Max Hydration Method Update: Days 4, 5 and 6

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Sometimes, the pictures really do speak for themselves.

I can't believe it's almost day 7!!! Currently, I'm on day 6 of the MHM, rocking my 2nd day wash and go hair. I started off a skeptic, but now I'm a believer! My hair looks great, feels healthy, and I was ble to cut my wash day down to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Yes. I decided to lump all of these days together, because they were well, kind of a blur. They all worked in tandem to bring my hair to the point it's currently at. Keep reading for more!

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And to think, just a few weeks ago this was a fuzzy, undefined mess that tangled and broke like the dickens!

Pros:
1. My problem areas are almost solved. I went into the Max Hydration Method Challenge seeking some sort of help for my dry, rough ends, my frizzy front/center area, and my definition-less crown. Immediately on day 1, my ends were whipping themselves into shape. By days 2 and 3, the crown and front/center were getting themselves together. Now that I'm at day 6, the front/center area's problems are virtually solved. The area still shrinks more than the back half and sides of my hair, but it isn't as disrespectful, the frizz is abated, and it has even started to curl. Yes, curl. I used to think the front/center of my hair didn't curl at all -- that it was just some awkward deep wave. But I guess there was a curl somewhere in there waiting to be let out!

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Look right above my necklace. It's curling!!!
The frizzy, breakage-prone crown area of my hair is almost totally defined, which baffles and astounds me. I had always written that section off as un-tameable, and to see it almost completely defined (minus the last inch and a half or so closest to the root) has me shocked and taken aback.

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Yes, that's a stain on my shirt. Yes, I always spill food on my clothes. But them curls though!
2. Definition is off the chain! My hair has never really been super difficult to define, I just used to have to use the WHOLE DANG BOTTLE of curl definer just to get it to act right. Seriously. In my stash, I've got at least 4-5 bottles and jars where there's only a corner or a few pumps left, because I practically emptied the container on one wash and go. My hair ain't that darn thick, or that darn long. It just took a lot of product to beat some of my frizzy problem areas (up there in #1) into submission. But as I've continued on this MHM challenge/journey, I've noticed myself using a whoooole lot less product and getting a whooooole lot more definition. For example:

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2 wash & go's  and a spill later...and I've still got ALL THIS!
Yes, that's the new Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker. Yes, it does cost $22. But with me using less product, this actually becomes affordable, because I only need to buy it every 2 months -- and that's only if I use it every time. In totality though, a little bit of product is certainly going a long way in creating tons of definition that lasts.

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Day 1 wash & go with the new Curl Maker, about 80% dry (my roots were damp)

3. I think I found my HG definer (gasp!) Speaking of Curl Maker....I can't believe what I'm about to say. I think I might have found *the one*. I'm lollygagging and filibustering even writing what comes next, because I don't want to believe it. But I guess it's true -- I've found my Holy Grail curl definer. For now. The one product I've used most consistently and gotten the best results with is the new Curl Maker. This doesn't mean I don't love my other curl definers (I'm looking at you Obia, Kurlee Belle, and TGIN), it just means that....I love the new Curl Maker more. In all honesty, I hated the old Curl Maker. I couldn't pair it with anything without getting frizz, flakes, and dry-feeling hair. New Curl Maker? Total opposite.


So yeah, it's my number-one go-to right now, and for the forseable future.

4. My products are lasting, and it makes me happy and sad. I'll be honest -- I'm saving tons of money here. Diluting Tresemme Naturals Conditioner (which only costs like $5 anyway) with water and adding baking soda (a whopping 67 cents) is like, a frugalista's dream. The bentonite clay, which lasts forever is under $10. My deep conditioners and curl definers may cost a little more, but they last so much longer. I'm having a real crisis here -- I'm barely able to empty out containers anymore. The Tresemme moves regularly, because I use it twice each wash day (diluted with baking soda, and again after rinsing my clay for added softness). But I JUST emptied one Eden BodyWorks Jojoba Monoi Deep Conditioner on day 5, after 4 uses. 4 very, heavy-handed thorough uses. I used to get 2 uses per each jar, now they're lasting twice as long. The end result? I CAN'T BUY NEW PRODUCTS! From a financial perspective, it's great. From a product junkie perspective, it's horrible. Creating space for new products in my stash is a painstakingly slow process. I want more deep conditioners, but I have ABSOLUTELY NO ROOM. Ditto for definers. Woe is me. 

