Its one thing to decide you are going natural but another to make the decision as to how you plan to go about such a big change. A common dilemma that comes up is: To CUT or NOT to cut.
This is your own personal decision, however, I say CUT. Why not start anew. As Drake said "Started from the bottom...." You know the rest. To me, it’s more of a rewarding experience as you see your hair grow over time. Why delay by cutting off a couple inches every so often until the relaxed ends have vanished when you can start with healthy chemical-free hair? You can have fun experimenting and learning to manage your hair and it's unique texture.
For those that still aren't convinced and can’t see themselves doing the “BIG CHOP,” here are some tips to make your transitioning adventure go much smoother:
1) MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE
I can’t stress this enough. When I say moisturize I don't mean grease (*cringes*). A moisturizer is anything that contains majority water (A water-based product.) If you look at the bottle, and water is the main/1st ingredient well then there you go. You have a moisturizer. Moisturizers penetrate the outer layer of the hair aka the CUTICLE to the inner layer of the hair (the CORTEX.)
My favorite ALL-NATURAL moisturizer is : LILY OF THE DESERT Aloe Vera Gel
Another one of my favorites is: SHEA MOISTURE Curl & Style Milk
2) SEALANTS
Moisturizers are not effective without a SEALANT. Sealants are butters/oils (emollients) that lock in moisture in the hair. Some of my favorite sealants are:
Shea Butter
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
Avocado Butter
Aloe Butter (Coconut Oil infused with Aloe Vera)
3) AVOID SULFATES
Much of the commercial shampoos available on the market today contain SULFATES. Sulfates, also known as surfactants, are detergents/cleansing agents. Sulfates are responsible for creating the foam that we all love so much. Many of us are led to believe that the more foam a shampoo has, the better it is at cleansing our scalps. However, sulfates are drying and irritating to the scalps. This is due to the fact that it is stripping all the necessary oils from your hair. The popular misconception that some of us have is that the hair should be squeaky clean. NO! We still need to retain some of the natural oils that our scalps secretes. Some sulfates to stay clear away from are:
Ammonim Lauryl Sulfate
Ammonim Laureth Sulfate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (most common in shampoos)
There are other sulfates that are milder and less irritating to the scalps. Anything besides the 4 above, you should be fine.
My favorite SLS-free shampoos are from the SHEA MOISTURE line (particularly Curl & Shine)
Another good one is JANE CARTER SOLUTION Hydrating Invigorating SLS-Free shampoo
4) DEEP CONDITION/HOT OIL TREATMENTS
Your hair is at its weakest state during this transition. The LINE OF DEMARCATION (the point where the natural hair and relaxed hair meets) is weak and without proper care your strands may snap right at the point. Then you'll be sitting there thinking, “Damn, isn't this the same thing like cutting it off myself? Now I've moved backwards.” I mostly use Jamaican Black Castor Oil for my hot oil treatments (Sometimes I mix it with Olive oil) Where do I get the JBCO? I get it pure and unrefined straight from Jamaica!
I haven’t really found a favorite Deep Conditioner yet so I make my own with things I have in my kitchen. I’ll be posting recipes on future blogs.
5) LOW MANIPULATION
Avoid excessive combing or brushing of your hair. Use wide-toothed combs made of rubber instead of plastic because plastics sometimes cause the hair strands to split. Look for natural or boar-hair bristles as the natural brittles help to stimulate the scalp. When detangling, the hair should be wet (apply favorite conditioner.)
6) WEAR PROTECTIVE STYLES
Braids, Extensions, Weaves, Wigs, Two-strand twists, Rod sets( I like Flexi-rods or Perm-Rods)
Now keep in mind that although these are protective styles, you still need to take special care of your hair.
7) MINIMAL HEAT
Excessive heat can be very damaging to the hair. Heat breaks the natural bonds in the hair and although temporary, when used in excess it can result in permanent HEAT DAMAGE. Limit your use of curling irons, flat irons, and blow dryers. The safest ways to dry your hair are to air dry naturally or dry with the use of a hooded dryer.
If you do use heat appliances such as curling irons and flat irons, be sure to use a HEAT PROTECTANT. My favorite heat protectant is :
ABBA Straightening Balm (mostly for blow drying)
********* Its also 100% Vegan!!**********
Now I’m not a fan of SILICONES (It works much like a sealant and coats the hair), however when I straighten my hair with a flat-iron every now and then, I use a silicone-based serum or spray to protect my hair from the heat. I have no particular preference, however at the moment I use:
ORGANIC ROOT SALON OLIVE OIL Professional Thermal Protect and Shine
This is the ONLY time I use silicones. I do not suggest using products (shampoos, conditioners) with silicones. As I said above, it coats the hair and makes it look smooth and frizz-free. But, it suffocates the hair, not allowing moisture to penetrate. Yes, I know I sound hypocritical, but it gets the job done every 4-6 months when I straighten my hair.
Anything with –cone at the end of it contains a type of silicone. One thing to note is that silicones are not water-soluble, meaning that they are not easy to wash out so they can cause product build-up if hair is not washed properly. A good clarifying shampoo will do the job. Wash and Repeat. Wash and Repeat. I like : Shea Moisture Organic African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo for this purpose.
8) If you are transitioning from relaxed to natural, LEAVE THOSE EDGES ALONE!!!! Time and time again I see girls that perm or press their edges for a smoother look during their transition from relaxed hair. This too can cause your hair to break. Come to terms with those “buckshots,” “kitchen,” “peppergrains, “unruly baby hairs.” Whatever you desire to call it. LOL. Either way, make up your mind. Are you going to go half-natural or all the way?
9) EMBRACE YOUR OWN HAIR TEXTURE rather than obsessing over someone else's hair. At the end of the day that's the hair that you were born with and you are stuck with it. (Sad but true) Learn to work with your hair, not against it. Find out what products work best for YOUR hair. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa. Be realistic about your expectations. You cannot expect that your natural hair will behave in the same manner as your relaxed hair did. EMBRACE YOUR HAIR TEXTURE AND LOVE IT!.
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You can also email me at TheManelyBeautifulOne@gmail.com
Thanks!!
Love...Your Mane
