You can’t do anything with natural hair

Many people think that the Afro or braids are the only hairstyles for those with natural hair. However, there are several gorgeous styles to try including:

• Bantu knots
• Two-strand twists
• Puffs
• Flat twists
• Locs

Natural hair can’t or won’t grow

This is of the biggest myths about natural black hair. Because natural African-American hair shrinks, you can’t really see its true length. Regardless of ethnicity, hair generally grows ½ and inch per month. So with good hair care, you can grow your natural hair long.

Natural hair is strong

To many people, natural hair looks strong so they mistakenly treat it roughly. Natural hair is delicate so you need to care for it gently so it will thrive.

Natural hair is hard to manage

Natural hair can seem hard to deal with especially if you try to treat it like straight hair or attempt to make it do something it doesn’t want. For example, using the same equipment and expecting the same outcome that you would with straightened hair will only leave you frustrated. When you learn how to care for your natural hair as is, it can be managed just like any other hair type. Good ways to style and take care of your hair include using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, natural boar bristle brushes and natural oils like olive or castor oil.

With a patience and care, your natural hair can definitely flourish and look great!

First off, transitioning is the time between choosing to stop relaxing your hair and having it all the way natural.

Transitioning isn’t necessarily easy, but it is beneficial for those who want to maintain length while growing their relaxers out. During this time, you will probably struggle with long-held ideas about your hair, and you will realize the way you think is changing along with your hair.

Have no fear because there is a way to transition from relaxed to natural successfully! Below are some options you have:

• Just cut it off! The easiest way to go natural is to do the big chop (aka BC). The styles you can achieve depends on how much new growth you have. Many opt to wear teeny weeny afros (aka TWAs) or comb coils until they acquire more length.
• Transition with weave or braids. While this may be a viable option, it may not be the best idea because it can cause stress on your hairline, so be careful when trying this method. However, you can transition this way until your hair is a length that you feel comfortable cutting off.
• Rock another transitioning style. When I was transitioning, I usually wore my hair in twist-outs and braid-outs. This is braiding, plaiting or putting your hair into two-strand twists at night and taking them out in the morning or whenever you want. It gives your hair a very cute crinkly or curly look.

Other tips about transitioning (from nappturality.com):

• Realize that you will probably have some breakage, especially if you transition for a long time (meaning more than three months). When you relax your hair, your hair’s natural features are changed to its opposite. The place where the two textures meet is called the line of demarcation; this is the most delicate part of a hair strand. So basically, the two textures are struggling against each other; this produces a weak point where the hair breaks off.

   The good news is you can reduce breakage if you use correct methods and products. One   thing you can do is sleeping with a silk or satin bonnet or sleep with a silk pillow case

• While many black women believe the opposite, you can wash your hair as much as you wish, and it can be helpful to use conditioner in place of shampoo since shampoos can dry your hair out. (I use it myself when washing my hair). Contrary to what you might believe or have heard, conditioners do clean your hair as well as shampoo. However, if this doesn’t work for you, try a sulfate-free shampoo like Crème of Nature or a conditioning shampoo such as Burt’s Bees Shampoo Bar.
• Shedding during your transition is common, but there are ways to deal with it. One method is to trim your hair at least once a month. Another way to prevent it is to be gentle with your hair, detangle when your hair is wet or while you’re in the shower, use a wide tooth comb or finger comb it.

For more tips about transitioning, check out nappturality.com.