Tonetta writes:
You’ve been selected as a panelist to discuss natural hair. You are asked to provide 5 tips that people need to know to start their natural journey, to grow healthy hair or maintain if they are already natural.
What 5 tips would you provide to the attendees?
1. Document your regiment to determine what products work best for your hair.
2. Beauty is from the inside out. Healthy hair will not come in a bottle you have to make sure you eat right, drink plenty of water and take supplements to fill in the vitamin blanks for the brussel sprout your don't like!
3. Deep condition as often as needed and take your time to practice proper technique detangling.
4. Trim your ends every 6-8 weeks. One of the main reason some of us don't see grow is we hold on to damage ends. Loosing some hair to a light dusting or an inch cut will be far less disappointing to loosing INCHES due to damage ends.
4. Moisturize and seal your ends at least 1-2 a day depending on you hair.
1. Research…helps you have knowledge and learn to embrace what you have.
2. Water…is your best friend and your hair will thank you for it.
3. Deep Condition…know it takes extra time, but its worth it.
4. Protective styles…important to protect the oldest part of the hair.
5. Patience…because you WILL be blessed for your efforts.
In Upstate New York
1. Wash hair.
2. Condition hair.
3. Get the ends hair trimmed, maybe every 8 weeks.
4. Make sure that you have a wide tooth comb.
5. Enjoy your natural hair! Your hair is chemical/process free!
1. Keep it simple/ try to streamline your routine. It is not necessary to buy every product on the market.
2. Build a repertoire of goto styles that are easy and work.
3. Sometimes a hat, a wig, or a beautiful scarf is necessary on really bad hair days. Don't be discouraged it happens to us all.
4. Be happy with the hair you have and work it. It is easy to become envious of a certain texture or length. Your journey should be about you and your own. Self-acceptance!
5. Ignore the haters and various factions inside and outside the natural hair community. Some people are just bent on being divisive forces. You don't need it or them! Some people will criticize you for wearing your hair straight occasionally others will pick apart your product choices. It is ridiculous and counterproductive and makes no difference on you or your life.
Ok, I know I'm Johnny Come Lately, but I'd suggest these 5 things:
1. Learn about your hair (porosity, fine vs. course, thick, etc)
2. Select Products that cater to your hair type (not referring to curl pattern, but items listed above)
3. Listen to your hair…Be observant about what products work and which dont.
4. Develop a regimen that works for your lifestyle and hair
5. Love your hair!
1. Get you mind right.What you feed the mind, the mind will react to.
2. Process is more important than expensive products.
3. Don't compare your hair to others
4. Listen to your hair, it speaks
5. Research and ask questions
except who God made u his hair was like lambs wool
pray over it
love it
thank God forit
embrace it
1-patience
2-moisturize
3-protect
4-nourish (body AND hair…vitamins, deep treats, etc)
5-knowledge (blogs, youtube, experimentation, documenting your own journey)
1. Beauty starts inside and out! 🙂
Eat(mostly)healhty and getting; meat, fish, rice, pasta, potatoes, fruit, vegetables, nuts, bread and egg.
Also drink a lot water, and great tea like fx. chaimoille tea, green tea and red tea.
Also excersice.
2. Use protective styles, and project hair as most as possible, sleep fx. with a satin scarf.
3. Big washing day once at week, or whatever fits great to u.
Then Deep Conditioner, comb, wash hair, and maybe other treatments such as (hot) oil treatments.
4. Scalp massage!
5. Moisturize hair everyday, with a leavi in conditioner, gel, other hair product, aloe vera gel or another homemade mix.
And just one more thing, natural hair is so beautifull that shines with inner beauty and confident, dont let anybody bring you down on your journey.