Cons:
1. Frizz tones down the volume and "big hair" look. Because my hair is so well-defined, the frizz that created so much volume is virtually nonexistent. But I guess that's a good problem to have, right? I could diffuse, tease, or just wait for day 2 and 3 to get extra bigness. I'm not big on teasing, so I diffused on day 5 just to create some extra oomph on first day hair:

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I like diffused hair, I just lack the patience to do it regularly.
Related: I diffused my hair, and I liked it!

2. I might have to let go of some of my beloved products. I think this might hurt more than my products lasting longer. At the end of the Max Hydration Method (I'm giving myself until the wash day after day 7 to think about it), I'll be making some tough-ish choices about my regimen. Can I make it without silicones? Will I really be getting rid of some of my faves? I'm on the fence. If I get rid of cones, I'll be eliminating like half of my product stash. That means no more TGIN Triple Moisture Replenishing Conditioner or Honey Miracle Hair Mask. No Eva Nyc Therapy Session Hair Mask. No Hydratherma Naturals Amino Plus Protein. No TGIN Shampoo. No LRC Shake & Go. No Infusium. No ApHogee. No Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In. Lawdamercy!

And finally, what would this update post be without a few tips and hacks that I've uncovered to make going through the Max Hydration Method a little easier?

MHM Hacks


1. Vinyl Gloves. For the love of Jesus, please invest in a box of vinyl gloves. I picked up on this tip months ago from +PrincessLinzz on Instagram, incorporated it temporarily, and forgot all about it. Then, I found myself watching a +Monica Stevens video where she used vinyl gloves on her friend's hair (something about curl restoration I think) and went digging in my closet. Aha! Yes! Vinyl gloves to the rescue! Vinyl gloves are great, because they enhance the slip of any product you're using, decreasing the resistance and eliminating snagging between your fingers, the product, and your hair. I was able to do my baking soda cleansing and detangle my hair in 22 minutes. That Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Masque that has like, no slip? I was able to work that through my hair drama-free, and the gloves even made it feel like it had slip. Same thing with the clay. Vinyl gloves contributed significantly to cutting down on the amount of time wash day took me.

2. Multitask. If you can, organize tasks you need to complete around wash day. Day 6 for me was actually Sunday morning before church -- the ultimate time crunch challenge. I didn't let the baking soda rinse sit in my hair for extra time, because it was sitting in my hair the entire time while I was detangling. While deep conditioning, I made my bed and began organizing what I was going to wear to church. Instead of sitting around with the clay in my hair, I slapped it in and hopped in the shower. While showering and washing my face, I let the clay sit and take in the steam for about 15 minutes before rinsing. From the moment I started with the baking soda conditioner concoction, to styling with my leave-in and gel, I completed wash day in 1.5 hours. That's a wash day record, period. Max Hydration Method, or otherwise.

3. It's OK to skip a day. Remember back on day 3 when I skipped a day, and hoped I didn't have to start back over? Yes, my hair was a bit of a mess on the day I did skip, but the good news is that I didn't have to start all over. So if you have a day where you need to wash and you've run out of clay, or don't have time for all the steps, you can pick right back up where you left off on the next wash day without any major setbacks.

Stay tuned for day 7 and my final thoughts! I'll also be doing a Max Hydration Method FAQ and Myths & Facts, so we can get everything straight!

Related:

5 Comments

  1. if you stick to the max hydration what products will you continue to use for each step of the process? I would to get a list so I can have an idea of what products I should get for each step when I give this a try on my own hair. I know you mentioned them in each post but it would be great to have them all in one place and grouped according to which step in the process theyre used

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  2. So will you still be using the Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-In Conditioner with this method?

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  3. Hi Sarah, if you are still looking for information on approved products for MHM, technique etc go to maxhydration.com. The regimen is laid out pretty clear there. Its where Pinke Cube has listed products you could try (depending on availability on the ground or online). She's also great at getting back to you about any questions you may have. x

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  4. Absolutely! Just link it back to this blog post :)

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  5. Girl, thank you!! I read this entire series today, after looking for advice on using the MHM for type 3 curls (so much for work). I just wanted to thank you for trying it and sharing! I don't know about doing the whole regimen,but I'm absolutely going to start using baking soda and clay.

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