Hair Rules Review (The "Special Offer" has Ended)

Living the Curly (Curly, Curly, Curly)… Liiife requires a certain amount of dedication. One moment of weakness can set you back weeks, months, and sometimes even years. One trip to the salon to “see” how long my hair was when straightened left me with strands that just wouldn’t get curly and right again. One long weekend where I abandoned my nighttime braiding and satin head wrap ritual left me in single strand knot city. A week (or two) without a deep conditioning session and my hair reaches desert level dryness with frizz to match. This year, I made a commitment to my hair: I was going to maximize its care so that it could reach its maximum potential.

My newfound (or re-found if I am being totally accurate) commitment has led me to explore new products, invest time in new processes, and express appreciation for my hair by treating it with my best possible care… While I have stumbled upon some new practices (such as The Pre-Poo) that have left me (and my mane) forever changed… there are some things that just don’t require fixing. My commitment to Hair Rules (yes, Hair like H-A-I-R and Rules like R-U-L-E-S) is one of them.

My relationship with Hair Rules dates back to my Big Chop (BC) circa 2008 (Big Chop (BC) |Big CHäp| n. An event in which one cuts a significant and oftentimes dramatic portion of hair off). My BC story is a tale within it self (one which I will save for another day). But the short of it is I had a head full of locs and I decided it was time to try something new (again) so I made the decision to cut my hair and I planned an entire weekend around the event. I made an appointment with Dickey (yes, THE Dickey) of the Hair Rules Salon in New York City. I figured if anyone could cut my hair to the quick and still make me feel pretty it was going to be him. I set the appointment, and flew from Los Angeles to New York. When I sat in Dickey’s chair he asked my reflection in the mirror if I was ready. I replied, “yes” and he got to cutting. When Dickey was done there wasn’t much hair left to talk about BUT I loved my new look and I wanted to do everything within my power to care for my hair so it would grow out and eventually look like the Curly Divas decorating the walls of the salon. So, off I went… with a bag of products in tow.

No matter what other products I have explored, Hair Rules remains my bread and butter. It’s the standard to which I compare EVERY new product I try. My hair loves it, I love it, and The Becky wouldn’t be “The Becky” without it. So, without further adieu here is my review of the three Hair Rules products I use most:

Hair Rules Daily Cleansing Cream ($15, 8oz) is a sulfate-free conditioning cleanser. While this product can be used daily I find myself using it 1-2 times per week (or whenever my hair feels like its needs cleansing or stops responding to my styling products. This no-poo has a pleasant smell, and gets my hair clean without stripping it of its moisture. I usually detangle with this product it is JUST that moisturizing.

Hair Rules Quench Conditioner ($15, 8oz) is my end-all be-all in the Hair Rules line. I use this product daily as a co-wash for my wash-and-gos. The conditioner provides a major punch in the slip department and does an AMAZING job moisturizing, detangling, helping my curls find each other, and preparing my hair for the styling product. Again the smell is mild and sophisticated (I like the way babies and bubble gum smell, but I don’t necessarily want to smell like them).

Hair Rules Curly Whip ($18, 8oz) is the styling product that defines my wash-and-goes. It offers enough hold without making my hair crunchy, it coats my hair without creating build up, and it has a way of disappearing into my hair to the point where I’d never even know it was there if I hadn’t have applied it myself. When I first started using Hair Rules I used their Kinky Curling Cream as my styler. As my hair grew longer I switched over to Curly Whip which is significantly lighter and maximizes the definition of my curls.

Hair Rules has changed my life and my hair for the better. The products are available in a variety of sizes both online through the Hair Rules website, and on the ground at select beauty supply and Target stores. While the price point is higher than many other products on the market I feel the benefits are well worth the splurge… BUT everyone likes a good deal SO, for 24 hours only (10am EST Wednesday 9/26/2012 to 10am EST Thursday 9/27/2012) Hair Rules is offering their products at a 40% discount through their website. Log on to www.hairrules.com, fill your cart to your heart’s (and head’s) content, and enter promotion code FLASH40 at checkout to score this monster deal. Act soon as products are already beginning to sell out.