Think of your hair as a fiber that can be easily damaged with too much manipulation
Protective style your hair
"Smooth" rather than comb or brush ur hair
If your going to wear out hairstyles dont do to long without wetting your hair if retaining moisture is a problem glycerin may help
Dont let other people do things to your hair that you wouldnt do yourself/learn how to care for your own hair
1.Flat ironing too often WILL permanently straighten your natural hair and your new growth; it doesn’t matter how coarse or strong you think your hair is; 2. Limit the number of times you shampoo; do more conditioner washes; 3. To avoid knots, wash your hair in sections; 4. Don’t give up on your twist/braid outs, keep trying until you get it right and you will; 5. This process is not for the weak, some days your hair will be beautiful, on others it won’t, everyone won’t be supportive and not everyone will understand.
My top 5 hair tips:
1. Water is your hair's friend.
2. Beware of PJism.
3. Knowledge is power-Do your own research.
4. Don't give up.
5. Be gentle with your hair-It helps in length retention.
1. WATER IS YOUR FRIEND! the ultimate source of moisture.
2. condition and deep condition regularly
3. load your hair with a cheap conditioner (pre-poo) before you get in the shower. it makes detangling SO much easier and less traumatic.
4. believe in the power of protective styling especially if you are looking to retain length/grow your hair out.
5. cover your hair at night or invest in a satin pillow. it really works.
1. Do not apply heat to your hair.
2. Learn how to search for good and bad ingredients in commercial hair care products.
3. Embrace your hair's nature versus fighting against it, trying to force it to do something it does not want to do or is incapable of doing.
4. Always keep your hair moisturized and/or protected.
5. Don't follow trends-stick to what works for your hair because no two heads are alike.
1) Moisturize all of your head. I know for experience we tend to focus on what we can see and forget what we can. I use to forget the middle of my hair and that caused major breakage.
2) If your transitioning know that what you think you hair will look like maybe completely different when you final cut all the relaxer off. So just love the fact that it's your hair, not that doesn't look like the hair you imagine you have or envy to have. It's beautiful because it's yours.
3) Have fun creating your own mixtures. For me a lot of store products don't work at keeping my hair moistures so I've started to mix things together to make my own. Right now I'm loving my Aloe vera gel water and Tui oil ( carols daughter) mixture. It keep my hair nice and soft on this hot summer days.
4) Having saying that remember don't fall into the trap that your hair is a going to need the same thing all the time. As the weather changes so are your hair needs. So you might need to get new products/mixtures. Also keep old products that might not work now,because they might work into your hair needs later.
5)Don't get so loss in reaching your hair goals that you miss all the wonderful things that are happening to your hair. Each length is going to bring new styles as well as a new understanding of your hair needs. Sometimes we rush through life instead of enjoying the sweet lull of a stroll. Your going to have your hair for the rest of your life so slow down and enjoy the stroll.
I did a blog a while back with my natural hair tips http://www.nesheaholic.com/2010/06/nesheaholic-natural-hair-tips.html
1) Co-wash religiously
2) Take your vitamins, drank plenty water, eat healthy
3) Low manipulation styles
4) moisturize everyday and protect at night with silk bonet or pillow case
5) Last but not least be patient, we never said this was easy, you'll figure it out and when you do, watch out! It will be well worth it!
1. Research, reasearch, reasearch your hair products before using. What one person uses on their hair may not be what YOUR hair likes. I wasted plenty of money this way listening to other people instead of doing for myself.
2. Hydrated body = hydrated hair. I can't stress this enough. Drink plenty of H2O (no additives).
3. Don't put anything in your hair that you can't get out in one cleansing session (co-wash, shampoo, however you do it). The remaining product and other product(s) that you may put in your hair will result in build-up over time. That's just gross.
4. Detangle your hair ONLY when wet and supersaturated with your favorite rinse-out conditioner.
5. Experiment with and learn protective styles to do on your hair. As it grows, you and your natural styling skills should grow with your hair. I remember a security guard at my old workplace tell me one night, "Your hair looks different EVERY NIGHT!" I told him that I was having fun with my hair. Which I was. Sooooo….
HAVE FUN WITH IT, FELLOW NATURAL!!!!
