Search Results: Tabitha Tongoi
Having moved between four continents and five countries over a span of nine years, I’m about ready to settle down in my home country, Kenya. While traveling the world has been a privilege and adventure when it comes to keeping my tresses in top shape, relocating so frequently has had its ups and downs.
On one hand, moving countries means I’ve gotten to discover new hair products and connect with naturalistas from diverse cultural backgrounds. But on the other, it has meant I’ve had to adjust my hair regimen rather drastically to suit changing environmental factors such as the weather, my diet, and lifestyle routine.
Temperate weather Prevents Excess Drying
However, since moving to Kenya, my hair care routine has been the best it’s possibly been ever! In fact, my hair feels like its thriving more in Kenya than it has while I’ve lived abroad. It may be that the weather in Nairobi is quite temperate. (But it may also be my momma’s good cooking!”>
But in all seriousness, most days are sunny with moderate humidity so my hair is not exposed to extreme temperatures as it would have been in the United States or Australia. In Kenya, I can get away with moisturizing my hair every 2 – 3 days as opposed to daily. I also don’t have to coat my hair in heavy butters or creams to guard against extreme weather conditions.
Access to Natural, Handmade Hair Care Products
I’ve honestly been spoiled for choices when it comes to discovering new products. I’ve always ran my blog in “the diaspora” – meaning, as a student or resident in Australia or the United States – so returning to Kenyan soil has given me the chance to try out products made by fellow Kenyans.
I’ve tried shampoos, conditioners, and oils from upcoming Kenyan brands such as Fluffy Buttah, Bu.Ke Products and Jesavi. My favorite so far is Fluffy Buttah, which makes a blend of butters that is very delicately scented and perfect for sealing in moisture after wash day. I’m honestly quite impressed by the quality of the goodies I’ve tried and my hair has responded well to them.
Getting Back to the Basics of Good Hair Care
In addition, I’ve connected with naturals in Kenya – many of whom are really passionate about their hair care. They’ve let me in on their favorite hair tips and motivated me on my hair journey. In fact, they’ve reminded me to get back to the basics of my natural hair journey – the most important of which has been protective styling. I’ve been rocking my kinks and coils in two strand twists that I wear for up to four weeks at a time.
Many Kenyans are becoming more appreciative of a natural aesthetic so it’s a lot easier than it has been in years to confidently wear out my natural hair. The natural hair community in Kenya is thriving and growing. I’m excited to be part of this revolution and I can’t wait to see where my hair journey leads!
Have you been traveling this Summer and had to adjust your hair regimen? Share your experience with us below.
In my opinion, for us type 4 naturals, frizz really is built into the beauty of our hair type. It beautifully distinguishes our hair pattern from other naturalistas with curly or wavy hair. Aesthetics aside, minimizing frizz may be beneficial for length retention as when type 4 gets overly tangled, it can lead to unnecessary breakage.
One of the easiest ways to minimize frizz is to pay close attention to how you dry your hair. It’s often been said that in order to reduce frizz:
- Avoid using a traditional terry cloth towel, instead use a T-shirt or microfiber towel
- Avoid rubbing your hair, instead dab it gently from the root to the tip
I put these theories to the test
I freshly installed and then washed my two-strand twists. In the first photo, I dried my hair with a regular bath towel and scrunched my hair. In the second photo, I dried my hair with a cotton t-shirt and gently dabbed my hair from root to tip.
Here’s what I found
Scrunching at my hair with a towel undeniably gave me more frizz but when I gently dabbed at my hair with my cotton t-shirt, my two-strand twists seemed to have less fraying strands. So in this case, my bath towel did in fact give me more frizz.
Should we then be worried about whether we dry our hair with a towel or a micro-fibre cotton cloth? Absolutely.
According to Stephen Pullan, a trichologist at Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic in New York City, external factors must be taken into account to maintain healthy hair.
“Care should be taken in one’s drying and styling of the hair. Though hair fiber is resilient and strong, constant abuse, even if moderate, will cumulatively take a toll as a hair ages and grows longer. Therefore avoid being rough when towel drying,” he said.
Towels can damage the actual fiber of the strand, leading to fraying, splitting, and breakage. Too much friction can weaken the basic structure of the strand, and in the end may result in over-manipulated hair. For us, type 4 naturals, drying our hair with a t-shirt or microfiber towel can help minimize the amount of friction on our strands leading to healthier hair in the long run.
