I’m Going Natural- A Beginners Handbook

Yo! beauties,

     How is everything? First of all Happy New Month to you all and err just so you know, I’ve started accepting my Christmas gifts in advance so as to avoid the kind of crowd i saw at the bank a few days ago because of BVN ‘October’ rush. 

About a week ago, I promised to do a little something for those of us that are having challenges with our nashura hair.

So, are you newly natural or have you transitioned and are still skeptical about doing the big chop because you fear for what might become of you and your hair afterwards?

Well! look no further for I have come to dissuade your fears. Everything in this article has been structured to make it easy for you to handle your hair.

 

 

Timing Your Big Chop

  

When I made up my mind to return natural, I was very excited for so many reasons and the temptation to cut off my relaxed hair got stronger as the days went by. Prior to my decision, I got a perm the week before and I did not stop to consider the fact that there was little or no under growth on my head. So, I did my big chop and eventually realized that I should have waited a few months after my last perm. Ladies, before you big chop be sure to wait at least three months from your last perm, this will ensure you don’t get a scalped look after the chop and you can wear your hair in braids or weaves while you wait patiently.

 

Essentials for Newly Naturals

 

At every stage of your hair growth, care, styling and grooming play important roles. To meet these demands from your hair, you’ll need the following basic tools and products;

Tool/Product	Use(s)	Recommendations
1.Wide Tooth Comb	Detangling	Any wide tooth comb would suffice for a TWA.
2. Pick	Adds volume to hair.	Opt for a rubber type pick, avoid metal or plastic combs.
3. Styling Gel	Defines and enhances curls, best suited for a wash and go.	Ecostyler gel.
4. Spray bottle	Helps channel moisture based products like water or leave in conditioner to the roots of your hair.	Any sizable one with an adjustable nozzle.

5. Sulphate-Free Shampoo	To remove excess oils, grease and build up from hair and scalp.	Crème of Nature with Argan oil sulphate free shampoo, ORS Hair Repair Sulphate free Shampoo with Rosemary and Mint.
6. Co-wash Conditioner	Used for regular washes instead of a shampoo.	As I Am Coconut Co-Wash, Mega Growth Detangling Conditioner
7. Satin Scarf/Satin Bonnet	Used in place of regular hair nets to combat frizz and dryness associated with rubbing hair against cotton fabrics.	Stay-On Satin Scarf
8. Leave-In Conditioner	Keeps hair soft, moisturized and makes detangling a breeze.	Profectiv Mega Growth Leave-In Conditioner, Beautiful Textures Tangle Taming Leave-In   Conditioner.

9. Deep Conditioner	Softens dry hair and helps to restore chemically processed hair.	Crème Of Nature With Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment, Hair Mayonnaise, Organics Deep Conditioner, Profectiv Mega Growth Deep Conditioning Treatment.
10. Coconut Oil	Perfect moisture sealant, boosts hair health and growth.	KTC Coconut Oil, i think a home made one does the magic better.

 

Wide tooth Combs and detangling brush

Pick Combs

Spray bottles

 

Coconut Oil

 

Ecostyler gel

Myths about Natural/Black Hair

1.1.     Natural hair does not grow

2.     It is coarse

3.     It is difficult to comb and style

4.     It is boring and unfashionable.

 

Facts about Natural Hair

1.     Just like relaxed and chemically straightened hair, natural hair grows even better. See images below for proof.

Ten months of growth

Six YEARS Relaxed versus Ten MONTHS Natural

2. It is nothing close to coarse, the ‘type 4’ hair is in fact the finest textured hair which explains why it is prone to breakage and requires careful handling.

3.     Natural hair is not difficult to comb, all you need to do is spray some water and conditioner onto the hair so it is damp and then comb the ends first before gradually working your comb to the roots.

4.     It is very versatile as there are countless styles to suit any occasion.

Natural hair is versatile

Styling Your Natural Hair at TWA Stage & Other Growth Stages

        

Hair growth is gradual so, don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. Got it?

 

Funny picture of Natural hair growth stages.

 

 

There are innumerable things to try on your new  hair and from experience, I discovered that every time I styled my hair a particular way, there was always something new to learn from previous styling mistakes. The common hair styles are twist outs, finger coils, wash and gos, bantu knots and braid outs but keep in mind that the length of your hair is a determiner of which ones you can wear at a particular time.

  Wash and Go

Procedure

Step 1: wash or co-wash hair using either a shampoo or a co-wash conditioner or     both.

Step 2: remove excess water by shaking your head like you’re refusing something

Step 3: dab hair with an old t-shirt to soak up any excess water

Step 4: apply leave-in conditioner

Step 5: seal in moisture with coconut oil or any other oil

Step 6: Follow with a curl enhancing cream (Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie) or a curl defining gel (Ecostyler gel).

Different Growth stages showing the ‘wash and go’

 

Maintenance

You can repeat  the wash and go on a daily basis if you have the time, if not, you can just spray water onto your hair the next morning to keep it fresh.

  Finger Coils

Procedure

Step 1: saturate hair with water

Step 2: take a small section, detangle until smooth, moisturize with a leave-in to reduce the dryness that may result from using the next product in step 3 below

Step 3: apply a generous amount of any styling gel (preferably ecostyler) to that section

Step 4: take a smaller subsection from the small section

Step 5: twirl/roll the smaller subsection around your finger from roots to ends, your finger should serve as a roller.

Step 6: continue with step 5 above until you complete that section

Step 7: repeat steps 2 to 6 to finish off.

 

Finger Coils

 

    

   Twist outs

Procedure

This involves twisting your hair when it is either dry or wet and then undoing the twists after some hours or days.

Step1: spray some water to dampen hair for ease of detangling and product penetration.

Step 2: take a small section, you can either apply a twist cream or pudding to section for better definition. I’ve never used a twist cream before and my twist outs come out super defined because shea butter mixed with leave-in conditioner just does it for me.

Step 3: using two strands only, twist hair from roots to ends

Step 4: allow hair to air dry, untwist with care to avoid tangling (go from ends to roots)

Step 5: fluff and style as you desire.

 

Twist and Twist out

 

Night time routine

Re-twist entire hair and wear a satin bonnet before going to bed

                         OR

Use the banding method I’ve described below and then put on a satin bonnet or scarf afterwards.

 

Banding

Banding method:  just as the name implies, it involves using hair ties or hair bands to retain hairstyle while controlling shrinkage at the same time and all you have to do the next morning is take out the hair ties and pick the roots of your hair.

 

Comment section is open for discussion and moderation.

 

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