Home truths about nautral hair

[DahomeyAmazon]

I noticed there are alot of transitioners and newly naturals on board, so I thought I would pass on a little of what I know.

1. Curly and Kinky natural hair will always have little knots on a few strands. Only wrapping your hair up while sleeping and combing through completely will lessen the dreaded knots.

2. The ends of natural hair will never feel silky like relaxed hair.
So don't trim when you feel your ends are "rough" or "coarse".

3. Use more conditioner, anything the size of a dime "ain't hitting on anything".

4. a seamless wide spaced comb will be your best friend.

5. Pantene conditioner will get you through those moments when tangles are about to make you grab the scissors or break down and cry.

6. Naturals need to use a good protein conditioner too.

7. Wash your hair often. water is a good thing!

8. Heat will not permanently straighten your hair. Just relax, it will snap back after a few washes. I have an aunt who has had a press and curl twice a week for fifty years and her hair is still curly, okay.

9. Section your hair when you wash it and comb it out under a stream of warm water in the shower.

10. Stop comparing your hair to others, just accept it as it is. It's beautifull !

I hope this information is of help, Hopefully others will add a little wisdom.

Sia

 

[Chanteuse]

Great post! I'm not natural but I did transition for a while (9 mos) before getting a relaxer - which ended up being more of a texturizer (which I love!). Anyway, this is some good info and I'm glad to see that I'm already doing some of the things that you've listed. Keep it coming!

 

[imsovain]

Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[brittanynic16]

Thanks ya

 

[lillian743]

"3. Use more conditioner, anything the size of a dime "ain't hitting on anything".

"10. Stop comparing your hair to others, just accept it as it is. It's beautifull!"]

Amen!!!

Thats two things I really needed to hear right now.
But number 3 is sooo funny and true!!

 

[DahomeyAmazon]

Hi Chanteuse,
With texturizing you have a great compromise, the versatility of natural hair and manageability of relaxed hair. I was lucky while transitioning, my slightly relaxed hair texture was not that different from my natural hair's texture. I didn't experience any problems.

Hi Imsovain,
You are very welcome.

 

[nijilah]

#2 has set me back twice in the last year (about 3-4 inches back). After the 2nd time when I waged war against the dreaded split ends, I realized -- after the fact -- that my natural edges sometimes need more TLC than I can possibly give them and it wasn't split ends! I went from bra strap to arm pit length just recently because of that.

Anyway, I realized the 'rough ends' problem ONLY occurs in the winter months and once the warm weather arrives, the problem goes away. Oh well, better late than never to learn.

Because of this discovering, I think that I will make my hair goal by the end of this year!

 

[HotCoCoGurl130]

These are some great thruths and they are so true.

 

[DahomeyAmazon]

Hi Brittanynic16,
Thank you, you know your going to rock some fierce natural hair.
good luck.

Hi Lillian,
Thank you, don't be discouraged. I'm sure your hair has not reached its maximum length.
You grow girl !

 

[LisaG]

Thank you for No. 2 cause I sho was going to get them cut.

 

[DahomeyAmazon]

[ QUOTE ]
nijilah said:
#2 has set me back twice in the last year (about 3-4 inches back). After the 2nd time when I waged war against the dreaded split ends, I realized -- after the fact -- that my natural edges sometimes need more TLC than I can possibly give them and it wasn't split ends! I went from bra strap to arm pit length just recently because of that.

Anyway, I realized the 'rough ends' problem ONLY occurs in the winter months and once the warm weather arrives, the problem goes away. Oh well, better late than never to learn.

Because of this discovering, I think that I will make my hair goal by the end of this year!

[/ QUOTE ]

I know I was set back a few times also. My advice to everyone is put the scissors down, lol.

glad I can laugh about it now.

Sia

 

[karezone]

#3
goes for relaxed hari too. I don't know anyone who can use a dime or quarter of anything and have it cover.

 

[BrEE]

8. Heat will not permanently straighten your hair. Just relax, it will snap back after a few washes. I have an aunt who has had a press and curl twice a week for fifty years and her hair is still curly, okay.


you sure about this? there's been several posts about people who's natural hair permanently straightened from pressing it too often. i'd love to transition but want to keep the straight look by pressing, but not if it's gonna permanently straighten my hair.

 

[SVT]

[ QUOTE ]
DahomeyAmazon said:
8. Heat will not permanently straighten your hair. Just relax, it will snap back after a few washes. I have an aunt who has had a press and curl twice a week for fifty years and her hair is still curly, okay.
Sia

[/ QUOTE ]

I liked your list DA, but permanently straightened hair can happen to some folks. I've read their horror stories.

We even talked a little about that at the Dallas meet today.

