29 Oct 2009
Posted by Ashley Hicks 
Loading ...
I would say that one of the primary reasons black women don’t run is because we don’t want to sweat out our hair. Ashley recently told me about one of her male friends who applauded Black Girls Run! for reassuring black women that it is okay to get their hair sweaty for the sake of working out and running. I’m not sure at what point black women became convinced that our hair must be perfect at all times, but while in the process of dispelling myths, we might as well dispel this one too.
A few years ago, I began experimenting with what I now know as co-washing. Co-washing is a technique used by women that gives them the ability to wash their hair without shampooing it. There’s several products on the market and different techniques to do this. I’ve had the most success with Matrix Curl Life and Redken Fresh Curls. When using the co-washing technique, it’s important not to wash your hair more than twice a week.
To co-wash use the following steps:1. Shampoo your hair as you normally would
2. Apply conditioner to your hair. I recommend using Queen Helene mixed with 100% protein. You can find both at your local beauty supply or Sally’s. Apply the mixture to damp hair and cover with a plastic cap. Sit with the conditioner on your hair for approximately 15 minutes. If possible, sit under a dryer.
3. Rinse hair thoroughly.
4. Comb out hair using a paddle brush.
6. Either blow dry your hair with a diffuser or let it air try. Try not to apply too much heat because it will make your hair frizzy.
7. Instead of shampooing your hair after each run, simply rinse and condition and style hair using the technique above.
officialblackgirlsrun
officialblackgirlsrun
officialblackgirlsrun
officialblackgirlsrun
officialblackgirlsrun
officialblackgirlsrun
officialblackgirlsrun
officialblackgirlsrun
officialblackgirlsrun
14 Comments
okay, so I'm back at this post for the re-read, and this time I'm hitting the print button.I LOVE YOU FOR THIS POST!!! I was almost going to cut my hair short for the warmer exercising days coming soon, but I don't think I will now.
And yes, Queen Helene is AWESOME! I had some post-pregnancy hair breakage, but conditioning as you described with Queen Helene put an end to all that!
oh gosh. Now I have a question: I took at look at the Matrix and Redken links. Which actual bottle do I get? Both sites show a series of products. Not sure which exact one to buy.
@Yum Yucky- I'm actually doing the co-washing thing now.For the Matrix Curl Life, I use the spiraling spray gel, the body shaping foam and contouring cream.When I use the Redken Fresh Curls line I use the Curl Boost anti-frizz scrunching spray gel for curly hair, Curl Refiner leave-in anti-frizz detangler for unruly curls and the Spring Mousse leave-in anti-frizz activator for lazy curls.Don't be afraid to mix and match both product lines to get just the right curl. It will definitely be an experiment, so don't get frustrated. Some days I get it right and some days I don't. Regardless, don't give up if it doesn't work the first time. Keep trying!
Now my hair is very straight when I wash it. Will these products give it a curl? Plus I have a short cut and am not sure this will work for me but still want to wash my hair more than once a week. Any styling tips…
Hate to leave such a short comment but I really enjoyed reading this ! Post by: Hair Beauty Products
Thanks!
I am also wondering how the hair will “curl” if you have relaxed hair – when I wash my hair is straight.
Cowash simply means just doing a conditioning treatment to your hair, right?
I’m sorry, but this post is kind of confusing. I thought co-washing is using conditioner as you would shampoo. So why is step #1 included? If possible, please elaborate or explain further. TIA
You do not use shampoo at all for a co-wash. A co-wash (conditioner wash) involves using conditioner only to gently clean the hair and scalp without stripping the hair of any moisture whatsoever. You can co-wash your hair everyday if you would like. It is the use of shampoo that is not recommended for more than twice a week.
I’m so sorry I didn’t find this site two years ago when I first began to run. My hair relaxed hair became so damaged from the over washing and sweat, that I had to resort to cutting it short. Now that I’m hearing about co-washing, I’m intrigued.
If you are co-washing your hair, does that mean you are wearing your hair in a natural style, a style that doesn’t require blowing it dry or straightening the hair?
Also, how does a co-wash work on loc styles, especially if you don’t/can’t use cream-based conditioners?
Thanks!
I am so excited and relieved to hear this. I am gearing myself to remove excuses as I begin to meet my goal which is simple, get up, get out, and start walking with the girls and continue to do it! I am extremely vain and am determined to get back to me.
Thank you.
I think #1 is listed as a step for the general wash that one would do for the hair. Then steps 2-6 are for the co-wash process, with #7 explaining that you would not shampoo for a weekly co-wash after running. So Tia and others who are confused by the shampooing step that was included, steps 2-6 are the actual co-wash and #1 was included to show what an actual full wash process would look like.
Great post BGR!