Fairy knots – My oh my! If you have not come across a fairy knot or single strand knot because you have a TWA don’t worry, it’s coming if you choose to grow your hair out.
It’s inevitable for a naturalista to get fairy knots, because the hair is curly and kinky* and wraps around itself, no matter how detangled your hair is. Try to keep them at bay with moisturizing and sealing your hair effectively, so the stands can stay lubricated.
Length and shrinkage – I know for myself, I am in the high shrinkage club by having full APL with NL shrinkage. I would love to show off my length and all the hard work I did to grow it out. So if you are bummed by shrinkage try: banding, threading, two strand twists for a twist out, blow dry, etc.
Now let’s look at the list of things that stayed a habits when becoming natural:
Habits That Stayed The Same
Wrap and protect hair at night – This hasn’t changed, relaxed or natural we all wrap our hair at night! Whether it’s a satin bonnet*, a silk scarf*, or even a silk pillow case, we are using something to protect the style, moisture, and health of our hair.
Deep conditioning* regularly – Whether you get your hair done at the salon or if you are a DIY kind of gal, deep conditioning* has been drilled into us so much that it would be tough to have a wash day without your deep conditioning treatment.
HIHS – Also known as Hand In Hair Syndrome, this has not changed. It may not be a habit like it is for others, but HIHS is very real when your hair has grown 3 inches in 6 months and you just can’t help to feel your length or when your Afro looks very luscious and your hands tend to caress your kinks. HIHS will always be a habit for all of us when we see that our hair is responding to the TLC given.
Wear protective styles – When you were relaxed, you may have done buns for a few weeks or got your hair braided to take a break from your hair. Well, that does not change when going natural. Actually, protective styling become more often to protect your kinky* hair from clothes, HIHS, and the environment.
Trim when needed – Now that you are natural, your hair is not necessarily trimmed less often but more when needed. You still have to make sure that the split ends that do occur are trimmed off, just like when you were relaxed.
People judge based on hair – This is a sad habit, but something you will have no control over. Whether it’s a job, going to the grocery store, or those who don’t agree with your hair choice, you are still judged.
When you were relaxed, people judged that you were trying to be “someone” you aren’t. And now you are natural, you are making a political stance or you are “unkempt.” No matter what kind of hair you have, people will always judge.
Hours watching YouTube for tips and styles – Of course! When we were relaxed, we watched YouTube of other relaxed gals. That has not changed at all! We just switched over to watching naturalistas for tips and styling options.
There you go; that’s my complete list of habits we kept and habits we ditched.
Do you have any others habits that have changed or stayed the same, since you became natural?
Comment below!
I love the list! I’m transitioning and loving my new growth texture so very much. I’m a candidate for HIHS already :-D.