 

[DahomeyAmazon]

Thank you HotCoCoGurl,
These are very true, I learned the hard way.

Lisa,
I usually go by a schedule to cut down on trimming. I trim once before summer (june) and once before winter (december) and highly recommend finding a trimming schedule that works for your hair.

 

[inthepink]

Very good post! I know I have decided to switch to Pantene as my "somewhat" cheap conditioner. It does seem to work through the tangles!

I also love the one about accepting your own hair. I love looking at and admiring other's hair but at the end of the day, I know my hair is my hair and I may never be able to achieve some of the hairstyles that I've seen. I do think it helps to find a hair twin though...especially one who is good with styles. I find that to be such an inspiration!

 

[DahomeyAmazon]

[ QUOTE ]
SVT said:
[ QUOTE ]
DahomeyAmazon said:
8. Heat will not permanently straighten your hair. Just relax, it will snap back after a few washes. I have an aunt who has had a press and curl twice a week for fifty years and her hair is still curly, okay.
Sia

[/ QUOTE ]

I liked your list DA, but permanently straightened hair can happen to some folks. I've read their horror stories.

We even talked a little about that at the Dallas meet today.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi SVT and Bree,
No one in my family or any of my friends who press n curl have ever had that happen. It could be that my family members have really strong hair.
But, that wouldn't explain my friends positive results.

My aunt and four female cousins always have their hair pressed and each summer I see their beautiful curls return when they wear natural styles. So, I have no explanation other than that there could be many factors that would contribute to a permanent change in hair structure. Although, I believe what others say they have experienced and take it to be a true and confirmed occurence.

If anyone disagrees with one of my tips, they should feel free to disregard whichever one they find distressing. These are truths about my hair and experiences; they are only meant to help not harm.

Sia

 

[DahomeyAmazon]

[ QUOTE ]
hairlove said:
Very good post! I know I have decided to switch to Pantene as my "somewhat" cheap conditioner. It does seem to work through the tangles!

I also love the one about accepting your own hair. I love looking at and admiring other's hair but at the end of the day, I know my hair is my hair and I may never be able to achieve some of the hairstyles that I've seen. I do think it helps to find a hair twin though...especially one who is good with styles. I find that to be such an inspiration!

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Hairlove,
Pantene is a wonderful tangle buster, it's seen me through many rough times.
I agree, inspiration is a good thing, looking at albums can help in setting goals. I just want everyone to remember their beautiful self, especially when feeling discouraged.

Sia

 

[SVT]

[ QUOTE ]
DahomeyAmazon said:
If anyone disagrees with one of my tips, they should feel free to disregard whichever one they find distressing. These are truths about my hair and experiences; they are only meant to help not harm.

Sia

[/ QUOTE ]

You're a sweetie, Sia.

 

[MissDiva]

Thanks for the much needed advice!!!!

 

[Shayla]

thanks for the list...it's great!...i'm gonna print it out to remind me that i'm not the only one going through it...transitioning is VERY HARD and frustrating

in my opinion...i've picked up the scissors so many times just to avoid having to deal w/ my hair.

 

[Brownie]

[ QUOTE ]
DahomeyAmazon said:
[ QUOTE ]
SVT said:
[ QUOTE ]
DahomeyAmazon said:
8. Heat will not permanently straighten your hair. Just relax, it will snap back after a few washes. I have an aunt who has had a press and curl twice a week for fifty years and her hair is still curly, okay.
Sia

[/ QUOTE ]

I liked your list DA, but permanently straightened hair can happen to some folks. I've read their horror stories.

We even talked a little about that at the Dallas meet today.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi SVT and Bree,
No one in my family or any of my friends who press n curl have ever had that happen. It could be that my family members have really strong hair.
But, that wouldn't explain my friends positive results.

My aunt and four female cousins always have their hair pressed and each summer I see their beautiful curls return when they wear natural styles. So, I have no explanation other than that there could be many factors that would contribute to a permanent change in hair structure. Although, I believe what others say they have experienced and take it to be a true and confirmed occurence.

If anyone disagrees with one of my tips, they should feel free to disregard whichever one they find distressing. These are truths about my hair and experiences; they are only meant to help not harm.

Sia

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd never heard about this, until I came to this board. Most of my family members press, and they still have very curly hair. When I was natural, I pressed all the time with a fairly hot--hot comb, and my hair was still TIGHTLY curled every time I washed. Those curls weren't going anywhere

. I'd like to add though that I believe it might be possible if some people have experienced this, but with me and my family members, this never happened after many, many years of pressing often.

 

[skegeesmb]

When I flatironed myself it never happened. But when I went to a hairdresser who pressed my hair it took 4 months for the section of hair to curl back up again.

