Welcome back!

I had the same conversation within about an hour’s time today about caring and styling natural hair.  Styling is not my expertise, I don’t take the time to style my own, nor do I take the time to pamper myself and go see a stylist (with nuptials rapidly approaching I will need to make sometime soon though) However, hair care and health is in my realm of knowledge so I will take  a moment to say a few things:

• Color – There will always be a line between those who believe coloring natural hair makes it no longer natural.  I stand on the side of the line that coloring does not take away from my natural state.  Coloring is a chemical; I will not deny that and with that chemical can come damage. That damage can be prevented with proper care.  Moisture is key to hair care, no matter what state it is in, but chemically altered hair requires adequate, consistent moisture in order to prevent breakage.  Please take this into consideration when deciding if you want to change your look and add a little spice with color.
• Bondage – There is no simple route with hair.  People with natural hair at times feel limited by what they can do to add some variety to their hairstyle and at some point, we wear a style that binds our hair in one form or another: weaves, braids, knots, twists, etc.  These add variety but can also cause breakage if not maintained properly.  Hair needs to breathe and have a break from that bondage from time to time in order to ensure it gets the healthy supplements it needs.  I will reiterate: moisture is key, so give your hair a break every few weeks from bondage for at least a week to let it breathe and get a break from the strain of styles that bind.
• Conditioning – Conditioning and moisture go hand in hand.  Your hair needs to be nourished and moisture regularly and that is exactly what conditioning does.  It provides those nutrients and supplements to keep it strong and beautiful.  Read your labels and aim for products that have few to zero harsh chemicals.  There are ingredients in your kitchen that provide more nourishment to your hair than a $60 bottle of conditioner.
• Attention – Along the lines of reading labels, pay attention to what products and ingredients your hair does and doesn’t respond well to.  For every woman whose hair love thrives off butter based products, there are plenty of others who hair doesn’t absorb it and it settles and builds up and weighs it down.  Try out one product at a time and see what your hair responds to favorable and what it doesn’t before you begin piling on three and four at a time.  Find what works for you and build your hair care regimen slowly.

Beautiful, stylish, healthy hair is every woman’s desire.  Your hair is your hair and it isn’t like anyone else’s on the planet.  Love the hair you were born with and give it the attention it deserves, no one else is going to Love your hair is much as you do.