I think some women take their natural hair way too seriously, like a job almost. When I hear of expensive products, weird treatments and ungodly hours spent on hair, I wonder why.
Is the quest for long hair that important? Whatever happened to stopping and smelling the roses and enjoying our curls at all stages? You can’t enjoy your hair if you are constantly caring for it and never take the time to stop and actually admire at it.
Unfortunately for me, all of my days are fully booked, so I simply don’t have the time to pick up the full time job of hair care.
So here is the list of things I will not be doing because, I love my hair and all, but I really just aint got the time, darlin’.
I’ve never quite understood the point of this. Apparently some women do it before cleansing to avoid getting tangles and dry hair during the washing process, especially if they intend to shampoo.
When I shampoo, I don’t use industrial cleaner and I don’t use the entire bottle. Therefore, I don’t suffer from thirsty hair. Also, when the shampoo was created, the inventors foresaw this problem and created another wonderful invention that would undo any short term damage the shampoo would cause. This ingenious invention is none other than conditioner.
I refuse to prolong the washing process with an hour plus of pre-pooing when I can simply let conditioner soak in my hair while I perform my other showerly duties. I mean, am I missing something here?
Finger Detangling
It’s like there was a convention on ways to make natural hair more complicated than it needs to be and someone had the bright idea of finger detangling. I get that we don’t want to damage our ends, but unless I’m using something that looks like Velcro to detangle, the damage done should be minimal.
If you are a loosely coiled diva or thin haired naturalista, then finger detangle away, but tight coils and thick hair just aren’t really conducive to finger detangling. I can simply imagine the amount of shed hair left behind creating more tangles and the hours spent trying to get a head full of hair detangled with my fingers alone.
I live and die by my wide toothed comb because it’s just easier and faster. Plus, I can’t quite figure out if my hair is damaging my nails or if it’s the other way around, but either way that ripping sound scares me.
Layering Products
I love my natural hair, but I draw the line at lengthy styling sessions. I want to be in and out as quickly as possible because my idea of a good time does not involve spending hours in front of the mirror. I will not separate my hair section by section and apply layer after layer of product, then style it.
And don’t get me started on having to re-wet hair that has long since dried and tangled. To remedy this, I have searched high and low to find products that are heavy enough to keep me moisturized so I don’t have to use multiple products in one sitting. I advise you do the same and see how much free time you’ll get back for doing other, more entertaining things.
All Day Deep Conditioning
Although I live a pretty dull life, I like to imagine that at any point in time someone will call me to go somewhere or do something amazing, and when that happens, the last thing I want to say is, “Girl sorry, I can’t. I just put in this (insert fruit or vegetable) treatment in my hair and it has to sit for at least 10 hours.”
There are some treatments that need to sit for a long time, like henna, but for everything else there is only so much it can do. If the instructions say 15 to 45 minutes, an entire day will not make it do anything extra. All that oil dripping down my neck, walking around smelling funny and not being able to rest my head on surfaces would drive me crazy, so I don’t know how some women do it.
If it has to stay on for 15 minutes, then 14 minutes later it will be out because 1) I’m a good girl and like to follow instructions and 2) I don’t take my hair that seriously.
Final Thoughts
Now I know that many women reading this do the things on this list, and if you do, then that’s fine, because to each his own. But thank God that natural hair is a community and not a cult, because if the things listed above were mandatory, the creamy crack might still have its hold on me.
i concur NaturallyChelsea.
Yes! This is why I don't use henna. No matter how amazing it is, I can't imagine leaving in my hair for HOURS.
if someone called me to do something really amazing and i had a dc in, i slap a wig right on top of that bad boy and im out!
It's funny because as I read this I've got a massive amount of henna sitting on my head and have only made it 2 hours so far. If that. I usually do a 2 hour deep condition before I wash my hair, and even with that plus combing and styling, the whole process only takes about 3.5 hours. I.e, get up at 8 on a Saturday and I'm done by 11:30 which is around the time most people around here are getting up. I do finger detangle, but I do it while I'm in the shower usually, just after I've combed my hair – I find doing both cuts down on the amount of time spent doing either, and I can still make sure my hair is fully detangled. When I do actually do it dry, it's just so that I can re-style my hair. Other than that, I don't spend any time on it. I wear whatever styles I do for at least 3-4 days, was every 6 or 7 days, and let it ride the rest of the time. I think I spend about the same amount of time working on my transitioning hair as I did on my relaxed hair, and I can't wait until I'm fully natural because I think the process will be much easier (no rough relaxed ends to knot up after all).
This posting and comments have been interesting. I'm new to the natural hair care world. I look at a lot of youtube channels and blogs. Sometime it does seem like a lot but it looks like they get good results.
I find it refreshing that you choose to enjoy your hair more than 'care' for it. I prepoo because it helps detangle my hair without breakage. However, I honestly feel that at one point I was obsessed with my hair. I even remember turning down an invite out with my girls because I decided to straighten my coils! Wow…now I choose to just keep it clean, trimmed and moisturized..and enjoy my life outside of the bathroom mirror! LOL. Thanks for posting this.
Yeah. I hear ya. The only reason stuff stays in my head for a length of time is because I had something to do, and when I gotta go, I just gotta go. My pre-poo is my detangling session. I have noticed some breakage at the new growth area and just now tried layering. I do want healthy hair, that's why it's natural. So we'll see. But I must admit, my thoughts have been who has a regimen besides me that's about "keeping it simple".
Lol this was hilarious but I wholeheartedly agree. And where you said to insert fruit or vegetable I choose apple treatment lol.
I do not understand why you would come on a website that promotes natural hair care and make a mockery of things other women do to care for their hair. If you can roll out of bed and have FAB hair then good for you but some women have to put in WORK. Everyone has their routine and I will never knock them for it. I am not rigid with my haircare because I just dont have the time but if i did I would be doing all the above you just knocked. Some folks pamper themselves by taking EXTRA care for their hair. Do not knock it because you dont need to do it. One last point, In your article you said you lead a busy lifestyle but then you went on to say its also dull so which one is it?
Can I just that I really like this post. I do.
I feel the same way another one is to retwist my hair at night
I was surprised to see that Chelsea wrote that article. But yeah, maybe you should have pointed why you were doing that. Some of you don't understand why some naturals pre-poo. I pre-poo because my hair is really dry. I use a non-sulfate shampoo but my hair still feels a bit dry after washing. So pre-pooing helps. I finger detangle because my hair is fine and fragile. So I finger detangle then I use a comb. I don't do all-day deep conditionning generally. But sometimes I get lazy and leave my conditioner for more than 4 hours. Some people use a lot of products because their hair is thirsty. I don't use a lot of products but I find myself constantly re-moisturizing my hair. So I understand why some would layer products. Just like others said, to each his own!
Wow! at all the comments. My routine is fairly simple. I only pre poo after I have had braids or if my hair has been in a puff for a long time because the parts of my hair that are fine and the parts that are really kinky mix together and create a hot ass mess. I DO finger detangle when I do prepoo. And when I shampoo after that LESS of my hair comes out and my hair is easier to work with. And when I deep condition (usually twice a month), sometimes I'm lazy so it stays on overnight or half a day or however long I feel like sitting under the dryer. I don't layer products either. And my hair looks and feels great and is growing wonderfully. You GOTTA do what works for you.
YASSSSSSSSSS! I found nothing 'snobbish' about this article. It's about time, imo, that someone finally decided to talk about the complicatedness(lol) of what some people consider the only way to healthy natural hair. Because the natural hair community has grown so much, many new naturals/frustrated naturals seek info from said community and it leads to more frustration and sometimes a return back to relaxers due to being "complicated and time consuming." I'm not saying that these "complicated" methods don't work. I just simply don't want to dedicate a half to full day on EVERY wash day when there a much simpler ways.
How critical some of these comments have been. Some of you women sound like angry two year olds. The author plainly says that this is how SHE feels but TO EACH HER OWN. This means that if these are not concerns of yours, keep it moving. If they are concerns of yours, the feel comforted by the fact that somebody feels like you do in this apparently black-and-white community, where if you do things one way you are perfect, but if you don't and you express that you don't, you are going to burn in hell. I wen natural to experiment. Different styles, curly or pressed, or WHATEVER. But I don't have a problem with this article because it is how SHE feels. Who are you to criticize feelings? After all, the whole point of a blog is to express your feeling about something. If you don't agree, move. At the very least some of you need to grow up and stopping clogging the comments section with negativity and potshots at the author.
