Transitioning back to your natural hair can be an emotional journey. Transitioning can be overwhelming, but you can AND WILL get through the process. Here are some of the emotional stages you may face when transitioning back to your natural state.
1. Fear
Going natural can be a very scary and nerve wrecking idea. You may be afraid to see your natural texture, because you may not remember what your curl pattern looks like. Fear of the unknown may try to hold you back, but don’t let it. You may also be afraid of what other people will think of your natural hair. You have built up the courage and confidence to go natural and now you’re feeling hesitant. Don’t worry, just take it day by day a day and go with the flow. It’s perfectly normal to be scared and unsure, just don’t let fear hold you back.
2. Frustration
Since you’re dealing with different textures, hair patterns, or just going through an awkward period, you may experience frustration. Your hair isn’t adapting to certain styles, and the products that you are trying aren’t working how you want them to. Styling your hair can be a very frustrating process during your transition, but stay consistent and keep trying different techniques. Your hair has to take the time to learn and train itself new techniques. Before you know it you will be able to perfect a twist-out with your eyes closed.
3. Experimenting
Going natural is an on-going adventure. Try different products and techniques to see what works best for you. It’s ideal to try various products, so that you know what works for your hair and what doesn’t. But don’t go overboard. Experiment with new products every other month so you don’t confuse your hair left and right. My tip is if something works, stick with it before trying out something new. Trial and error is super important during your transition.
4. Confusion
Constantly researching different blogs, hair products, and videos can be overwhelming. Blogs are so helpful and offer a huge amount of amazing advice, but too much information may confuse and overwhelm you. Take your time and do your research. Try finding a hair influencer that has similar hair textures and patterns as yours, and see what techniques and products worked for them.
5. Confidence
When going back to your natural state, confidence is your best friend. No matter what anyone may say about your hair, wear it with confidence. Some people may say My mom used to always tell me that I needed to perm my hair, because it was “unruly.” Just ignore the people that will feed you negative thoughts or push you to go back to styles that damaged your hair. Proudly say with confidence, “This is the way my hair grows out of my scalp and it's beautiful!”
6. Acceptance
You may have gone into this thinking that your hair would look just like a certain YouTuber or Influencer that you follow, and may be disappointed that your hair doesn’t turn out like theirs. You should know that everyone’s hair is different and has different textures, but everyone has a crown, and all crowns are unique and beautiful. If you begin your journey with this in mind, it will help make your transition to natural a lot smoother. Therefore it will hopefully help you reach the stage of acceptance. You may have two totally different curl patterns in your hair, so accept and embrace your hair and keep going.
What were your emotional experiences transitioning to natural?
Have you ever walked into a beauty supply store, overwhelmed with the huge variety of hair products and didn’t know where to start? Don’t worry, at some point in everyone’s healthy hair journey, we’ve all been there. Understanding hair product labels is not always easy…I mean, what’s even the difference between a leave-in conditioner and deep conditioner? If I leave a regular, rinse out conditioner in my hair for a longer period of time, does that make it a deep conditioner?
Well, Donna is here to help you understand product labels and find the right products for you. Choosing the right conditioner for your hair type is crucial to maintaining a healthy hair routine.
Rinse Out Conditioner
A classic rinse out conditioner is generally applied on wet, freshly washed hair after the shampoo step. Since the shampoo is there for cleansing your hair, a conditioner is used to rehydrate, strengthen, and protect the strands.
This conditioner can be used daily as a “surface conditioner” for about 1-3 minutes. Rinse out conditioners smooth the cuticle to detangle and help tame frizz.
Is a Rinse-Out Conditioner for Me?
To ensure your hair is healthy, you should condition your hair every single time you wash it. If you’re not using a deep conditioner (will talk about this shortly), it’s recommended that you at least use a rinse-out conditioner. It is important to apply conditioner correctly to enjoy all of the benefits. So try sectioning your hair into 2-4 parts, continuously add water, detangle from tip to root, let it sit for 1-3 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
Deep Conditioner
A deep conditioner is a hair treatment that is used once a week and usually has a thicker consistency, requiring you to leave it on for a longer period of time, typically around 10-30 minutes (depending on the instructions). Deep conditioners consist of beneficial ingredients that can penetrate the shaft of the hair and nourish the cuticles on a deeper level. Deep conditioners typically have a thick, sticky consistency between solid and liquid, providing long lasting effects. These effects can be amplified by adding heat.
For those with low porosity hair, the hair should be freshly shampooed to raise the cuticles, and heat should be added to help the ingredients penetrate deeper into the strands. Those with high porosity hair also benefit from adding heat to the strands with thick deep conditioners as well to help infuse as much moisture into the highly porous cuticle. Not sure what porosity level your hair has? Check out our blog “Porosity Level 101”.
Is a Deep Conditioner for Me?
It’s universally recommended that you incorporate a deep conditioner into your healthy hair routine. Your frequency of use depends on your hair type, and overall health of your hair. If you have fine or thin hair, a couple times a month is recommended. If you have dry or brittle hair, you should consider using a deep conditioner every wash or every other wash.
