MP Beauty: 10 Natural Hair Truths You Should Know
And even though people have their reservations
about going full on natural, there are those who
want to embrace the look but don’t know the first
thing about it.
Undoubtedly there are a lot of things to consider
like deciding if you want to go natural with or
without cutting your hair, if your hair will have a
natural curl pattern; and thirdly, if this is the right
choice for you.
But despite these questions there are those who
have decided and want to take the first step in their
natural hair journey. This post is for you. Here, we
are going to tell you the things you need to know
before you make the big decision to go “natural"
Tips to help make your natural hair journey easier
and now here are a few more to add to your think
tank.
First of all you should know that going natural is
not about staying off weaves as
some people perceive to be. It is letting your relaxed
hair grow out so you can enjoy your natural hair’s
texture. Now that we have gotten that out of the
way, let’s begin.
1. Before you begin this journey you should come to
an understanding that hair is personal - It is
individual and it is your decision. Be sure you want
to go natural before taking the step. This certainty
would make the journey that much easier and
smoother for you as you would have to be
dedicated to making it work.
2. To transition or not to transition – There is the
question of the loss of femininity when going
natural. Some people thing that cutting off your
hair aka ‘the big chop’ would make them seem
more masculine. There is another option; you could
choose to leave your relaxed hair on and just grow
it out. Maintenance can be done here by washing
or co-washing (washing hair with only conditioner)
your hair regularly to maintain a healthy head of
locks. Eventually when your new roots get to a
stage where you’re comfortable with them, you can
then cut off the relaxed part.
3. You can never get too much information about
your hair – Don’t limit yourself; Knowledge is
power. Search for more information about natural
hair maintenance and what it really requires to be
a natural. Be sure to visit a professional natural
hair care specialist to get advice on hair products
and help out in the process. You may not need to
treat your hair often, but you would need a hair
specialist to help customize a hair care regimen to
suit your own hair needs.
4. You may/will become product crazy (‘Product
Junkie’) – With your new natural hair you would
have the urge to invade YouTube and try all the
products natural hair bloggers show you. This is
not advisable. Using too much at once could
interrupt your hair growth and natural pattern
formation. Once you have found your hair regimen,
stick to it. If you want to change it, wait until you
have exhausted the one you previously used then
make the switch.
5. You still have the option of using weaves – Using
curly weaves is a great way to help you care for
your natural hair. How? Get a weave that has a
similar curl pattern to your hair, this would be
great practice for you if and when you decide to go
all natural.
6. Protective hairstyles help prevent your hair from
breakage while you are transitioning. They could be
in the form of buns, braids, twists etc. However
make sure you do not tie or braid your hair too
tight; it could cause tension on your scalp and this
could lead to permanent hair loss. Kind of defeats
the purpose doesn’t it?
7. Keep an open mind – Most times when people
think of natural hair they think of Solange; truth is
your hair may not turn out that way. It may be
more kinky than curly or otherwise. It is important
to note that everyone has an individual curl pattern
that could involve two or three different types of
curls. You have to learn to embrace it and style it to
suit you. Don’t worry it is possible.
8. Sometimes our natural hair doesn’t grow into
a defined pattern or curl – You can manipulate
this with plastic coils, flexi rods or straws. They
help give hair that pattern and bounce and lasts a
few days.
9. Maintaining natural hair takes time - Whoever
said going natural was going to be easier, lied. It
takes almost as much time and attention that
relaxed hair does, maybe even more. Like we said
before, you have to come up with a regimen that
suits your hair, it wont always be a wash and go
process, you would have to work at it.
10. You will still have bad hair days – With relaxed
hair you couldn’t afford to let that happen, but
now that you’re natural, is okay to let that happen.
Your hair having a little frizz is normal and
sometimes might be necessary to pull off some
hairstyles.
The journey to natural hair growth is something
you have to decide on your own. It shouldn’t be
part of a band wagon mentality and hopefully you
will enjoy your hair as you continue. Are you a
natural? Do you know something we don’t?
