Natural Hair: Happy to Be Nappy

By CocoaDiva on Jun 13, 2008 with Comments

First we want you to scream….YOU ARE NOT YOUR HAIR!! You are beautiful no matter how you choose to rock your hair!

Welcome my sisters to the dawn of a new era! I know many of you have heard whisperings like this: “Girl, I am transitioning”, “Its all about conditioning” “Natural hair is healthy hair” “I wear my hair natural so I can work out”.

Do the following terms make your head spin: Twist-Out, Locs, Dreds, Coil-Outs, Shingling?

Confused about how to take care of your hair when you work out (permed or natural)? Well never you fear P.O.S.H Life is here! Let us give you a general overview and any questions you have we are glad to answer!!

All hair is biologially the same, but black hair is naturally more dry than that of other ethnicities. Your hair is made up of the cuticle, cortex, melanin, and sebaceous glands (oil producers). Our hair needs….you guessed it MOISTURE! Relaxers, color, and every day handling robs our hair of the precious moisture we desperately need. Just because we are black doesn’t mean we all share the same hair texture. Many of us have a multitude of ethicities in our backgrounds and there may even be different textures of hair on your scalp. There for there is no Magic Potion to determine what products to put on your hair. Determine your hair type here and additional information. http://www.ourhair.net/

Relaxers—Don’t get us wrong, you CAN have healthy hair with a relaxer, provided you put forth the effort to take care of your hair. Relaxer does not equal lazy. Relaxed hair is weaker than natural hair and more prone to problems and breakage.

Going Natural – This involves a process called transitioning if you previously had your hair relaxed. This means letting your relaxed hair grow out and not applying chemicals to your hair. The whole process sounds scary I know but there are methods which can assist in this process. You can try a weave, braids, twists, coil outs, twists outs (where the hair is twisted and then let out to make the hair all look one texture). Your stylist can best assess your needs.

DEEP CONDITION!! We cannot stress this enough. You should try and deep condition your hair at least once a week. Include some olive oil in your regime to seal the cuticle and hydrate!
PROTEIN IS GOOD FOR THE HAIR- Include a protein conditioner in your regime. Aveda makes a wonderful reconditioner which includes organic proteins. Unlike animal proteins which build up and calcify on the hair with repetitive useage, Aveda’s protien conditioner only absorbs what you need and the rest is washed away. Fabulous!!
WRAP THE HAIR AT NIGHT- Just because you aren’t rocking it straight every day doesn’t mean you don’t need protection while you are sleep. If you opt not to wrap, get a satin pillow case.
DO NOT TRY AND DETANGLE DRY HAIR- put some oil in, detangle in the shower while washing the hair.
TRY NOT TO PUT HEAT ON THE HAIR OFTEN – We know you heard us….back away from the flat iron with your hands up! Constant pressing is a definite No No, we don’t care if you are relaxed or natural. If you are pressing your hair try and limit your heat useage to a few times a month. Heat breaks the hair down and weakens it. Also, too much pressing can change the curl pattern of your hair.

Products- Like we said above our hair LOVES moisture. Growing your hair out, transitioning, being natural takes finding the potion which fits YOUR hair. We know this can be an expensive venture. We recommend buying sample sizes or trial versions to see if the products work for you.

We Love Carol’s Daughter! If you have never tried any of the hair/skin products stop on in to Sephora. They will provide you a small sample to take the products home to test. http://www.carolsdaughter.com/

Hair Milk – Provides that needed moisture especially during these dry summer months. We can’t stress enough how great this product is
Black Vanilla Leave-in Moisturizer- A great leave in conditioner while rocking that natural. Relaxed kids love it too!

Kinky-Curly! Love this products for twisting the hair. Perfect for twist outs and also provides great moisture.

Miss Jessie’s -slightly more expensive than Kinky Curly and provides an array of products for twist outs, shingling, and deep conditioning. (Product review forthcoming)

Curly Meringue
Curly Pudding
Baby Buttercreme

Lastly, this article regarding 20 Things I wish I knew before I went Natural is a cute read!
http://www.nappturality.com/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=197

Tell us your hair stories. How do you care for your hair? Are you interested in transitioning? Got a product you love? Email us any product reviews you wish to see and we will provide product reviews as we move along. Let P.O.S.H. help!

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Filed Under: Hair • Hair Advice • Natural Zone • Product Reviews

Tags: Image • Self Esteem

About the Author:

Royal Empress

First off, I am not from the U.S. and most products mentioned (that I would love to try) are not available in my country (Trinidad).

However, I am currently using a blend of brands but mostly Dr. Miracle products.

I am of mixed races: Mainly of African descent mixed with East Indian and Chinese and a hint of Spanish...my hair is all out natural and currently in the late "teen to pre-adult" (it is not completely locked) stage of locs.

