6. Know Ingredients Not Brands
Get ingredient savvy by reading as much as you can about what is in your products. Ingredients on beauty products is just as critical as the ingredients on the back of your favorite snack food.
When you learn about what makes your hair tick then your choices become less about brands and more about what that product actually has in it. Trust me, this is the best way to avoid the trap of product junkie-ism and find your staples quickly.
7. Pamper And Learn
See a master stylist just once for a thorough evaluation of your hair and for a little professional inspiration. Choosing a stylist is not easy, recommendations are normally the best route to take, but if you find a great salon that knows how to take care of natural hair it can help to give you that boost you need to carry on in your journey. There is nothing like knowing you have some professional support if things get a little haywire.
8. Get Creative
Start doing some things you would never do if you were relaxed, that might mean everything from regular scalp massages with exotic oils*, to DIY conditioner mixes. Figure out what you can do that is different from your typical relaxer regimen so that your mind will adjust to your new actions.
9. Party Like Its 1999
Attend natural hair mixers in your area so that you can interact with other women on a similar journey as your own. Natural hair parties and shows are not exclusive clubs, honestly they are just a lot of fun and the camaraderie is really helpful especially when you realize how many women just like you are out there.
10. Read Girl Read
Educate yourself about your hair in ways that have never done before by purchasing books dedicated to hair. For some reason we do not have the same sense of urgency to learn about our relaxed hair while relaxed, at least not all of us did.
In the spirit of doing something different purchasing scientific books dedicated to hair, and fun hair books will definitely keep your mind off that relaxer.
Conchita Tarver-Smith says
I HAVE BEEN NATURAL FOR A YR AND A HALF WHAT CAN I DO FOR MY HAIR SO ITS NOT SO DRY…I HAVE TO WASH IT ATLEAST ONCE A WEEK CAUSE I HAVE DANDRIFF…I DONT DRY MY HAIR ALSO…I AIRDRY MY HAIR…IVE TRIED PUDDING,MOOSE, AND GREASE AND ITS STILL DRY…PLEASE HELP MY HAIR…
Buhle Mfeka says
Try a 4 parts water and one part glycerin or honey spritz. They are humectants so they draw moisture from the air. My hair is also very dry and this spray has helped my hair a lot! You can add a few drops of essential oil for a nice smell
Buhle Mfeka says
If your hair feels sticky a after using this mix add more water to dilute it. Hope this helps!
Ilesha Sewell says
*Make your own non-drying shampoo using 1/4 water,1/4 all natural castile soap,and a small amount of tea tree oil(this is good for dandruff)(Change measurements according to how much hair you have).To clarify once a month,put 2 parts water to 1 part apple cider vinegar in a color applicator bottle and focus on the scalp to get all the build up out.This will ensure that the product is more able to penetrate the hair and work.
*Condition to detangle your hair then use a deep conditioner for 30-60 minutes(Shea Moisture is a brand with good hair masque’s).
*Do the LOC method->(liquid,(distilled water is best),oil(all natural and unrefined it preferred)and cream or switch the cream and oil to make it the LCO method;whichever one it best for your hair.
->IMPORTANT-<:Seal the moisture in your hair to keep dryness at bay!Don't skip this step!Use an oil or shea,avocado or cocoa butter as a sealant.
*Protective styling it optional.
*That spray that Buhle above me wrote is a good one to try.
Conchita Tarver-Smith says
THANK YOU…
Leandra Mauricio says
do a protain treatment and deep condotion with mayo,egss,olive oil,honey and coco oil put that in several parts and let it be for 2 or 3 hours or all nigth next wash and condition, put a leavin mousture and do some brais or twists
Conchita Tarver-Smith says
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH…
Tosha Loucks says
I tried, I just can’t do it.
Brittny Roberts WorknProgress says
Naw I’ll stick with the creamy crack
Chelsea Crouch says
I love my natural hair! its so much longer and thicker then my relaxed hair ever was! <3
Evette Howard says
Its ok to relax if u wanna relax!! When going natural you truly do have to change your mindset….
Natasha Orr says
To add, you have to be comfortable with yourself because not everyone is going to be accepting to your hair.
Mary Chatman says
I agree with your comment Natasha. You have be confident and comfortable in your own skin so when the negativity comes you can handle it.
Nicosia Jones says
Thanks, Etavia!
