Source @avielleamor
History’s oppression of natural hair has long prevented progression towards understanding our own curls. This oppression leaves new members of the community at a disadvantage, guided by no one but their own curiosity towards proper hair care routine. If you find yourself struggling to find what practices and products work best, these 10 commandments are sure to guide any naturalista in the right direction:
1. Moisture is your best friend.
When you were a child, it was almost unspoken rule that curly hair and water don’t mix. But natural hair needs moisture — maybe even more than our straight-haired counterparts. Because of its curlier texture, it’s harder to retain moisture. Purchasing deep-penetrating conditioners such Curl Junkie Daily Fix Cleansing Conditioner and CURLS Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave In Conditioner are key.
2. Co-wash, not shampoo.
Once leaving the world of perming and going natural, some have the impression that they’re able to shampoo more frequently. However, shampooing too often can strip your hair of its natural moisture. It’s recommended to replace this routine with a weekly co-wash. Co-washing uses conditioner instead of a harsher shampoo to clean the hair. Using your trusted conditioner is fine, but there are also co-washes such as that are specifically tailored for this practice.
3. Satin is your closest cousin.
To protect your hair, wear a satin wrap or bonnet before going to sleep. As compared to common fabrics like cotton and linen, satin helps lower the friction that occurs during sleep. However, with the abundance of oils that we apply to our hair to keep it strengthened and moisturized, make sure to change and wash your satin pillowcases often.
4. Pampering your ends leads to long hair.
When moisturizing our dry-prone curls, it’s a common mistake to focus on the roots. However, the ends of our hair are the weakest, most damaged parts. Focusing on the roots makes the scalp more susceptible to build-up and clogged hair follicles, some culprits of slow hair growth. Start from the bottom up when applying a leave-in moisturizer or essential oil to the hair.
5. Heat protectants are imperative.
Many of us remember using the hot comb, flat iron, or other straightening device every morning to straighten our textured curls. To maintain natural hair, it’s imperative to use heat sparingly. However, if you do decide to apply heat to the hair, be sure to protect the hair with a proper heat protectant such as Carol’s Daughter Cupuacu Anti-Frizz Smoothing Blow Dry Cream.
6. LOC the moisture up.
Leave-in conditioners, oils, and cream conditioners can’t work alone; they must be used in conjunction with one another to give hair the best results. To complete the L.O.C method, seal a hydrating leave-in with an oil, and seal the two with a heavier, cream conditioner. But if you have low porosity hair, the L.C.O. (leave-in, cream, oil”> method might work better at keeping your hair moisturized without receiving frizz in the process.
7. Transitioning calls for protective styles.
While transitioning to your natural texture, you’re more susceptible to breakage because of the two contrasting textures of hair: your old, straight ends and the curly new growth. Protective hairstyles such as box braids, locs, and crochet braids literally protect the ends from the elements, preventing breakage from happening.
8. Your hair is what you eat.
We truly are what we eat, and hair isn’t an exception to this rule. Foods such as eggs, spinach, and fatty fish are rich in the protein, biotin, vitamin, and omega-3 fatty acids our hair needs to grow. If you still aren’t getting enough of these vital nutrients in your diet, hair supplements such as Hairfinity’s Hair Vitamins will fill those gaps.
9. Know your hair type.
The key to knowing what’s best for your hair is knowing its scientific composition. Oprah’s hair stylist Andre Walker created a hair typing system which now serves. Ranging from 1A to 4B (or 4C on some systems”>, this categorization serves as a guide for hair products, styling tips, and other aspects of the natural world. If you find some of your tresses fitting more than one of his categories, don’t fret; many naturalistas have a mixture of hair textures.
10. In a world where everything seems to go against natural hair, push on!
Oppression and protest against curly hair is all around us. The constant pressure to straighten our natural curls is psychological warfare on our self-esteem, but the strenuous journey towards accepting your hair as it is can prove to be one of the most rewarding parts of your life.
Have any thoughts of your own to add? Share them in the comments below!
