A Guide For Black Women on How To Take Care Of Your Natural Hair – Part 2

Black Hair 101: Know Your Hair Type

It’s definitely worth noting that there is no right way as there are many ways to begin your natural hair journey. Before slowly weaning myself off almost all of my hair products I spent six months deep conditioning my 3C hair. A very natural no-wash approach is that I’m taking currently.

Adding a small amount of coconut oil to my hair tips when they feel dry, consists of me wetting my hair every second day washing with apple cider vinegar when or if I have any scalp build-up, usually twice a month. 

Just letting it air dry, for styling I twist my hair out of the shower with zero product and then gently diffuse on the lowest hairdryer setting with a small amount of hairspray if I want volume. I slick it back into an Alicia Keys-inspired slicked back bun using a small amount of Layrite when I am not feeling like doing my hair. 

Not all the same is black or mixed hair. The key to achieving the curls, coil, and texture of your dreams is learning your hair type and what kind of attention and products it needs. 

Curls (3B-4A) 

Loose bouncy curls, ringlets, slinky springs, and frizz can be thought about. 

Coils (3C-4B)

That ends with twists, tight curls, spongey springs, and textured hair. 

Textures (4A-4C)

That shoot for the star's dense sponge textures. 

Heat Is The Enemy

Having a structure unlike no other is curled, coiled, and textured Black hair. High and medium heat can severely damage your curl pattern with cuticles that remain more open than others. How then will we protect those gorgeous bouncy manes, afros, or textured masterpieces? 

1. Rinse your hair with cool water.
2. Avoid straightening your hair.
3. Avoid high-heat settings on hair dryers.
4. Use a diffuser attachment on your hairdryer.
5. If you do choose to use the heat of any kind, use a heat protectant.

Universal Products That Work With You, Not Against You

Sometimes you want something more than the coconut oil or African Gold your parents swore by, as we all know that “for all hair types” disclaimer can’t be trusted. 

Wash

You don’t need to wash it as frequently as other hair types is a huge advantage to having afro hair. Depending on the amount of oil your hair produces as well as your curl pattern you are going to want to set a distinct wash day. Alternating with a wash and apple cider vinegar I wash my hair once a week as I’m somewhere between a 3B and 3C for example. My hair becomes dry and fuzzy any more than that. 

Melanin Haircare African Black Soap Reviving Shampoo

This shampoo is enhanced with mineral-rich, moisturising cocoa and shea butter, argan, and pro-vitamin B5 to condition and promote elasticity and flexibility of the hair formulated for melanated hair. While charcoal powder helps absorb toxins on the hair and scalp to detoxify and gently exfoliate for healthy hair growth nourishing and anti-inflammatory oils help soothe, calm and heal the scalp. 

Kevin Murphy ANGEL.WASH

A great alternative to a conventional shampoo for 3B-4A curls is this wash. Without entirely stripping hair of essential curl cultivating oils, formulated with zero harsh detergents the ANGEL.WASH helps remove product build-up and extra oil. 

Condition And Nourish

Your best friends are water and moisture. As these ingredients may cause build-up on our scalp and unnecessary hair-washing the key to conditioning black hair is to seek out non-greasy formulas that contain little to no silicones or waxes. 

Kevin Murphy ANGEL.RINSE

Nourishing enough for those with 4C tight textures, this conditioner is light enough for those with 3B curls. This heavenly scented conditioner helps your hair defy gravity formulated without silicones or oils that make your hair droop. 

Melanin Haircare Multi-Use Softening Leave-In Conditioner

Designed to soften, smooth, detangle and help repair your hair from the inside out, are leave-in conditioners. Namely pro-vitamin B5, bamboo extract, wheat amino acids, and hydrolysed wheat proteins to help strengthen hair and reduce breakage this formula contains some of the most effective hair strengthening and conditioning ingredients. 

Pattern Beauty Jojoba Oil Hair Serum

Without the weight, it comes with big moisture. For curl definition on wet or dry hair use a minimal amount of this serum in your hair. Without the build-up potential of wax-and silicone-based treatments, this also doubles as a scalp treatment that nourishes your hair at the root. 

Hold and Style

Pattern Beauty Strong Hold Gel

Pattern Beauty’s Strong Hold Gel shows tough stragglers who’s boss as it is the only gel you will ever need to buy. Expect a long-lasting hold without breaking hair or edges ideal for slick looks that need extra support. To nourish and fortify curls sea moss, aloe vera, and chia seeds work together. 

Melanin Haircare Twist-Elongating Style Cream

Allowing for easy detangling with a lightweight texture, this styling cream is formulated to provide instant hydration and lock in moisture into your hair. The cream combines five natural hair butter including shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter, kokum butter, and cupuacu butter is this truly nourishing product.