and I still only do it occasionally just to detangle. The products I prefer for this step haven't changed either since their slip is still unmatched - Banana Truly Nourishing Conditioner by The Body Shop and 50/50 Balanced Hydrating-Calming Conditioner by Giovanni.

TREATMENT 

I only do this step every other week and I alternate the treatments, but I have seen a difference in the strength of my hair since incorporating it.

• Protein Treatment: Cécred Reconstructive Treatment Mask

• Bond Builder: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

DEEP CONDITIONER  

I still deep condition with every wash, and I still love the Algae Renew Deep Conditioning Mask by Camille Rose, but I now also like the Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate 5-Minute Liquid Mask.

LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER 

The only leave-in conditioner I've ever experienced a difference with is the Camille Rose Honey Hydrate. It's very moisturising, but must be used sparingly to avoid it getting sticky.

MOISTURISER 

Some things never change, and my love for moisturising lotions is still strong. My current favourite, which I've repurchased multiple times, is the Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk.

BUTTER 

I still swear by Almond Jai Twisting Butter by Camille Rose, but I've added the brand's Curlaide Moisture Butter to my rotation.

STYLERS

I'm no longer in the phase of my natural hair journey where I do a bunch of styles with my hair so I don't need many styling products; my hair is either in braids or in a ponytail. I don't believe in always having slick edges (it's anti-black), but I do use gels, mousse and edge-control products to get a smooth ponytail and tame frizz.

Gels: Eco Style Olive Oil; Goldwell Stylesign Lagoom Jam Styling Gel

Edge Control: Gummy Professional Styling Wax Ultra Hold

Mousse: The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam; Lottabody Wrap Me Foaming Mousse

I've had to rejig my hair care routine a bit when my hair porosity changed, and I had to learn to retain moisture in different ways, e.g. I no longer need to apply heat to my deep conditioners to encourage penetration, and I need to re-moisturise more often between washes.

I have linked all the products mentioned. Please leave any product suggestions in the comments below, so you can help me and others try new things. Also, let me know if you'd like further details on my updated regimen and I can write a post more focused on my routine and methods.

Not Rude, Honest

xx