Detangling is a tried and tested method for avoiding knots and matting. For the past three or so years, I’ve detangled my hair when it is dry rather than dripping wet. I felt that when I detangled my dry hair, it was easier to manipulate. It felt gummy and could easily bend out of shape when wet. However, now that my hair is approaching 20 inches, I’ve found it much easier to detangle when it is about 70% dry. Here’s what has worked for me:
Start with stretched hair
I would not encourage you to try and detangle a shrunken ‘fro. You might end up in tears or maybe even with a pair of scissors in your hands. A dry shrunken ‘fro is often really tangled and therefore, bound to leave you frustrated. Trust me, I’ve been there, done that, and I’m now writing an article so that you don’t have to suffer the frustration that I did.
After wash day, keep your hair in a stretched style – two-strand twists or three-strand braids are best. You might even try the banding method or African threading. Stretched hair is less prone to breakage and single strand knots, also known as fairy knots.
Always detangle your hair in sections
Detangling your hair in sections will prevent you from going insane. Unless your hair is under 5 in. long, I’d suggest tackling your mane bit by bit. Part your hair into six or so sections and tie it in bands. When detangling, address each section at a time from start to finish. Using sections not only means you give each part the attention it needs, it’s also easier. Sections keep your hair away from your face and allow you to systematically work through your hair from nape to crown and from tip to root.
Use an emollient-based product for added slip
An emollient-based product is one that has a high percentage of oils. Type 4 hair, especially kinky hair, tends to have a lot of friction between the strands. Adding an oil or conditioner will give you slip and reduce matting for less breakage. I always reach for olive oil, because it is a lightweight oil that is easily accessible.
Use your fingers
The array of brushes available for detangling is mind-boggling. Every entrepreneur worth their dime has patented the latest brushing technology that promises to make your knots melt away like butter. However, when it comes to my haircare, I’ve found that brushes cause way too much tension and friction. They have also caused me excessive and unnecessary breakage. That’s why I simply use my fingers for regular detangling. Doing so may be more time-consuming, but in the long-run, I’ve found that I’ve retained a lot more length.
Be Patient
Detangling is a time-consuming process. Make sure you allocate enough time. It takes me five hours to fully detangle my hair from tip to root, and I do this about once a month. On detangling days, I make sure I have my Netflix on to make an otherwise exhausting process more enjoyable.
Do you have 4C hair? How do you detangle it and how has your routine changed as it grew longer?
Long hair requires more product
I know this may seem obvious at first, but trust me, hair length has some unforeseen repercussions for your wallet. As my hair has grown longer, I have to use far more product than I did when I first went natural. With 20 in. of natural hair, I go through a 450 ml jar of deep conditioner in only five wash days. That’s an entire jar every month! Now that I have longer hair, I’ve found that I fork over a little more cash for my hair’s needs in order to keep all twenty inches cleansed, moisturized, and sealed.
Long hair takes up more time
When I first went natural, my entire wash day took me 1-2 hr. from start to finish. Twisting my hair was a breeze. I’d twist my hair as I watched a show on Netflix. It was a easy and I’d be done before a single episode was over. However, with about 20 in. of hair on my head, I’m finding that twisting my hair can take up to five hours. This means, I have to carve out an entire Saturday morning every so often to nurture my strands. Retaining length is a commitment that requires time.Shorter hair was more versatile
Quite frankly, I have to admit this: I do get kind of jealous when I see curlfriends with cute, spunky tapered cuts. Teeny weeny afros can be chic, defiant, and edgy all at once. One can change up their hair color easily, chop off their colored ends, and then shave the hair on one side of their head all in a matter of a few months. And Pinterest boards make for endless options.Long hair requires low manipulation
Those of us who crave length have to keep our hair in low manipulation styles to reduce breakage. Oftentimes, this means we are limited to a range of two to three protective styles that work well for us. If the same routine doesn’t bother you, then long hair may work well, but if you’re artsy and enjoy versatility, a shorter ‘fro may do the trick.Which do you prefer? Long hair or short hair?
A lot was new to me.
Like driving on the right side of the road rather than on the left, or saying football but having to correct myself and say soccer. I stood out – my accent was different, my hair was different, my outlook was different. And so standing out in a crowd, all the time, was a feeling I had to get used to.
But the more I began to settle into my new identity, the more I realized the agency I had to shift perceptions and add complexity and depth to the single story often told about African women. I became more aware of the power of self-presentation in sparking conversations around stereotypes. And by self-presentation, I mean the very way in which one chooses to live their life in the presence of external spectators. For me, self-presentation meant an awareness of how I spoke, how I presented my ideas, my style of writing, my choice of attire, and most powerfully my choice of hairstyle.
