My current regimen is as follows:
*UPDATE* I no longer follow a regimen. "Regimen" is too strict sounding, it made me feel anxious when I felt I was "slipping behind". I want a positive, organic relationship with my hair, so I developed a routine, based on "actions", which is extremely flexible. This way I can deal with my hair on my terms instead of its terms.
Action: Cleanse Frequency: Every couple weeks.
My hair might need cleansing after a week if I've used heavy products, or silicones, which can cause buildup. Or, it might be able to last for up to a month if I have done a set of microtwists. Depending on the level of cleansing my hair and scalp need, I will use a combination of one or more of the following: shampoo, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, conditioner.
Action: Deep Condition Frequency: When needed
This might be a bi-weekly, weekly, or fortnightly depending on how my hair feels. I try not to stretch it to a whole month between DCs but sometimes life happens. I know I *need* to DC when my hair feels crunchy, dry or fried. If it isn't soft and 'juicy' feeling, it's time to DC. But I don't wait until my hair feels bad to pamper it with moisture. The more often the better, for me. I always use a conditioner as a base, and doctor it with additions according to my mood or what my hair needs: essential oils, protein ingredients, moisture ingredients.
Action: Detangle Frequency: When needed
Definitely not more than once a week. Sometimes I'll do it dry (misted) or wet. Sometimes I finger detangle, unwinding the biggest coils from around each other. Sometimes I need to get down in stages, fingers then comb then sweet sweet paddle brush. But detangling can be addictive, and too much isn't good for hair, so I try to minimize this step as much as possible.
Action: Set Frequency: Couple times a week
When my hair is loose and curly, it is set (i rarely wear wash n gos). I use flattwist-outs or twist-outs, rarely braid-outs. I need to get my act together and get some flexi-rods to try rod sets, I think my hair is long enough now. Sometimes I twist (or braid) wet and sometimes I do it on dry, stretched hair. I retwist during the week if I start losing definition, otherwise I pineapple or just tie it down with a scarf to sleep.
Action: Style Frequency:Every day!
I don't like wearing my hair the same way every day (although I do, quite often!) so I try to vary my styles: puffs, puns, pinned up. I'm not super at styling yet - this is a major area in which I need to improve, although I have gotten a lot better recently.