             What is the product line that you just can’t live without and why?

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Have You Pre-Pooed |pre poo ed| Lately?

Pre-Poo |pre po͞o| v. To treat your hair with a mixture of moisturizing conditioner and/or oil prior to shampooing or co-washing.

We all have our tell-tell signs that we need to take a moment away from the hustle and bustle, that is life, and get our ship back in order. For some of us the sign might be the laundry piling up. When someone asks you, “is that shirt new?” and you “hmmm and ahhh” because you don’t want them to know that you have resorted to pulling clean clothes out of the “For Goodwill” bag. For others it’s a stranger writing, “wash me” across the back window of your car because it is way past time for you set a date with the carwash. My “pause for the cause” indicator rests atop my head.

My hair is, at times, reminiscent of a baby in need of a nap. When I’ve pushed my curls to their limit they revolt in extraordinary ways and none of my attempts to band-aid the situation (applying additional product, co-washing, head-banding, twisting-out, or braiding-out) are going to mask the inevitable freak-out my tresses are preparing to unleash on me. In moments like these, my hair won’t hold a curl, twist, crimp, or braid, it tangles at the drop of a dime and shrinks to the teeny-weeniest of afros. When my hair refuses to compromise any further, I know its time for a special session. One of the easiest ways to bring my curls back into alignment is with a good old pre-poo.

Pre-poos are fundamental to the moisturized, bouncy, shine effect that categorizes my best of good hair days. Following a pre-poo my products work better, my hair feels healthier, and my curls shine brighter. And the cherry on top is that pre-poos are very easy and inexpensive. Here’s how I preform my pre-poos:

Step #1 – Reach for an oil such as extra virgin coconut, olive, or jojoba. The oil I use is a homemade mixture of extra virgin coconut, jojoba, vitamin e, argan, and castor oil.

Step #2 – Grab a moisturizing conditioner. Lately, my pre-poo go-to has been TRESemmé Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner. It’s silicone free and does a good job providing true moisture to my hair. Silicone laden products can at times generate false positives on the moisturizing scale.

Step #4 – Mist hair with water until it is slightly damp (not dripping). My water bottle contains a 50/50 mix of water and aloe vera juice. I spray my entire head of hair, smooth the water in and spritz more if necessary.

Step #5 – Work a small amount of conditioner into hair. I use a golf-ball sized amount for my hair (which touches the bottom of my neck when stretched). Because my hair is usually pretty upset with me when I get around to doing my pre-poo I don’t dare try to section my hair at this stage. I just want to get the conditioner in there. 

Step #6 – Section hair and apply oil. Now that my hair has had a chance to begin absorbing the moisture from the water spritz and conditioner, I begin to section and gently detangle my hair. When the section is thoroughly detangled I saturate it with my oil mix and double strand twist.

Step #7 – Let it marinate. Once my entire head is sectioned, oiled, and twisted, I apply a conditioning cap and let the pre-poo work its magic. If short on time, I might chose to move right along to the next step, but sometimes I sit under a hooded dryer for 20 minutes and let the pre-poo work as a hot oil treatment. Other times I will wrap my head with a towel and tidy up other areas of my life that might need a little TLC (like that overflowing laundry basket). When I’ve been running not stop I find that I have usually cheated myself out of a few hours of sleep, so sometimes I secure my head with a towel and leave the pre-poo on overnight.

Step #8 – Release and jump for joy. After the pre-poo has had a chance to work its magic I am left with soft, manageable, blissfully moisturized (albeit a little greasy) hair. I take down the twists and shampoo with my favorite non-sulfate cleanser (shout out to Hair Rules Daily Cleansing Cream), then I style as usual.

Once complete, curl-regularity is restored and my hair and I are once again on speaking terms.