Hair in the United States is political. It is a strong indication of racial heritage. And when being black is considered dangerous, being the blackest of them all is no travesty. Kinky coils with no curl pattern are indicative of deep black roots and so I began to see my crown as an opportunity to explore my blackness.
And explore I did.
I started Craving Yellow to share my natural hair journey, including products and techniques to achieve long hair, and I also have a section where I critically analyzed what it means to have a black body in a white space. I visited predominantly white spaces dressed in black culture – loud earrings, dominant patterns, boisterous curves, voluminous afro, infectious presence and looked at how these spaces embraced my difference. In other words, I said, let me make myself really stand out and then see how these spaces take me in.
My body, and more importantly my hair, had become art – a way of sparking conversation around physicality and racial politics in America as an African woman.
What I realized is the very act of boldly and proudly embracing my difference was groundbreaking. The very act of having a black body in a white space was revolutionary. The very act of documenting this experience and validating it was redemptive of our misrepresentation in media. And the very act of sharing my photographs widely was momentous. My body, and more importantly my hair, had become art – a way of sparking conversation around physicality and racial politics in America as an African woman.
And so, every day in which we share our hair journeys, embrace our melanin, and tell new stories about ourselves, we are becoming art. We are winning.
Fast forward to two years later. My hair care routine became a lot more stressful than it used to be. If this experience sounds all too familiar to you, don’t worry, I’ve been in your shoes.
Here are three major reasons your hair journey has become tedious:
Your hair is longer
I have about 20 inches of coily, type 4 hair. Long gone are the days when my wash day routine would take two to three hours from start to finish. With longer hair, I’m finding that every step of my regimen takes longer. Now I need to carve out at least four hours to fully tend to my hair. I’ve made accommodations for the fact that my hair, at its length, needs more time and care.
As your hair grows longer, you’ll need to adjust your time expectations.
You’re no longer inspired
When I first went natural, I followed dozens of bloggers and vloggers. I literally drooled over fat, juicy fros and twists all day long. Natural hair was life. However, as I got more accustomed to my coils and kinks, I stopped seeking out curlfriends with whom to share tips and tricks. The more I isolated myself from the natural hair community, the less I cared for my hair.
Over the years, I’ve found that engaging with other naturals not only allows me to keep abreast with the latest techniques in hair care, it also inspires me to nurture my mane.
Life has changed
Maybe you’re a new mum or like me, you’ve just started a new career. Needless to emphasize, life has become a lot busier. You’re caught between running errands, catching up with friends and family, and adjusting to your new role and responsibilities.
Trust me, I understand how drastic life changes can leave one with little time to care for their hair. Here’s what I’d suggest: simplify your hair care regimen. Rather than a 24-step process with thirty different products, keep it basic. Cleanse, deep condition, rinse, seal, and protective style. Do what you can to keep your hair healthy without going crazy.
Is your natural hair journey stressful? If so, in what way? How are you adjusting your hair care practices?
Use chemical-free products
As consumers become more health conscious, more hair care brands are starting to offer natural, chemical-free product formulations. Brands are eliminating harsh chemicals and preservatives and opting for conditioning oils such as castor oil, olive oil, and coconut oil as well as herbs like lemongrass, chamomile, rosemary, and mint. Rather than opting for synthetic detergents that are drying to your hair and scalp, find brands that adhere to testing and production practices that are sustainable and eco-friendly.Repurpose kitchen products for your hair
If you’ve been part of the natural hair community for a while, you may know about the wonders of olive oil, aloe vera juice, and apple cider vinegar to name a few! Olive oil, which is used in many recipes, can also be used as a sealant to lock moisture in your hair. Aloe vera juice, which is often mixed into smoothies for an added dose of antioxidants, can also be sprayed onto our hair as a moisturizer. Rather than going out to buy more hair products, duck into your pantry and feed your hair with some of nature’s best delicacies.
Think about the packaging
This part of a hair care regimen is often overlooked. After all, when we run out of product, most of us simply opt to chuck the packaging in the bin. To reduce waste, you could buy smart. By this I mean buy products that are wrapped or packaged in recycled material. You could also opt to bulk buy products you know you’ll use for months to come. For example, rather than buy 100 small containers of shea butter, buy one large bulk container. This may not only help you cut down on the amount of plastic you’re buying, but may also guarantee you a sturdy hard plastic container that you can downcycle for composting later down the line.
These hair care product alternatives may not only be better for the environment, they could be great for your overall health too.How do you reduce waste in your own regimen? Leave us a note down below.
In the natural hair community, various styling techniques have been used to avoid tangles. Some naturals are adamant about pre-pooing while some religiously use detangling brushes to keep their strands from matting. I’ve used both methods in my hair regimen, but section washing is what works the best for me.
