By Niki McGloster

No-fuss protective styles like braids, twists, faux locs, weaves and wigs rule the summer. But as the heat begins to wane, women everywhere get the urge to let their natural hair breathe for a few months. Caring for your curl type underneath these looks is pretty much a hair commandment. However, restoring your hair post-protective style before jumping back into your regular hair regimen is just as important to making sure your mane remains healthy and strong.

To recover your hair without breaking the bank, Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula restorative haircare line is an affordable option available at Target and Walmart. Free of harmful ingredients like sulfates, parabens, phthalates and mineral oil, the COF collection will get your hair back on track. How, you ask? Follow our guide below and flawlessly transition your hair just in time for Fall.

Step 1: Detangle

While taking your hair down, gently finger through your tangles or use a wide-tooth comb to remove pesky knots from your mane. Remember, don’t fret if you’ve got a ball of hair in your hand after you’ve finished. Shedding is natural after your hair has been hibernating for awhile. 

Step 2: Pre-Shampoo

Before you dive head first (literally) into your normal hair-washing routine, give your tresses an intensive pre-poo treatment with Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Deep Conditioning Protein Pack. Lather your tresses with the creamy mixture and let sit (with or without heat) while you wash dishes, finish some work or even FaceTime chat with bae, then rinse thoroughly. This hydration boost will help soften and strengthen your hair while locking in maximum moisture throughout the next steps.

Step 3: Shampoo

Next, wash your mane with Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Conditioning Shampoo (twice!) to cleanse your scalp of accumulated buildup while repairing the damage.

Step 4: Deep Condition

Because your hair has been tucked away for weeks (or months!), a little TLC in the form of a penetrating post-poo treatment will do wonders. Use Palmer’s Coconut Oil 2 Step Hair Mask for amplified hydration that keeps your hair moist and shiny for much longer than other conditioners. The first step, the Deep Conditioning Mask, restores shine and conditions while step 2, the Protective Glaze, seals the cuticle for long-lasting results and prevents dryness in the days following your wash. To better seal the moisture, add heat or steam to your conditioning process.

Step 5: Moisturize

Though your hair is already feeling back to normal at this stage, use the L.O.C. method to further protect your hair’s new glow. After lightly drying your tresses post-conditioning, spray your strands with Palmer’s Coconut Oil Leave-In Conditioner. The hair-nourishing formula contains the beloved coconut oil and Tahitian Monoi, both of which deeply hydrate, reverse damage and give hair incredible shine. 

Step 6: Trim (If necessary) 

Hair growth is a positive result of leaving your hair in a protective style for several weeks. Maintain healthy strands by going to the salon for a quick trim. If you’re more of an at-home self-styler, watch a few YouTube clips before snipping those split ends yourself. 

For added umph, revive your roots on days two, three and four with Palmer’s Curl & Scalp Refresher. The water-based formula contains humectants that revive your scalp between washes, improve microcirculation to the skin and hair follicles at the root. When you’re on the go, keep this refresher close by.

Original article was published here.