So you finally decided to get rid of the creamy crack or to let go of those dead ends that were over processed and weak right. Or maybe you have decided to join the trend of going natural, or you're interested in seeing your natural hair texture. Whatever the reason is, you have discovered your natural hair, but you still have no clue what to do with it.
Before you go back to the creamy crack again or you slap a wig on... LET ME HELP YOU!
Welcome to Natural Hair where you could have 1,2, possibly 4 different textures in your hair, uncomfortable sleeps because your perm rod set is in and you refuse to use heat to dry them, lots of phases and growth, changing your hair every 2-3 days because theres so much versatility but most importantly welcome to your journey. Your journey will be unique to you and it's going to be different. There will be some days when you LOVE your natural hair and there will be some days when you want to wake up in the morning and shave it all off. Unless you have thoroughly considered this idea, and you have heard from the Lord, I would not necessarily advise this. Please count the cost.
Here are 5 Natural Hair Tips for all of the Newbies to this Natural Hair thang:
Establish a Routine!
This is so important and will be the determining factor in your natural hair journey of whether you see growth or breakage. We're not getting rid of damage just to go back to damage, that would be crazy.
Establishing a routine provides you with consistency and allows you to figure out what schedule your hair needs to follow. Will you wash your hair 1x a week, every 2 weeks, 3 weeks, etc. Now if you are not washing your hair AT LEAST once a month, I am judging you! #fightyamama miss ma'am why is your hair not being washed? There's odor coming from the pores in your scalp and I don't want you to walk around like that, that's not of God!
If you have a condition where washing your hair is difficult or you're not able to wash your hair as often, I understand and the above statement does not apply to you.
Here's my wash day Routine:
Shampoo (2x with my TLHC Honey & Lavender Shampoo Bar or Unreleased Shampoo)
Deep Conditioner
Moisturize (TLHC Twist & Loc Soufflé and seal with our Hydrating Hair Growth Oil)
Twists or Protective Style ( I am a lazy natural and honestly the less I have to do my hair, the better)
This is weekly or every 1.5 weeks but I have done this for the last 4-5 years and I know my hair well enough to know when it needs to be washed. When my hair is in a protective style, I wash my hair still but instead of deep conditioning, I use my Twist & Loc Soufflé and apply to my hair & scalp.
Find what best works for your hair by trying different methods and listening to your hair. If you wash your hair every week but you notice that your hair is more dry, and it has began to become more damaged, there are a few things that could be happening.
Your water temperature is TOO HOT! I get it, you want to make sure you're hair is clean but miss ma'am/sir, you're not making noodles. Your water should be cool to warm while washing. Natural hair is delicate and sensitive, treat it as such.
You're washing too much or too often. Over washing your natural hair can cause damage and you are stripping your hair of it's oil and moisture which is resulting in drier hair.
Your products SUCK! So listen, a lot of products on the market contain sulfates, phthalates, harsh chemicals, alcohols, DMDM, etc that are not only causing damage to your hair but your body. This is why it is extremely to know what ingredients are in your products. Our products do not contain chemicals or any of the above ingredients because I genuinely do not want you in 30 years to walk around with Mesothelioma, and now you have to call and get your money. You also could be using the wrong product for your hair type, texture and porosity level.
2. Products
What products are you using in your hair? Are they really working? Do you know your hair's porosity? All of these questions are essential for your hair journey. Please don't stress yourself about learning all of the terms and know how's, it comes with time.
When choosing products, you want to make sure you know how your hair will respond. You can have the same hair texture as someone else but have two completely different porosities and densities which result in different absorption rates and how products help your hair. You are able to conduct a porosity test at home and its simple. Below is a link to a porosity test.
Selecting the right product is important but also your application is important. There are so many methods but the ones I have stuck to throughout the years is either the LCO or the LOC method. These methods are an application system for natural hair product application.
Ex:
L- Water, Leave-In Conditioner, Aloe Vera Juice, etc
O- our Hydrating Hair Growth Oil
C- our Twist & Loc Soufflé
or........