What is section washing?
Simply put, section washing involves dividing your hair prior to washing it and only handling each part and section at a time. Simple.
Why is this beneficial?
Curly hair, when shrunken, tends to be very voluminous – at least mine is. It takes the strength of a bodybuilder to lather shampoo through my mane, let alone access and completely cleanse my scalp. Section washing allows me to divide and conquer.
How do I section wash my hair?
Prior to applying any product on my hair for wash day, I part my hair into six sections. First, I part my hair down the middle and then I split each section into three. I install loose two-strand twists and then proceed to apply product on my hair. For example, if I’m shampooing my hair, I apply the product to each section, give it a thorough cleanse, wash the product off, and then move on to the next.
Some curlistas simply section off their hair using hair clips rather than installing two-strand twists or braids. Some even prefer not to unravel each section as they go, but rather smooth products on and off their strands. As each head of hair is different, it’s best to try different section washing techniques and then settle on what works for you. Either way, you’ll find that as you keep your hair stretched and sectioned when washing, it will tangle and knot less.
Leave us a note down below and let us know if you’ve used section washing to keep your hair tangle-free!
Luckily, after a few catastrophic misses, I think I’ve found a product worth keeping: Lush Cosmetics R&B Hair Moisturizer. This product is the bomb dot com. Can we just have a moment of silence for this product? My hair gulped it down like it was in a Coca-Cola ad. It made my hair feel very soft and pliable.
Ingredients in Lush R&B Moisturizer
Lush R&B Hair Moisturizer has 14 ingredients, all of which are natural ingredients or safe synthetics. The ones listed first are oat milk, glycerin, organic avocado butter, olive oil and jojoba oil. This blend of oils and butters conditions the hair shaft and gives hair added slip. I found that my hair felt supple after several uses and my detangling sessions have been a lot easier.
How I use the Lush R & B Hair Moisturizer
As I already have a pretty basic and consistent hair regimen, I use Lush Cosmetics R&B Moisturizer to seal my hair at the end of the day. After I spritz some water on my hair, I apply a dime-size to the length of my strands, focusing on my ends. I use it sparingly, so that it doesn’t all absorb into my pillow when I sleep. I mostly reach for this moisturizer when my strands are feeling crunchy and dry.
One thing I really like about the R&B moisturizer is that it’s pretty affordable and easily available in Lush Cosmetics stores across the country.
Are you a curl-sista living in Australia? What are your favorite hair products and where do you buy them?
However, as the natural hair community grows, companies are starting to brand their multivitamins as “hair growth vitamins.” While these hair growth vitamins may have been formulated slightly differently, don’t be too taken by the marketing. Oftentimes, the main difference between regular multivitamins and hair vitamins is the percentage of B-Complex vitamins and biotin in each tablet. As I’ve researched different hair growth vitamins and read numerous product labels, I’ve noticed that hair growth vitamins generally have a higher concentration of B complex vitamins and biotin than regular multivitamins.
What are B-Complex Vitamins?
There are eight B complex vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12. They help give us lots of energy by converting our food into fuel. Each of these has its own unique properties, but they work best when consumed together. B complex vitamins are super nutrients that keep our bodies functioning at optimum levels. For example, one of the most popular vitamins, vitamin B9, which is also known as folic acid, may help keep depression at bay and prevent memory loss. This vitamin is also especially important for pregnant women as it supports the growth of the baby and prevents neurological birth defects.
What is vitamin H or Biotin?
Biotin has been all the buzz lately with several brands claiming that it can actually promote hair growth. While there hasn’t been much research to substantiate this claim, biotin is said to help the body convert food into energy. Biotin balances our sugar levels and assists in metabolism, which helps to treat hair loss and cradle scalp.
However, before you go buy hair growth vitamins:
- Speak to a doctor – If you are pregnant or nursing, exercise caution. Also, be wary of hair growth pills and potions that promise to grow your hair overnight. These are most likely marketing gimmicks.
- Use what works best for you– Don’t simply swallow multivitamins and go on with life. Take time to see which ones work best for you and in what combination. It takes time to adjust to ingesting vitamins, so be sure to listen to your body. With sufficient medical advice and research, you should be well on your way to finding your healthy balance.
- Continue to eat a healthydiet , drink water, and exercise regularly– Remember that good health is a lifestyle choice. No amount of supplements can replace your fresh fruits and veggies. Keep guzzling those liters of water and filling up on your fave salads! Natural foods always have the best vitamins.
Have you taken hair growth vitamins?
