If you’re transitioning from relaxed to natural hair there are five things you need to know. If you’re going natural remember that you’re re-educating yourself on how to care for your natural hair texture.
Follow these five steps to help ease into your natural hair transition.
1. There Are Different Hair Textures
You’ve probably seen pictures of girls with natural hair and noticed how styles look different from girl to girl. You’ve probably also seen some curls look different to others, which is because there are different textures when it comes to black hair. Some girls have waves, big curls, coils and kinky-curly hair. You don’t know what your hair texture will be until you grow a substantial amount of your natural texture. What’s important is that you learn to love it even if it isn’t the texture you want it to be. All natural black hair textures are beautiful, don’t let Eurocentric beauty standards affect how you view your hair.
2. Moisturize
Curly hair textures are prone to dryness more than straight or wavy hair so it’s important to moisturize. This can be done with conditioning as it retains moisture in your hair and prevents continued dryness. Also, water is your new best friend use it as often as you need because it’s the best moisturizer around.
3. Natural Hair is Versatile, Have Fun With it
There are so many things you can do with natural hair that you can’t with relaxed hair. There are a myriad of hair styling tutorials online for you to try out for short, medium and long natural hair. You can wear your hair stretched out, curly, straight, in finger coils, twists and braids. There are so many things you can do, have fun with it.
4. Finding the Right Products/Routine…Research!
Every girl’s hair is different beyond the texture of it, there is porosity, density and pH levels that all need to be taken into consideration when taking care of your hair. This means that some products and routines that other girls use may not work for you. You have to find out what your hair likes and do some research.
5. Be Patient
You’re going to be frustrated with your natural hair; it’s bound to happen. You’re so used to dealing with straight hair and you’re going to find your textured hair a challenge. You’ll eye the relaxer and be ready to slap it back on. You are re-learning how to care for your hair texture and the process is going to be filled with some trial and error. Once you find out what works, your hair care routine will get easier.
