Keep it simple
I know this sounds easy for an intro and it is, do keep it simple. There has always been this notion that natural hair requires high-maintenance, and while it does require time and patience, you don’t necessarily need a complicated regiment or apply all the products in this world to maintain a healthy head of natural hair. A good and consistent regiment consisting of a shampoo, conditioners and essential oils is fantastic and simple. Now you might be thinking “It can’t be that simple, can it?” Yes darling, it can and it is. Keep it simple.
Keep your strands moisturized
I cannot stress how important this is. Dry and brittle hair is the number one cause for breakage, so regardless of how much time and energy you choose to put into your hair, the most important thing to remember is to keep your roots and strands moisturized. How do you keep your hair moisturized you ask? Well, the best one is free: WATER. Water is your friend as a naturalista and you must embrace it. Our tresses thrive so much more in moisture rich environments and H2O is one of the best ways to quench its thirst. Get a spray bottle and introduce your mornings with a little spray (not damp) to refresh your curls, and do the same at night. I also recommend any moisturizing conditioner of your choice, like shea butter or one of my personal favorites; Curl Control by Beautiful Textures. Incorporating the LOC method into your regiment will do wonders for maintaining moisture throughout the day. Do this and your natural hair will sing your praises.
Your shampoo matters
I do not recommend shampooing your mane a lot. Depending on the protective style I’m sporting, I shampoo maximum twice a month (I co-wash more). When you shampoo, you want to opt for sulphate free. Sulphate is not a terrible thing, it’s a salt formulated to remove dirt and oils which is excellent for buildups on the scalp, but the downside is that it can strip out moisture (we’ve learnt how important that is) and after washing, your hair can become dry. On the other hand, sulphate free shampoos create more slip, making detangling easier and way more manageable. Winner. My top two sulphate free shampoos: 1. Crème of Nature Eden Hydrating Shampoo and 2. Giovanni Smooth as Milk Deep Moisture Shampoo. Whatever shampoo you choose, make sure you remember these words; for manageable hair go sulphate free.
Your choice of protective styling matters
Do simple protective styles that allows you access to your scalp. I emphasize this because you do not want to neglect your own hair under that crochet or weave or even braids. Keeping the scalp moisturized with water and essential oils like castor oil will not only aid growth but promote healthy hair growth from the roots. When it comes to the level of manipulation in styling, the lower it is, the better. Some low manipulation styles like up-dos, buns and flat twists are excellent. Highly manipulative styles, like microbraids and cornrows, require more time and effort, and they usually put added pressure on your strands.
Use natural essential oils
Avoid anything that’s chemically harsh to your hair, especially in aerosol form. Rosemary essential oil is an excellent de-tangler. Rub a few drops of rosemary oil into your palm then through damp hair. A simple trick is to add a little rosemary oil on your hair brush during the detangling action. Other great essential oils include Tea Tree Oil and Peppermint Oil.
These are simple tips you can implement today for a healthier natural hair. You don’t need to break the bank either, you can get most of these products in your local store and the ones you can’t find there, can be found on Amazon.
Remember that Rome was not built in a day, so take the time and cultivate good habits with your hair, don’t complicate it, keep it simple and your hair will become a thing of envy.
Source: http://www.curlynikki.com/