What after all is shiny hair and why is there an obsession with ensuring our hair matches this standard? Is sheen-free hair necessarily dry hair and on the other hand is shine indicative of healthy and moisturized hair?
Well, let’s begin with a few talking points:
The practice of greasing hair is deeply entrenched within the Black community
Prior to going natural, I solemnly believed that applying heavy pomades to my scalp would stimulate growth. You better believe that every Sunday, without fail, I’d douse my scalp in oils that made my hair glisten and shine. Nonetheless, my hair was prone to breakage and I didn’t see much health and length retention. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone. In Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America, Ayana Byrd explores the roots of pervasive inter-racial prejudices while contextualizing how fads, such as the much-maligned Jheri Curl, become pervasive. Needless to say, this subject alone could make up an entire article, but what I mean to point out is the idea that curly hair should shine is one deeply rooted in our black culture.
Media has gone a long way in psychologically convincing us that healthy hair is shiny hair
A walk through beauty aisles will reveal how often shine is used to capture a shopper’s attention. Subliminal messaging employed over and over again may begin to sound like the truth and influence our perceptions of what is and isn’t considered healthy hair.Now that we’ve considered a few poignant, societal factors that may influence our understanding of healthy and unhealthy hair, as far as shine is involved, I’d like to explore what physical factors influence the level of sheen on our hair.
The structure of hair
The shingle-like, outermost layer of the hair strand is called the cuticle. Depending on your hair’s natural porosity, you may find your cuticle is raised, tightly bound, or in between. If your hair is highly porous, it loses moisture easily and is likely to have less sheen, as uneven surfaces refract rather than reflect line. In addition, if your hair is curly, you may find that it naturally feels drier, because your scalp’s sebum encounters more friction as it travels down the hair shaft of coily hair.
Styling practices
Heat styling, permanent hair color, and poor styling practices compromise the health of one’s hair, leading to dryness.
As each head of hair is different, I’d encourage you to look into all the aforementioned factors when assessing whether or not your hair is dry or simply sheen-less. In addition, you may be able to look at the manageability and elasticity of your hair in order to understand whether or not it is healthy and moisturized. In other words, does your hair have a healthy protein-moisture balance? Does it snap or hyperextend when combed? Are you able to detangle it easily or does it feel dry and crunchy?
While this article may not have resolved the debate as to whether sheen-less hair is dry hair and shiny hair is healthy hair, I hope that it has at least given you some factors to consider when assessing your approach to this topic and more essentially to the health of your hair.
Feel free to leave us a comment down below with your thoughts!
As a type 4 coily-haired natural, I have a love/hate relationship with my twist-outs.
On the first day, I love how they look–my hair is usually bouncy and bodacious. However, after one or two sleeps, they fall flat. Because of this, I have learned to add longevity to my twist-outs by simply re-styling them. Here are three easy styles I wear on my days-old twist-outs.
Flower Power
The roll and tuck, AKA one of the most accessible styles for naturalistas.
All you really need is some hair pins. I like to section my hair into two halves from the crown of my head to the nape. I then roll and tuck my hair along the periphery of my head. I’ve found that this style is not only great for old twist outs, but it protects the ends of my hair as these are most prone to damage. I like to add a flower-band accessory to add some edge and color to my look.
Beret Perfection
Naturals with medium to long hair can achieve this style.
Create a side part at the crown of your hair. With the bottom two thirds of your hair sectioned off, proceed to twist the hair at your crown into a cinnamon roll bun, securing your hair so it doesn’t unravel. Remember to swoop the hair along your forehead to achieve the ‘beret’ look. The bottom two-thirds of your hair can be rolled and pinned into a low pony.
The Crowned Queen
This has got to be the simplest trick in the book–when in doubt, accessorize!
Hair accessories give your crown a facelift. You may choose to wear your twists down and loose and then throw on a flower crown. Alternatively, you may choose to tie your old twist-out up and away in a bun and pin a flower on the side of your head. Either way, accessorizing can be the perfect finishing touch to an old twist-out!
How do you play with your old twist-out?
We’d love to know! Follow us on Instagram @NaturallyCurly and drop us a comment.
Follow my personal natural hair and lifestyle blog, Craving Yellow
Clip-ins are becoming my go-to protective style.
Why use clip-pins?
While I’ve only used clip-in extensions as a protective style for the past few months, I vouch for them for three main reasons.
1. They are easy to install.
If you’re a little too familiar with long waits at the hair salon to install weaves or braids, using clip-in extensions might be a quicker protective style option for you. They can be installed in just a few minutes–with minimal hassle, no less–and still give you salon-fresh hair.2. They are durable.