Tee says
I have been natural now for 7 months and I love it! I have to keep my hair short or I will be tempted to relax! If you do decide to relax, it’s fine! Your hair, your choice, your life.
Jessica Bahadi says
My hair is too tough. Girls like me need to relax because combing natural hair everyday is a real ordeal.
Chelsea Crouch says
youre not suppose to comb natural hair everyday, thats why it so much easier to take care of
Yvette Martin says
The beauty of natural hair is you don’t have to have your hands in your hair every single day!
sweettea says
Use your fingers instead
Morgan Nimmz says
^My hair is “tough” and I’m doing just fine.
Sueellen Medina says
Relaxers suck!
Natasha Orr says
Conchita, try wetting hair,the apply an oil like shea, coconut, tea tree ect., then a leave in conditioner. That will help with dryness! Combing nappy hair everyday is not a good idea!
Shanece Kornegay says
I really enjoy my relaxed hair. And personally I love naturals. I think they are both nice. ^-^
Angela DaRocha says
I get so tempted to relax my hair, but then I quickly snap out of it…
Sharon Williams-Lester says
I love my text lax relaxed hair, because i care for it in the same manor as natural hair… THE BEST PART IS ITS HEALTHY HAS NO Split ENDS, and as grown back a little bit thicker than it was before I started the healthy hair, journey it’s manageable and I can show case it by wearing it down….
Sharon Williams-Lester says
I co- wash, moisturize and seal.. I don’t use heat and when I do it’s not direct heat. I do it all and the results have been amazing!!!
Sharon Williams-Lester says
Oh! I use essential oils tooo❤️
Sandra Ifeoma Orimilikwe says
Relaxing my hair has not crossed my mind and I don’t miss it:)
Alohalakay says
This is the way they all should see things,there is a reason why they don’t accept nappy hair,it’s because the white people told you that it’s not good ,and only white hair was good,so we have inferiority complexes about it.Dominicans are not only mixed and whites,it ‘s a black country,get use to it.
Yvette Martin says
Put conditioner in your (natural) hair. Use a wide tooth comb. Makes the process so much easier!
Ni-Ni Henderson says
Kudos to those who went natural, but everyone’s hair does NOT respond the same way to water, oils, conditioners, and other things that my make the next person’s hair manageable. If you know what you are doing AND have good genes, you can have long, thick, and healthy relaxed hair. Hair you see is DEAD anyway, so I don’t see why there is such a big fuss over it.
Semendablessed Howard says
Morgan Nimmz ( luster pink hair lotion ) great for coarse hair part hair in section comb lotion through each section let dry then fluff with a pick and chose your on style.
Ronnie Harris says
Thank God i don’t put it in my hair no more because allll it was doing is growing it and taking it all outtt Now i just wash it and conditions and baby oil in it and comb it out to the ends and my ends and put it in a ponytail and get under my hair dry and it on after i do alll of that i flatlron it ps and
Andrea Simpson-Jones says
After going natural, I even had to change my mindset about the protective styles and weaves I wore because I no longer felt right about wearing bone-straight hair. Now, when I do a sew-in, it with hair that matches my natural texture.
Kerimah Rogers says
It’s funny how soooooo many Black women are going natural now and finding out what I’ve known for YEARS. 15-20 years ago when natural hair WASN’T IN, I didn’t get perms and I was always looked down upon and talked about in school and always saying I needed a “stronger perm”. But yet, my hair was down my back. I never wanted to perm my hair, but I started a few years ago, knowing that perms are really not good for your hair. Now I regret it.
Michele Bess-Reggie Snelling Jr. says
My mom started me extremely early on perms so I never new anything about natural hair and what my natural hair looked like before a perm, I thought your natural hair was just simply wearing your own hair and not the weave. I decide to stop perming my hair December 2012, I wore protective styles up until May 2013 and then I did the BC. I was feeling anxiety for a little while to go outside with my natural hair but I learned to except it and I took the support from the ones who supported me I got thru it and I’m glad I made my decision. I’m am still natural til this day after finding what works for my hair, my hair is almost seven inches. I’m looking forward to see the length May 2014, that will be my one year of actually taking care of my hair, I’m a 4a to 4b and I Love It, very happy!!:)
Zandra Y. Molina says
I know that feeling and thought…and did/doing the change.
Quin Yu says
I personally didn’t know because my mother always permed my hair before I knew what it was but now I’m almost a year natural and very happy!