The naturalista movement is a wave spreading all over the world and it is beautiful!
Before recently there was an idea that black people’s hair in its natural state is hard to manage and maintain. The rumors go so far as to suggest that black people are incapable of growing long hair, this is completely untrue and a healthy and long mane can be achieved by showing your hair some tender love and care.
If you have been thinking of making the big switch to natural hair or want to take better care of your already natural hair, then look no further.
1. Develop a consistent hair-care routine
A healthy hair care routine at its most basic level must include shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner/hair mask/treatment, leave in conditioner and oil (can be olive oil, coconut, black castor etc.) in that order. Hair masks should only be washed out with cold or lukewarm water as heat strips away the nourishment your hair will have received from the mask.
Please note that there are plenty more steps to a hair-care routine but these are your must-haves. This may already sound like so much work but a common mistake that naturalistas make is washing their hair too often which brings us to the next point:
2. Do not wash/shampoo your hair too often
The purpose of shampoo is to clean your hair and scalp as well as remove any build up and excess oil from the hair. However, if shampoo is used too often, it strips the hair of the natural oils that it produces for purposes of moisture and protecting the hair strands. This causes dryness which results in breakage and we don’t want that.
It is advised to use shampoo on afro-hair as little as once a month unless you feel your hair is particularly dirty. Shampoo must always be accompanied by a hair mask. Alternatives to shampooing your hair include co-wash/conditioner wash or using water in a spray bottle with antibacterial essential oils like eucalyptus and tea-tree.
3. Prepoo/Pre-shampoo works miracles
Prepoo is pre-shampoo which simply means applying oils or conditioner to damp hair before washing it with shampoo. What this does is that it protects your hair from the harshness of shampoo, provides extra cleansing through oil cleansing and keeps your curl pattern intact for healthy and bouncy curls. By using a prepoo before shampoo you will notice your hair is far more soft and hydrated and curls will be a lot more defined.
4. Invest in a satin bonnet
Most of the damage that happens to our hair occurs when we are sleeping. By putting your hair directly against a cotton pillowcase you rub off all the oils and moisture that you have worked so hard to put in your hair. In addition to that, friction caused by your hair rubbing against the pillowcase results in breakage. Sleeping with a bonnet also keeps your hairstyles intact for a lot longer and prevents frizzing. If you are not an owner of a satin bonnet, this is your sign to get one right away!
5. Scissors are your friends
If you want to transition to natural from relaxed hair, there is no other way but to cut it and we encourage you to! Short hair is a statement and if it makes you uncomfortable you can always have a protective style till your hair grows back. Consistent trimming of your hair is crucial for growth to get rid of the dead ends so new hair can grow. Not trimming will cause breakage and lack of growth. It is advised to trim every 4-6 months.
6. Consider hot oil treatments to stimulate hair growth
If you have just undergone the big chop, contemplating it or are unsatisfied with the rate at which your hair is growing, you should consider a hot oil treatment. This simply replaces what you would normally do as the hair-mask or prepoo step. To do it you will need to mix up your favorite oils in a glass bowl and emerge the bowl into hot water and mix till the oils are warm. Then transfer the oils into a squeeze bottle and apply it to sections of the hair starting with the scalp working up to the ends. Make sure to massage your scalp after applying the oils. The mixture of massage and warmth stimulates the hair follicles and promotes growth. Leave the oil in your hair overnight under a shower-cap to allow your hair to absorb the oils and reap their benefits.
7. Protective hairstyles are natural too!
Being natural does not mean you’re constantly in bantu knots, twist outs or a full blown afro all the time! Feel free to be a lazy naturalista and have the 3-4 week hairstyles like weaves, braids and lines. This is healthy for your hair because it is not over manipulated and will grow well. Just make sure to hydrate your hair with a braid spray and plait on clean and moisturized hair. Oiling your scalp when protective hairstyles are in is also non-negotiable.
With all this in mind, are you ready to make the transition and take better care of your natural hair?
