Early in your journey, it is very easy to get inundated by information. There is YouTube, blogs, tumblr, and of course... deNaturalistas! Everyone talks about the new IT product, the new IT styling technique...and you find yourself aimlessly running to the store or in your bathroom trying something "new" out. I don't know about you. But early in my journey, my head was spinning. I didn't even know a tenth of what I know now about hair typing. So it was very difficult to differentiate between the products and techniques that would work for me.
Today, I can tell whether or not something will work for me... no matter the hair type of the person recommending the product. But early in my journey, I was totally lost. And before I became well versed on everything hair, I tried a little trick that I'm about to let you in on...
I found a hair twin! I found someone who not only had hair that visually was similar to mine, but when they described their hair it sounded like mine too. And if something worked for them, then it would probably work for me too!
My hair twins are Safiya a.k.a. bronzeqt and Nikkiemae.
Who is your hair twin? How has she helped you learn about may or may not work for your hair?
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
I Declare Healthy Hair Challenge: Finding Products For Your Hair
Early in my journey, I found myself aimlessly trying products. A product would be all the rave on YouTube, I ran to the store. I loved someones results, I picked up every product they listed. (Even if they clearly stated that they just used what they had... and showed no affinity to the product.) Soon, I had a cabinet full of products that I didn't like, barely used, and hated the results. It was then that I back tracked and learned to assess my hair's needs.
Your natural hair journey is very a personal, and individualized experience. Since no two heads are alike, each person's hair journey will involve some trial and error. But thanks to the week one challenge, you are already one step ahead. During week one, all of the naturalistas took the time to assess their hair. You learned about your texture, curl pattern, porosity, density, and elasticity. Now that you have a better understanding of your hair's needs, you are better equipped to find products to fill in the gaps of your hair regimen.
Here are some tips to help you find products for your hair:
(1) Assess your hair and research products to address those particular needs. For example, if you are having problems sealing your ends, then consider various butters and oils to address that problem.
(2) Read the labels of the products you currently own. Which of your products do you love? Which products do yo you hate? What are the first five ingredients of these products? Equipped with this knowledge, you can learn which products to give a try and which ones to avoid.
(3) If a product you own doesn't work for you, try an alternative use or adjust to meet your needs. Search a product on YouTube, you will often find alternative uses. I tried SheaMoisture Deep Treatment Masque. As a conditioner, it doesn't have a lot of slip so I normally add a cheapie conditioner and/or coconut oil for detangling. I LOVE it even more as a daily moisturizer.
(4)Find your hair twin. Why should you subject yourself to ALL the trial and error? Find someone on YouTube, a blog, and/or in person who has hair that is similar to yours. And I'm not just talking about visually similar to yours. Consider how they describe their hair type including all aspects of hair typing.
(5) Be an informed consumer. Learn the benefits and the expected results of certain ingredients.
*** As you try new products this week, Nassie's Hope, LLC by Stacy Brown is offering a 15% discount! Stacy is an active member of the Delaware Naturalistas facebook group. At "A Natural Hair Love Affair", she was not only a vendor but also led the Mixology 101 workshop. Her etsy shop features all natural hair, skin, and skin products. All natural essential oil, witch hazel, vegetable wax, oils. Economically priced items what will heal and soothe your mind, body, and spirit.
Do you have any additional advice for those on a search for products?
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