1. I am kindly asking if possible that you guys can do a review on Dr. Miracle products: The pros and cons.

2. What natural products (aside from aloes and ratchet along with a good river/waterfall wash) can I use to get rid of the frizz and have smooth locs?

Give Thanks...

Elle Boogie

For some reason the website didn't post, but here it is.

http://www.growafrohairlong.com/afrodetanglerha...

Elle Boogie

Hey all,

I've been using this product on my hair the last 6 months and it's been great! It's not dry anymore and has some texture to my hair. I have 4bc hair and my hair doesn't knot up anymore. It is a little expensive and does take time for the item to arrive, but it's work it. I'm a product junkie myself and this does wonders.

-L

i

Correction: "I flat iron my hair about 1-2 times a month and you'd never guess I had a relaxer. " I meant to say you'd never guess I have natural hair.

i

chitownsweetie: i agree w/using aveda antihumectant. that is all i put in my hair when its straight. my hairstylist told me about it. it's great and lasts a long time b/c you only need a small amount. I would also tie it down w/a scarf and take it off as soon as you're done so that it can dry. When showering DO NOT use a plastic cap. It makes most people's scalp sweat. Instead, use a satin scarf and wrap your towel around making sure your edges are protected.

i

Oooohhh, this is so my area of expertise. Let me share. Ok, I've been natural for 3 years now. Its my 2nd attempt after receiving a traumatizing 'texturizer' in an attempt to tame my thick, coarse hair. I stopped getting relaxers b/c no matter how well I treated my hair, which I always have, it kept breaking. I had never had this problem in the past, and my dermatologist, Beverly Johnson(truly fabulous) told me that after years of relaxing, she has seen this happen alot to black women. Anyway, I love love love my hair now. I have so much versatility. I flat iron my hair about 1-2 times a month and you'd never guess I had a relaxer. It can last 1week if I do it and 2 if my hairdresser does it. I put a lot of effort in making sure my curls are defined. I don't care for the traditional fro or twists, locks. It just does not suit me. Instead, I wear it curly and you'd be surprised how many of us can achieve curls. I have to admit that using heat to straighten my hair 1/mo helps loosen my pattern just enough to make my curls pop. I ONLY use CERAMIC tools (blow dryer, hood dryer, flat iron) Also, I LOVE garnier fructis products, especially their hair mask. Just put it in and don't rinse even though it tells you to. This also makes my hair curl alot! I only use shampoo 1/week but no-poo daily, ie wet and apply conditioner. I've tried all of the products listed in this blog and agree that most are good. Some made my hair hard though. I have to add my latest addition. It is the Zuresh line. You guys, I am the biggest skeptic, but this stuff is magic. I cannot believe how this makes my hair soft and curly. I use the hair tonic and detangler. I highly recommend this if you want soft, defined curls.

CocoaDiva

I am new to the natural world myself but here is now I have been handling my hair.

If I am working out and my hair is pressed out I apply some Aveda Anti-Humectant pomade to my scalp. Just a little so it won't get greasy. I also squirt a little of the same serum and rub it all over the hair.

If its a heavy work out day and I know I might sweat in my hair, I wrap it up and go home and let it dry in the wrap.

If its a light day I just pullt it back in a pony and wrap when I go home.

When its in the natural state I apply Carol's Daughter hair milk for extra moisture bc my hair is sooo dry and I live in Nevada.

Please do not overly press your hair. If my hair is not strightening like I want after sweating in my head I try to get creative and do banana clip pony tails. You should try to wash your hair once a week anyway to clarify the pores in your scalp. So when its starting to look extra rageddy its time for a new wash.

ChiTownSweetie

I too have natural hair. I wear a press and curl and try to flat iron when I can. Does ANYONE have any good tips for maintaining a daily hair routine when working-out? Really need feedback here! Thanks!

ja_sampson

Also, I am currently in love with MyHoneyChild's www.myhoneychild.com
Buttery Soy Cream or Soy Buttery Cream. Products with glycerin in them are a no-no for dry climates like Las Vegas (glycerin takes moisture from the most humid place and puts it in the dryer place. So if there is little to no humidity in the air the moisture will be drawn from the hair to the air).

I was loving a shea butter/black castor oil mix as well. Keeping your ends trimmed also makes a big difference.

ja_sampson

I have been natural for almost 3 years and prefer using non-petroleum based hair products. Many of black hair products contain mineral oil or petrolatum that are made from the same stuff you put in your car to make it run. I use natural butter based moisturizers like shea, mango, & soy butters. The natural butters are naturally fortified with nutrients that keep the hair and scalp healthy and don't clog your follicles and stunt hair growth like petroleum products.