Some of you are getting to wound up over anothers opinion of what she won't be doing to her hair… as stated if its what you do to yours then rock on but don't get upset b/c others think its a waste of time. Do what works for you and be happy in your own decisions b/c at the end of the day its your hair and your time.
AMEN! I've been natural my whole life, but have recently decided to do more to my hair than put it in a bun and wait till its full of dreads before doing something with it. And after watching several hours worth of YouTube videos there are some, I just shake my head on.
I so agree with this article. When i went natural i was going crazy over all these products i needed and things i had to do. Then one day looking in the mirror and seeing all the products i had to put in my hair laid out before me, i said screw this! So now i just shampoo, condition, and put 1 product after im done. Sometimes i would do 5 bantu knots but thats about it. And the funny thing is my hair has grown much faster after i stopped fussing with it
I'm glad I came across this article because I personally feel the same way and was starting to think that since I didn't do all sorts of lengthy time consuming practices, my hair would never grow and never be moisturized and just sit on my head like a brillo pad.
I'm still very new to the natural game, but just as when I was relaxed I didn't like spending lots of time on my hair, I feel the same way now. Yes, I will do what I need to do to keep my hair healthy, but for me and my hair and routine, keeping it simple is working.
Because I've been natural my entire life, I had lots of time to realize that being super casual with my hair doesn't work. My hair can stay the same length forever if I'm not careful. I have fine strands and even with widest tooth comb with a half a bottle of conditioner will still rip my hair out so I finger detangle. I don't deep condition all day, but an hour or a little less works for me and so on.
All in all, caring for my hair is a choice I make. I could keep it short and not worry as much, but I choose to keep it long. One day I may get tired of it and chop it off, but until then…:)
LOL This article is quite funny! I agree, some of that stuff does seem like a waste. I remember when I first became natural, I was jumping from regimen to regimen. And let me tell you, some of those regimens seemed a bit over done. I think this article is perfect because it should make people think about what they are doing in their regimens and whether it is a waste of time or not.
i feel like the article should have put the do you and what you feel is right for your hair motto because just because you feel like a complex hair regimen takes away from your time doesnt mean others dont have that spare time and enjoy it i really enjoy doing my hair and the crazy thing is i did simplify my regimen but i section my hair, cowash or shampoo and finger detangle in the shower and its soo much quicker than what i use to do and after im done i put olive oil and agave in my hair wrap it up and chill until i feel like rinsing. so it def doesnt take away from my time at all. co washing……really is no diff from washing your hair with shampoo really same technique and is prob going to take you the same amount of time so half of the stuff listed is subjective to how slow or fast pace you are and the condition of your hair.
Oh and things I don't do:
– Finger Detangle: While I see the value in this I just cant do it. I try to use gobbs of conditioner and a wide tooth comb. Then I do a paddle brush
– PrePoo: I only do this if I'm dealing with a serious amount of dryness or damage from color etc.
I do: DC for hours (works on my dry hair); make my own products (do this anyway for face and body); Herbal hair rinse (when I DC); Layer products (usually three to get it right).
None of this takes a lot of time or money but I am really style challenged and usually rock a fro or twist/twist out. Just now being able to braid it. When it gets longer I'm sure I'll be a braid/bantu out and bun girl.
Girl I'm in a cafe laughing out loud at this article. I so feel you. I am a busy working mother and I have kept my head shaved for 10 years so I don't have to fuss with it. But in the past two years since my child was born I have done NOTHING for myself. Growing and pampering my hair gives me the opportunity to care for myself the way I do for others. It's like a spa treatment. I love it and my family gives me room to do it. My hair is a thick and DRY 4c. And like many curlies, I was not taught how to properly care for my natural hair so I am in the learning stages. Thank God for YT and forums like Curly Nikki. They literally saved my hair. Yes it takes ALOT for me to get my tress managed but I'm sure once I get the hang of caring for it I will cut the time and effort spent on it. Great article. Hair is a sensitive subject for black women so I understand the pushed buttons. But some of us need to learn to laugh at ourselves and not take things so seriously. Please watch Sh** Natural Hair Girls Say on YT. Hilarious!
wow why are so many commenters so defensive and angry over this post? it's a given that one person's opinion isn't the be all end all so why does that even need to be said? if you want to spend 8 hrs doing your hair, do you. no need to justify it lol. it's like the thought that you can achieve long healthy hair w/o doing a bunch of unnecessary ish is so upsetting b/c some of you want to believe you aren't wasting all those hours.
@Anon 9:06am, you are write: She shouldn't write for other people to enjoy, agree with, disagree with or like…but she did. She didn't say what was on her mind. She wrote for the audience and some of the audience didn't take. You know how I know? Apparently, she just shot herself in the foot by commenting on her own use of finger detangling. She said she uses the methods in the article. So (a) she has a twisted sense of humor or (b) she lied. She didn't write what she felt. She wrote to attract an audience. Sounds like an internet newspaper article to me.
To each her own. But, I'm not going to lie: I have seen the author's hair. It's not down her back (and maybe she doesn't want it to be). From reading the article, I gather that she doesn't care about growing longer hair. Well that's her, but I do.
Finger detangling minimizes damage. I don't prepoo. I don't layer my products. I don't deep condition for a day (@LBell ROFL at the jungle). And, I don't spend hours and hours a week maintaining my hair. But, I won't criticize the people who do. Her tone is kind of off-putting. That's what it seems like she's doing…criticizing others for doing what works for them, for taking time and effort into caring for their hair.
The thing is, hair requires work. That's what it's there for. So many people dream for longer hair and yet aren't willing to do the work to grow it. If one suffers from laziness, perhaps they weren't meant to be natural in the first place.
What's strange to me is when the author mentions(in the comments section) her success with finger detangling. She perhaps would have been better off writing about that.
Natural ladies run the gamut from low-maintenance to high-maintenance, just like any other group of women. It's not my thing, but some ladies dig going H.A.M. on their beauty regimens. There's no need for the snobbish "no thanks, I have a real life" sentiment.
Hmmmm, the author hit a raw nerve with some folks.
Two hours to detangle??? Seriously???
The point of a blog is to be expressive and opinionated. You do not write for other people to enjoy, agree with, disagree with or like. It's about being you and saying what's on your mind.
On that note, I see the point being made in terms of the amount of work people put into maintaining their natural hair. One reason I decided to start over natural was to escape "THE DREAD ALL DAY BEAUTY SALON APPOINTMENTS." At times, reading what some people go through to maintain their hair or achieve a style can be very intimidating. By this, I mean spending COUNTLESS hours washing, conditioning, etc. And let's not get into the amount of money that people chose to spend. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm not rich. I'm a single mother, working on my doctorate, working full time, etc. I don't have hundreds of dollars to spend on a million products. I don't spend a whole bunch of hours styling, etc my hair. I HATE doing my hair. I try to keep it simple and move on.
I question women on the real reason they decided to be natural. If you are embracing the beauty of yourself and your majestic crown, who cares that your hair is not a 3B/3C, or that your don't have long flowy curls, etc. Do what you need to do to maintain YOUR hair and not what others do.
{lol}.
I don't understand why some women choose to make what other women do to their hair their business.
'Keeping it simple' is subjective. Washing, prepooing, deep conditioning, baggying may be simple to someone and not simple to another person.
If someone can get away with detangling their hair for fifteen minutes and wash once a week and deep condition, more power to them.
However, *I* am not able to do such a thing. My detangling takes longer – sometimes up to two hours and that is ok. My hair is tightly coiled and does all sorts of tangles and I want to be as careful as I can be so that I can keep my hair healthy and retain the length as well. This doesn't even bother me – I like doing my hair – it's like a 'me' time, sort of like getting your nails done or eating your favourite food in front of a good movie. People's hair are different. People's haircare practices are different. If one wants to do what you don't do, then that's their prerogative. It really shouldn't affect everyone else.
I agree with Mkeji. There's a good message in this article, but the tone is very off-putting, especially the pre-pooing part. Don't act like people are stupid. They know conditioner exists and they don't use industrial cleanser to shampoo, yet they still need to pre-poo.
I'm surprised that you can't see where your post is condescending and patronizing, especially on a HAIR site. It's not what you say it's the way that you say it.
The article could easily be a funny account of 'How I Keep It Simple' that offended no one, but only if you really have funny stories to tell of your own experience of not-keeping it simple (and if you DON'T have any experience of trying these 'fussy' things, then you really shouldn't be talking) AND if you had the writing talent.
Not butthurt. Can count on one hand the number of times I've done the things listed (except with henna – I must pre-treat with oil and dc overnight after). Do not have the care to research your background. But can recognise poor writing (poor for the audience intended). Peace.