Oh. I almost forgot. Don't believe the B.S. about the "good hair". Good hair is healthy hair as long as it's taken care of. Peace.
BTW – People who like to make concoctions can use pH strips to test the pH balance of their homemade products (It definitely helps – I ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH BEFORE PUTTING ANYTHING ON YOUR HEAD.). Personally, I am more comfortable with my homemade concoctions over a lot of the products on the market (Please note I am not judging anyone for what they use in their hair, because I remember when my family members used to put lard in my hair on the island). I just try to respect everyone and do what is best for me. Live, Love, Peace. ~Sweetsop
1. Learn to accept the nature of your hair-everything about it from texture, frizziness, to tangles. It is yours and any attempt to make it something it is not is defeating the purpose of going natural in the first place and is going to make your journey a difficult one.
2. Put only the best into your body. Eating healthy and drinking plenty of water daily, contributes to your hair health the most. This is a must for everyone's regimen.
3. Listen to what your hair wants and needs and do not just follow everyone else's regimen. There's a lot of info out there, but always listen to your hair first, it's your best hair guru.
4. Try to stick with all natural or mostly natural products and don't overdo it with products. At first you might overdo it because you want to know what your hair likes, but when you figure it out, try to stick with it.
5. Check hair blogs like CN and youtube videos when you are feeling discouraged or need advice/help. This really helps and there is so much info out there. Find what resonates with you.
Good luck. This is a journey of self discovery and self acceptance. Have fun!
Hello fellow panelists!
1. If you're type 4a/b/c, don't dry comb (detangle) your hair. Snap-crackle-pop is not a sound you wanna hear outside of breakfast.
2. Shower detangle with a super slippery conditioner (try HEHH or YTCu) – just be careful you don't slip and bust your bum.
3. Don't put weird concoctions on your 4a/b/c hair to "naturally relax the curl"; ingredients with extreme pH can wreck your hair – no matter what the You-tube girl promises.
4. Don't compare your hair to others – if it's on your head instead of on your dresser, it's all good hair!
5. Dust (clip) your ends with SALON QUALITY BARBER SCISSORS ONLY! Don't use those old kitchen scissors you use to cut the dingleberries off your shih-tzu.
Been there – done that. Here's wishing you a happy hair journey!
Salutations,
1. Water is my best Friend (wet hair everyday under shower filter)
2. Aloe Vera (everyday or every other day)
3. Cassia Obovata (monthly – overnight)
4. Deep Condition (weekly – overnight and huetiful steamer)
5. Undecided for the last space: Cassia Obovata Glossing / Aubrey Organics GPB Protein Treatments (monthly – two weeks after full Cassia Obovata Treatment) – I have been considering giving up my AO GPB Treatments, because my hair loves Cassia Obovata. Never thought I would ever let AO GPB go, but I am focused on only using products that I NEED to grow healthy.
Live, Love, Peace. ~Sweetsop
The main 5 tips I would tell someone about going natural is
1. You can never prepare for the BC-Just do it
2. Know that your are new to your hair and your hair is new to you-fake it until you make it-you may not fall in love with your hair right away
3. PATIENCE- if you start to have doubts get a weave or get braids-do not turn back when you get fustrated and your hair won't lay down or style the way you want it to.
4. Learn your products-start off simple first- try a product for two weeks and then try others your hair has to adjust and your wallet too
5. Learn to accentuate different parts of your body to make you feel more girly especially if you have a TWA- rock earings for pretty ears, accentuate your neck, accentuate your shoulders, wear more rings for long fingers-in this day and age going natural is not common or look upon as being pretty so to help your self-esteem learn to work it anyway because someone will give you a look or say something about your hair that is negative be ready for it and SHAKE THE HATERS OFF!!!
1. Enjoy every stage of your journey. Each growth stage has its pros/cons especially in regards to time it takes to wash, style, detangle, dry, etc.