And I too have witnessed that some natural heads who flatiron won't have smooth ends. I had a girlfriend who went natural 6 months before I did, she asked me to flatiron her hair for her, I did, and when I was finished I noticed that her ends were frizzy and didn't straighten like the rest of her hair. She told me that's why she didn't get her hair flatironed because it looked like that. Only a press would have her ends look a bit smoother.

When I got my hair pressed it looked like a fresh relaxer (and this was with a comb that was hot, but not hot enough to burn my fingers). And even with a flatiron I had smooth ends.

But you are so right about comparing other natural hair. My friend was jealous of my hair because it grew so fast, and I could get it pretty straight even without heat.

I was jealous of her hair because her hair was curly all over and it looked like a perfect strawset.

We wanted each other's hair.

 

[mermaid]

[ QUOTE ]
DahomeyAmazon said:
[ QUOTE ]
SVT said:
[ QUOTE ]
DahomeyAmazon said:
8. Heat will not permanently straighten your hair. Just relax, it will snap back after a few washes. I have an aunt who has had a press and curl twice a week for fifty years and her hair is still curly, okay.
Sia

[/ QUOTE ]

I liked your list DA, but permanently straightened hair can happen to some folks. I've read their horror stories.

We even talked a little about that at the Dallas meet today.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi SVT and Bree,
No one in my family or any of my friends who press n curl have ever had that happen. It could be that my family members have really strong hair.
But, that wouldn't explain my friends positive results.

My aunt and four female cousins always have their hair pressed and each summer I see their beautiful curls return when they wear natural styles. So, I have no explanation other than that there could be many factors that would contribute to a permanent change in hair structure. Although, I believe what others say they have experienced and take it to be a true and confirmed occurence.

If anyone disagrees with one of my tips, they should feel free to disregard whichever one they find distressing. These are truths about my hair and experiences; they are only meant to help not harm.

Sia

[/ QUOTE ]
I've lost my curl, but it happened after taking my braids down. It really has me thrown, because I have been wearing braids for YEARS and my curl always snaps back. I've given up for now and press it once a week, or do some DaBrat braids (when she was just coming up).
As far as the ends- when I press my hair, I use a comb at the same time in front of the iron, and my ends are as straight as the rest of my hair, with no crinkly ends!
There are ways around our pain, my people!!!

 

[brittanynic16]

[ QUOTE ]
DahomeyAmazon said:
Hi Brittanynic16,
Thank you, you know your going to rock some fierce natural hair.
good luck.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you again. I can't wait to be natural and I will heed your advice.

 

[Valerie]

Thank you very much for that!

 

[DragonPearl]

[ QUOTE ]
DahomeyAmazon said:
2. The ends of natural hair will never feel silky like relaxed hair.So don't trim when you feel your ends are "rough" or "coarse".

3. Use more conditioner, anything the size of a dime "ain't hitting on anything".

4. a seamless wide spaced comb will be your best friend.

6. Naturals need to use a good protein conditioner too.

9. Section your hair when you wash it and comb it out under a stream of warm water in the shower.

10. Stop comparing your hair to others, just accept it as it is. It's beautifull !

Sia

[/ QUOTE ]
I totally agree with # 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 & 10. I'll add:

For recommendation # 2, make sure to keep your ends moisturized.

For recommendation #4: Get thee a K-cutter comb! It's the best!

 

[CocoaCure]

Wow!!! Thanks so much for all this great advice!! Great info!

 

[miss_brown]

[ QUOTE ]
DahomeyAmazon said:
I noticed there are alot of transitioners and newly naturals on board, so I thought I would pass on a little of what I know.

1. Curly and Kinky natural hair will always have little knots on a few strands. Only wrapping your hair up while sleeping and combing through completely will lessen the dreaded knots.

2. The ends of natural hair will never feel silky like relaxed hair.
So don't trim when you feel your ends are "rough" or "coarse".

3. Use more conditioner, anything the size of a dime "ain't hitting on anything".

4. a seamless wide spaced comb will be your best friend.

5. Pantene conditioner will get you through those moments when tangles are about to make you grab the scissors or break down and cry.

6. Naturals need to use a good protein conditioner too.

7. Wash your hair often. water is a good thing!

8. Heat will not permanently straighten your hair. Just relax, it will snap back after a few washes. I have an aunt who has had a press and curl twice a week for fifty years and her hair is still curly, okay.

9. Section your hair when you wash it and comb it out under a stream of warm water in the shower.

10. Stop comparing your hair to others, just accept it as it is. It's beautifull !

I hope this information is of help, Hopefully others will add a little wisdom.

Sia

[/ QUOTE ]

Funny, I think all these apply to relaxed hair, too - especially #10. We all need to work on that

 

[Neen]

Thanks for the info. Being a new natural, that info was very helpful