TEXTURE ME NATURAL TIPS: WK 5/27/14 - 6/1/2014
Tip 1: Question: I use the LOC method to moisturize and seal but my hair still seems so dry by the end of the day. Am I doing something wrong? Texture Me Natural thoughts/suggestions: Hey. There could be several things going on that may be contributing to the dryness. First, it could be buildup and second it could be the need to double seal depending on texture. Dehydration, high porosity, and popularity could also be a factor. Buildup can cause dryness because the hair is not able to accept the moisturizer that's being applied to the hair. Washing or detoxing will help significantly. Double sealing could help. Since you use the LOC method (liquid, oil, cream); if the cream is a water-based product you may need to seal again after the cream. Even though you've sealed in the moisture from your water or water-based leave-in with the oil. If your body is dehydrated that can contribute to dryness. If you have highly porous hair, you may need to choose a better sealant. You can also try henna or acv rinses. Popularity: if you're using a product that "everyone" likes and you're trying to make it work for your hair- that could also be an issue. You have to make sure that you are using the proper products for your texture (thickness & porosity). Hope this helps.
Tip 2: #detanglingtip: Start your detangling process with your fingers. Your fingers can feel knots and tangles that the comb may miss or snag. It's best to start out slowly with your fingers then transition into using a comb (if you'd prefer) to finish the detangling process.
Tip 3: #transitioning tip - #naturalhair: Before you start to detangle, section your hair. Next apply conditioner to the natural hair to soften it. <<<this will make the detangling process a little easier. Leave that conditioner in for at least 10 minutes before you start to detangle. Once you section your hair, work one section at a time. Divide that section into smaller pieces because detangling two different textures can sometimes be a headache. You may also find that you need to use too different combs - a wide tooth comb for your natural hair and a regular comb for your relaxed hair (it tends to glide through tangles that the wide tooth comb may have missed). Work from ends to the roots. If you take your time while detangling, this will help minimize breakage at the line of demarcation*. *the line of demarcation is where the natural hair and relaxed hair meets
Tip 4: Deep conditioning the hair on a weekly basis helps to prevent breakage, nourish the follicles, corrects issues with elasticity, and promotes hair growth.
Tip 5: Often times, when hair is stiff or excessively dry before the end of the day or by weeks end, it is due to a lack of moisture. Either the moisture (water/water based product) wasn't able to penetrate the strands when the hair was moisturized due to buildup; using the wrong products for your texture can cause a lack of moisture; or the moisture wasn't being sealed properly.
Tip 6: Hibiscus helps to strengthen the hair from root to tip. It helps to seal the cuticles and mucilage helps make the detangling process easier. Hibiscus also softens the hair while giving it a nice sheen and body. To use hibiscus in your regimen, steep the roots as you would a tea. Strain the roots and use the brew as a conditioning treatment or as a final rinse.
Tip 7: Healthy hair starts from the inside but maintaining a healthy scalp is also essential when it comes to the overall growth and health of your hair.
Tip 8: Haven't found a conditioner that really gives you the moisture you're looking for? Give amla a try until you find one. Amla thickens the hair strands, promotes growth, maintains your curl pattern, and it adds volume to the hair. You can use it as a paste: mix the amla powder with warm water, herbal teas or coconut milk. Leave on for 30 mins to an hour. You can use it as a tea: brew 1 tbsp of amla in 6 cups of water; apply to the hair with an applicator bottle; leave in for 30 minutes; rinse and proceed with your normal regimen *Overtime amla darkens the hair, if you have color treated hair you may want to limit how often you use it.
Tip 9: It takes time and patience to find what works for your hair and how to manage it with care. But once you figure it out, the love for your hair will make everything else second nature.
Tip 10: As you're #transitioning you may notice that co-washing works better for the two textures. This is great but don't forget to wash or detox the hair at least once a month to free the scalp from any buildup.
Tip 11: Another #transitioningtip: Set a budget for products. Don't go out and buy products every time someone raves about one. Set a budget and a list of products you want to try for that month. Stick to your budget and stick to your list. You may also want to sign up with monthly subscription services such as Curlbox, Birch Box, etc.
Tip 12: Don't #bigchop until you are ready or you can no longer deal with the two different textures.
Tip 13: Don’t pre-judge your natural texture while #transitioning. The weight of your relaxed hair can make your natural texture seem looser than it really is. Your relaxed hair is not allowing the "shrinkage" that you'll get once those relaxed ends are removed. Your relaxed hair will also give the illusion that your natural hair is a lot shinier than it is and that is due in part to how light bounces off of your straight hair.
Tip 14: Highly porous hair usually has raised cuticles or gaps/holes along the hair shaft. Having highly porous hair could be genetics or it can be caused by using heat or chemically processing the hair. Highly porous hair easily absorbs moisture but it loses it just as fast which is one of the reasons the hair tends to fill dry so fast. Protein conditioners are a plus when it comes to highly porous hair but they have to be used correctly. Proteins help fill in the gaps along the hair strands while strengthening the hair at the same time. ACV rinses are also helpful because it balance the hair's pH and helps to slightly close the cuticles. When moisturizing and sealing use creamy leave-in conditioners and moisturizers. Also seal with rich anti-humectants. Product application (the way you layer your products) will also play an important part in the way your hair retains moisture.
Tip 15: If you feel regret after your big chop it's okay. You have the right to feel that way. You may feel uncomfortable. You may not feel pretty. You may feel that your head is too big. You may feel that you don't look feminine. All of those feelings are okay. Surround yourself with people who will lift you up and not bring you down. Regain your confidence. Know that whether you had hair down to your butt or if you were bald... your true beauty is on the inside. You have to own that truth. And don't you be the one bringing yourself down. You know how we're our own worse enemy sometimes. When you feel yourself getting down beat that negativity with loving words. Start speaking positive things into your life before that negativity turns into depression and that depression turns into self-hate. And you may run into some rude and ignorant people but don't let that affect you. Don't let what they say break you. Know your worth. Know your value and ignore the non-factors. Embrace your beauty. TWA and all.
Tip 16: Question: What does co-wash mean? Texture Me Natural: Co-wash or conditioner washing is when you use a conditioner to gently cleanse the hair and add moisture. Co-washing is a nice step to add to your regimen if you do not have a lot of buildup; however if you have buildup but continue to co-wash (especially if the conditioner has non-water soluble cones and you use heavy creams and butters to seal) you may eventually run into problems when it comes to a dry, flaky scalp, dry hair, and/or breakage. There are actual "cleansing creams" that contain gentle surfactants which are designed to lift dirt, oils, and buildup from the scalp. Using a cleansing cream is a little different from using an actual conditioner because most conditioners do not contain surfactants only moisturizing conditioning agents. When using a conditioner to co-wash it's actual the massaging of the scalp and the water that helps to lift and carry the dirt away.
***Click on the tip number to be taken to the original post. There maybe comments from other naturals that could possibly help you during your natural hair journey.