The Max Hydration Method (sort of)

If you follow me on instagram you will know that I'm currently obsessed with a new method for retaining moisture in 'Type 4' high porosity hair, The somewhat lengthy Max Hydration Method helps hair to reach it's maximum hydration potential, resulting in moisturised hair and defined curls. People have been calling it a method to create/maintain wash and go's for 4C hair but this is very misleading. The main purpose is retaining moisture as opposed to creating 'type 3' like curls.

This misunderstanding almost had me turning my nose up at MHM along with the what seemed like many steps and pricey suggested products (I'll get to that!)
The method was originally created by Pinkecube on the Black Hair Media Forum, however there are many examples and how to's on line about the method, most are quite confusing at first, the best one I've found so far is here
The Max Hydration Method is a series of 5 steps that should be done over 7 days (everyday!) when this is completed you can do the MHM every 2-5 days
Step one (Recommend for those who have not done MHM before)
The cherry Lola treatment which consists of the following ingredients
Greek yogurt (2 cups) Baking soda (2 tbsp) Organic apple cider vinegar (2 tbsp) Raw coconut liquid aminos or liquid Soy aminos (2 tbsp) Raw honey (1/2 tbsp) Unsulfured molasses (1 tbsp) Half an over ripe plantain or banana Avocado (3/4 tbsp) 1 egg (optional)
I chose not to do the cherry Lola treatment, because I didn't have all the ingredients and to be honest it looks like hard work. However for the full results it is suggested
I decided to do the following steps
Step 1 (you can skip this on day one if you do the cherry lola treatment)

Clarify with ACV using a 50/50 mix of Apple Cider vinegar and water. I spray the mixture onto my hair.
Step 2
Co- wash and de-tangle with a deep conditioner, I alternated between Shea Bliss from Beunique and Vatika Naturals Black Seed Oil Hair Mask. I ran this though my hair (I didn't need to detangle as I have in mini twists) I wrapped my hair in cling film and put a hot towel on my head until it cooled. I then went to bed and slept with the treatment still on.
Step 3

In the morning I washed the conditioner out of my hair completely, Then went on to use a clay mix made with one cup of bentonite clay to two cups of water. I added one spoon of Agave Nectar (Honey is suggested) and one spoon of olive oil. the mixture should be watery. I left it on for 15 minutes then rinsed it off in the shower.
Step 4
Once I rinsed out the clay I used a Leave in Conditioner, I started using Tresemme Naturals conditioner but switched to a watered down mixture of Shea Bliss.

Step 5 Finally is the gel stage, it's suggested that you use all botanical products with this method, I used a mixture of Aloe Vera and Agave Nectar which was great at first but became very sticky. I then switched to a botanical gel but I still didn't like the way it felt after all the effort I found the hardness of the gels counter active to the softness of the moisture retained. I have now decided to finish the MHM by using Big Hair Whipped Shea Butter (a small amount)

These steps are not exactly the approved method of MHM but it's working for me and I'm seeing results, my hair is beautiful and moist, as a result of that my natural curl pattern can be seen. I am wearing my hair in mini twists, so some of the definition I have is from them. but I feel my hair is in a great place and I shall continue on with the method every 3 days from now on.

Verdict To be honest I'm being very half arsed with the method with skipping stages and and not using the suggested products, however I'm still happy with the results which is soft hydrated hair for longer than 5 minutes! It's a long process for the first 7 days, you need to be quite committed even with skipping parts it took up time, but the results are worth it! I didn't go broke buying new products I only brought the Bentonite Clay especially for the method (which was £7.00) I used what I had available at home making compromises when needed so don't let the suggested product list scare you off trying this method (or a variation of it) the list is SUGGESTED not a must! I think the additions of ACV and the clay are what has made the difference for my hair with the over night treatments. I haven't gone into details into how the method works but you can learn a lot from www.msdeekay.com