I agree 100%. I feel that some regimens are too simply while others are over the top. My basics include, wash, condition, moisturize and style. Every once in a while, if I have a spare second , I may deep condition. But right now, my schedule can only handle the basics.
@anon 12:33 those are EXACTLY the main ones she's talking about. I love how she's getting attacked and asked to post a pic like she has to prove anything.
@anon 12:11 I never deep condition & the only extra attn I give to my hair is a wash with shampoo every 2 wks. My texture is by no means "easier" to deal with. I simply go by the philosophy that my hair will NOT control me or my life, as I have too many things to worry about, and I think thats what naturallychelsea is communicating. She is putting it out there that natural hair care does not need to be as complicated as the online community makes it sound. And if im not mistaken, naturallychelsea is the creator of the curlyandyoung blog… She has beautiful hair and I think she's a college student who no doubt has more on her plate to handle than just hair.
I guess the people weeping over this article are probably the main ones she's talking about.
Don't cry. If you like spending 100 hours doing your hair and adding 50 products to it, then keep on "keeping on". You guys will be the same ones talking about you're going back to the relaxer cause you can no longer "deal" with being natural.
Hell, if I did all that nonsense I wouldn't be able to "deal" either. LOL!
Since you keep it so simple, I would love to see a pic of your hair. What people that think like you need to understand is that, what works for you wont work for everyone. If you dont have to spend much time on your hair than obviously you have a texture that is simple to deal with. I personally would never knock what another woman does for the health of her hair because there are so many out there that are not taking care of their natural hair like they should. I like reading all the suggestions others have as to what they do for their hair, it does not mean to do ALL of them at once. You have to do something extra to your hair like a deep condition tratment on a regular unless you have wavy wash and go hair and I would think every now and then they have to give their hair a little extra attention. Yeah…I would love to see a pic of the health of your hair.
lol at this article. i mean there's lots of things ppl do that i wont but u wont see me writing an article implying something wrong with them for the choice they make. it's not necessary to do ANYTHING but we can make a choice to do anything we feel like right? why she so pressed? furthermore, if u wanted to save even more time u could rock a bald head, or use a 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner or dont bother combing ur hair! lol.
i guess this is like a lot of other things in life. u choose ur priorities and set goals in ur life and then do what YOU deem necessary to achieve those, including making time to do what it takes to get to where u want to be. i mean we could also sit here and laugh at all those fools wasting time getting an education. hahahahahah. u getting degrees when i could just get preggo every year and collect them checks. lmao
i personally didnt get prepooing or finger detangling for a long while. then i tried it and mastered it and i will never go back. i dont prepoo everytime i wash but its the only way i detangle my hair. and my hair is waistlength 4abc and thick as hell, i NEVER thought it would be possible to finger detangle but it turns out combs disrupt my curls and coils making my tangle prone hair even more tangly. using my fingers it takes way less time.
i say to each his/her own. yeah u might not have the time or be interested in making the time but why deride other folks doing it? women i swear we talk about the way men treat us but nobody gets on women like other women, and always for the dumbest ish. like seriously if another woman feels like putting juices and berries in her hair, why are YOU bothered? lol and imma need to see a pic of her hair if she talking all this ish. as to the female deriding folks for documenting their regimen, u do realize there would be no curly nikki and other hair sites if folks weren't documenting their hair journey right? i guess not everybody can be bright. sigh
What the heck does her hair have to do with this? Have you noticed that many posts on here are accompanied with a graphic other than the author's likeness? You could easily look her up. The dislike being spewed toward this girl is ridiculous. So bc she didn't write a novel raving about the 20 products she bought over the weekend and the 10 hours she spent washing, conditioning, and styling, apparently her opinion/take is worthless. I guess you have to be a high maintenance natural to be interesting, bleh
QUESTION: Why is the picture for the article not a picture of this woman's hair???? I like the fact that after talking all that junk, an actual photo was omitted. I wonder why. . . .
Some of ya'll are extremely butt hurt about this article and I find it hilarious! Whether you agree or not, it's just someone's opinion. Chill out! LOL
Natural hair really isn't that serious. I agree with this article. My routine has been super simple from jump. I tried to do some of this crap – prepoos, conditioner washes, using regular cream leav-ins instead of gel, etc., and my hair ALWAYS looked like crap.
Shampoo, grease, gel and all the "bad" ingredients work just fine for ME. Hair ALWAYS looks fab and has been for 10 years.
i feel ya, but I thank God for whoever thought of finger detangling bc my thick coily hair luvs it and it's easier than some may think, but I cannot spend another day trying to make braid outs, coil outs, twist outs, bantu knot outs, flat twist outs etc… work for me … wash n go baby… my coils are finally free!!! Glad we are all giving up the hype an going with what works!
Some ppl hair need more than others. I bc last year went from relaxed hair down my back to a chin length bob. I transition for a year and chopped again today.( familia not happy) i have very thick hair thatg grows fast but not much curl pattern so i may not need some of these steps but trust me i do a lot to get keep my twist outs from flopping. Everyone has a different things we have to deal with when it comes to hair. Even ppl w natural streight hair. What u think they like the limpy noodles?
I wondered this too and took the easiest route when my hair was loose. Even than I felt my routine took too many hours of my life away. One of the many reasons I decided to loc my hair, easiest routine: wash my hair once a week and twist it once a month.
I look at all the time I have to put into maintaining and caring for my hair as pampering time. When you have a busy schedule every second you put into doing something just for your benefit counts!!
Well, I've been there and done that, and I think everyone else should too, if they want. My point is, many woman want to experiment with their real hair texture, and I say all power to them. We've spent so many generations depriving ourselves of the pleasure, so we need time to see what we can do with our hair.
Personally, I've been on my natural hair journey for 3 years. It started because of an effort to save money after my hair stylist retired. I went through a PJism period (I hope some black businesses benefited from it), in a constant effort to find my perfect curl.
After all that, at least my hair is much longer, but I'm back to basic stuff: dcing, using a leave-in, twists and hair grease (I know, really!)
So, yeah that was a funny post but I think its okay to experiment and find your way. Self-discovery does take time and effort, but the journey can be fun and meaningful. Thanks Nikki for helping with the fun part.
I forgot to mention co-washing that is so unnecessary, I really don't see the need to co-wash, why notjust wash your hair with a good mild shampoo, or one with a lot of harsh ingredients.
Just an opinion does not mean it is correct.
Wow! I absolutely agree with a few things written in this article, Pre-pooing is so unnecessary- just wash and condition your hair, find a shampoo and conditioner that is not harmful to your hair and/or a very mild shampoo and conditioner, finger detangling-why not use a comb – just use the comb properly to avoid breakage. Furthermore if you are taking care of your hair properly, you will not have hair breakage, just normal shedding for hair growth. Agree it seems like when using the fingers to detangle the hair, it looks like it is getting more detangled than undetangled; the hair is not detangled properly and the hair is not getting completely detangled; which the hair should be completely detangled when detangling the hair. I also agree with the statement “why use so many different products on your hair”, especially since different ingredients do not always mix very well together, an ingredient in one product may not agree with an ingredient in another product. When using products a person should limit the number of products used on the hair and/or use them at different times. Ex. use product A one week; wash and condition hair; then maybe try product B if the person must use many different products. If you are limiting the number of products you are using, that is a good way to avoid product build up on the hair. Just find a few good products that work well on the hair and having a whole lot of hair products will not be necessary. Majority of the things that are being used to take care of our natural hair is so unnecessary such as pre-pooing, etc., which is making taking care of our natural hair much more complicated than necessary.
I really cannot express how much I enjoyed and agree with the statements written in this article. I was beginning to think that I was the only person who thought that pre-pooing is unnecessary, finger detangling is crazy and unnecessary, and using a lot of products on the hair is really not necessary, you can deep condition with any conditioner by sitting under the dryer for thirty minutes.
This is just my opinion it does not make it correct.
"I don't think you are someone who is made for blogging/public speaking."
Anyone can blog or speak their mind; just because you don't agree with her doesn't mean she needs to change anything about her writing style.
A lot of you are completely missing the point of her article. Talking about her 'tone' and how it's 'condescending.' And going so far as to research her background…I have a strong feeling that those of you who are taking offense to the article made up your mind from the jump that you didn't like what she's saying, so your reasoning behind it has to do with her 'tone'–which clearly is not condescending or belittling, but obviously humorous.
