We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit
the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. – Maya Angelou
In the natural hair community, natural doesn’t necessarily
mean low maintenance. Although it’s a healthier alternative to relaxers and
other chemically enhanced products, the upkeep does involve some work. However
the key is to create a rhythm for yourself that after a while it will just
become “second nature.” Let’s get started on your natural curly hair journey.
Here is what you need:
1. A Great Cut
– Find a hairstylist you trust and chop off those dead ends! Holding on to old,
dead hair just for length is not a good thing. Trust me, your hair will grow
back and it will be healthier and more beautiful. Also, even if you don’t have
much dead hair, sometimes a different shape can give your tresses back some
life. You will also feel renewed!
2. Know Your
Hair – I cannot stress enough how important it is to know your hair’s characteristics.
Knowing your hair’s porosity, density and width will help you with caring for
your hair. A curlie with high porosity will have a regimen different from a
curlie with low porosity. To have healthy, beautiful hair, this step is
essential. I have low porosity, medium density, and fine to medium width strands.
Now that is a mouthful, but knowing this has empowered me to feel good about
the choices I make for my curls. Start with determining your hair porosity, this
will tell you how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture. I have another post where I talk a little more in depth on this topic. Click the following link to read more about porosity, density and width: 3 Things You Need to Know to Care for your Curls
3. Create a
Regimen and Stick to It – Once you’ve gotten rid of the split and dead ends
with your great cut and you’ve identified your hair’s key characteristics, you
are ready to find the products that will work best for your hair. Finding the
right products and using them properly is the last step to getting you on your
way to beautiful, healthy curly hair. Also, find a routine and stick to it. For
instance, deep condition weekly, clarify monthly, etc. Now, every curlie is
different so this is going to involve some trial and error. And this is ok, as
long as you are willing to experiment, it will make this step more enjoyable.
Plus, if you are a product junkie like me, then this will be your favorite part
on your natural hair journey.
I hope these tips will be helpful in getting your hair to look
its best. I know that with a little patience and love, it will work out and you
will LOVE YOUR HAIR!
