I saw A LOT of post about moisturizing hair yesterday and that's why today's post is about moisturizing your crown of glory. Okay, quick pic of your hair cuticle:

Now here's your tips:
1. Check that shampoo of yours! Sulfates are drying. Even still, your hair may not like a natural shampoo so try different things until you find what works for you.
2. Don't wash too often- you'll find what works for you but everyday is out of hand! I, personally do once a week ( prepoo, one wash focusing on scalp, then dc)..Just no more than once a week.
3. Prepoo- this is just preparing hair to be washed. You use an oil, put it on, wrap your hair with saran or shower cap and wash in the morning. Well, I do over night with castor oil; some may do an hour before but it's all about your hair. We want to do all we can do to not rob our hair of moisture when shampooing it.
4. WATER!- Maybe this should of been first but here it is. Your hair loves this stuff and so does your body. Get plenty of it.
5. Drying hair- try to use a tshirt ( I have ones I can't fit readily available) or terry cloth..something that's gentle. Towels are rough and do just what they are supposed to do: absorb water which is what we don't want done a lot to our hair. Should you use a towel, try to just squeeze your hair but don't rub back & forth or anything creating friction or you're gonna hate yourself. Lol
6. DC- Yeah, you need to deep condition those tresses because they need the vitamins/fatty acids/protein to thrive. Do whatever works for you. I do it everytime I wash because that's when I believe it needs it most and it sets me up for a great week.
7. Avoid mineral oil/petroleum based products- if mineral oil or petroleum is the first ingredient (any ingredient near the top for me) don't use it. It's not that they're "harmful" per se, it's that they just sit there, doing nothing, probably clogging your pores and may block moisture you need.
8. Cones- since I'm mentioning things that may block moisture here's another. Silicones are said to not be absorbed but to coat your hair, further blocking out moisture. Now, you will see us talk about HEHH, Aussie Moist and others that contain bis aminopropyl dimethicone and that's okay. Here's the thing about this particular cone, these are modified to be more specific than straight up dimethicone. This version seeks the area of need and sticks; not coating your whole hair shaft. Make sense? And as long as your hair is thriving, it's okay in small doses. The other issue is it needs sulfates to wash out but a poo with Cocamidopropyl Betaine will clean it off.
9. Water- ha! here it is again...make sure your moisturizer is water based ( water is the FIRST ingredient)
10. Don't believe a label- seeing all those"black" hair products and thinking "YES" well NO! Read all labels and ingredients before your buy. Rule of thumb: near the top, it's in there/ near the bottom, it's barely any. Just because it has a black woman on the front or says "African" or anything geared towards us doesn't mean it's for us. *Most of these companies are own/run by non blacks. Nothing too wrong with that but who knows what out hair needs more than us; hence why you see so much mineral oil*
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funny to break this long post |
11. TRIAL & ERROR- I can't say it enough! What works for one may not work for you and never be scared to say "my hair doesn't like it" .Find what works for your hair.
12. Moisturize daily-with that water based product or a leave- in. If your hair is dry, it will appreciate this.
13. Leave ins- again dry hair will appreciate the extra conditioning & moisture. Even if you don't put in a leave in, try not washing out all of your conditioner in the shower. I sometimes leave about 10%. ( I tend to go by how strong the smell and the feel). I rotate a leavin in and a moisturizer.
14. Cool rinses- ever hear cold rinses make your hair shiney? That's because the cuticle is closed reflecting light and a closed cuticle locks in whatever you just put in.
15. ACV rinses- apple cider rinses are good because they clarify (removes build up allowing good stuff to penetrate) and closes the cuticle.
16. SEAL IT IN-yes you have to seal that moisture in with a butter or oil.( Popcorn's fave is coconut oil). Some focus on their ends but with my short hair (and others with length) do their whole head. Since you may have dry hair, I say do it all. Section your hair if you have to but seal in that moisture and your hair will thank you.
17. Change your pillow case- head to your nearest hair supply or fabric store and get satin. Causes less friction for those tresses and are less drying. While you're at it, pick up a satin scarf/wrap.
18. Don't be afraid to educate anyone doing your hair. For instance, I will be getting coils from the shop and I don't know what they use but I will be walking in with my own stuff and will tell them please don't use that on my hair. You have to stand up for what you know.
If there's anything I forgot, please add it. <3
Happy Moisturizing day!
thats was soooooooooooo goood and educational!!! go girl i need to save this here lol
ReplyDeleteSo welcome!
ReplyDeleteThis is very educative. I'll try to pre-poo as the black soap I use in washing hair makes it brittle.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info.
Julia from Lagos, Nigeria