CurlSTAR: Arielle Lena’s Low-Porosity Natural Hair Routine for Healthy Length Retention
by Team CurlyNikki
Meet Arielle Lena, a Chicago mom sharing natural hair, a low-porosity routine, and real life with her little ones. Her content is stunning and her tips work. She’s simple and gentle in her approach, choosing health over length and peace over everything!
On her absolute favorite hair products right now…
Right now, my absolute favorite hair product line is Mielle Pomegranate & Honey. I love their shampoo, conditioner and leave-in conditioner.
I actually use their conditioner quite a bit as a detangler before I shampoo. Once my hair is thoroughly detangled, I shampoo my scalp and then follow up with the leave-in conditioner before styling.
For detangling, my UNbrush and KARECO Tangle Buster are staples. I use them when my hair is soaking wet, which makes a huge difference for me.
On what has made the biggest difference in her length retention…
The biggest difference in my length retention has been learning to be kind, understanding and patient with my hair.
Once I learned my hair’s porosity, I started to understand what my hair actually needed instead of constantly trying to make it work with routines that weren’t necessarily meant for my hair.
Keeping my hair hydrated has also been really important for me. There’s a difference between hydration and simply coating the hair with something that makes it feel moisturized. For my hair, making sure it’s actually staying hydrated has made a noticeable difference in how my hair feels and behaves.
One of the biggest things for me has also been maintaining healthy ends and staying consistent with trims. I had to learn that retaining length isn’t just about keeping every inch of hair on your head. Sometimes you have to let go of damaged ends to actually retain healthy length over time, and I had to learn that lesson many times.
On what she does for her best curl definition…
Honestly, it’s been a long time since I’ve just worn my hair completely down or done a traditional wash-and-go. Most of the time, my curls are being stretched, twisted or braided.
For the best definition I’ve gotten from my natural curls, I’ve noticed a huge difference after making my own DIY hair masks. The key for me is using something creamy, like avocado or oatmeal, and adding a humectant such as honey.
As far as store-bought products go, Bounce Curl Gel on top of Kinky-Curly Curling Custard has given me amazing results.
On keeping her hair defined and frizz-resistant in humidity…
It’s funny you ask because this past summer I tried to get a blowout, and the humidity absolutely kicked my hair’s butt. 😂 There was nothing I could do to fight that frizz!
These days, when it’s really humid, I generally keep my hair in twists. I’ve learned that sometimes the best way to work with the weather is to stop fighting it and choose a style that works with it.
On her typical wash day…
The first thing you should know is that I would never do my hair if I’m in a hurry or angry. I need to be in the right mindset because wash day is an experience for me.
I’ll usually go into the kitchen and mix up a deep conditioner, and wash day almost always turns into an adventure because my little ones want to play in the bath simultaneously. Sometimes it even involves me having to stop and breastfeed in the middle of it.
I always start with my hair soaking wet before I detangle anything. Once my hair is thoroughly saturated, I apply conditioner and begin detangling with my fingers. Then I go in with my UNbrush, starting at the ends and gradually working my way up toward the roots.
I usually divide my hair into four sections. Once everything is detangled, I shampoo my scalp, making sure I hold my hair very taut to minimize unnecessary manipulation. Then I wash the length of my hair and follow up with a deep conditioner, which I apply with heat.
For me, wash day isn’t something I rush through. It’s part of taking care of my hair. Sometimes I’ll even have a show playing while I sit under the heat.
On her go-to styles for protecting her hair and retaining length…
The styles I consistently come back to are two French braids, four-section regular braids and twists of pretty much any size.
I love styles that allow me to keep my hands out of my hair while still being able to maintain my routine.
On what she stopped doing that changed the health and length of her hair…
I learned the hard way that my hair does not like heavy butters, specifically shea butter.
That was difficult to figure out because shea butter is in so many natural-hair products. There was a point when almost every product I was using contained it, and my hair was literally snapping off. Honestly, it’s not easy to find a product without it. I couldn’t understand what was happening because I was doing what I thought I was supposed to be doing.
Eventually, I realized that my hair simply wasn’t responding well to those heavier ingredients. The length I was trying so hard to retain was becoming damaged, so I made the decision to cut it off. Then I finally started focusing on products and a routine that actually worked for my hair.
When I tell you it took a LOT of trial and error, it really did. Learning what my hair doesn’t like was just as important as learning what it does like.
On the advice she would give someone trying to grow and retain long, healthy natural hair…
Pay attention to what your hair loves and what it doesn’t love.
Create a basic routine that works for you, and don’t overcomplicate it. I truly believe health should come before length. Health over length. The length will come with the health.
That also includes taking care of yourself from the inside out, paying attention to your overall nutrition, making sure you’re getting the nutrients your body needs and addressing any nutritional deficiencies with a healthcare professional if necessary.
Following someone else’s exact product routine isn’t going to be a one-size-fits-all solution. You really do have to understand the strands that are growing from your own head.
On the natural-hair rules she follows, and the ones she questions…
Honestly, I don’t think there are many popular natural-hair rules that I completely disagree with. A lot of the common advice, such as protective styles, regularly trimming your ends, keeping your scalp clean and sleeping with silk or satin, are things I personally believe in.
One thing I do think is important to remember is that some of the hair practices that have been passed down through the Black community, like using grease, don’t necessarily work the same way for everyone. Grease has been a staple for many of us for generations, but I’ve learned that what works beautifully for one person’s hair may not work for someone else’s.
So I don’t assume that something is right for my hair simply because it’s popular or traditional.
On what she wants readers to know…
I think the biggest thing I’d want readers to know is that natural hair isn’t necessarily “hard to manage.” I think sometimes we’re just trying to manage it in ways that don’t work for our particular hair.
I’ve worn my hair natural my whole life and have never had a relaxer, and my biggest lesson has been that healthy hair is a journey. There have been cuts, mistakes, products that didn’t work and routines that I had to completely change.
I think of my hair almost like a delicate piece of lace or a plant. You have to handle lace gently, and you have to give a plant what it needs without overwatering it or neglecting it. Your hair is similar. You have to learn what it needs, give it consistency and care, and handle it gently.
And I think that care extends to the way we speak about our hair, too. Never speak negatively over your hair or treat it like it’s a burden. Tell your hair that you love it. Tell it that you’ll take care of it. Treat your hair with the same patience, gentleness and love that you would give to someone you love.
That shift completely changed my relationship with my hair.
Protect your crown. ❤️
Thank you, Nikki.
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Read More
- 11 Best Products for Low-Porosity Hair That Actually Absorb
- Low-Porosity Hair: What It Is and How to Moisturize It Properly
- Hair Porosity: What It Is and How Black Hair Is Affected
- CurlSTAR: How Naya Uses Blue Magic Grease, Braids and No Heat to Retain Her Natural Hair
- 9 Best Detangling Brushes for 4C and Curly Hair
