Welcome to your ultimate guide to creating a routine that is just right... for YOU!

You see, when we "go natural" (decide to wear our natural hair), a lot of us spend so much time looking for the right product that will give us the hair we want. What we don't realise is that products- even the good ones, like ours - can only do so much. Good products need a good routine, practised consistently. That's the only way to get the results you want - healthy hair. 

Here is a routine that can guide you: feel free to customize them to fit your lifestyle and hair needs. 

Step 1: Prepoo and detangle your hair

Prepoo simply means to prepare your hair for shampooing. You may be wondering, "What is the essence of this? Why should I have to prepare my hair for shampoo?" The answer is simple: most shampoos contain harsh ingredients like sulfates and paraben that can strip your hair of its natural oil, leaving both your hair and scalp dry. If care is not taken, this can lead to itching and overall scalp irritation.

A prepoo will help protect your hair from the harsh ingredients that are present in a shampoo. Keeping your hair and scalp hydrated, a prepoo will leave your hair strands feeling soft even after you have shampooed. Prepooing your hair also makes it easier to detangle. Now, as a natural, your hair should be properly detangled before you start to wash. This way, your hair doesn't snap and there is less hair breakage as you wash. A prepoo will leave your hair feeling softer, improving its elasticity, thus making it easier for you to take out any knots or tangles.

What you need to prepoo

• A shower cap/plastic bag
• Moisturiser or any carrier oil of your choice

How to prepoo your hair

1. First of all, part your hair into smaller sections and braid loosely. Doing this will help in getting an even distribution of your moisturiser or oils into your hair.
2. Next, apply your moisturiser or oils in each section from roots to tips so that your hair is fully coated.
3. Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave it in for between 5 - 10 minutes.
4. Then, rinse out thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Step 2: Apply shampoo to your hair

After prepooing, the next step is to wash your hair with a shampoo. Now, for natural hair, it is recommended that you use sulfate-free shampoos. Sulfates are strong detergents which strip your hair of its natural oil, causing dryness and itching, among others. Now, with your hair still in sections, apply the Kentaro Moisturising Shampoo or Kentaro Anti-dandruff Shampoo to your scalp, section by section. It is better to use your fingertips and not your fingernails to wash your hair. 

You should use warm water to wash your hair. This allows the shampoo to thoroughly clean off dirt and build-up. Also, warm water helps to increase blood flow to your hair follicles, thus encouraging hair growth.

Step 3: Deep Condition your hair

After rinsing off the shampoo, apply your deep conditioner. 

When you shampoo, focus on your scalp. When deep conditioning, focus on your hair. So, make sure you apply your conditioner from the roots to the ends of your hair for even distribution. Leave for at least 15 minutes and cover with a shower cap before rinsing out. 

You can also do a second detangling with the conditioner in your hair. Simply use your fingers or detangling brush to gently undo any knots in your hair as you take out the braids of each section.

Rinse it off with cool water. 

Step 4: Dry your hair

After rinsing out the conditioner, squeeze out the excess water with a T-shirt or a microfiber towel. Leave your hair to air dry for at least 10 minutes before using a blow dryer. If you don't have a blow dryer, you can leave your hair to air dry until it's completely dry.

Step 5: Apply your moisturiser

After drying your hair, apply your moisturiser. This product helps your hair stay moisturized, prevent hair damage, and keep the strands detangled. No, you don't have to rinse this moisturiser out, that's why it's called a leave-in! 

Step 6: Oil and style

Finally, after you have applied your moisturiser, you should oil and style your hair. You may oil your scalp with a lightweight natural oil to nourish it. If you are dealing with damaged edges or wish to stimulate growth, choose the Kentaro Hair Growth Oil for this step.

You can then apply the oil to your hair strands. If your hair is thick, you may prefer a butter for this step. This is called sealing, and keeps moisture in the hair for longer, to keep it soft and easy to style. 

And that's it! Your wash day routine is done!