I have found that as I only wear clip-in extensions for my day-to-day errands and activities, I am able to extend their shelf-life a little longer. Before bed, I take out my clip-ins before to avoid matting and knotting.3. They are easily accessible.
Over the past year alone, I have come across five accessible companies specialising in clip-in extensions to match curly, coily and kinky hair. Aside from wigs and weaves, the natural hair community can now consider clip-in extensions as a an affordable protective style option.Make the most of your clip-ins
Just like any other protective style, clip-ins should be properly installed and worn in order to maintain the health of our real, natural hair. These four easy techniques help me make the most of my clip-ins:-
Use a simple protective style as a base.
While some naturalistas like to install clip-in extensions to their picked out natural hair in order to add volume, I prefer to keep my natural hair as tucked away as possible. A true protective style should call for as little manipulation as possible.
I may opt to braid down my twists or if I’m up for it, install thick cornrows. In addition to making it easier to clip the extensions into my real hair, my type 4 coils are able to get a much needed break from overstyling.
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Maintain your hair regimen.
As I keep my hair underneath the clip-ins in a low manipulation protective style, I’m able to maintain my hair regimen as normal. When wash day comes around, I simply take out my clip-in extensions and proceed as I would with my haircare routine. Doing so allows me to keep my strands moisturised and sealed over the duration of my protective style.
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Use lightweight styling product.
My biggest tweak suggestion to your haircare regimen is to use lighter products. Rather than the castor oil or shea butter, use hair products that are less likely to cause build-up. Instead, use a diluted aloe vera mist and a dab of olive oil as a daily moisturiser.
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Take extra special care of your clip-in extensions.
As with any other type of extensions, clip-ins need care. Prior to installing your clip-ins, be sure to give them a good wash. Lightly deep condition them to prevent dryness. Every so often, set time aside to detangle them and as always, after a few weeks of use, put them aside and opt for another short term protective style. These simple steps should give your clip-in extensions longevity of use.
What has your clip-in extensions experience been like?
Here are 10 clip-in extension brands every naturalista loves!
Follow my long, natural hair journey on my personal blog, Craving Yellow.
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Inconsistency
In order to grow healthy hair, you have to consistently stick to your regimen. This means scheduling times in your day or week to carefully nurture your strands. Oftentimes, many naturalistas tend to underestimate the time and effort needed to nurture their kinks and coils when making the switch from relaxed hair. It’s easy to see photographs of other curlsistas and think healthy hair will come instantly.
This is not the case. To grow healthy, natural hair you need to stick to your regimen for several months or even years. Don’t be discouraged by this time frame – instead make your hair regimen a part of your self-care routine and before you know it, you’ll reap the fruits of your labor!
Too many steps
I have to admit I was guilty of this when I first went natural. I literally had a 22-step process that rotated every four weeks and that took up almost 8 hours of my weekend. I was simply doing the most. I had resorted to including every possible remedy I had seen on YouTube and read on blogs. I would rinse my hair with all sorts of teas and then finish off with some apple cider vinegar before running ice cold water through my strands (and that was only the tail end of my regimen!”> Needless to say, I soon learned my regimen was too complicated and time-consuming. Five and half years later, I can assure you the simpler your regimen is, the more likely you are to stick to it.
Too many products
This point goes hand in hand with the one above. If your regimen demands that you have to use three deep conditioners, four leave-in conditioners, and six types of oils on your hair, you’re probably overdoing it. Using too many products is not only expensive, it can be detrimental to the health of our hair in the long run. Applying too much product to our strands can lead to product buildup, which weighs down your hair and can leave it looking lifeless. Remember, when it comes to products, find a few good ones that work for you and stick to them for a while. Doing this will not only make it easier for you, but your kinks and coils are more likely to thrive.
The wrong products
When you go natural, it’s essential that you take some time to carefully examine the products you’re using. Oftentimes, many naturalistas simply apply the same old products they used when they had relaxed hair. This may be detrimental to your natural hair’s health as some products are formulated specifically for relaxed or chemically-straightened hair. For example, protein deep conditioners for relaxed hair may contain a high amount of protein as the cuticle of relaxed hair is more prone to damage. Healthy, natural hair is less likely to experience protein loss, so it will most likely require a less potent product formulation.
General styling habits
When referencing the term, “regimen” many naturalistas may assume this simply refers to a wash-day routine. However, styling is a critical part of one’s hair regimen. Moisturizing and deep conditioning your hair once a week adds elasticity and shine to hair and may prevent breakage. But what could impact your hair even more is how you handle it between wash days. If you over-manipulate your hair in styles that tug at your strands, you may find your hair breaks easily. In between wash days, wear protective styles such as buns, flat twists, or cornrows to help you retain the health and length of your hair.
