Love Your Natural Hair

Ready for the journey? Let me share with you some key things I wish I knew when I first started my natural hair journey. I wouldn’t have been as frustrated as I was:

1. Your hair is unique: No two people have the same hair texture, even my girls don’t, surprisingly. They are similar but I’ve already seen vast differences too. In the beginning of my journey, I was obsessed with other people’s natural hair and wanted/wished my hair looked the same (its ok to want something good though). At some point, I started using the same products they showcased. However, I had to find out the hard way, that it wasn’t real, and that the results will be different. I’m not saying you shouldn’t try products others recommend (otherwise you wouldn’t be here reading this blog, right?), but have a motive. For instance, if you need the moisture the products offer, go ahead and try them, but don’t think your hair will look like theirs, at least “not right away”. This can save you the little energy you need to do a “hair wrap” before you go to bed, haha!, very important.

2. Find time to admire and love your own hair: Your hair is beautiful in the way God made it – can I get an “Amen”!. For me, “Twist Outs” never work on my hair, wet or dry (it’d look like I was driven out of the salon, I simply hate it…) but sometimes after the hairstyle I’ve spent hours watching the Youtube videos (don’t be shy, we are all guilty) to perfect, fails, I find time to love my hair and plan for the next style I’m going to try. “Try and error” is good for the good reasons. It also helps you to identify products that work on your hair and what would not work. Still, find time and celebrate your hair!

3. Treat your hair well: You walk to the store and find that perfect dress, fit for the occasion one day, only to realize it’s not available in your size, what would you do? Normally, you’d spend almost the entire day thinking about the dress. Why? Because you can picture yourself in that color-shade and style, etc. The same is true or should be when it comes to your hair. When you learn to love your hair, it will help you treat it well. You should find time to look for the right products fit for those beautiful curls. I always say, treat it like you’d treat your skin – get the right “skin” moisturizer. So ideally, your weekend to-do list should look like this: 1) Shower, 2)Pedicure appointment, 3) hair – deep conditioning today, etc… Also, eat well and stay hydrated to nourish your hair follicles.

4. Beat the challenges, don’t run away from them: There will be lots of challenges on the way. That new shampoo will dry up your hair, the “wash and go” will go wrong, the braids will itch, your hair won’t grow as fast as it should, it will shed a lot sometimes – this and many more. Don’t be too hard on yourself, take a deep breath and try another step, product, another day.

5. Be patient but have goals: Your hair will grow but not overnight, that’s the truth you probably don’t want to hear. Be patient, when you’ve done all the above, and more, just hang in there and wait, you’ll start seeing changes. Don’t be one of those people who begin well and fall back, it doesn’t work. Consistency and perseverance are key ingredients to “good hair” too, – maybe a motivation to watch “Good Hair” movie, if you haven’t already.