what to do with my natural hair?

BUT WHY YEEN @ ME DOE!?!?!?!? grr.

I compiled this for a transitioning family member previously. Mayhaps it can help you as well.

**********WARNING: Sea of Text************


The Right Products
Tip--Typically, most products marketed towards Black women are not good..hair grease, “oil moisturizers”, ANYTHING that is a shine enhancer or polisher--all bad. Read your ingredients!!!
--Once natural you will begin to pay more attention to the ingredients list on your products. You will be surprised to learn that most things you have been taught to use all your life are detrimental to your hair.
Ingredients list items from highest amount to lowest amount.
Don’t be fooled by what the label claims it can do for your hair--read those ingredients on the back before purchasing!
--Stop using “hair grease”. Most greases are comprised of petroleum (think Vaseline), a little coloring, and some fragrance. Nothing good for your hair whatsoever.
--Stop using shampoo. They typically contain harsh sulfates (sodium lauryl sulfate/ammonium sulfate) that totally strip your hair; while they do their job of getting your hair clean they also remove the good things on your hair as well. Grab a shampoo that is sulfate free!
--**Find a good conditioner to use in your regimen to cowash (conditioner wash) with. Ones I use- V05 Moisture Milks, Suave Coconut/Humectants, Aussie Moist, Hello Hydration by Herbal Essence. Once again, make sure you grab the conditioner since you’re forgoing shampoo.**


Ingredients to AVOID in products: petroleum/petrolatum, mineral oil, anything that ends in the suffixes -cone & -xane i.e dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, isopropyl alcohol, PEG, propylene glycol, and ‘fragrance’. All of these ingredients are cheap fillers thrown in products that actually hurt your hair--Google ‘Ingredients/Products to avoid with natural hair’ to learn more. They are not water soluble and can only be removed with harsh sulfates from a shampoo. Thus, I do not use them at all.
Ingredients that are GOOD to use: Anything water based (water as one of the first ingredients), glycerin, shea butter, wheat protein.
Remember that oils are not moisturizers-they seal in moisture and should be used only after the hair has been moisturized.
Also remember every head of hair is different. What works for some may not work for others.


What I use:
Moisturizers:
Shea Moisture Curl Smoothie & Shea Moisture Deep Masque & Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Styling Cream--You can find these at Wal-Greens.

Taliah Waajid Bodifier Mist--Target

Buy a spray bottle from Sally’s or Dollar store and fill ¾ with water and ¼ with EVOO (Extra ? Olive Oil) Shake it up. Use this daily as a quick and simple moisturizer.

Oils:
Coconut
Jojoba
Sweet Almond
Avocado
EVOO
Castor
African Pride Hot Six oil blend


Tips

1. Water is your friend. Moisture is key with natural hair because our hair tends to be drier and more porous. Wash your hair frequently (I wash at least once every 1-2 weeks). Black hair needs more moisture than protein. Now, you can stop being so afraid to get your hair wet or get caught in the rain J.

2. Build a regimen (routine) for your hair care. Choose a co-washing schedule and begin to settle with products that work for your hair. Stick with it!!

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5. Your hair is not going to grow any faster than what your genetics program it to do. You can, however, try to retain all of your growth and in turn you will see length.

6. Treat your ends like the elderly--they are in fact the oldest parts of your hair. Try different protective styles to help you retain length. Protective styles will keep your ends safely tucked away
from snagging on clothes and the elements.

Hair care forums (message boards)--these have hair gurus who are friendly and willing to help transition into the natural hair community. Extensive amounts of info are available here. Sign up so you can post and join in the discussions.
www.nappturality.com (click forums)

http://forum.blackhairmedia.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=191038&title=natural-hair-101
Natural hair 101..basics
http://forum.blackhairmedia.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=177961&title=natural-hair-inspirations inspiration

http://forum.blackhairmedia.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=57118&title=why-did-you-want-to-go-natural reasons women go natural



Hair Care Articles--Great tips for the beginner/transitioner. Get started!
www.curlynikki.com
http://www.mynhcg.com/articles.html (mynhcg= my natural hair care guide)
http://motowngirl.com/index.php/hair-myths.html
www.naturalhaircommunity.com
http://researchanalyst.hubpages.com/hub/Natural-Hair-Journey-what-to-expect
www.Kisforkinky.com
http://www.afrobella.com


Natural Hair Care Blogs--There are a plethora of these; merely Google ‘Natural hair blog’.

YouTube--One of my favorite resources. Search ‘natural hair journey’ & ‘natural hair regimen’ &’natural hair styles (short or long hair). Basically, all things natural hair can be found through a simple search. Great inspiration to see women who have went from a shaved head to healthy, natural hair down their backs.

My fave YT Natural hair gurus:
http://www.youtube.com/user/kimmaytube?blend=1&ob=4
http://www.youtube.com/user/HairCrush
http://www.youtube.com/user/AFRICANEXPORT
http://www.youturbe.com/user/Longhairdontcare2011
http://www.youtube.com/user/nikkimae2003
http://www.youtube.com/user/naptural85