Have you found that your regimen is no longer working for you? What have you done to adjust it so as to ensure the health of your hair? Leave us a note down below, we’d love to know!
Wigs are an essential part of my healthy hair regimen. I wear them when I need to give my hair a break from manipulation and over-styling, or during extended periods of extreme weather that can cause my hair to dry out. Wigs and extensions are part of my arsenal of protective styles, but in order to reap the full benefits of wearing them, I have to steer clear of the following unhealthy practices.
Wearing them for excessively long periods of time
Don’t worry, I get it – wigs are convenient! I love the fact that I can wake up with frizzy plaits and 2 minutes later walk out the door with my hair looking laid. Wigs are time-savers, but if worn extensively they can actually cause more harm than good by neglecting the health of our actual hair. Having access to wigs doesn’t mean we should give up on our real hair. We need to maintain the health of our curls and kinks while wearing wigs if we want to reap the full benefits of using them for protective styles. Remember to give your hair a break from wigs about every three weeks.
Using heavy adhesives to install your wigs
Wigs can be fantastic protective styles when we can fully tuck in our natural hair underneath them. However, in an effort to have all strands tucked away, sometimes we may take things a little too far. Gluing wigs directly to our hairlines is a recipe for disaster and actually beats the purpose of protective styling. Glue can rip our hair out from the roots or cause breakage along the shaft. Whenever possible, use glue-less wigs that you can easily pin along your hairline.
Over-manipulating your wig using heat and color
Being able to whip out a funky, pin-curl blonde look is lots of fun! As a natural hair blogger myself, I love switching up my looks. One day I’m retro-glam and the next I’m classic-chic. Wigs and extensions give us versatility. However, just like our real hair, wigs need to be cleansed and conditioned, particularly if they’re made of high quality human hair. Remember, synthetic wigs tend to be cheaper because they can hardly be manipulated using color and heat. To keep your human hair wig looking fabulous, keep heat use and color alterations to a minimum to prolong the life of your hair.
Do you wear wigs as a protective style? What have you learned not to do when you’re wearing them? Leave us a note down below, we’d love to know!
Do your research
If you want to be your own hair guru, you should build an arsenal of knowledge on natural hair care. There are hundreds of tutorials on YouTube covering a range of topics from recommended products to styling tips. Blogs such as these are fantastic sources of information as well. If you haven’t already, be sure to read through more of our articles right here on NaturallyCurly! Remember, the more you know about your curls and coils, the more confident you’ll be as a new natural.
Completely snip off your relaxed ends
Depending on whether or not you transitioned or did the big chop, you may still have a few relaxed strands. I know many of us hold on to our relaxed ends, because we’ve never had short hair and feel that going straight for a teeny winy fro (TWA”> may be a little too much too soon. When I first decided to go natural, I thought I would transition for two years and grow out my relaxed hair so that I’d have enough growth when I finally snipped my ends off. However, eight months into my hair journey, I was itching to nurture my curls. I couldn’t stand the sight of my breaking, chemical-treated hair, so I actually decided to snip off my relaxed ends rather spontaneously and boy, am I glad I did! As soon as I fully embraced my curls, I was better placed to carefully nurture them.
Be confident and consistent
Now this value not only applies to many aspects of life, but also to natural hair care. The misconceptions about curly hair can be vast and embracing our kinks and curls is still considered revolutionary even in this day and age. Going against the grain is not always easy and learning to accept our hair in all its coily goodness is easier said than done. Trust me, I still struggle to fully embrace my hair from time to time. Even with 20 inches of coily hair, I sometimes wish it had more volume and bounce. But you know what, it’s doesn’t. And every day I look in the mirror, I remind myself that my hair is gorgeous just as it is. Kinky, coarse, curly, whatever you want to call it, it’s beautiful.
Try
Don’t quit before the game has started. Many new naturals give up on their hair just a few months into their journey. Well, let me encourage you. It takes two, sometimes even three years to see considerable improvement in the health of your hair. That’s why it’s called a journey. Keep your regimen consistent and with time you’ll see improvement. But first, you have to try. Paying attention to your hair’s unique needs is the most important step to owning your hair journey. You will get better at nurturing your curls over the coming months and even years.
Well there you have it! I hope you have found these four tips helpful. Feel free to leave us your questions and comments down below. We’d love to hear from you.
