5 Bad Habits I Had To Let Go Of Once I Went Natural

I’ve been natural for a little over 2 years. As I look back at my regimen and hair care practices I did when my hair was relaxed, I cringe. What was I thinking? A question I ask myself frequently.

For example, as someone who kept my hair cut short if all else failed and damage surfaced it would just get chopped and be replenished with fresh new strands.

Now as someone who’s focus is healthy hair and optimizing growth, I’m forced to take a little more care when it comes to my hair and let go of all of the bad habits I once did on a regular. Here are just 5 that I had to let go of once I started my journey to natural.

1. Sloppy Hair Coloring

I am definitely one who enjoys a little color. While I don’t particularly like to dabble in all colors of the rainbow, I always stick to the blonde side of the spectrum.

I started coloring my own hair at home in 2008. At first, I took baby steps with a honey* blonde which gradually got lighter over the years. Truth be told, I wouldn’t pay too much attention to the parting of my hair when applying the hair dye. I just always kind of slapped it on including the hair that was already colored to make it lighter. There result had no damage apparent to the eye, so it was all good in my book.

Unfortunately trying this same practice when I was natural resulted in me having to chop off a good 4 inches of my natural hair at the start of my journey. Over-processing my hair left me with dry, frayed ends that nothing could tame. Sad, sad day.

It’s safe to say that I learned my lesson the hard way and have had to say no to sloppy at home hair coloring.

2. Not Deep Conditioning*

Is deep conditioning* a requirement for relaxed hair? Many ask this and I have to say it doesn’t hurt! As more and more people seem to be jumping on the natural trail, more knowledge is being spread about the amazing benefits of deep conditioning.

I wish that when I was relaxed I made an effort to deep condition and I can imagine my strands would have looked that much more amazing.

Since going natural I now realize that it’s mandatory to get all of the moisturizing components into those kinked and coiled strands.