10 Things Every Naturalista Should Know

October 31, 2014

Deciding to go natural can be exciting. With the new found obsession for natural hair, it can be a little overwhelming sometimes. Clicking on multiple blogs and sites that are devoted to natural hair, all telling you different things; how do you know what’s true and what’s false?

No matter where you get your DIY hair smoothies from, there are a few things you should already know:

1. Don’t Rush the Process

The hardest part about starting your natural hair journey is having patience. Know that hair does not grow over night.Hair grows about half an inch every month. Now that does not mean that it will grow a full half inch per month! If there is constant breakage occurring, there won’t be much growing at all. Be sure to find a routine that works for you. Once you find what works with your hair, it will grow to its fullest length monthly.

2. Create Your Own Routine

It is very easy to follow what someone else is doing.Especially when they have perfect ringlets falling to their elbows. But don’t think what worked for someone else will work for you. Just because you and your girlfriend both have 3B/4A pattern hair, doesn’t mean your hair will accept the same routine. Every naturalista’s hair is different! Once you accept your differences, you’ll be ready to handle your hair the right way.

Many women follow similar routines as their favouriteYouTuber but just replace the products with what they have. And this is completely fine! You don’t have to follow what works for someone else. Perhaps your girlfriend recommended the L.O.C method to you. She may be using olive oil, but perhaps coconut oil is a better fit for you. Use what you’ve learned and customize it to fit your ‘do!

3. Less is More

With sites telling you to use different products, you’re going to end up with a lot of junk! When it comes to hair products, less is more. There are so many different products out there, and it’s okay to want to try all of them out; just not at the same time. When you feel like your hair is starting to get use to the products you’re using, switch it up. Using too many products at once will only weigh down your hair, and leave it feeling greasy.

4. No Gibberish

A lot of products on the market appear to be “all natural” but yet you can’t pronounce half of the ingredients. Be careful with what you’re purchasing ladies! Just because the bottle says “100% natural”, doesn’t mean it is. Use products with simple ingredients that are easy to pronounce. Can you sayimidazolidinyl urea 3 times fast? Didn’t think so.

5. Water, Water, Water

As told by everyone you ever knew, water is good for you. Not just for your skin, but your hair too. You might have been told to keep water away from your hair, but the truth is, it’s your new best friend. Water will keep your hair moisturized 24/7. When it comes to taking care of natural hair the right way, you need to keep it moisturized! Dry hair will only cause breakage and no one wants that.

6. The S Words

As mentioned before, less is more. And when it comes to sulfate and silicones, less is always more! When it comes to silicones, they’re not bad nor are they good. Silicones can be found in a lot of beauty products such as deodorant, conditioners, shampoos and even Chicken McNuggets! There is a lot of rumours online saying that silicones are bad for your hair but here’s the truth: silicones (any ingredient ending with “cone”), are put in hair products to give an artificial shine to hair. Silicones help hair look healthy and smooth when in reality it is badly damaged. So if you want to have the look of healthy hair then continue to use them! Just know there’s other ways to gain that healthy hair shine. Not only does silicones make your shiny, but it also weighs down your hair. So if you’re trying to aim the afro or “lion’s mane” look, silicones are not the best choice.

Sulfate on the other hand actually does do damage to your hair. Although it is good for getting rid of all that build up in your scalp and ends, it completely dries out your hair. And when it comes to having healthy natural hair, you need all the moisture you can get!

7. Protective Styling

As your natural journey progresses, the hair just keeps growing (yay!). In order to keep your hair healthy and long, protective styling needs to be used. When the weather gets a little cold ,windy , or really humid, the best hairdo, is an updo. A classic top-knot, messy bun or ballerina’s bun will do the trick. If you’re not into buns then braids work too! No matter what the style is, as long as your ends are protected, you’re good. Protective styling will keep your ends (and most of you hair), from being affected by the harsh climate Mother Nature likes to throw at us. That doesn’t mean you have to wear your hair in a bun every day, just wear your hair out, less. Your hair needs a break too!

8. Feed Your Locks

The best thing about hair smoothies and hair masks is that they’re cheap and extremely easy to make! A simple hair mask recipe can be found in your kitchen: eggs, honey,extra virgin olive oil and voila! You have a hair mask. If it’s good for your body, it’s probably good for your hair too!

There are even green smoothies that can do wonders for your hair. Kale and spinach may not sound tasteful, but with the right combination of fruits to go with it, you’ll have no problem gulping it down.

9. To ‘Poo, or Not to ‘Poo?

Everybody talks about how amazing and genius the co-wash method is. But is it really doing your hair good? As mentioned, everybody’s hair is different. Co-washing has many benefits including removing dirt and product buildup from your hair in the most gentle way possible. It also can be used for detangling, bonus! Although co-washing has these benefits, it can create more buildup than what it already removes from your scalp. You may want to try finding a gentle shampoo (sulfate-free) that will clean your hair from the products, and can be used once or twice a month. That way your hair won’t dry out and it will be cleaned properly.

10. Don’t Get Trim-Savvy

Many stylists have told us to trim our hair every 6 to 8 weeks, but the truth is it’s not necessary! When you’re starting your natural journey, a little trim won’t bite. But don’t think you have to follow up with that trim every so often. Unless you see noticeably damaged hair, leave your hair alone! When your hair does need a trim, do it at home (and when it’s dry). You’ll save money and won’t have to worry about anyone getting scissor happy on your hair. If you see any ends that are straight and won’t curl no matter what, get rid of it. This is a result of heat damage. So unless you see damaged hair or split ends, the trim is not needed.

Following these ten tips and tricks will help your journey go smoothly. And don’t just keep these to yourself, share them with all the naturalistas you know! Remember to handle your locks with care, and be patient.

[By Tika Rochell]