How To Embrace Your Natural Hair

When I started my natural hair journey I was completely unprepared and had no idea what I was getting myself into, I had no idea how to maintain my curls and how to take care of them, I didn’t even know what hair porosity was! but now after a year I’ve learnt so much on maintaining and keeping my natural hair healthy, and I want to share these tips with you so you too can look after your beautiful curls!!

When I first started my hair journey, I had a lot of heat damage due to having had my hair relaxed a couple years back, which now is a choice that I deeply regret. I was around 12 or 13 when I got it, and the reason I did was because I didn’t know how to take care of my curls and I simply wanted to fit in with my friends and have straight hair. My mum was never really taught how to take care of her curls either so she didn’t really know how to take care of mine. But after letting my hair grow for a few years, I finally did a big chop and began my natural hair journey…

HAIR POROSITY First thing first , you must know what your porosity is, and there’s a simple way of finding out, you simply take a strand of hair and place it in water . (scroll down to see what the results would look like). Having high porosity means there are holes and gaps in the cuticle which allow moisture to be absorbed easily but also lost. This means more products are needed to lock in moisture. On the other hand having low porosity means your hair repels water so needs more time to get saturated, also products aren’t easily absorbed so this can lead to product build up. So make sure you are researching the best products for your hair 🙂

HAIR TYPES AND HAIR ROUTINES I can’t stress how important it is to know your hair type, this helps you develop a routine that is more suited for your hair ! (scroll to see the range of hair types), when trying to find your hair type, keep in mind that you may have different curl patterns in your hair. When establishing a hair routine make sure you know what products you are using in your hair. Make sure the shampoo and conditioner you use in your hair are Sulfate free, because this strips the hair of its natural oils and can therefore make it dry and brittle, also make sure the products don’t have petrolatum or mineral oil as they can clog the pores on your scalp and make it harder for your hair to grow .

On wash days I like to start off with a hair mask which I made myself (using mayonnaise, an egg, some coconut and castor oil and the deep conditioner of your choice) this helps condition and moisturise my hair, I leave this on for about an hour before I begin washing my hair. Personally I think it’s best to work with your hair in sections as its easier to manage, so keep some hair ties near! Then I simply shampoo and condition each section (remember to brush while it has product in it), then I apply my leave in conditioner. At this stage you can either apply your hair moisturiser and creams then finger coil your curls and let the gel hold it in place, then let it air dry or diffuse it. But I prefer applying product and then putting them into braids to let it air dry. Air drying my hair has made such a difference , this allows your hair to be healthier and there’s no chances of heat damage!

THE DO/ DONT’S OF NATURAL HAIR

• DON’T let just anyone do your hair , make sure they are qualified and know how to deal with natural hair.
• DON’T use too much heat as this will lead to heat damage (hair burns at 450 degrees)
• DON’T use products without checking the ingredients
• DON’T leave your hair uncovered when you sleep, as the fabric of your pillow case will absorb your hair moisture, leaving it dry and damaged, use a silk scarf or a bonnet instead.
• DON’T use a fine tooth comb, use a wide one
• DON’T shampoo your hair in a bunch
• DON’T brush your hair when it’s try as it causes breakage
• DON’T cut your hair with the wrong scissors
• DON’T compare to other naturals , different things work for different people.

• DO use protective styles
• DO deep condition weekly
• DO make your own hair masks with natural ingredients
• DO hot oil treatments and scalp massages
• DO use rice water and castor oil to help promote hair growth
• DO remember hair has shrinkage so you may not notice the new growth at first
• DO trim your ends every couple of weeks

REMEMBER to learn to love your hair and be patient with it, the end results will be worth the wait ;). Society has made us feel as though our kinks and coils have to be tamed for it to be ‘tidy’ and ‘presentable’, well it’s time for a change, embrace your natural hair and who you are and learn that you hair truly is beautiful. No matter what your hair texture of hair type is like, stand tall and wear your crown like the gift it is!

Feel free to text me on Instagram if you need anymore advice! – click here

– Sairah