I enjoyed this article, because I agree with many of the points. Some won't, of course, but the fact of the matter is that natural hair has become such an obsession that some naturals are spending countless hours, resources, and dollars on executing a product that can be accomplished on a simpler basis. And personally, my hair will NEVER come before life's essentials – like spending time with family and friends, school, etc. Shoot, I'll slap that ish in a bun the next day, it's not that serious.
I strongly feel that many naturals just don't want to accept the fact that they are "doing the most." My natural hair is not about to become another 3 credit course for me to worry about.
I think in the beginning stages of being natural you should try everything but the kitchen sink. One becomes mesmerized by the different texture of one's hair. I've tried twist outs, braid outs, bantu knots, scrunching, special towels and mitts, a gazillion types of conditioners, setting lotions, oils, butters. I've read books, blogs, watched Youtube videos, written down ingredients, blah, blah blah. I've done pre-poos, shampoos, co-washes, used every kind of curler for my ends known to man.
I did all that to find out that the best method for my hair is to separate my hair into two buns, kept in place with hair sticks and co-wash each side separately, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle. Then use the same conditioner I used to co-wash as a leave-in. I then use another (heavier) conditioner to keep the frizz in check. No styling, no twisting, no curlers, no nothing. After my hair dries I braid in two braids, using Vatika oil.
Oh yeah, I don't henna anymore either, I found if wasn't worth it for me and my hair is curlier. Products used: Suave Professionals, $2.97, Aussie Moist, $5, Vatika Oil, $1.99
Yeah her tone is a bit much, anybody can see that and i'm not even offended because I don't really care, it's a nice point she's making though.
People always want to complain. I didn't think the author was even hinting that people shouldn't do what they want to do with their time. Nonsense! I'm sure she doesn't care! The point was to let people know that they can try less time consuming regimens as well. It was meant to offer another side of the spectrum and could be very encouraging for those who have chosen not to go natural because they think they will have to design a crazy, long regimen. And maybe they will…they'll have to listen to their own hair on that. But I thought the article was fine…I felt no judgement even though I do many of the things on the list too. Haircare is therapy for me…and a hobby…people who aren't natural are looking into this world and thinking that it's complicated because our hobbies are being mistaken for an absolute. I'm glad that this article is providing more information, education, and someone that other naturals can relate to.
Sign me up for one of those. I am wash and go everyday because I do just that wash and go…
Great Article! Some naturals take the initial freedom out of natural hair with the obsessive rituals and routines. Keep it simple sisters! I don't think the tone of the article was rude or condescending at all, you were simply stating what you don't have time to do. It's your hair & your opinion. Glad to know that there are fellow naturals that do not spend hours on their hair.
*next
-Amber
To the author:
Just a thought–nex time you may want to add an asterisk with a disclaimer at the bottom noting that the post was done in a fun manner to support curly manifesto month (then some people would not think it was condescending; btw I didn't, but hey, to each their own)…
Mixing shea butter with aloe vera gel in one container cut down on time layering products! it seals and styles all in one!
shasha d.
Lmao…LIKE LIKE LIKE!…was in stitches reading this article…my sentiments exactly…I just don't have the time with a full time job, going to school for nursing, and a chihuahua in her terrible 2s! I barely get to sleep…so spending hours on my hair staying up late nights dc'ing is something I left behind in the good ol days of transitioning
By reading this I think about the straight haired girls who tell me "how come you need one full hour to detangle your hair? How come you need to moisturize every week? lol no, I don't have the time for all of this". Those were the people who made me think wearing the hair that grows out of my head was wrong.
The thing is, just because your hair is easy to manage, that doesn't mean that all the girls who take more time on their hair do this because they don't have anything else to do. I pre-poo and finger detangle because I need to detangle without getting bald. Of course I have other things to do, but my hair is just REALLY thick. And god knows how much I wanted to spend less time on my hair during the sundays.
I think it has to do with what your hair needs and what you're willing to commit to. If your hair doesn't need much and is thriving-good on you! Go forth and grow! lol But if it's not, you need to adjust your thinking and behavior. I was willing to spend all live-long day in the salon getting "relaxed" and fried to death. Taking the time to pre-poo, gently detangle and all the rest is worth it to me and I'm sure the reason that I started with a BC at 1/2 inch of hair in 2010 and am now beyond shoulder length.
The only reason I actually read this post is because I actually feel the same way. I scaled back when my husband asked me one night, "You doin' your hair again? Didn't you just do it the other day?" The problem back then is that I was in that in-between stage…somewhere in between TWA and 5 inches. That stage just requires a bit more time because you can't really do fly W&Go's or easy up-do's. I've been low maintenance AND medium maintenance with my hair care, but never more than 3-5 hours/week. I've done the pre-pooing, the deep conditioning, the finger detangling, the product layering and personally, I've seen a small difference in my hair health, but not enough to keep up the same thing every single week. I just give it what it needs when it needs it. Sometimes I use the wide tooth, sometimes I use the fingers. Sometimes I let conditioner sit all day while I go on about my biz, sometimes I rinse it out after I bathe. Sometimes I mist and re-twist before bed, sometimes I fall asleep without my scarf. Its thick, full and shoulder length after 2 1/2 years, starting at less than an inch, so I'm happy with my regimen. As Nikki says, Do you Boo!
@naturallychelsea the reason why people are taking offence is your tone. Its so "off". Reminds me of Kimmaytube.
After reading this, i went on naturally curly and read all your other articles. To be honest you have the same tone in all of them. Slightly angry/strongly worded/unapproachable.
Although what you are saying is great….your delivery method is very poor. I don't think you are someone who is made for blogging/public speaking. Although i do stress! You are making valid points….just not in a good way.
To be fair, very very few people know how to write articles that are strongly worded/opinionated and can still maintain enough humour to be endearing towards readers.
On this article….i agree with some of your points but was super put off by your tone 🙁
Hm. . . where do I begin? Opinions are cool but to act (or write) as though your opinion takes the cake is not appropriate, nor helpful. When it comes to anything in life- you get out of it what you put into it. If I don't exercise, my body won't be fit. Those are the facts and because it is a choice that leads to a specific result, I shouldn't complain because I'm not willing to put in the work. Now let's talk hair: It takes work to get what you want so I think the time spent on our hair depends on what we want to get out of it. Personally, I want long, strong, healthy hair. In the last year or so I have really focused my time and resources on my hair in order to break through a growth plateau and my hard work has paid off! My once mid upper back length hair is now below my bra strap and I hope to reach waist length by the end of the year. I do spend a lot of time on my hair (5-6 hours every 2 weeks or so when straightened and about 6-8 hours every two weeks or less when wearing it curly) but it's a commitment I've made in order to get what I want. I definitely respect those who care less and spend less time on their hair but who are they to tell me that pre-pooing is a waste of time? It's MY time and MY resources and MY hair loves being pre-poo’d and is flourishing because of the extra nourishment. I think in the natural hair community we need to be less snobbish about what others do with THEIR HAIR and THEIR TIME. What works for some might not work for others but it doesn’t make either routine/regimen wrong. To each his own and may we all embrace the results of the time or lack there of that we spend on our hair.
One thing for sure not all regiments work for all people we have so many different textures some of us need more time and attention to achieve the goal of healthy hair I won't knock anyone's hustle but I will stay true to my natural
I absolutely agree 100% with everything stated. When I first started as a natural I probably would have disagreed about the pre-poo thing (I thought it was a necessity). But I now know that it really is a waste of time. I do finger detangle though because my curls are on the loose side and it's much simpler than trying to keep up with my wide tooth comb and/or denman brush 🙂
I love this post! I am natural, but I don't have time for all that stuff! I like to get up and go whenever and don't want to be concerned about twist drying, etc.
Main reason I just flat iron twice a month! If I'm not being paid to spend much time on my hair, than those man-hours are a waste! I love being natural, and going swimming without the concern of my hair, but being natural is not my career!
I get the humor in this article, but here's my two cents: Although I never understood pre-pooing and deep conditioning, and I'm a minimalist when it comes to product, finger de-tangling (and protective styling) is THE TRUTH if you have trouble retaining length. Long hair is not important to everyone, but before I changed my hair care practices, I never had hair longer than neck length. Now it's bra strap length, and I love it! To me, the 4 hours (yes, 4 hours) of finger de-tangling every few weeks is worth it. To each his own….
When I became natural, I definitely tried everything under the sun, since then, I have toned it down and my regimen is fairly simple. I realized I didn't that what works for one person, may not work for me. That being said, I get what the author was saying, but the way it was written was rude and condescending (it's like on of those rude comments with a just kidding on the end).
