Hair Tools
Tools include a wide tooth comb and Denman Brush which optional but I feel necessary. If your hair is short you can very easily manages curls by finger combing. Read more info on Combing Natural Hair
If your hair is medium length or long you’ll need hair clips such as duck bill clips to section the hair for detangling and styling. Hair Accessories are a necessity for all hair lengths.
Cleansing
Shampooing with shampoos that contain harsh detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate or laureth sulfate can be drying and should only be used maybe once a month (if at all). In the meantime you can use a sulfate free cleanser or just use a conditioner for a co-wash once a week which is referred to as the “no poo method”. You can wash more frequently if you prefer but in moderation. You don’t want to overwash your hair which can cause unnecessary dryness & lead to breakage. There are some natural shampoos such as glycerin based shampoos but I still do not recommend the use of these products on a daily basis.
Cleansing creams such as Curls Cleansing Cream or Hair Rules Daily Cleansing Cream which is very gentle and moisturizes and don’t removing natural hair oils; can be used daily if preferred.
Read more about Washing Natural Hair
Should be done about once a week or every two weeks with a deep conditioner such as Hair Mayonnaise with a hot oil treatment if you have extremely dry hair and scalp.
Moisturize
The best way to add moisture to your hair is by wetting it. I recommend wetting your hair at least every two days. If you are protective styling I recommend weekly but no longer than bi-weekly. A spray bottle is very helpful in this process. Use Shea butter and good a leave-in conditioner I recommend Giovanni products to seal in moisture. Creamy moisturizer such as Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk is great for all types of hair and a curl aid. Coconut oil does wonders for sealing moisture into wet hair and adds a light weight shine. I spray a little braid sheen or water with olive oil and vegetable glycerin in my hair daily. More articles on Moisturizing Natural Hair
At Night
Make sure you sleep on a satin or silk pillow case or tie your hair up with
satin or silk scarf/bonnet. This will help you retain moisture and keep hair from snagging and then breaking.
Refreshing Curls in Between Washings
Misting with braid sheen or water with vegetable glycerin is recommend. You can also stream your curls in the shower by hopping in a warm shower with hair uncovered.
Shop for Natural Hair Products at the Natural Hair Rules Store
rGreat Job, Tamara! As you may know I am natural too and have been for about 10 years now. You had some good tips. I am going to try the apple cider and baking soda. So does it lather like a shampoo?I look forward to your next blog!
No it does lather but it works great!
Wow! Great blog…very infomative, easy 2 read. I copied and pasted a couple of things off here that I’m gonna try on my own hair. I been natural for 8 years. Don’t think I’ll ever go back to straight hair!
I checked the blog out and i love it. About 5 years a go I cut my hair really short like a Nia Long cut and after a while, I stopped perming it and went natural for a year…but permed it out again. lol. I’m thinking about doing that again but staying natural. I’m definately going to email this to my sister in at Atlanta because she stopped perming her hair about 6 months ago. All in all I think its great!
yeah….all the stuff on your web page is full of information this is my first comment posted on your web page. I am waiting for the next blog your blog is very beneficiary and useful for such a people who are so curious of searching natural hair healing tips on internet.
i’ve never heard about the a-cider n baking soda. i tnk i’m gonna try that2. My big problem is that some of the products that were mentioned online that seem to be very great for natural hair they don’t have them where i live (Guyana-South America). they mostly sell the olive oil shampoo n that contains sulphates. But i will keep checking for other products i can use. if u have any tips i’m all ears. tnx
ANy recommendations on detangling solutions for hair that is about to lock and I don;t want to locks and dont want to comb the hair?
Hello my Natural Sistas, I have a question. I started my natural journey in February of 2012, I have been wearing braids and cutting my hair every time I remove the braids. I can’t get my hair to soften up, do anyone have some good advice on what I can use on my hair, my hair type is 4C.
Thanks