1. Thoroughly detangle your hair
I don’t know about you, but I’ll tell you this: my hair loves to grow in tufts. Whenever I undo my two-strand twists, my hair will happily remain coiled up in a tendril. I love the fact that my hair is versatile and can hold a curl without the need for any added product, but at the same time if I leave my hair in tendrils, it can give the appearance of thin hair. To restore my hair to a more voluminous state, I always take time to separate the tendrils into smaller sections. This process of detangling my hair gives it more body and bounce.
2. Fluff out your roots
To avoid a scalpy look that can give the appearance of thin hair, fluff out your roots. This can be by using an afro pick comb and gently lifting the roots up without combing through to the tip of your hair. If you don’t want to use a comb you can gently massage your roots while tugging upwards. As a naturalista with tight curls, my hair tends to become matted at the roots, so I simply use the tips of my fingers to massage them and then lift the hair. This method is bound to effortlessly make your hair look fuller and longer.
3. Get a tapered cut
If you’re not scissor shy, you may want to consider a tapered or layered cut. Layers give the illusion of volume by adding shape and dimension to your hair. Some naturalistas like to have the front and crown of their hair a little longer than the nape area. This style of cutting hair is particularly transformational for naturals who like the appearance of fuller hair.
4. Avoid heavy butters and creams
This goes without saying for seasoned naturalistas, but if you’re a newbie, I’ll let you in on this hair trick: heavy butters and creams can weigh your strands down. Heavy butters such as cocoa butter and Shea butter are great sealants, particularly in extreme weather, as they lock in our hair’s moisture. However, a little goes a long way when it comes to these heavy-duty emollients, so if you want to have the appearance of fuller hair, use them sparingly. Apply them to your ends and use a lighter oil, such as Argan oil, along the length of your hair shaft.
5. Curl it up
A fluffed out, almost blown-by-the-wind-fabulous style creates a voluminous look. Lucky for us curly girls, nature’s given us some bounce already. If you still want more volume, use styles like twist-outs or braid-outs. You may even use Curlformers for a few twirls. Whichever your style of choice, once you’ve fluffed out your curls, bend over and shake your head from side to side. When you stand back up, let your curls lay as they are. You’re nearly guaranteed to turn a few heads with your effortlessly edgy, carefree curls!
Do you have tricks up your sleeve on how to make hair appear fuller? If so, feel free to leave a comment down below!
Excessive dryness
If your hair is crackly, (yes crackly like a winter fire”>, then it’s dry! Plain and simple. Our curls and kinks should be supple rather than crunchy. If you’ve done all you think you can possibly do to curb dryness to no avail, you may need to take a step back to see if your hair is over manipulated. If you switch between hairstyles frequently, leave the ends of your hair exposed, or maybe even use direct heat from time to time, your hair may just be buckling under the pressure. You may need to use more low-manipulation protective styles as well as reduce heat use in order to preserve the moisture in your strands.
Buildup
At one point in my regimen, I had a 10-step daily, moisturizing routine. I was using 2-3 products as moisturizing agents and then sealing with a variety of oils and butters. Needless to say, after a while my hair was limp, weighed down, and lifeless. In fact, the excessive buildup of oils caused a gray tint on my hair. Not cute at all! I’ve come learn my natural hair thrives best when I apply fewer products. Everyone’s head of hair is different, but as a general rule of thumb, if your hair is deteriorating in sheen and bounce, it may be time to cut back on excessive use of hair products.
Flaky scalp
If you have small, white flakes on your scalp, this could be a sign of dandruff. Remember, skin sheds naturally from time to time, but if your scalp is flaky over an extended period of time, this is a sign that you need to closely monitor the health of your hair. A flaky scalp could be caused by many factors, including over applying products with chemicals that are astringent or drying. Oftentimes, popular black hair practices, such as greasing the scalp, do more harm than good. Rather than lather excessive amounts of petrolatum on your scalp, dab a light oil, such as olive oil onto your scalp and massage it in. If you have an itchy and flaky scalp, feel free to visit a dermatologist or trichologist, as they are best placed to offer medical and treatment advice.Breakage
Styling your hair in heavy braids or intricate weaves can cause breakage due to tension on the strand. When installing extensions, our hair is pulled and tagged in order to conceal it. If your hair is not properly prepared to withstand the manipulation of being sewn or glued, you may find that your strands snap under the pressure. In addition, when extensions are being removed, hair is more prone to breakage and splitting if handled brashly and improperly maintained underneath the extensions. If the ends of your hair are uneven or if some patches of your hair tend to be longer or shorter than others, this may be a sign that you need a good trim as well as a break from wearing extensions.
Remember our hair is very fragile, so we need to be extra careful not to over manipulate it.
What signs do you look for when assessing your hair’s health?
Tell me in the comments below!
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