And this line angered me the most – "tight coils and thick hair just aren’t really conducive to finger detangling." Ok well have you detangled every women who has tight coils and thick hair, no. So you don't know what works for them or not. It's a broad generalization.
Writing is one of those mediums where, if done improperly, can lose intended humor and sarcasm. Not everyone is successful at it…
I love this article even though I do twist before washing. I have found that washing in sections makes my detangling process so much easier. Right now my hair is short and THICK so I put in about 12-15 twists. I'm sure the longer my hair grows the fewer twists I will need.
and @ Mimi…it probably didn't take your mom that long because you usually walked around in braided pigtails which u most likely wouldn't walk around in as an adult..if you wear your hair out,you will have to do more to it to care for it…just sayin. if you transition longer and start out with a long length, it may save you time on styling. I can't wait until my hair is longer so i can bun and walk out the door
Even though I do none of this, it still takes me 4-6 hours to do my hair..twisting takes me forever because i have to do 15 or more due to my length. and protective styles take me even longer and i still end up having to take them down because they look a mess. i cant just let my hair dry in a wash n go because no matter how moisturized and detangled it is, i will end up with a shrunken, almost matted, tangled mess on my head which will make the next washing session even LONGER…
Ahhhh, thanks for saying what I've been thinking. When I first made the decision to go natural, I almost changed my mind when I saw one Youtuber mention that her wash day is usally 8 hours long! Like the WTFreak? And why? When I was younger and natural I do not remember my mom spending 8 hrs on my hair and it grew just fine. Some in the natural community take it too far and I've heard so many people say they can't go natural b/c it takes too much too care for natural hair. SMH
well im in a dorm so finger detangling in the shower is easier to me than combing..putting a deep conditioner in and putting on a beanie is easier then hopping in and out of the shower i think it depends on what is easy for the individual and what the feel comfortable with. some find what i do hard i find it easier
I do some of these things some of the time. Here is my take on it: it is not really a chore. It is more so maintenance. Just like I shave, keep my nails & toes done, eyebrows etc. as I see its benefits of doing what I am doing, Its working. If your routine and daily, weekly, monthly routines work for you, we should all be happy right?!
My hair regimen—washing, detangling, deep conditioning, and twisting—takes two hours and forty glorious minutes. Beauty maintenance, including hair care, is a welcomed self-indulgent treat. I agree with the post, in that time is precious, so even one unnecessary step seems like a waste of energy. But, I’ve tried everything on this list and then some, and eventually I boiled it down to want my hair needed to be at it’s best. There is certainly a learning curve.
@ anon 10:11 I wrote that post to help women with straightening their hair I am not a straight haired natural. And the other post I wrote about being one is coming from their perspective. I wear my hair curly and tried the straight haired thing for a while during the winter. Damn ya'll really know how to investigate.
but to really clarify these articles were written because the theme of this month is curly manifesto month which is all about coming out and making statements. Thus, I wrote this article and others like it this month. I actually do some of the things mentioned above like finger detangling because it keeps my curls in tact for wash and gos. This artcile was meant to be funny not condescending and just like someone said above if there are countless posts about how to incorporate more things into ones reggie then why can't I speak about keeping it simple.
ans lastly anon I cut my hair into a bob i have no problem retaining length.
why is this so serious
This post says what I have been thinking for a while-some people are simply doing too much. As others have said, this can potentially scare others who may be thinking about transitioning to natural. You have to do you and not listen to every blogger or people on forums. I have learned a lot but I decided to do my own thing about 6 months ago and I am now happy with my natural hair. I use heat whenever I feel like it (using the proper precautions), I do not protective style unless I am being lazy (sorry, I can’t live my life in buns and twists) and my hair is thriving.
I hate these types of posts also, and totally agree with anon 11:04. I mean hey I CHOOSE to wear my hair curly, but I'm not running around knocking those naturals who decide to wear their straight, or not be as involved. I would also like to know how the author figures our hands aren't best if our hair is tightly coiled? lol Finger detangling first, and following up works better than when I only detangled with a comb. I do some of the things on the list BECAUSE I love my hair, and because I do have the time. I love how in the end she only seems to want to hear with those who agree with her. I swear I CTHU every time I see the phrase "Natural Hair Community" because in the whole almost 2 years of being natural, there has been so much negativity and shade. SMH
I do all this & than some! lol But I love it, it’s part of taking care of me. I work-out, get facials, do/get pedi/manis, and do an array of other maintains to include improving myself mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. And I wouldn’t have any other way because at the end of the day, I see & enjoy the results and know what the consequents if I didn’t….To each their own.
This post illustrates one of my pet peeves about some bloggers. She likes to keep things simple, so she chooses to wear her natural hair straight 24/7. Cool. But instead of sharing what works for her, she wrote a (LONG) post slamming the regimens that work for a lot of other naturals. It's like she couldn't come up with an original topic. I know it was supposed to be funny, but it was a bit condescending.
I've been natural since 1998 and sometimes I wonder if natural hair has gotten too complicated. But I know it takes time and experimentation to discover what works for your hair and I think it's great that there are so many resources to get/share information among naturals.
The point is that this is one person's opinion. Some women who are considering going natural, transitioning, or newly natural are turned off by the "complexity" of regimens and upkeep that is perpetuated by the masses. This article sheds light that this is not the only or best way to go. I simplify my regimen even more – I just use appointments LOL!
I am still doing quite a bit of learning about my hair. I appreciate simple techniques. This was funny to me.
Amen and Hallelujah!!! I have been natural before youtube and naturalista's blogs. My hair is long and healthy by using common sense. Don't get me wrong I thoroughly have benefited from suggestions made by bloggers especially when I want a new hairstyle. But with my head and two daughters with head full of hair I don't have the time.
Funny…..I don't know why so many people are getting offended….If you don’t do it fine! If you do these things GREAT! Just how articles can be posted on what others feel is important for natural hair care then I feel articles can be posted on what others feel is not important. If you don't agree with it, keep doing you and keep it moving. Dang
The natural hair police are about to hate her for this post. I'm in agreeance though…personally, I like to keep things as simple as possible. I see the craziness some naturals go through weekly and sometimes daily on youtube and forums….I'm not about that life!
I agree with this article KEEP IT SIMPLE. Why make things complicated? Find what works FOR YOU and stick with it ("If it ain't broke…"). All she did was tell us what works for her and why. Its HER opinion. Your 'simple' might be more products and/or more steps, hers is less. PLEASE lets not hate. We are all sistas with natural hair or on our way to having natural healthy hair. Karen J
The author is a straight haired natural with bob length hair (very pretty in the picture)
-See the link http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/author/chelsea-fregis-2
BUT (unless she cuts her hair purposely) her "I don't have time" mantra to hair care shows in how long her hair is not. Just my opinion.
Great article and so true. As I have gotten to know my hair over the past couple of years or so I have found ways to keep the styling time to a minimum and still maintain a healthy head of hair. Not offended at all by the tone or the content.
HAHAHAHA Love this!! Definitely speaks on how I feel. I am NOT spending hours and hours doing hair. What is the point? One of my girlfriends, deep conditions for 2 hours. I can't sit still that long and I like to be able to go and do as I please. Like you said, if someone calls me and wants to go somewhere, I wanna be able to say, yea just give me 30 minutes to finish up my hair and hit the road. I ain't got time for all that mess.
I'm not a fan of this post either. I could easily say I don't have time to or want to save money because it takes too long but I'll always be broke. I don't have time to exercise and eat healthy so I'll just get and stay fat. I don't have time to put any effort into anything because it takes too long so my accomplishments won't be significant. If most kinky/tightly curly types (be it permed or natural)could just do nothing then forums like this wouldn't exist and everyone would have long (if they chose to) and healthy hair EFFORTLESSLY like the author and those co-signing and lol'ing in the comment section seem to advocate. There wouldn't be this stereotype about kinky hair types not being able to grow hair. A lot of kinky hair types benefit and have seen tremendous improvement because of those practices which the author mocks and the extra time spent on hair care.
@MrsNumbles… I too went to naturallycurly.com to find out who this chick was. Because her tone in this article seemed really condescending. And yes, she calls herself a "Straight Haired Natural". Why?? Because it's "easier to care for". Most of her articles take on a negative tone. Chelsea needs to start journaling with pen and paper and stop spreading her nonsense on the web.