2. Water is your friend!
3. Read the ingredients of hair products.
4. Don't wait too long to detangle.
5. Get a silk scarf or silk pillowcase. It really makes the difference.
~KF519
1) Water is the moisturizer, not oil.
2) Detangling hair is a gentle art form. If you hear snaps, crackles, and pops while you are combing, you are doing it wrong.
3) Know your own growth pattern and don't compare it to anyone else's. Everyone's hair doesn't grow a 1/2 inch per month.
4) Enjoy the versatility of natural hair and don't let anyone tell you what "natural" is supposed to look like.
5) Keep those ends moisturized for length retention.
1. Don't compare you hair to another natural curly's hair. -It's a waste of time and will keep you from loving your curls, which is the reason you went natural in the first place, isn't it?
2. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! -Every curly's hair needs to keep moist and doing so is one of the easiest things you can do to maintain a healthy head.
3. Deep condition. -This is a great way to keep your hair soft and moisturized at the same time!
4. Cleanse your scalp. -Build-up can clog the scalp and keep the hair shaft from attaining moisture. An ACV rinse OR a good shampoo can do this without stripping the natural oils from your hair.
5. Try new things! -Experimenting is great: It keeps you from getting bored with one set of style AND it gives you options*
1. Wash/Condition your hair weekly
2. Moisturize your hair consistently
3. Protect your ends
4. Try new things…new styles, new products…(It's the only way to discover what truly works for you and what you'll love)
5. No matter the length…OWN IT AND ROCK IT!
1. baggy your hair. Sometimes the hair needs to be moisturized even during your sleep time
2. trim as needed. Some women think that by just being natural, your hair is an automatic protective style because the hair is curly. This is not true.
3. Deep condition often.
4. use hair accessories on bad hair days or when you get bored with your hair
1. Deep Condition often you cant over do this step
2.Seal your ends
3.Less is defintely MORE
4.Co-wash
5.Patience!
1. Keep hair moist, moist, moist and more moist.
1 a. Keep trying until you find the right products for moisturizing and
sealing moist into your hair.
2. Use a sulfate-free shampoo
3. Deep conditioner
4. Steam treatments
My Advice…
1) Patience
2) Patience
3) Patience
4) Patience
5) Did i mention patience…lol. your hair is going to change as it gets longer. because you don't like it at a certain lenght, give it time your opinion may change. the longer it gets the more you can do, so don't be so quick to give up on your hair because you think you can't do anything with it. It needs time to grow and retain length.
I would offer the advice of….
1. Avoid silicone, SLS, and ALS products. African amercian hair is dry by nature. These products are harsh and strip our hair from natural oils.
2. Keep your hair clean.
3. Moisturize as often as needed. Our hair thrives off of water. Carry a spray bottle when your away from home. Avoid moisturizing products that contain mineral oil and petroleum. They are pore cloggers and slow the hair growth process. Use natural oils such as jojoba oil to moisturize hair and scalp.
4. Do plenty of research. You tube and natural hair websites are very informative.
5. Listen to your hair. Just like my people say your body can tell you what is wrong and needed, you hair can too.
My 5 natural hair tips:
1. Be prepared to become a stronger person because this hair does raise some questions and attitudes at times!
2. Don’t get tied up in the size or lack of curls…it’s all “good” hair!
3. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different products; that’s the most fun part of the journey! HOWEVER, refer back to tip #2 often!!!
4. Don’t become the Natural hair pusher…the quickest way to turn a person off is to constantly pound them with why THEY should become natural.
5. Take pride and enjoy every step of this journey! Before you know it, you’ll be “at the next level” in this trip!!
1) LEARN AND CREATE YOUR OWN PATH: Research and ask questions, so you have all the knowledge and support you need to embark on the journey in the way that is most comfortable for you.