Share your views here;
about going full on natural, there are those who
want to embrace the look but don’t know the first
thing about it.
Undoubtedly there are a lot of things to consider
like deciding if you want to go natural with or
without cutting your hair, if your hair will have a
natural curl pattern; and thirdly, if this is the right
choice for you.
But despite these questions there are those who
have decided and want to take the first step in their
natural hair journey. This post is for you. Here, we
are going to tell you the things you need to know
before you make the big decision to go “natural"
Tips to help make your natural hair journey easier
and now here are a few more to add to your think
tank.
First of all you should know that going natural is
not about staying off weaves as
some people perceive to be. It is letting your relaxed
hair grow out so you can enjoy your natural hair’s
texture. Now that we have gotten that out of the
way, let’s begin.
1. Before you begin this journey you should come to
an understanding that hair is personal - It is
individual and it is your decision. Be sure you want
to go natural before taking the step. This certainty
would make the journey that much easier and
smoother for you as you would have to be
dedicated to making it work.
2. To transition or not to transition – There is the
question of the loss of femininity when going
natural. Some people thing that cutting off your
hair aka ‘the big chop’ would make them seem
more masculine. There is another option; you could
choose to leave your relaxed hair on and just grow
it out. Maintenance can be done here by washing
or co-washing (washing hair with only conditioner)
your hair regularly to maintain a healthy head of
locks. Eventually when your new roots get to a
stage where you’re comfortable with them, you can
then cut off the relaxed part.
3. You can never get too much information about
your hair – Don’t limit yourself; Knowledge is
power. Search for more information about natural
hair maintenance and what it really requires to be
a natural. Be sure to visit a professional natural
hair care specialist to get advice on hair products
and help out in the process. You may not need to
treat your hair often, but you would need a hair
specialist to help customize a hair care regimen to
suit your own hair needs.
4. You may/will become product crazy (‘Product
Junkie’) – With your new natural hair you would
have the urge to invade YouTube and try all the
products natural hair bloggers show you. This is
not advisable. Using too much at once could
interrupt your hair growth and natural pattern
formation. Once you have found your hair regimen,
stick to it. If you want to change it, wait until you
have exhausted the one you previously used then
make the switch.
5. You still have the option of using weaves – Using
curly weaves is a great way to help you care for
your natural hair. How? Get a weave that has a
similar curl pattern to your hair, this would be
great practice for you if and when you decide to go
all natural.
6. Protective hairstyles help prevent your hair from
breakage while you are transitioning. They could be
in the form of buns, braids, twists etc. However
make sure you do not tie or braid your hair too
tight; it could cause tension on your scalp and this
could lead to permanent hair loss. Kind of defeats
the purpose doesn’t it?
7. Keep an open mind – Most times when people
think of natural hair they think of Solange; truth is
your hair may not turn out that way. It may be
more kinky than curly or otherwise. It is important
to note that everyone has an individual curl pattern
that could involve two or three different types of
curls. You have to learn to embrace it and style it to
suit you. Don’t worry it is possible.
8. Sometimes our natural hair doesn’t grow into
a defined pattern or curl – You can manipulate
this with plastic coils, flexi rods or straws. They
help give hair that pattern and bounce and lasts a
few days.
9. Maintaining natural hair takes time - Whoever
said going natural was going to be easier, lied. It
takes almost as much time and attention that
relaxed hair does, maybe even more. Like we said
before, you have to come up with a regimen that
suits your hair, it wont always be a wash and go
process, you would have to work at it.
10. You will still have bad hair days – With relaxed
hair you couldn’t afford to let that happen, but
now that you’re natural, is okay to let that happen.
Your hair having a little frizz is normal and
sometimes might be necessary to pull off some
hairstyles.
The journey to natural hair growth is something
you have to decide on your own. It shouldn’t be
part of a band wagon mentality and hopefully you
will enjoy your hair as you continue. Are you a
natural? Do you know something we don’t?
Share your views here;
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