I just read her most recent post that says she rocks her natural hair straight – all the time. *head tilt* So I'm not quite comprehending how in THIS post she doesn't understand why naturaly curly ladies take so much time to do their hair; when in-between washes she doesn't have to worry about things like detangling and re-twisting/brading? This whole post suddenly seems counterproductive to me.
what exactly was the purpose of this. It seems to be to offend people, which I don't get why this was posted on the site. As the author said (but seemed to ignore), to each his own…
I know women who have a long hair process and some who have a short process; and they both have wonderful hair. So to each his/her own, I say. But I do think she could have been a lot more positive about how she worded the article. We can't even get out of judging each other when it comes to hair solidarity?
I keep it simple also. I used to think I had to do a lot of extra complicated things to my hair, but am learning things I don't have to do every day. I still retain length anyway.
I have tightly coiled hair and I finger detangle though. My hair hates combs…no matter how wide the teeth. I haven't used a comb in about a year…and my hair is thanking me.
I find this article and the author's tone offensive. If YOU don't do these techniques kudos to you. I do ALL of these and it works for me. It is my choice and if you don't understand why, then its not meant for you to. I agree with the post that questions why you are on a natural hair blog that promotes healthy hair techniques if your intention is the bash the women who use them. And the condescending tone, you can keep.
The only thing I disagreed with was finger detangling, that hadn't been successful for me until yesterday when I used a different conditioner that just made it so easier to detangle both by finger and by comb (btw I have 4a/4b hair). Other than that, yeah some people do too much, especially the ones that name their hair o_O really? That's taking being natural too far, who gives their hair a name?
WONDERFUL! I think some of these ideas are great, but you are right people are doing wwwaaayyy too much. Folks make the natural hair process overwhelming and it shouldn't be. This hair is supposed to be simple.
I think the article is hil-ar-i-ous..i found myself doing most of those things in the beginning but have found less time consuming techniques..it's all trial and error and doing what's right to you..
Not a fan of this article. It really seems mocking to woman who use the above techniques. The goal should always be healthy hair (defined however you see fit) and you do what's necessary to obtain that goal.
So talking about why YOU don't understand how others do these things, makes no sense. Your hair journey, is exactly that YOUR hair journey. Your routine works for you and my routine works for me. You're discussing these things and have yet to engage in any of the activities. You have no experience and don't know how beneficial these techniques can be for others.
Also you can't talk about how open and wonderful the natural hair community is and then talk smack about it at the same time.
TL;DR: Shut up, and sit down. Thanks!
I think you should do whats right for you and your hair. No two heads are the same and you should just stick to what is good for you.
On point! I've been natural a year. In the beginning, I found myself spending many Sundays locked inside doing some kind of treatment! I'm now working on a simple routine that takes less than 15 min day. My hair is on the dry side so dcs are necessary, but I try to do them in my sleep. On a productive note, I wish there was a specia weekly post on this big for those wanting a simpler routine.
I pre-poo, finger detangle, and layer products. I shed less in the shower when I pre-poo, twist, and then rinse in the shower. I layer two products and it keeps my hair moisturized. But since I believe that everyone is entitled to her own opinion and hair routine, I cam not going to get huffy over this writer's opinion.
I can completely relate to this article…LOL. However, I can see some new or newer naturals probably taking offense. In the beginning, you really have to experiment and do a lot to figure out what works for you. Or, maybe you're just that into dealing with your hair that you love all of the effort. But, at this stage in the game, I really cannot do it anymore. I refuse to be mixing up a thousand things to come up with the latest and greatest puddings, pre-poos, vitamin cocktails etc…there's always a new concoction coming out. Nor do I need to watch hours of YT videos on natural hair. When I hear,"Girl have you tried the such and such method on so and so's yt channel?" I'm like, nope, and I'm not trying it. I just can't anymore. I do occasionally look for some different styles or accessories to change things up. But, to all that have the energy, time, and money for it, enjoy.
I'm would agree with the pre-pooing thing. I never understood it and I think it's a completely unnecessary step and a waste of product. Another thing I would add is 24/7/365 protective styling. Now I understand protective styling is GREAT and I'm known for a good mini twist for a couple weeks. But the people who go on these protective style challenges where they wear a protective style for like 7 month, that's just too much. What's the point of caring so much for your hair if you never get the chance to wear it out and enjoy it?
To each his/her own, but personally i dont have time to sit in a hair salon to get my hair done. I made that mistake over the easter weekend at a so-called natural hair salon. i was there for almost 4 hours. My hair routine is usually less than a hour. So that is something i will not be doing again for a long long time.
Looooved this article! I totally agree with this. I just feel like we should be able to enjoy our hair. With that being said the whole stigma behind straightening our natural hair is quite confusing to me alsop. I think that's one of the best parts about being naturally curly, the ability to wear so many styles be it curly or straight!
The list of things I don't do to my hair is longer than the list of things I do to it. And it's not because I don't have the time it's because I dont find it necessary. Whoever didn't like this article is mad because they have been stuck in the house with conditioner in their hair all day.
Girl yes!!! Spending hours doing unecessary processes to my hair is hardly relaxing or pampering! Then ppl say they keep it simple yet it takes them ALL DAY to wash and set their hair! I TRULY keep it simple and my hair is thriving.
This feels like a case of "natural hair policing"! Why judge or try to reduce the validity of what other people do to their own hair? May not be for you to "get"
This article did not seem to add value to the discussion, but rather attempted to undermine and belittle best practices that may work for some naturals.
Felt a lil "crabs-in-a-barrel" like…Unfortunate.
You read my mind! I'm transitioning long-term and I still refuse to do these things. For example, the only thing I'll finger detangle is my son's hair because he has loose curls. Other than that, I keep it simple. If I co-wash my hair once or twice during the week, I'm not deep conditioning under the following week. My hair is not on my mind constantly.
I just bought a new detangling comb, then opened my borrowed CG handbook and saw one of the first rules is to give up combs and brushes.
….lolno.
I've tried finger styling and raking in that conditioner. My bathtub looked like I just shaved my legs. My hair was frizzier than ever. Never again. Comb + Me = BFF4LYF.
The trick is to find a happy medium where caring for your hair doesn't become a chore but it's an enjoyable process that allows for healthy hair. I'm not quite wash and go butI don't like spending all day on my hair either Overnight treatments can do wonders when you don't have time to be a slave to hair. I do a oil treatment the night before I shampoo/condition my hair, and I can tell the difference when I don't do it. I love an occasional avocado/mayo prepoo treatment for a couple of hours under a plastic cap while I'm doing chores. The one treatment that I find so consuming and really have to be in the mood for is applying henna.
love this article. Kepp it simple sista #pow
AMEN to no finger detangling! Between my thick hair and my toddler theres no way I have that kind of time.
I shampoo once a week
Condition once a week
And use a leave in every other day or when my hair feel like it needs it. The only layering I do is I may put some avg or mousse on top of the leave in if I need hold.
I am also prepooing right now but only because I'm lightening my hair naturally with honey using AndreaChoice's method but once I get my achieved hair tone/color I'll cut that out of my hair regimen.
I keep it simple because it works for me.
This is so on point! I am with you 100%.
I am a new natural and reading the sites, the blogs and watching you tube videos made me scared – as I thought, so much to do. WOW! Ever so often I do hot oils and DC treatments. But hey, as said before, to each her own and all of the above does work for many people while others don't need to.
Lol I love this article! I'm not much of a hair person, but I try to keep my routine pretty simple. I tried pre-poo n my hair hated it, and finger detangling is basically hell on my 4c mini fro. I'm not so preoccupied with length anymore cuz my hair simply grows a bit slow. But I'm a nursing student in college, and I got more important things to do than spend all day on hair that I barely style. Now I do deep condition up to 3 hours, but that's usually cuz I forget it's in
my hair till I hear the shower cap…
I like how she says she is so busy but then later says she lives a dull life…anywho! Overall I found her tone mocking but I don't mind the message. Different strokes for different folks! I like doing all of that extra stuff, it makes me feel connected to my hair and i find it relaxing.
Tee hee hee 🙂 While I may take more time from one washday to the next to pamper my hair I certainly can't be bothered to do any of these things on the list.
If for some reason I am conditioning for an excessively long time it is because I have decided to do other things that day and delay my styling. I always style on damp to wet hair (unless straightening) and see no point in rinsing only to add water back. LOL
GET. OUT. OF. MY. HEAD!!!!! LOL. Faaaar too much, honey! I agree wholeheartedly.
Pointless article.
For once I'm not going to read all the comments first; I'm just going to giggle and nod in agreement…
Ironically, I'm pre-pooing right now (Chicoro mix). I can't remember the last time I did this. I will say it's helped me get more shed hair out, which is good since these tight coils have only seen a comb once in the last six weeks. So far so good…but of course it helps that I've successfully rid my house of all objects I could use to lop my hair off. (My house keys really aren't that sharp…they just cause split ends.)
Happily I only layer two products after my wash, and fortunately they work together very well (KCKT/KCCC). As for all-night DC'ing…ever had a nightmare that something was chasing you through the jungle and then you wake up to learn it was just your plastic grocery bag making noise? No? Just me?
***joke ha-ha joke ha-ha joke ha-ha joke ha-ha***
You are so on point my friend. My hair's best friends are Shea Moisture and a wide tooth comb. That's it! I have no time for the unnecessary stuff.
If it were THAT simple, then I doubt we'd have websites like CurlyNikki.com and all the beautiful Youtubers out there sharing.
It's not that simple for everyone, or else more women would probably go natural and not need the resources. Just sayin'
I don't understand how some women spend all day or hours on their hair routine. that is why I am primarily a wash and go girl. I spend only a little time on my hair and less then when it was relaxed. My regimen is easier as I am natural and it should be easier. To each HER own and if a sistah wants to spend that much time on their hair they can. I won't. I can pre-poo, finger detangle in a short amount of time. I don't get it when I see some girlies spending hours!
**peeks in, then goes back to pre-pooing then finger detangling** lol
I had to de-lurk to give this OP a high five! LOL! I thought it was just me who was giving the side eye to some of the processes/treatments that some naturals follow religously. My mantra has always been "It's just hair."
Consider this a virtual high five! I'd like to add product junkie-ism to the list. Wasting money on a crap ton of products that doesn't suit my hair makes no sense. Find what works and stick to it!
Woo wee! Confirmed, I'm not crazy. Lol. Those things are just not for me either. I am a licensed professional cosmetologist and know quite a bit about hair care. However, I am new to the natural hair community. I know one thing for sure, one does not have to go through all the above to grow long beautiful hair. O, and what is with layering coils with product after product? Leave-in conditioner, oils, butters, creams & gels? Really? 1 maybe 2 at a time and that is it! Well, my 2 cents. Thanks for the great post.
No she's not! Get your facts straight honey, she's a 4! Every 4c doesn't have to do those things or go to these lengths. I've retained a lot of length while keeping up an active social life!
NaturallyChelsea's hair is like a 2a. lol. Child, please. Go retain length on some 4c hair, EXTRA kinky, EXTRA thick hair like mine, then get back to me on what you "dont" do 🙂
She took it on home with this article! Yes, yes and yes honey!
I feel you on that one! It never took me this long to do my hair when I wasn't natural and pressing my hair every week. But, I reaped the benefits though. My hair is healthy and growing.
Why the heck are you on CurlyNikki if you don't like caring for your hair? lol Seems counterproductive for you. Come on a natural hair website to talk about why the info on the website is irrelevant? I'm confused
I don't have time for a whole day process either, but I have to do what my hair loves in order for it to be healthy, soft, shiny and styled the way I want (which is usually a simple braid out done with no more than 6 to 10 braids or a bun)
I say yes to:
1. oil rinse (when i get the chance)
2. finger detangling followed by a comb because my hair is thick and long
3. layering products (because it works and only takes a few minutes)
I say no to:
1. washing more than once per week ( I go for biweekly)
2. steaming
3. henna (just seems like alot of work and messy)
4. all day deep conditioning (I rinse that sucka out as soon as I finish applying to all my sections.
Steph in Motion, right!
I thought it was just me… I'm just not a hair person, I just want to keep my hair clean & well moistured but I am obsessed with my little curly hair maintenance lol. Any suggestions for a good moisturizer for 3c puffy curls?
Great post lol. I prepoo when I have time but I'm not sure I've noticed any benefit, I moreso do it when I'm bored. I dc all day or overnight when I know I won't be going out. As a student I have more time so I don't care. What I've stopped doing is dcing under a hat. Too many people noticed the wrinkling sound from my plastic cap or saran wrap and I had to say enough is enough. So embarrassing when people want to see under your hat and you're like noooooO!
What DON'T I do? Judge other women who choose to pamper themselves through their hair.
When I first did the BC.. girls I was crazy for hair products! I'd spend hours on youtube just looking for new products… 2 years later.. shoot child! I could care less.I certainly do care for my hair but I'm not as.. "detailed" as I use to be. As long as I have my oils, I'm set! I am happy with my hair length. If it grows, it grows.. if it stays the same.. that's fine too because I can't deal with this long hair business. As a teacher.. child, I DON'T HAVE THE TIME! lol
So agree with this article
I totally agree that we can/do take our hair care over the top but I also have many friends who spend HOURSssssss in the hair shop one day a week or every two weeks soooooo….
I'm fairly lazy and don't do much anymore HOWEVER I must say, when I was consistently hennaing, pre-pooing and conditioning basically pampering my hair, or doing a curl activator challenge!, it was in MUCH better condition than it is now….so I just say to each his own :)!
I understand the sentiment, but do you really NEED to understand why others do what they do when it comes to taking care of themselves? I mean….some folks buy $600 designer bags, whereas I am fine with a hand-me-down as long as it holds my dough and a chapstick. lol. I guess I think if someone wants to take 8 hours to do something that they feel to be positive/loving for themselves which is otherwise, inconsequential to me, then so be it! Workout for 10 hours, spend all day cooking, go on 20 hour hikes, or pet your hair for 2 days straight…It's all good! To each HER own!
PREEEEEEEEACH! #thatisall:-)
I feel u sista, I feel u and I hear you.
Great post!
I'm all for people finding and doing what works for them. My 'won't do' list is not meant to offend anyone. I am always happy to see another natural and hear what works for her!!
I just can't do:
1) more twists or braids than about 15 total
2) curlformers
3) rod or straw sets
4) layering products- nothing more than a leave-in and some type of sealant for me
5) co-washing /washing less frequently than once a week- sweat, salt and not having fresh smelling hair would drive me nuts
6) and because of no. 4 and the varied textures in my head (3a-4a), I don't do WnGs . My hair would look a hot mess!
Funny and yet true I have that thick as eva hair and will nearly lose a finger trying to finger detangle. I don't have the time nor the patience for an all day hair cleansing and conditioning.
Best post ever! LOL!! I totally agree.
i agree that some routines are really involved and long, but i think that people should be able to do what they want. personally, when i first started my routine was very involved because i didn't know what worked for my hair! but once i kind of figured it out, my wash days became once a week I shampoo, condition, apply leave ins, and then just moisturize and seal throughout the week. So, it didn't take long anymore, and my hair is doing great! But what I realized also is that my hair doesn't take much effort to grow. i just have to retain length because my hair grows really fast but it breaks off…but for other people, that is not the case. Some people have to literally do all those things for their hair to get to where they want it to be either because of their texture, genetics, environmental conditions surrounding them, etc. So, I wouldn't diss those things even though I don't need them because some people do. I mean, some may think it's too much, but some of those same people will look down on those women if they decide to get relaxers to make it easier. So, although I agree that sometimes it's too much stuff, be careful so that those who need to do more don't feel sad or offended to the point of giving up. for some it comes easy, but that's not the norm; in fact, i consider how my hair is a blessing! just my 2 cents. hope no one is offended by my post. HHJ!
I don't think she was trying to
criticize anyone who does the things she doesn't do. And she covered it in the end of what she had to say. I agreed with most of the things she said. You do what you like and you don't do what you don't like.
I LMBO and needed that good hardy laugh today. I agree with you 100% waving my hands in the air. When I went natural, one year ago this month, and started reading the natural hair sites, blogs and youtube videos, I wanted to scream. I really thought I was the only one that felt the way that you do. It is good to know I am not the only one that does not have the time for all of the "rituals". I did the "Big Chop" and have kept my hair short. sexy, and uncomplicated this whole year. I love you my sister! LOL. On a side note, I don't mean to offend any one who chooses to do these steps, If you have the time and patience, go for it. You are all beautiful in your own way.
I love pre-pooing and finger-detangling for my thick, tightly coiled, Afro-textured hair.
Finger-detangling my hair with conditioner before shampooing ("pre-pooing") is a must as is shampooing in twisted sections. Any other way would be tangle and breakage city for my tresses. *shudders*
With that said, my "wash & style" regimen is simple, quick (approx. 2hrs from beginning to end) and features a couple of moderately-priced products. I never DC or layer products. Shoot, I don't even use conditioner after shampooing–straight to the leave-in conditioner for me. To each her own.
