new to being natural.

Along with healthy eating, I’ve also become interested in natural hair and skin care. Last August, I pretty much shaved my head after over 15 years of having chemically straightened (relaxed) hair.



Like most of the things I do, I did it on a whim. It was the most liberating thing I’ve ever done. However, suddenly I found myself with curly-kinky hair having really no clue what to do with it. Needless to say, 7 months later, I’ve finally found a few hair tricks that work. I now LOVE my hair. Well, I’ve loved it since I chopped it off, but it was a bit rough. Here are a few basics I learned through other blogs, forums and trial and error:

1. Cut back on commercial shampoo use. Most commercial shampoo brands (Pantene, Herbal Essences, L’Oreal, etc) contain harsh chemicals known as Sodium Laurel/Laureth Sulfates or SLS. These chemicals, while helpful to straighter hair (which is often oily or greasy) they actually harm or damage curlier hair if used often. Try using Sulfate Free shampoos. Popular sulfate free brands can be found in health food stores such as Whole Foods, Trader Joes or Mrs. Green’s. If you wash or wet your hair everyday, you can even try replacing your shampoo with conditioner, only using shampoo once a week or once every other week. Conditioner was actually created to remedy the harmful effects of shampoo. Many people do not realize that conditioners also contain cleaning agents, and cleanse the hair as well as the scalp. Just be sure to rinse well.

2. Stop using terry-cloth towels to dry your hair. This creates frizzy and dull hair, as it roughs up the hair cuticle. Instead, try applying styling products to soaking wet hair (leave-in conditioners, gel, mousse, etc.) and then scrunch/blot (plopping) with a t-shirt. This removes moisture without creating frizz. I’ve been using one of my brother’s old white undershirts. It works quite well. There is a company, Curls like Us (www.curlslikeus.com) who have come up with a prettier version of the old, ratty t-shirt. If anyone has tried this, please let me know. I’ve been too cheap to try them.

3.Do weekly deep treatments. This works for me because of my tight curl texture. Some people find deep conditioning once per month is enough. I use Banana Brulee deep treatment from www.shescentit.com I alternate this with Jessicurl Weekly Deep Treatment (www.curlmart.com) and Pantene’s Relaxed and Natural Deep Conditioning Mask. I’ve tried using deep treatments on dry and wet hair. I prefer the results on dry hair, but I am able to use less product on wet hair, so that’s what I plan to stick with—it’s a recession, we need to save money, keep it real. Just apply your favorite deep treatment, cover with a plastic cap and sit under a heat source. Feel free to leave it on overnight if you do don't have a hooded-hair dryer, as you want to make sure you get the full benefits of a deep treatment.

I will be updating fairly frequently with product reviews as well as other hair tips, but please keep in mind that everyone’s hair texture and needs are different and what works for me, may not work for you. I also will be adding photos so you can gauge what my texture is like.

For other curly haired tips, take a look at my blog roll and check out www.naturallycurly.com . Happy Hair Growing!!