2) PAMPER: Try to start out (or restart) your routine by being gentle and protective (no heat, no harsh chemicals, no brushing, gentle detangling, gentle handling, styles that you can achieve with gentle handling), then working your way up to the amount of manipulation your hair can handle without experiencing damage. And give your hair what it needs to be healthy in it's natural state, such as moisture, oil & butter seals, and deep conditioners, rather than using products that make it look healthy only when it has products in it. This can allow you to get to know your natural, un-manipulated hair better, and allow your hair to grow.
3) RECOGNIZE YOUR HAIR'S UNIQUE QUALITIES: Recognize that your hair (both treated and natural) is unique, so it will respond to products and climate in its own special way.
4) YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND LOTS OF TIME OR MONEY: Know that you don't have to spend lots of money or time to maintain beautiful, natural hair. In the beginning you may as you explore what works for you, but don't feel pressured to try everything what works for everyone else if you have something that you and your hair loves.
5) DO YOU: In the end, do whatever style, routine or product that works for your hair and your needs. Plenty of people will offer opinions and advice, but do what works for you.
DO NOT mess with color unless you've done your homework and know exactly how to apply it and how to care for your hair afterward. Split ends, dryness, and stunting of growth will definitely follow.
1) Fall in love with your "own" hair texture.
2) Water, water, water is your friend.
3) Experiment with different styles.
4) Visit CurlyNikki.com
5) Inexpensive conditioners work wonders.
1. Don't be afraid of water (this is relaxer mentality)
2. Conditioner is your best friend
3. Deep conditioning is an even better friend
4. Wide tooth combs are your kick-butt cousin
5. Detangle slowly, starting from the bottom and working your way up
1. Realize that curls have a mind of their own and every morning will be a surprise! That's part of the fun.
2. Learn to work WITH your hair, not against it.
3. Experiment with different styles. We got it like that! Straight, curly, wavy; we can rock any way we want to.
4. Conditioner is your BEST friend. It need not be expensive.
5. Always style hair wet. I learned this the hard way…
My fault, I forgot #3…
3) Set aside time for your hair so that you can be attentive to your hair's needs. If you rush when washing or going through your morning or nighttime routine, you could damage your hair. Always plan to take time with your hair. Taking the time for your hair allows you to cater to things like dryness/brittleness (that may be lack of moisture), lack of elasticity (that may be lack of protein) or even tangles (that may mean it's time for a trim or a deep condition).
Bonus 😉
DO have a routine. It will discipline you to care for your hair and it will also enable you to troubleshoot better if something goes wrong or if you try something new.
1. Be Patient with your hair, its a bit of a learning curve.
2. Low manipulation. – DON'T pile your hair on your head when you wash it.
3. Find the best products for YOUR hair and don't rule out things just because someone else doesn't like them.
4. Moisturize and protect – this is so important, I figured it needed to be repeated. 🙂
5. Enjoy the freedom
1) Protect your ends! Always make sure your ends are smooth/well lubricated and protected (!!!) and trimmed if needed, but if you don't ravage them between trims, you'll have longer hair and less drastic trims
2) Don't go overboard on products or product application; instead find a simple technique that works with simple products
4) Pay attention to your scalp. It's the place from which your hair grows, and ignoring it could result in unhealthy hair.
5) Maintain a healthy diet. Cutting the crap and incorporating nutritious food choices, including veggies and healthy fats, will keep your hair lustrous and healthy. A lot of you say that you won't put anything on your hair that can't go in your body. Make sure it does go into your body! You'd be amazed what things like olive oil, avocados, aloe vera juice, apple cider vinegar can do for your hair and your body when they are ingested!
1) Deep condition (overnight) at least once a week.
2) Style with low manipulation/protective styles.
3) Henna or cassia at least once a month.
4) Seal ends as needed with a natural product (either coconut oil or shea butter)
5) LOVE YOUR HAIR!
1) Moisturize every chance you get!
2) Make sure you deep condition.
3) Seal in the moisture with oils.
4) Wear protective styles as much as possible.
5) Protect hair at night with silk pillow case of scarf.