• Wash twice with shampoo if you went more than 3 days between washes — one pass cleans the scalp, the second clears product buildup
• Apply a hydrating mask or deep conditioner from mid-length to ends. Shower cap on for 10–15 minutes — your body heat helps it sink in
• Rinse with cool water — cool water helps the outer layer of the strand lay flat and reflect more shine
• Towel dry gently with a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt. No rough rubbing — wet hair is fragile
• Apply heat protectant before any blow dryer or hot tool — non-negotiable
• Smooth a pea-size leave-in cream through mid-lengths to ends
• Blow dry with the nozzle pointed down the hair shaft (root to tip). One drop of oil on ends to finish

• Gently detangle with a boar bristle or wet brush before bed — soft flexible bristles protect fragile strands without causing breakage
• Apply a small amount of water-based leave-in mask to mid-lengths and ends — keeps strands hydrated without weighing them down by morning
• Loosely braid or twist and secure with a silk scrunchie — regular elastics create tension points that snap fine strands overnight
• Sleep on satin or silk, or wrap in a satin scarf — cotton creates friction that breaks strands and causes frizz

• 3–5 minute scalp massage using your fingertips (not your nails) — boosts blood flow to your roots and spreads natural oils down the strand
• If your scalp feels dry, use a few drops of light scalp oil (rosemary, jojoba, argan) before massaging. Skip heavy butters or coconut oil at the roots — they clog follicles
• Brush hair from ends to roots, smooth a small amount of leave-in over the lengths if it feels dry
• No tight ponytails or buns today — give your roots a break
• Satin or silk tonight

• 5-minute hydrating mask in the shower — work it through mid-lengths to ends, never the roots (it weighs them down)
• Rinse well — leftover product makes hair feel heavy and dull, and blocks moisture from getting in next time
• Heat protectant, leave-in cream, blow dry as usual. Finish with one drop of oil on the ends
• Pick a soft, low-manipulation style for the next two days — loose waves, a soft braid overnight, or leave it down
• Satin or silk tonight

• Assess: does your hair feel limp or stretchy when wet, snap easily when you brush, or does your blowout fall flat by end of day?
• If yes — use a light protein-based conditioner or bond repair treatment. Follow the bottle (3–5 minutes). Rinse well, finish with regular leave-in
• If hair feels strong already — skip the protein, dry shampoo your roots, brush through, and go
• Not sure? Skip it. Too much moisture is easy to fix. Too much protein is not

• Skip washing today — let your natural oils condition your scalp
• Loose low ponytail, soft braid, or claw clip. No tight elastics or slick buns — they pull on edges and cause breakage at the hairline
• If roots look greasy, a light dusting of dry shampoo is fine. Don’t pile it on — too much causes buildup
• One drop of hair oil rubbed between your palms, then smoothed over the ends only
• Silk or satin pillowcase tonight — last night before your Day 7 check-in

Three objective checks. You’re collecting data — not judging your hair. The results tell you exactly what to carry forward.

• Check 1 — End feelSoft and bendy = moisture is balancing — keep going. Rough or crunchy = ends need more sealing; a small trim may help. Limp or mushy = too much conditioner, not enough strength — add a protein step next wash.
• Check 2 — The stretch testPluck one wet strand and gently pull. Stretches a little then bounces back = healthy. Snaps right away = needs more moisture (or you overdid the protein). Stretches like a rubber band and stays stretched = needs more protein. Always test it wet — dry hair gives a false reading.
• Check 3 — The brush testBrush through dry hair from ends up. Slides smoothly = hair is shinier and healthier. Still catching = give it another 7 days before changing anything. Hair takes time.