The way God created this world is so unique. How everything is so different and yet, still works together. Every curl on our head is so different from the next lady in some kind of way. Either one has tight coils and kinks, looser curls or just EVERYTHANG just all over the place lol. For instance, myself, I have a more looser curl pattern in the back, front and sides of my hair. And in the crown is the most course and tighter coils. However it goes, every curl is beautiful and you must use hair products that works best for YOU.
Going through trial and error with my natural hair journey, I came across a few things my hair loved and HATED! But, with natural hair, there are a few things we must know to keep our hair healthy and beautiful....
1. Shampoo
In order to have healthy hair, our hair and hair follicles must be clean and not get clogged up with product build up. With natural hair, it is a like job to keep moisture in ALL the time so using a sulphate-free shampoo is great, this is considered as a low-poo. The ingredient sulphate in shampoo's are use to strip the hair clean. It does this by getting rid of all the natural oils and usually leave the hair feeling dry and brittle. This ingredient is used in dish detergent and other household cleaning products. Sounds bad enough right? -_-
If you suffer with extremely dry hair, it my best recommendation to use a moisturizing sulphate-free shampoo. Women who use sulphate free shampoo says that they are happy with the results, it leave their hair feeling clean yet moisturize without that dry, brittle feeling.
Recommendations for shampoo
Shea Moisture's Moisture Retention Shampoo
Shampoo - Giovanni - Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo
Aubrey Organics - Chamomile Luxurious Herbal Shampoo
I mean.. it is okay to use a sulphate shampoo. Whatever rocks your boat hehe, but with natural hair you MUST follow up with a conditioner to retain the moisture you lost while shampooing. Especially if you are using a sulphate shampoo. This is also the part where you need to detangle your hair as well. Detangling hair is a much needed learning process, if you do not know how to detangle your hair properly, you can cause serious damage. Conditioners with great slip works best.
Recommend Conditioners with Slip
Yes to Carrots
Yes to Cucumbers
V05 Conditioner
Conditioners are not only for just following up with after a shampoo, but is great for co washing as well. Co washing is basically washing your hair with conditioner the same way you would with shampoo. Many women says it is very moisturizing and is great for women who suffer with really dry hair. With co washing, you can co wash everyday if you wanted to! How cool is that!! :D (ok.... it's not all that exciting.... but still lol) I like to use cheapie conditioners, usually conditioners less than $2, so I can use a lot of it without feeling broke! lol
Click here to know more about co washing.
Recommend Co Washing Conditioners
V05 Conditioner
Suave Naturals Conditioner
3. Deep Conditioner
Some people can go on skipping the deep conditioning method, but for me, I MUST, I MUST, I MUST deep condition hehehe. Deep conditioning is basically having the conditioner or deep conditioner treatment you use to sit it your hair with a plastic cap over and some sort of heat at least for 15 minutes and follow up with a cold water rinse. Most women say, the longer you leave the conditioner in your hair, the better results you have. Leaves hair feeling soft, stronger and moisturized.
Recommend Deep Conditioners
Shea Moisture Raw Shea Restorative Masque
Coconut Milk Conditioner by Organix
4. Leave in Conditioner/ Moisturizer
After you have done the washing process, it is now time to add a leave in conditioner. Leave in conditioners are just that. Leave in a conditioner, without rinsing it out. Leave in conditioners are great because they continue to leave the hair moisturized. Remember to use a water-based leave in or moisturizer. Water, Aqua or H20 must be the first ingredient on the ingredient list. Water is what gives you moisture. Without water, there is NO moisture. Oil based products are not moisturizers. They will just leave the hair dry, but greasy at the same time. Not a pleasant feeling. Dry hair is more easier to break off.
Recommend Leave in Conditioners/ Moisturizers
Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie
Shea Moisture Curl and Style Milk
Shea Moisture Curl and Style Milk
Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave In Conditioner
KimmayTube Leave in Conditioner Recipe
Giovanni Direct leave in Conditioner
Vegetable Glycerin Diluted with Water in a spray bottle
5. Oil/ Oil based product
After adding your leave in/moisturizer, you must add an oil to help seal in and trap all that moisture you just added. When I say trapped, I mean just that. When you think about it, oil and water do NOT mix. Water (moisture) added to your hair cuticle is what makes it moisturized. Oil sits on top of your hair and acts like a protection over your hair strand you just added moisture in, which help keep your hair moisturized longer.... get it ? : )
Recommend Sealment Oils
Castor Oil
Coconut Oil
Grapeseed Oil
Jojoba Oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
6. Hair Styling Gel or Hair Butter
Whew.... that was a long list to cover! This part is the best and fun part. STYLING :) After I have moisturized my hair, I like to make my curls define. By doing that, I like to use a styling gel as a curl definer, or you can do braid outs, twist outs, bantu knots, etc with using a gel or butter or setting lotion. There are tons and tons of women who are natural on YouTube share fun tutorials on how to achieve certain looks and styles.
Be careful with certain styling gels. Make sure you use a alcohol free gel. Some gels can dry out your hair if you are not careful.
Recommend Styling Gels
Eco Styler Gel (all versions *with alcohol free)
Aloe Vera Gel
Flax Seed Gel
Recommmend Hair Butters
Shea and Mango butter
Carol Daughters Hair Butter
 |
| My hair in a puff after a chunky twist out using Shea Butter as my styler. |
Whatever you do, remember natural hair is sooo versatile.Remember to have fun with your hair, experiment and try new things and use what works for YOU! This is what your journey is all about. Listen to your hair, you will be surprise how much it talks right back. :0)
You can go to any Whole Foods Markets, Target, and Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, some beauty supply stores as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment