The Natural State

They say history repeats itself and this is so evident in the “new” evolution of natural hair. There are numerous new styles resurfacing. Styles include natural curls, coils, faux locs, box braids, twists, feed-in braids or cornrows, puffs, beads, hair accessories and the list goes on. Celebrities like Issa Rae, Rihanna, Alicia Keys and Gabrielle Union, just to name a few, are rocking their natural looks. Here are a few tips for maintaining your natural or protective styles.

Braids:

When choosing braid styles, be courageous! Feel free to adventure with the length and color of the hair. However, be careful when using synthetic braiding hair because it can irritate and itch your scalp. This is due to a coating on the hair that is alkaline based, which causes allergic reactions in some people.

Itching with synthetic hair:

Here’s a trick!

This will need to be done about 2-3 days before installing.

1. Open the packaging

2. Take a large pot or aluminum pan and fill it about half way with warm water

3. Next take Apple Cider Vinegar and put about 2 cups into the warm water

4. Take your packs of hair and place them into the mixture; wait about 15 minutes and rinse with water.

For drying:

I find it the most convenient to take a hanger and place the hair over the hanger; this way you can fit multiple packs of hair on one hanger

This also reduces any tangling and allows the water to drip down

1. Hang up in a tile floor area and place towels on the floor to catch the access water

2. Try to refrain from blow drying and allow the hair to dry naturally.

Now your ready to style!

Itching once installed:

Let’s say you don’t have time for all of that. You can create an itch relief spray with just water, apple cider vinegar and a little bit of peppermint oil! Just take a spray bottle, fill with room temperature water, add 3-5 tablespoons of ACV and a few drops of peppermint oil. Spray directly onto scalp when your itching.

Accessorize!

If you choose, there are a lot of hair accessories available to jazz up your natural styles! These include beads, silver and gold clips, seashells, bobby pins and hair wraps. All of these are available at local beauty supply stores.

Natural Curls:

Natural curl patterns are so different from person to person. They are super individualized and sometimes hair company’s fail to realize that each curl pattern must be handled different. Curls that have experienced heat damage from excessive straightening and high heats need extremely specialized care to revive. Here are a few tips to help bring your curls back to life.

Let your hair breathe! If you have a fro, rock it!

1. Try to eliminate heat from your hair. I know that is hard for some people so maybe start using a heat protectant (Shea Moisture has a great one), using a lower heat setting on both your flat iron and blow dryer and no 2nd day touch ups!

2. Try to limit washing with shampoo to every 2 weeks. If your scalp is “dirty” try using a root rinse (Cantu has amazing ones) and rinsing. CO-WASHING IS IMPORTANT! Its all about trying to restore the moisture back to those curls so they can flourish.

3. Try protective styles to avoid constant manipulation with your hair

4. Cut those straight ends off! You can do it gradually, but they need to go.

5. DEEP CONDITION! Hair masque, treatments, coconut oil, Cantu oil all those. Do them! Think moisture moisture moisture!!!

6. Experiment with different brands. Find a curl cream or gel that works with your curls. It may take a while, so be patient. Trust the process. Or… BIG CHOP!

-COA

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