So in the past I was one to constantly change my hair color and use a lot of hot tools. Due to this my hair was always super dry and over processed. I have currently given up the dying and partially let go of the heat tools. However before and now, my hair still requires a lot of conditioning. I swear by deep conditioning and I do it once a week to keep my strands super moisturized. Moisturized hair is key to fighting humidity (my arch nemesis) and masking any hair damage you may have (dryness, frizz, brittleness, etc). Since I am always explaining to friends and family how I deep condition or doing it for them, I though I would share my process here.

I do this treatment once a week, but some people may be content with doing it once a month. Try it out and see what works for you.

You will need:
1. A thin toothed comb
2. A hair clip
3. A plastic shower cap (the cheap, dollar store kind)
4. A ponytail holder
5. Your favorite conditioner (doesn’t have to be fancy)
6. A blow dryer
7. Optional – A particular conditioning product  (the really fancy stuff you splurged on)

Step 1. Wet your hair completely. I personally like to shampoo and condition my hair beforehand, this is up to you. Then pat out excess water with your towel (don’t dry it, just so it is not dripping). Comb through your hair to make sure it is tangle free.

Step 2. Use your comb to section off your hair, one section at a time, starting from the bottom. Clip the rest of your hair to your head.  

Step 3. Take your conitoner (whichever you use regularly) and coat the hair you sectioned off. Once your hair if full of conditioner, comb through it to spread the conditioner out evenly. Take any excess left on your comb and distribute it through your hair again.

Step 4. Go through your whole head this way, sectioning each piece off and conditioning each section. Once all your head is done, comb all your hair into a ponytail. Again any excess should be re-distributed into your hair. If you have a special conditioner you like to use, apply it to the ponytail part of your hair. Your hair is healthier at its root, since this is the part of your hair that is just growing out. Your ponytail in turn is the oldest (and most damaged) part of your hair. I focus the extra good conditioner on this end. If you are only using your everyday conditioner, just apply some more of it on your ponytail. 

Step 5. Once all that conditioner is in, twist your ponytail into a bun and secure with a ponytail holder. If your hair is too short for this, just clip it up.

 Step 6. Place a plastic shower cap on your hair. They sell them at the dollar store. Make sure it is snug against your head.

Step 7. Put your blowdryer on a High/Meduim heat setting (your choice), but keep the power on Low ( so it is not blowing off your shower cap). Basically you blow-dry your shower cap (never press the dryer onto the cap directly!!). Try to do this for 15 minutes, or until both your arms give out, and alternate with small burts of heat under the shower cap, this will trap some heat inside.

Washing Out: I like to take my time washing the deep conditioning treatment out. Take time massaging out any conditioner on your scalp especially so it doesn’t feel oily or flake. Some of you may want to rub in a little shampoo, but only to your scalp!! Shampoo dries out hair so if you use it all over you will undo all the conditioning. If I feel like I need shampoo, I will mix it in with a little conditioner to soften the effect. I also like to keep a comb or paddle brush around to help comb out the conditioner and keep the hair from tangling as I wash the products out. Most importantly, use cold water. The colder the water the better your hair will look. I don’t know why, outside of the heating step, this is the most important aspect of the conditioning treatment. I have tried a warm water rinse and it was not the same.