naturalfinegeh

Pre-poo to reduce the drying effects of the shampoo process. To pre-poo, you can spritz your hair with water then add your conditioner or oil of choice.  I use coconut oil because it is very light and readily available .Alternatively,deep condition  prior to washing so that you don’t have to hop back in the shower after washing .I tried this a while ago and i loved the result, more so, i didn't need to hop back into the bathroom to deep condition my hair(*lazy* hehe).

I call this the “Divide and conquer” method.When my hair was shorter, washing my hair as a whole was just fine ,but as my hair has grown longer, "i no fit try am"...  I personally, braid my hair in four sections and then unravel  each braid to wash that section and life has been much easier *smiles* . I also use less products because now I just apply the quantity i need to each section .Some people choose to wash their hair in large twists or braids , when washing your hair this way, the key is to leave the roots loose so you can scrub your scalp properly. This  is the key to natural hair care — otherwise it becomes overwhelming.

DON’T scrub your hair unless you want a head full of tangles. Instead, scrub your scalp and let the shampoo run  down the hair shaft.I remember when my hair was still relaxed , I would scrub it  in a circular motion but not anymore. The main focus of your wash should be to scrub all the surface dirt off your scalp because a clogged scalp spells stunted growth . Don't worry , the shampoo will run down the hair shaft and clean the hair.

The key to washing your natural hair is adopting a method well suited for your hair length and to reduce tangling as much as possible.....

Try one method and let us know what you think....Please leave comments in the comments box.

By far, the most common question I am asked — both in-person and online — is, “What products do you use in your hair?”  And I’m  never quite sure what to say in just a few sentences. What may work in one person’s hair may not work in another’s. Furthermore, even if our hair was exactly alike, we each have our own lifestyles and preferences.  So after all said , here is how to find the  right products for your natural hair.  

Know Your Hair Type

Knowing your hair type is always a good place to start. And I’m not simply talking about the Andre Walker Typing System (3C, 4A, 4B) since it is mostly about aesthetics. I’m referring to porosity, hair texture ( fine, normal, coarse), and density (high,medium, 

The porosity of your hair explains how your hair absorbs and retains moisture and will play a major role in the products you select for your hair.  Hair texture determines your hair’s sensitivity to heat and chemical processes. For example, fine hair should be straightened on lower heats and keeps chemicals applied for shorter periods of time. Also, if you have finer hair, heavy products can weigh your hair down.

Density refers to the number of strands on your head.  Hair with high density has a lot of hair strands. It is important not to confuse hair texture and density . People often say that a person has thick (coarse) hair, when they are actually referring to hair density.

You can have 4C hair(tightly coiled hair) with fine hair, low density(few hair strands), and high porosity, sounds confusing right?It took me quite a while to fully understand . That’s why it is important to step beyond the Andre Walker System to truly understand your hair’s needs. 

Take Inventory of Your Products

Before you go shopping for new products, take inventory of your current products.  Categorize your products into three categories: love, like, hate.  For the products you love, take some time to figure out what attributes you love. For the products you like, what characteristics do you like? What would make the products better?  For the products you hate, determine what you hate , this makes it easier for you to choose the right ones.

When you get the new products ,pay attention to the texture, thickness, and consistency of the product. What about the results? Does it leave a waxy residue? Does your hair feel soft? These are all things to consider. I recall trying this out and i ended up throwing half of my products out the window.

Pay Attention to the First Five Ingredients

The first five ingredients, indicate the active ingredients of a product.  (For moisturizers, one of the top ingredients should be water.)  When you conduct an inventory of your products, take a look at the first five ingredients, then when you go out shopping, look for those ingredients. Does your hair love shea butter? If yes then look for products with shea butter . Look for that in the first five ingredients.  Did that product you hated have cones (silicones)? Look for that too. Be an informed consumer.

Too often, naturals look for the magic product. But unfortunately, there is no one size fits all product that works for everyone.  It’s going to take some time and patience to figure out what works best for you.  But these tips are a good place to start.

The acids and enzymes in ACV kill the "bottle bacillus", a bacteria that is one of the causes for many scalp and hair conditions such as dandruff, itchy scalp, hair loss and often baldness. The bacteria clogs hair follicles allowing dry crusts to form that itch and flake.

For a simple home treatment for dandruff and itchy scalp, apply full strength ACV to the scalp, rub in, and leave on for a half hour to an hour before washing .

For bald and thinning areas apply to scalp an hour before shampooing- 2 Tbsp ACV mixed with a tiny pinch cayenne powder.
Then before going to bed, mix a royal jelly capsule with one tsp ACV, pat on bald areas and leave overnight.

The following herbs have also been used to prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth: