Wash day can be extremely complicated. What steps are required to properly wash your hair?

Wash day should not be a complicated process. Yes, its true that natural hair requires tender love and care but with the right knowledge your wash day should be easier. There is no one size fits all for when it comes to washing your hair. The process is different for everyone, even if you have the same hair type you do not have the same hair behavior.

Your wash routine depends on some factors; your lifestyle, pre-existing hair, scalp conditions, your curl pattern, low or high porosity, length and thickness density. Speak to your hairstylist about your hair, get accurate knowledge and get help with establishing a good hair wash routine or regime that works for your hair type and scalp textures.

Here are some basic guidelines for wash day:
- Detangling
To begin, part your hair in four sections, especially if its longer than 6 inches. Next, dampen the hair using water and conditioner in a spray bottle. Saturate your hair and spread from root to end detangling with your hands, or use a wide-tooth comb.

Cleanse
Use a mild clarifying shampoo or a gentle sulfate-free shampoo for your first wash to rid of any build-up on the scalp. Second shampoo should be a moisturizing/Hydrating shampoo.

Conditioner
You can choose to sit with your conditioner with a shower cap on  for 15 mins or you can disperse conditioner throughout hair, detangle and rinse properly with cool water and style.

Does the same process work for everyone with Type 4 hair? For example, does it work for people with 4B & 4C hair?

Again, its not only the hair type that plays a part in wash day. Speak to your haircare professional, ask the right questions about your hair, share details about your lifestyle and with all this information, they will help you choose the right products and techniques for your hair wash. Some hair needs to be washed weekly, some every two weeks. Listen to your hair and scalp.

Why is it important to focus on cleansing the scalp?

Its important to focus on cleansing the scalp because this is where your hair grows. In order to have the healthiest, strongest hair possible it should grow from a scalp free of build-up. Build-up can be dead skin cells, old product and excess sebum. If you dont clean your scalp you can encourage future challenges such as hair loss, itchy and flaky scalp.

Use scalp friendly products daily such as the right shampoo and conditioner for your specific scalp and hair condition. Only use a scalp detox once a week if you have scalp issues, if not once or twice a month is fine to help balance nutrients, hygiene, repairing damaged skin tissue and in restoring much-needed moisture to the scalp.

What are your holy grail hair tools to use during your wash day process?

Some of the holy grail tools for the wash day process include:

Step 1: Find your tool for detangling. It can be a Denman brush, wide tooth comb or a tangle teaser.

Step 2: Next is using a spray bottle mix water and your favorite conditioner and generously wet your hair.

Step 3: Use a shower after applying your conditioner for a treatment.

Step 4: Hair clipsperfect for sectioning and holding your hair in place when detangling hair before shampooing.

Check out some of our favorite wash day products below!

For Black women, wash day can seem like a chore. Looking to reclaim your time? Leona Wilson of the LW Salon shares some expert tips.

Pre-poo, co-wash, detangling, shampooing, deep-conditioningare all of these steps truly necessary to maintain a healthy head of hair? The natural hair movement has conditioned (ha, get it?!) many naturalistas into believing the hair washing process should take up your whole day. Sigh. We partnered with Leona Wilson, Owner & Stylist of [LW Salon](https://www.lwsalon.com/) to learn how to uncomplicate wash days with tips that will leave your hair feeling clean, hydrated, and prepped for your next style!

Sun damage; acne scarring; an eczema flare-upthere are a number of skin woes that may lead to a bout of hyperpigmentation. But, unfortunately, sometimes it's unavoidable. "One inherits his/her skin type and tendency towards hyperpigmentation. Melasma (a form of hyperpigmentation that is often a result of hormonal influences and harder to treat) also has a hereditary component. Environmental triggers and trauma to the skin also play a huge role," says Dr. Henry. The largest hormonal trigger of them all? Pregnancy and birth control pills, of course.

While hyperpigmentation is a condition that affects all skin tones, it is definitely more common for people of color. "Darker skin tones are more affected by hyperpigmentation because of the presence of increased melanin in the skin. Melanosomes (the cell structures that holds melanin) are full and leaky in darker skin types causing hyperpigmentation more readily." While these dark spots popping up on your face can be frustrating, rest assured that they can be tamed with the right treatment.

