Natural Hair Tips

There is nothing I wouldn’t say I like more than a black woman speaking about their natural hair in disgust. I love every kink and coil of my hair, and I believe we have been taught for so many years that our hair isn’t beautiful enough. Many believe it. 

The truth is, there are quite a few women that have stopped and are now proud to wear their afros and Bantu knots in public. We have come a far way to go. I think it comes down to the products we use in our hair that makes us believe that our natural hair is “difficult”. 

Here are a few Natural Hair Tips:

1. Know your porosity and find a product that works with it. I have spoken about hair porosity in previous posts, and I do not think I can mention it enough. 
2. Do not use fine-tooth combs in your hair. When we are doing a twist out or a slick bun with a part, we are tempted to get that fine-tooth rat tail comb. We forget that we only need it for parting and start coming to our hair with it, and it just rips our hair. Fun fact: there are wide-tooth rat tail combs. They part your hair well, and they do not damage your hair. 
3. Detangle hair wet. I learnt this at a late stage; and no, you do not have to wash your hair every time you want to change your style. Get a spray bottle with half water and half leave-in and mist the hair before attempting to detangle. A leave-in conditioner that is extra thick, you can add water to it and a small amount of oil to seal in moisture. 
4. Moisturise your scalp every other day or daily (if you have a dry scalp). A healthy scalp will help to stimulate healthy growth. 
5. Trim ends. Natural hair queens do not always see the importance of trimming their ends. Leaving our hair for twist outs and afros, cute pineapple. Also, a good trim promotes a growth spurt. So every two to 3 months, a little trim goes a far way.
6. Protein treatment. A good protein treatment is crucial for colour treated hair; whether or not your hair is natural or processed a protein treatment is necessary to promote healthy hair growth. While this is the case, you do not think that you have to buy something expensive and technical. A DIY with avocado and mayonnaise and the suitable oils will go a far way. 
7. 

   Invest in a wide-tooth comb. It will save and protect you from a lot of breakage.

   Trust your instincts. You will have everyone trying to sell you their brand and convince you to use their favourite brand. The truth is if you find something that works for you, there is no need to make yourself into a product junkie and buy a bunch of different products for trying sake. 

8. Petroleum-based product is not your friend. It ways down your hair. Sit on it and gives a fake shine and does not moisturise it. This is more of a sealant it does not penetrate the hair.  
9. A daily leave-in is your best friend. While choosing a leave-in select one that is water-based, but every hair is different, so there is no rule book on what you should use. I recommend that you buy products for natural hair and not processed hair or all hair types. They are more likely to work in your favour. 

Here are a few brands I love and trust:

1. Ashlee Naturals is a Jamaican brand.
2. Aussie Miracle Moist
3. Jo. V Beauty scalp treatment – my very own scalp treatment has helped me control my eczema. 
4. Shea Moisture Hibiscus and Coconut line and Jamaican Black Castor Oil Treatment
5. Afro Love Curling Puree
6. TGIN