L- Water, Leave-In Conditioner, Aloe Vera Juice, etc
C- our Twist & Loc Soufflé
O- our Hydrating Hair Growth Oil
Now, you've got your products but what about shampoo & conditioner? Our Honey & Lavender Shampoo Bar is going to cleanse your hair and scalp without stripping your hair of the oils it produces. These shampoo bars are organic, so they do not produce a huge lather for your scalp but they are super convenient and effectively clean your hair. Choose your choice of conditioner, as we do not have conditioner at the moment.
3. Trim Your Ends!
This is the face I make when I hear you want to hold onto your hair but the ends are damaged. Miss ma'am/ sir, please go get your ends trimmed. I know you think that your hair will be short and you do not want short hair, BUT it's temporary.
Getting trims is KEY to retaining length. You do not need a haircut when you visit the beauty shop but you do need to clip those ends. You may ask how often should I clip my ends, and honestly that will have to be a discussion between you and the beautician. Personally, I know I need a trim when I have an attitude and I want to chop my hair off. I can also feel the single strand knots on my hair. There is nothing worse than needing a trim.
The ends of your hair are the oldest part of your hair and generally are the part of your hair that is most susceptible to damage. They rub on your clothes and the friction from your clothing causes split ends, single strand knots, damage, etc. There are other factors such as the elements and environment, color damage, over bleaching, certain hairstyles can cause damage (wearing your hair in a ponytail can cause your hair to weaken), excessive combing and brushing, etc.
Remember our natural hair is so fragile and delicate. It needs protection and this is why I also encourage you to sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a bonnet or scarf at night time. Let me know in the comments if which one you prefer.
4. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!!
So this is less about your outside and more about your inside and your diet. Increase your water intake. Your hair is like a plant, you have to hydrate the plant so that it grows and flourishes.
If you consume lots of pop (soda), juice, coffee, alcohol, energy drinks and you're not drinking your water your body cannot produce something healthy. I'm reminded when Jesus was talking to the Pharisees and he called them out about worrying about the custom of washing their hands but their hearts were evil. (See Luke 11:37-45) While this is not talking about your sin or the condition of your heart, I think it still applies. Don't get so consumed with making sure that your hair is "looking healthy" that it actually isn't healthy.
Include more fruit and veggies, increase your water, exercise. These habits help your hair to be healthy. I can't tell you to not eat McDonalds or fast food because I had Wendy's 2 nights in a row, and I eat fast food BUT I'm telling you to incorporate more fresh fruit and veggies into your diet and increase your water. Limit the amount of juice, coffee, alcohol, energy drinks, etc into your diet because they will harm your body. All of these changes will produce the hair that you want.
5. LEAVE YO HEAD ALONE!!!
As a natural you will want to play in your hair all day and run your hands through your hair. AHT AHT! Get back! lol. When you play in your hair, or you're consistently messing with your hair, changing your hairstyles, wearing super tight hairstyles, etc. you are damaging your hair. It is okay to wear natural hairstyles of course but please limit how often you switch your hair out.
Recently I had knotless braids and I left them in my hair for 2-2.5 months and honey they looked rough but I was determined to not touch my hair because I knew that once I took my hair out I would miss my hair. I took them out at the beginning of the month and I take a month long break before I put another style in my hair. I do this to give my hair a break and because once I took that style out, my scalp was extremely sore and it needed time to be.
Choose a protective style that is going to last you some time and that is not high maintenance. If you desire to get a high ponytail, get the ponytail but ask your stylist to not make your ponytail super tight or to not use as many bobby pins. I know we want to be cute ladies, but I want to make sure you have hair when the style is over. If you do wigs, teach me! Wigs are such a low maintenance style that you honestly do not have to do daily if you don't want to. They have headband wigs, glueless wigs, etc. that will benefit your hair more than using glue will. Braids and twists are some of the most popular styles currently and they last a really long time. Faux (foe) locs are another cute style but make sure they do not pull your edges out due to their tightness.
Please understand that none of these are hard facts and I am telling you This is what you MUST do. These are tips that I have known to be tried and true and that I have had the most success along my natural hair journey with. Do what works best for you.
That's all I have for you gorgeous! Don't forget to follow us on our social media platforms and sign-up for our newsletter if you are not already.
God Bless You!
Zaire C.
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