Building a Simple Natural Hair Care Regimen

Published

8 years ago

January 22, 2016

by Emilia Obiekea of AdoreBotanicals.com

Beginning your natural hair journey can feel both liberating and daunting. My advice? Keep your regimen simple and the amount of products minimal. This will help you to figure out what works for you and makes getting the hang of caring for your hair much easier. Simplicity is the best foundation for beginners.

Read On!>>>
A simple natural hair care regimen to start with:

1. Wash and Condition (once a week or biweekly)

You will need

Pre-shampoo treatment aka Pre-poo. This is a method of preconditioning the hair prior to cleansing. It helps to remove tangles, shed hairs and lubricate the strands. This can be done 30 mins before washing your hair. Many prefer to do this step for a few hrs or overnight. I like to use penetrating oils. A common one is unrefined coconut oil.
A shampoo, cleansing conditioner or both. Alternate to figure out which works best for you and when it is most useful to use them. Generally cleansing conditioners are great if you do not have very dirty hair. If there is build up it is always a good idea to use a sulfate-free shampoo.
Rinse out conditioner, deep conditioner or both.
Protein treatment (optional): Begin with a light protein treatment when needed. Always follow up with a moisturizing deep conditioner.
Detangling tools such as a shower comb.

2. Moisturize, Style and Seal (nightly or every few days).

You will need

A leave in conditioner aka moisturizer. Can be a cream or liquid. Depends on your preference and density of your hair. Finer strands tend to work well with liquid leave ins. More textured hair usually maintains moisture best with a creamy leave in.
Hair oil, butter or both. Use the LOC or LCO method.
Heat protectant (optional): If you plan to blow dry, flat iron or use any type of direct heat styling tool.
Detangling tools like seamless combs, detangling brushes etc…

If you haven’t found products that work well for you check out my favs here.

Do’s & Don’ts for Natural Hair Care:

Do keep tabs on which products work and don’t work. No need to go broke trying new items. This will help you to see what actually works for your hair and what doesn’t. It is always the best way to see trends in the products you tend to like best and which to avoid. This was super helpful to me during my 3+ years transitioning my hair from relaxed to natural.

Don’t buy every new product that comes along. You don’t want to be a product junkie. It is easy to rush to buy the latest greatest things. Get trial sizes, travel sets or a regular 8 oz bottle to try. Don’t rush out for the liter sizes of any product you have never used before. Trial and error can be both time consuming and costly but this will help you not to break the bank. Be sure to set a monthly budget.

Do use heat protectants when using heat tools. Applying direct heat to your hair is very damaging and requires a silicone based heat protectant to create a barrier between the heat and your hair. Direct heat is applied by hand held blow dryers, flat irons, curling irons, etc…

Don’t comb dry hair. This usually can cause unnecessary breakage. It is much easier to comb hair when it is dampened or full of conditioner.

Do wear protective or low manipulation styles. Some of my favs are buns, flexi-rod sets, twist outs and braid outs.

Don’t avoid regular trims. This makes it harder to retain length because it give split ends more time to travel up the length of your hair. Even just dusting the ends of your hair regularly makes a big difference in your overall hair health.

Do embrace your natural hair texture and pattern. Don’t become upset because your hair doesn’t look how you originally thought it should. Your hair will flourish with time. Enjoy the journey at each stage. Rock that hair!

Hopefully these tips are most helpful to you!

Veteran Naturals – what’s your advice to beginners?

Beginners – what are you struggling with?

Videos

Reckless Rhymacide Drops New Birthday Anthem “It’s Yo Birthday”

Published

3 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Tampa Mystic

Indianapolis’ own Reckless Rhymacide has just released his latest track, “It’s Yo Birthday,” produced by the renowned Whodunit Beats. This fresh spin on the classic “Happy Birthday” song brings a catchy vibe, making it a perfect fit for nightclub atmospheres and adult birthday parties. With its catchy beats and modern twist, the track is set to become a staple for birthday celebrations everywhere, offering a new, exciting way to mark the occasion.

Reckless Rhymacide’s “It’s Yo Birthday” showcases his unique flair for blending contemporary sounds with familiar themes, ensuring the song resonates with a wide audience. Whodunit Beats’ production enhances the track with deep, rhythmic basslines and sleek instrumentation, creating an immersive experience that draws listeners in. As the song gains traction, it’s poised to redefine how birthdays are celebrated, combining tradition with a fresh, energetic sound that captures the essence of today’s music scene.

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Unveiling BIG 4.1’s Anthem: “BIG SACK”

Published

4 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Tampa Mystic

Hailing from Gwinnett ‘DA NAWF’, BIG 4.1 emerges as a beacon of authenticity in the realm of hip-hop. With his latest track, “BIG SACK,” recently released and produced by the skilled Joe Peoples, BIG 4.1 delivers not just a song, but a mantra for financial empowerment and self-improvement. In a world obsessed with flaunting bags, BIG 4.1’s message cuts through the noise, urging listeners to focus on filling their “BIG SACK” with tangible wealth rather than mere appearances.

The song’s genesis stems from BIG 4.1’s desire to instill a culture of financial responsibility and foresight. Emphasizing the journey from a single $100 bill to a sizable nest egg, “BIG SACK” serves as a daily anthem for those striving to secure their futures. In an exclusive statement, BIG 4.1 explains his motivation: “It’s that time, it’s right on time for what’s going on and to teach our culture to save up that BIG SACK start at 20. By the time you’re 40 you can retire yourself if you do it right.” With lyrics that resonate beyond the beats, BIG 4.1 aims to spark a movement towards financial literacy and empowerment.

As BIG 4.1 gears up for his show in Anderson, South Carolina, alongside his team, the BOONDOCK KINGS, his mixtape “ME VS ME BAR-4-BAR THE MIXTAPE Vol 1” sets the stage for a musical revolution. Promising “HIP Rock” or “Kuntry Rap,” BIG 4.1 delivers an authentic sound that transcends genres, appealing to listeners from all walks of life. With originality and consistency as his guiding principles, BIG 4.1 stands out not just as an artist, but as a visionary ushering in a new era of meaningful music.

Victor Ray’s Heart Explodes In “i tried.” EP

Published

13 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Big C

Victor Ray, the rising star on Capitol Records, is set to release his highly anticipated EP, i tried., on June 14th. Until then he unveils the soul filling single Falling Into Place featuring the mesmerizing vocals of UK soul star Debbie. Written from personal experience, the track delves into the whirlwind of emotions that come with falling for someone new, capturing the hope and uncertainty of budding romance. According to Victor:

Falling Into Place” is about “meeting a stranger that you know could end up becoming a lot more.

Debbie relating to the same sentiment added:

The song makes you feel something.

Their collaboration brings an additional depth to the tracks genuine emotion. The EP follows Victor’s sold-out European tour and sees him joining Teddy Swims on his sold-out UK tour, kicking off in Manchester. Named as Apple Music’s new Up Next UK artist, Victor continues to captivate audiences with his soulful sound and heartfelt lyrics. Don’t miss out on his latest musical journey and follow Victor Ray today on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify. Stream “Falling Into Place” below and here.