The modern natural hair movement has been exciting for women who want to kick the chemicals and celebrate their natural kinks and curls. However, going to a salon as a ‘natural’ – especially a new natural – can be confusing. Couple that with a lot of women complaining about similar natural hair problems and you see why some are thinking about going back to the creamy crack.
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Are you trying to waddle through the noise and see if this is working for you? We’ve enlisted the help of a top-notch hairstylist giving her top hair tips here to help women unpack natural hair problems bag when they visit a salon and care for their own hair.
Following a Trend Because “Everybody’s Doing It”
I have JUST read a post from a super popular blogger who has gone back to relaxed hair. Her first admission is that she did it because everybody else was doing it. Have you ever heard of jumping on the bandwagon? This is still happening ladies. There is a lot of pressure to try out a new technique because it’s new and popular.
Every month there is a new trend: co washing, no-poo, baggying, Tangle Teezer, and so on. While these techniques can work for some women, it’s better to stick to tried and true techniques. Look for styles or products that will address your unique hair needs – and leave the fads at the Natural Hair Problems door.
Obsessing Over Hair Typing
While it’s nice to feel like you’re part of a group, at the end of the day your hair is as unique as you are. While your curls can look like someone else’s, it doesn’t mean that they will behave like them. Try to
break free of hair typing and learn what works for your unique gorgeous locks. Hair typing can be a guide for finding styles and products but there is hair density, porosity, our own climate and health that will also greatly affect our hair.
Make sure to see your hair as unique even if you feel you are one hair type or another. The goal is to learn about your own hair to take care of it properly and know that every hair type and texture is beautiful and worth loving.
Putting Hair Length On A Pedestal
There’s a ton of pressure to have long hair. And even more talk about how to make your ziggly, spirally and or coily hair appear longer. But why should length be the goal? Short hair can be just as beautiful
as long hair. In fact, short hair can be fierce and fashion-forward. It’s time we stop setting restrictive beauty standards and realize that beauty comes at any hair length.
Fighting The Frizz Like Okoye In Black Panther
OK, I went there, but as devastatingly amazing as Okoye is in Black Panther in her fight scenes, I see naturals trying to fight frizz just as fiercely. Simply put: embrace your frizz! Telling women to
de-frizz their hair is basically telling them to shave their head. Natural hair gets frizzy – it’s just part of life. The sooner we embrace it and celebrate it, the better. What I recommend for my clients is the Synergi Glaze.t trruly helps to contain the frizz.
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A little frizz never hurt nobody and remember that often frizz comes from frayed ends or dehydrated strands. Drink more water, keep hair moisturized and seal in that moisture to help fight frizz. Also, if you are having a bad hair day and frizz has taken over, rock a head scarf throw hair into a high or low bun and keep it moving. Natural hair problems like frizz can be manageable if you think outside of the box.
Thinking African American Hair Requires Specific Products
If you think that African America women require products that are marketed for their hair, think again! Hair is hair – and your hair may have more in common with a woman who is not the same color as you than a woman who is. Embrace curly hair and give a variety of products a try. Don’t limit yourself. Hair is hair! Another point to remember is that the more expensive the product does not equate with working better with your hair.
I have cheaply conditioners and shampoos that work better than the pricey ones sometimes. Step outside of what you think you need for natural hair and realize trial and error is how you find out what works so read labels and give those products you think are just for white girls a try. You may just surprise yourself and see those natural hair problems begin to disappear.
Assuming Natural Hair Is Hard To Manage
Sure, we all have our bad hair days and the natural hair problems can seem overwhelming, but natural hair doesn’t have to be hard to manage. Natural hair definitely has its learning curves but it’s a journey that will save you a lot of time, money, and frustration in the long run. Keep natural hair healthy means no unnecessary breakage or split ends and that can be achieved when you make the health of your hair priority. Natural hair problems can come and go if you listen to your hair and see them as temporary and not the whole of your hair’s existence.
If you keep your hair regime simple and consistent, you’ll soon be wishing you made the switch to natural hair year ago. All hair textures have their advantages and disadvantages, and their benefits and their challenges. Embrace your natural hair and celebrate your style and watch your natural hair problems dissipate.
Karen
Guest Poster
