Starting your natural hair journey can be a little overwhelming, especially if you've gone your whole life chemically treating your hair and don't know how to deal with your new texture. It can be a big learning curve, but that doesn't mean you can't do it — you just need a little schooling.
And that's where we come in: We're about to teach you the ABCs of natural hair. You might know some of them, you might not know a few, but either way, this will help you with your natural hair know-how. So, keep reading, from "ACV" to "zero tolerance!"
Image via Imaxtree
And that's where we come in: We're about to teach you the ABCs of natural hair. You might know some of them, you might not know a few, but either way, this will help you with your natural hair know-how. So, keep reading, from "ACV" to "zero tolerance!"
Image via Imaxtree
A – Apple cider vinegar rinse
This will help restore your hair's pH balance and help clean your scalp from build-up. Mix about one part apple cider vinegar to three parts water and use it to rinse your hair after cleansing or a co-wash.
B – B vitamins
Taking B vitamins — or any multivitamin — is not only good for your immune system, but will help with hair growth and strength.
C – Clarifying shampoo or cleanser
Stop using shampoos that just say "for dry/colored/oily hair" and get yourself a clarifying shampoo or cleanser instead. When you have a natural texture, the focus should be on cleaning your scalp more than anything since using various products causes build up.
Image via Imaxtree
This will help restore your hair's pH balance and help clean your scalp from build-up. Mix about one part apple cider vinegar to three parts water and use it to rinse your hair after cleansing or a co-wash.
B – B vitamins
Taking B vitamins — or any multivitamin — is not only good for your immune system, but will help with hair growth and strength.
C – Clarifying shampoo or cleanser
Stop using shampoos that just say "for dry/colored/oily hair" and get yourself a clarifying shampoo or cleanser instead. When you have a natural texture, the focus should be on cleaning your scalp more than anything since using various products causes build up.
Image via Imaxtree
D – Detangling
Get yourself a handy wide toothed comb or a specially-made brush like the Tangle Teezer Thick & Curly, $12, and remember to detangle at least once a week to keep your curls poppin'.
E – Essential oils
Peppermint oil or eucalyptus oil are both great for an itchy scalp and that's just the tip of the iceberg: There are lots of different oils you can use for different things. Use some in your pre-poo (aka before you shampoo your hair), or on your scalp as you style.
F – Frizz
Frizz can be tamed with certain products as well as using a microfiber towel and using cool rinses after washing or conditioning your hair.
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Get yourself a handy wide toothed comb or a specially-made brush like the Tangle Teezer Thick & Curly, $12, and remember to detangle at least once a week to keep your curls poppin'.
E – Essential oils
Peppermint oil or eucalyptus oil are both great for an itchy scalp and that's just the tip of the iceberg: There are lots of different oils you can use for different things. Use some in your pre-poo (aka before you shampoo your hair), or on your scalp as you style.
F – Frizz
Frizz can be tamed with certain products as well as using a microfiber towel and using cool rinses after washing or conditioning your hair.
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G – Growth
It can be hard sometimes because it seems like your hair isn't growing, but this is because natural hair grows it layers outwards and not down. Just be patient (and take extra good care of your hair).
H – Hydration
Keeping your hair and your body moisturized is important. Drink lots of water, but also use it to spruce up your hair. Keep some in a spray bottle with a little bit of essential oil and spray your hair to keep it moisturized. A specially-formulated hair water (such as DevaCurl Mister Right, $20) can also be a great option.
I – Ingredients
Make sure you read the labels of every product you use and make sure it does not contain alcohols, sulphates, parabens or silicones which could dry out or damage your hair.
Buy now
It can be hard sometimes because it seems like your hair isn't growing, but this is because natural hair grows it layers outwards and not down. Just be patient (and take extra good care of your hair).
H – Hydration
Keeping your hair and your body moisturized is important. Drink lots of water, but also use it to spruce up your hair. Keep some in a spray bottle with a little bit of essential oil and spray your hair to keep it moisturized. A specially-formulated hair water (such as DevaCurl Mister Right, $20) can also be a great option.
I – Ingredients
Make sure you read the labels of every product you use and make sure it does not contain alcohols, sulphates, parabens or silicones which could dry out or damage your hair.
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J – Jamaican black castor oil
Seriously, it's amazing. (And Shea Moisture 100% Pure Jamaican Black Castor Oil Head to Toe Restoration, $9.99, is a great, affordable option).
K – Keep away from heat
Try not to use heat on your hair with blow dryers, straighteners or curling irons as heat damages our hair and curl pattern. It can be used sparingly for certain styles, but try not to do it too often.
L – Leave-in products
Use leave-in conditioners to give your hair extra moisture and hold.
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Seriously, it's amazing. (And Shea Moisture 100% Pure Jamaican Black Castor Oil Head to Toe Restoration, $9.99, is a great, affordable option).
K – Keep away from heat
Try not to use heat on your hair with blow dryers, straighteners or curling irons as heat damages our hair and curl pattern. It can be used sparingly for certain styles, but try not to do it too often.
L – Leave-in products
Use leave-in conditioners to give your hair extra moisture and hold.
Buy now