Heat, hormones, and skin picking are all factors that can exacerbate hyperpigmentation, but sun exposure is by far the biggest culprit. "Hyperpigmentation can worsen during the summer months due to UV stimulation or melanocytes. Regular use of sunscreen can greatly reduce this stimulation," shares Dr. Henry. Products that contain brightening ingredients like vitamin C, azelaic acid, niacinamide, kojic acid, and hydroquinone can help to fade dark spots topically, and regular in-office peels and laser treatments can be extremely effective.

Some great options we love are: [Specific Beauty Advanced Dark Sport Corrector Pads] (https://www.birchbox.com/product/38710); [Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution] (https://www.birchbox.com/product/24135); [Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum] (https://www.birchbox.com/product/32615)

You may not be able to avoid hyperpigmentation completely, but it certainly does not have to ruin a good skin day. A combination of religious sunscreen use (do we need to say that again for emphasis?), plus skincare with brightening ingredients and antioxidantswhich help to boost UV protectioncan make a huge impact in controlling spots from becoming larger or darker. And since not all spots are created equal, if all else fails, consult with a board certified dermatologist to find the best treatment for you.

Check out our exclusive Refinery29 Unbothered x Birchbox Its Your Crown and Stay Radiant Kits, available October 18, 2019.

Seeing spots? Dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry breaks down how hyperpigmentation affects darker skin tones differently. 

Hyperpigmentation (or "dark spots", to the layperson) is a very common skin condition in which a patch of skin becomes darker in color caused by an excess of melanin (brown pigment) that develops. Hyperpigmentation is universal, however, those with darker skin tones may experience the condition differently. Here, dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry breaks down why you might be seeing spots and how you can treat them.

How Hyperpigmentation Affects Darker Skin Tones | Birchbox

BB: How would you describe what you do to a total stranger?
LW: Usually Id describe myself as a visual storyteller or a person who draws pictures for a living.

What emotion do you hope to evoke in people experiencing your art for the first time?
Joy. My biggest hope is for them to see themselves or someone they love within the work I create.

You are from D.C. but currently reside in L.A. How does the city keep you inspired?
In addition to its beautiful scenery and people, L.A. also brings up a lot of nostalgia and spiritual energy for me that Ive been working into my subject matter lately.

Describe the process of creating exclusive art for the two Birchbox x Refinery29 Unbothered beauty kits. What was your inspiration?
I was definitely inspired by my childhood memories of seeing folks who looked like me in the packaging that lines beauty aisles, like Just For Me, which puts an emphasis on black joy and beauty. I wanted to fit that sentiment into my illustrated world and pull a bit of those memories into these beautiful kits.

What advice do you have for other people of color interested in pursuing the arts?
Put yourself out there, talk to those who inspire you, and share your own stories, because your voice deserves to be shared!

Whats your current beauty routine?
My beauty routine is pretty simple. I love playing with makeup, but as Im getting older Ive been learning to focus more on having a better skincare regimen. I use Botnia Gentle Cleanser morning and night, Botnia Eye Cream, and moisturize with their Replenishing Facial Oil daily.

When I do use makeup, my typical look starts off with Benefit Cosmetics Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundation. Then I paint a bold cat eye with Lancme Artliner Precision Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner and use lip gloss to complete my look. When I want something a little bolder, MAC Cosmetics Satin Lipstick in Media is my go-to lipstick shade. I also love playing with vibrant eyeshadow hues (usually pinks, purples, golds, or a neutral brown) to add a pop of color to my face.

We tapped talented L.A.-based illustrator Loveis Wisea queer woman of color whose work has appeared everywhere from BuzzFeed to *The New York Times*to illustrate the exclusive artwork for our collaboration with [Refinery29 Unbothered](https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/unbothered), a community that celebrates the beauty and strength of Black women. Read our Q&A with the Capricorn, in which we hear about her creative process, how she stays inspired, and her beauty routine.

*P.S.: On October 18th, shop the Birchbox x Refinery29 Unbothered [Its Your Crown Hair Kit and Stay Radiant Skin Kit](https://www.birchbox.com/beauty-for-black-women) to see her artwork in real life.*

Meet Illustrator and Designer Loveis Wise | Birchbox

Hey there!

How To Simplify Wash Day | Birchbox

How Hyperpigmentation Affects Darker Skin Tones | Birchbox

Meet Illustrator and Designer Loveis Wise | Birchbox