I do all of this because I ENJOY it! There, I said it;) I don't see it as a burden, but something I do to pamper myself. We all treat ourselves in different ways…I have the time & money at this point in my life, so why not. As life changes, perhaps i will one day relate to this article. As for now…my hair will continue to receive the red carpet treatment…don't knock it 'till us try it;)
And I forgot to add…once I focused on moisture (which for me is nothing more than a simple mist of water/aloe juice mix, followed by a shea butter sealant)…my twist outs started looking awesome. And again, that takes less than 3min a day to do.
This post is funny!
Some of the things I do – finger detangling, henna apps. But I do keep my routine simple. I work from home but that doesn't mean I want to spend all day in the bathroom staring at my head in the mirror.
My routine is quite simple: wash once a week w/terressentials. Do a twist out on wet hair using my personal shea mix & home made flax seed gel – then try as hard as possible to make that sucker last all week. Then every other day I GHE baggy. Wash day takes me two hrs tops because I do the finger detangling on damp hair before applying the terressentials – letting it sit for 10 min. Then rinse out and do my twists.
I don't have time to be quite so fussy about my hair. Totally agree – hair should be fun, not a chore!
LOL!! I am always amazed at how time consuming the hair regimen of some can be. Don't get me wrong, most of the time the hair is fly and on point. I however never had the time nor the inclination for such lengthy processes such as a pre-poo and intensely long DC. I wash every ten days (occasionally I'll co-wash instead), conditioner for 15 minutes, rinse, leave in. I do finger detangle because it works for me. Then I twist and seal the ends with vatika oil. More power to those naturals who can dedicate an entire day to their hair.
well, as someone above wrote; to each his own. i totally agree with keeping it simple, i am really a low-maintenance woman, however, keeping it simple didnt work for my hair. i am actually trying to spend more time and products on my hair – LOL
i still see the writer's point, tho. some of the women on yt amaze me, at how much time and money they spend on it. i learn a lot from them, cause there is no way i could have spent that much time and money on my hair
let the church say AMEN!!! AMEN!! AMEN!!! all this stuff I've been thinking….my patience is just too short…especially for the finger detangling…
Thank you! Granted, I'm only a type 2, but I have waist length hair that I've been cultivating for the past 4 years. It has become increasingly time consuming and less fun. I do a pre-poo treatment with coconut oil on the length and jojoba/tea tree oil on the scalp. I shampoo once a week, deep condition, and co-wash mid-week. I braid it before bed, trim it myself and generally spend way too much time for hair that I don't really do much with regard to styling.
I was recently beginning to consider cutting off about 5-6 inches, adding some layers and making my hair fun again. Your article has provided a much needed breath of fresh air. I think I'll be making a salon appointment soon ^^
😀
I rarely do most of those things; I have long boycotted 5 hour styling sessions. I have a lot to do and my hair still looks great! Id rather spend my time exercising, sharpening my brain and enjoying my friends and family. Very on point!
Poeticlyspkng
Hilarious article! I was almost on the train to some of these things then I remembered my hair grew quite well before all this bacchanal.
Amen! Agree 1000%! lol.
ok I just seriously HOLLERED at this…you ain't NEVA lie!!!! I watch some youtube videos and read various posts in different forums and I think WHO HAS TIME FOR ALL OF THIS??? (or the patience)…I mean I can't front sometimes I look @ different naturalistas and their hair and wish mine was as long or as curly or whatever. But then I realize hey I have a head FULL of beautiful hair. My coils may not be like yours but they're mine and they work for me. This just encouraged me to keep doing what I'm doing and what works for MY hair…and you gave me a good laugh too
OMG!! THANK YOU!!! Because I was beginning to think that it was just me. Lol!!! I really don't think all that is necessary either. I have been natural for over two years and I get compliments on my growth and retention from every one I meet, even women that I know who have been natural for much, much longer!! 🙂
I don't do most of those things, but it takes me all day to wash, deep condition, detangle and set my 11-months transitioning hair in curlformers. Maybe I'll eliminate washing in three sections. Lord knows I'm looking for any way to shorten this awfully long process. Oh.. and thank you for this article because all of that stuff isn't really necessary.
I do everything on that list with the exception of putting fruit/veggies in my hair and no oils when deep conditioning…no thank you…But it works for me. When my friends tell me how FABULOUS my hair is and then ask me what do I do. When I tell them, they say "That's too much work". Yes it is, and that's why you can tell me my hair is FABULOUS…PLEASE AND THANK YOU….I used to think the same way until my hair started growing and the regimen had to change.
WORK, TIME, & ENERGY garners FABULOUS RESULTS…
What's good for the goose may not be good for the gander. Personally, I like making my hair wash day kind of involved. I have so little time that taking some time to pamper myself is extremely relaxing.
This article was hilarious, and yea there is no way I can sent around dc because my hair is low in porosity and I promise you the longer I prolong to add my styling product and proceed with styling, I'm looking at a disastrous frizzy, half way dried twist n curl or braid out in the morning and like everyone my day starts on Monday bright and early at 6, And let me tell you, I style once if not twice a week and if those curls aren't poppin the first day, you can forget about it, but I digress, the plan is for the beautiful susy q curls and I pineapple at night with a little castor oil and I start my session again on Saturday, and prayerfully not a day sooner unless something disastrous happens, but let me stop bc I could go on all day.
This article is great!! I totally agree. I couldn't understand why some women pre-pooed their hair either. Its too much time. Plus the finger detangling. I'm a type 4b/c chick, and ranking my fingers all through my hair would straight tare it out! LOL.
Now I do enjoy taking care of my hair and having fun with it because its actually become a hobby for me. Although it will never consume all of my time because there are other things to be done in this life.
But thank you so much for this wonderful article NaturallyChelsea. It was definitely something different about hair care for a change.
~ krystal.love.n.hearts
I totally agree with this article. When i was newly natural i tried all of the processes mentioned. After a while i realized they didnt work for me and i created my own condensed process that works quite well. My process includes one shampoo, 30 minutes of conditioner, a leave in, and hair lotion for twistouts/braidouts.
Literally LOL'ing at this! I'm with Anon 4:20, no way in heck I can wash in twists, undo, then retwist. My addition to the list: creating complex diy mixtures and taking regimen notes. I have my "Fab 5" (shampoo, condish, deep condish, styler, and water) that work and my hair is better off when I stick to them as needed. In, out and done!
I LOVE this article! I think that natural hair should be fun, not a burden that takes 8,000 hours a year to manage.
Now, I do have to say a honey and oil pre-poo works wonders on my hair, as well as oil rinsing, but that's my hair, and that's what works for me. I do think that conditioning all day, excessive layering of products, and finger detangling is too much. And actually all of that can do more harm than good.
I'm actually thinking about washing my hair once every 2 weeks instead of every week.
After I big chopped 7 months ago, I became a product junkie, now I have products that I simply don't use that I will likely give away. I use one product for twist outs (a CD butter), and throughout the week, I moisturize with just water sealed with whipped shea butter–that's it. And guess what? My hair is "healthy, full, soft, and moisturized" (others words, not mine). And it's growing like a weed.
Less really is more! I love having natural hair more and more each day, and it's really NOT that complicated!
~caramelcurls
I pre-poo and finger detangle and layer products. Works for me. Do you.
This made me laugh. I may pre-poo when I remember to do it, but there's no way in the world that I'm going to sit with conditioner on my hair for more than 30 minutes.
I don't layer a million products on my hair either. It's too much to remember.
Now I do finger detangle in the shower, but that doesn't take too long.
I agree wholeheartedly with this article. I add to your list: twisting hair in order to wash it then untwisting and retwisting when done in order to style it, no way jose`!!!!!
Amen sista! I am with you on that.
I had to laugh reading this post…because I feel the same way. I don't pre-poo, I don't deep condition my hair for hours on end, I use a wide paddle brush to detangle with conditioner and I use TWO products when styling…conditioner and gel for wash & go's; a leave-in and twist defining cream for twist-outs…BAM…DONE!!
I actually do the things mentioned in this article LOL, except layering products and keeping it conditioned all day. I refuse to stress over washing my hair every week or becoming a product junkie. I keep my regimen simple and won't spend hours washing my hair and twisting it. As much as I LOVE my hair, I keep my hair regimen simple enough for me, I have things to do and stressing over my hair is not one of them. A recent YouTuber mentioned how fed up she is with her hair regimen and decided to discontinue the process. When she mentioned all that she does I said no wonder why you are stressed, you spend waaaay too much time focused on doing your hair instead of doing it stress free.
Wow! It's as if I wrote this myself. Thanks for this. I feel the same way. I love my hair and I am gentle and give it what it needs, but some of the above methods go above and beyond. I just can't!