Learning My Natural Hair

I decided t o go natural when my 3rd grandchild arrived, and I saw her beautiful textured hair. I actually transitioned from a badly damaged relaxer. I watched a lot of YouTube videos on how to style my Afro hair. One of the things I learned is that natural hair care, hair growth or maintenance is NOT 1 size fits all.

Comb and Brush
I only use combs to part and section my hair, and definitely don't use brushes. I made this choice remembering the clumps of hair I lost using combs and brushes when I permed my hair. I wanted to try something new. And, it really works for me.

Shampooing
Depending on the products I use, determines the type of cleansing me_thod I use on my hair. If I use gel, spritz or sprays for the purpose of holding my hair in a particular style, I use a clarifying shampoo, to remove all of the product and residue. If I do routine washing, I use an organic shampoo without sulfates, etc. Right now, I'm a fan of Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deep Moisture, Duo Set Shampoo & Conditioner.

Co-Washing
I've tried cowashing, but prefer to shampoo. I do understand the concept of not stripping the hair of oils, but wanting to remove products and dirt from the hair. I guess I have to find one that I like.

Curl Definition
My go to for curl definition is the L.O.C. method. That's Liquid, Oil and Cream.

• Liquid- My liquid of choice is Water. Sometimes I use water only styling, and get the best curl patterns. I generally mix leave in conditioner into my spray bottle.
• Oil- I use oil to lock-in the moisture from the water. I've used coconut oil, since many have said that's the best thing to use. I found that coconut oil leaves to much residue in my hair, that's visible in the form of little white coconut oil balls (lol) on my strands. Rubbing coconut oil on my fingers and palms works great when I'm doing a take-down. Now, I use organic hair oils on my strands, when I set braids, cornrows, twists, bantu knots or flat twists..
• Cream- I am a reformed product junkie! There are so many creams, puddings and custards out there, you might think you need all of them... You don't. I can only tell you, check out what works for your hair, and use it. It depends on your hair density and texture. I'm personally a 4B/C. I love working with this hair type, because there's so much I can do with it! Don't go mixing these products either. It can be OK to apply one, then another, but don't mix them. I mixed a cream and a custard, and my hair was a flaky mess the next day.

Oh and another thing, make sure you hair is fully dried. Whether you sit under a dryer, or you air dry, completing your drying process, will determine whether you have a good hair day.

Since I'm not a wash-and-go kind of gal, I went in, knowing that I had to work in order to achieve beautiful natural styles and healthy hair. I love my natural hair!

Have fun on you natural hair journey!

April- Owner, Afro Au Natural