       When was the last time you pre-pooed and what is your pre-poo ritual?

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Introducing: “The Becky” |THē bek-ee|

Perhaps the most frequently asked question about my hair (other than, “can I touch it?”) is: How do you achieve those perfectly coiled curls? While straw sets, twist outs, braid outs, and finger twists are all methods I have employed at one time or another, my daily go-to is a tried and true wash ‘n’ go… A 6-step style I have affectionately nicknamed “The Becky” (|T͟Hē bek-ee| n. a convenient hair style completed while in the shower. Also known as a "wash 'n' go").

Here's how I do it:

Step #1 – Saturation – I saturate my hair with water from the showerhead. I use this as an opportunity to rinse out any product from the previous day. I press the water through my hair and I lightly massage my scalp but I am careful to avoid the temptation to detangle at this stage.

Step #2 – Condition – I apply enough conditioner to fill the basin of a cupped palm (about a ping-pong ball sized amount). I rub the conditioner together in the palms of my hands then I plant my hands onto the various zones of my head (front, back, and middle) transferring the product equally. Next, I smooth the conditioner through. The smoothing motion is similar to one used to make a high ponytail (front, back, and sides). I then go to work down the middle of my head to ensure the conditioner is equally distributed. I will add additional conditioner if needed to achieve maximum slip.

Step #3 – Finger Detangle – Now that my head is fully coated I gently detangle my hair using just my fingers (a process sometimes referred to as “raking”). If I have applied enough conditioner this process should be a breeze (especially if I braided my hair and protected it with a satin scarf or bonnet the night before). If I run into any areas that give me trouble I reach for more conditioner. I finger detangle in the direction of the style in which I am going to wear my hair. I typically like my curls to frame my face, so I finger detangle so my hair falls in each direction (front, sides, and back). If you wear your hair parted to one side or straight back, you should finger detangle accordingly. At the end of this step I am left with somewhat of an afro mop-top and I resemble a Chocolate Beatle. I let the conditioner sit while I move on to my other shower business.

Step #4 – Rinse – Now that my body is squeaky clean, and the conditioner has had an opportunity to work its magic, I rinse my hair. If you can do this with cold water you are a superstar! Because I want to maintain my shape (remembering the Chocolate Beatle) I practically have to stand under the water stream to rinse, so, lukewarm is about as cold as I can go. I rinse my hair until it is soft to the touch which usually means there is about 10% of the conditioner remaining.

Step #5 – Styling – I now reach for my styling or leave-in product. The amount of product I apply depends on its consistency, crunch factor, stickiness, and build-up potential. If there is one thing I DON’T LIKE (Chief Keef voice)… It’s sticky, tacky, crunchy, producty feeling hair. Hair Rules' (yes, “Hair” like H-A-I-R and “Rules” like R-U-L-E-S) Curly Whip is my go-to saving grace (full product review coming soon). I apply the product in a similar manner to which I applied the conditioner. I use a raking motion to comb the product through all the while stretching my curls with ever pass. I splash a little water on my hair and rake/stretch some more. I continue with this process until I feel as though my curls have “found” each other as much as possible. If I resemble a Chocolate Beatle with a drippy S-curl mop-top I have done everything right. I bend forward and shake my hair vigorously. Then I hop out of the shower.

Step #6 – Dry – I step out of the shower and sit under the hooded dryer to set my curls and eliminate the “drip.” The goal is to be curlylicious not inspire a rendition of “Soul Glo” as I go about my day. The warmer the weather outside, the less time I dedicate to the dryer (thank God for Cali sunshine and sunroofs). I finish with a spritz of oil for that “not-so afro sheen” shine effect (SheaMoisture Elixir is my go-to “no-so afro sheen”). Once my hair is relatively dry I fluff my curls ever so slightly and very carefully… Too much fluff generates a whole lotta frizz. And I am done! Becky complete!

What is your go-to style and what you do to maximize its efficiency?

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