Leave-In Conditioner
A leave-in conditioner is a light-weight water based cream that is meant to be used after both shampoo and (rinse out or deep) conditioner. Just like its name, you leave it in and don’t rinse it out, It works best when hair is damp to help retain moisture. Compared to the deep conditioner and rinse-out conditioner, the leave-in is the lightest form, so they don’t weigh the hair down.
This product is best for keeping hair soft and shiny, and helps prime your hair before styling.
Is a Leave-In Conditioner for Me?
Leave-in conditioners work well for anyone that’s looking to strengthen and hydrate their hair while making it more manageable for styling. You can also add Donna's Recipe Strength Hair Oil with your leave-in conditioner in between washes to continuously keep your hair hydrated. However, it works best for those with low porosity hair. Leave-in conditioners are light enough to be absorbed by low porosity hair making it the perfect moisturizer.
It’s important to understand the purpose of all conditioners in order to build a healthy hair care regimen. It’s best to experiment with a leave-in, rinse-out, and deep conditioner in order to find the recipe for healthy, nourished hair.
Guest Writer: Ashley Lewis
Hey Family!
Let’s talk, “Stress Breakage”. This is when high levels of stress hormones causes your hair to break off or fall out.
For a long time I wasn’t aware that I had this issue, but I kept finding sections of my hair with strands half the length of the rest of my hair. This mainly occurred in the mid-scalp region of my head and was only noticeable when I attempted styled that area of my hair.
Stress and anxiety can have so many effects on the body, some we automatically notice like breakouts on our face and others not so much, like a patch of hair in the back of your head (what the hack!?). Depending on how much stress you have going on in your life, this will determine the magnitude of the effects.
The good news is, there are plenty of ways to manage or reduce stress, and most of them won’t break your pockets! I know this may not be easy for everyone but, adding in some form of self care could be extremely helpful. Find something you can do consistently that brings you peace and calm. Meditate, take walks, listen to music, even if it’s just five minutes of silence throughout your day, do it! Scalp massages are also a huge help. Grab your Donna’s Recipe Strength Hair Oil and give yourself a ten minute scalp massage. This will help to stimulate your scalp and hair follicles, which assists with blood flow and hair growth.
Lastly, be consistent with your hair care routine and be sure to include a great deep conditioner into the process! Exercise, take your Donna’s Recipe Biotin Hair Vitamins Gummies, and drink lots of water!
We all experience stress at some point in our lives, but if there is something you can do to help it and also help your overall well being, I say let’s make it a priority!
Guest writer: Arnita Champion
Have you never wondered how to keep your protective hairstyles “protected” while having it last as long as possible? Here's a few tips and tricks.
Protective hairstyles are indeed ‘heaven-sent’ but they can look like they went through A LOT after the first two months if you don’t take care of them.
Sometimes we tend to forget that our protective hairstyles need to be protected as well. Just like our natural hair, braids or locs can get matted, tangled, dull and even smelly after the first two months. Have you ever experienced the above? Many have.
PROTECTIVE STYLE TIPS
TIP #1:
On my washday, I start by cornrowing my faux locs all the way to the end. I wash my hair in the shower instead of the sink, so it takes the weight and pressure of my wet locs off of my neck, and it allows the shampoo and conditioner to flow all the way to the ends of my locs.
When I wash my cornrowed locs, my scalp is exposed so that I can “get into it” with my shampoo and conditioner. I pay attention to saturating my locs by squeezing the products into my locs and gently sliding my hand down my locs so that the product is evenly distributed.
Keep in mind that when you rinse your product out, make sure to put the shower head on full stream assuring all of your product is out of my locs.
Also use a leave-in conditioner. However, I still rinse out some of the leave-in just to make sure it doesn't look like dried lotion in between my locs. That is not a good look.
Washing my faux locs while in cornrows protects my faux locs from fraying, tangling or getting matted.
TIP #2:
After washing my locs I saturate them from top to bottom with a foam styling mousse. This lays down those “wild flyaways”.
TIP #3:
For the finale, I drizzle and massage Donnas Recipe Strength Hair Oil on my scalp between my cornrows. This is a must! Honeyyy, your scalp and hair is going to love you for it!
TIP #4:
After washing your locs, while your hair is still in cornrows, sit outside and let the Vitamin D from the sun get into your exposed scalp. Vitamin D from the sun plays a vital role in the creation of new hair follicles. Our hair follicles are the tiny pores from which new hairs grow. New hair follicles help your hair maintain its thickness and prevent existing hair from falling out prematurely.
TIP #5:
Another way I preserve my faux locs is to wear them in different up-do hairstyles. Styles like pony-tails, buns and even hair wraps and scarves. By doing so the ‘wear and tear’ on the ends of my locs is minimal.
TIP #6:
As a personal trainer and pro-athlete, I am very active, so keeping my faux locs looking marvelous and not matted is key. When I workout I sweat a lot, and I am often on the floor executing a lot of mat-exercises. Seeing that my locs are long, I pin them in buns so that dust and dirt particles can’t easily get into my hair. Once I’ve finished my workout, I lightly spritz my scalp and locs with a mixture of warm water/witch-hazel and let them air dry.
The beauty of the cornrows is that you can rock your cornrows for about a week if you can tie them down at night with a scarf.
Quick recap:
*Wash your locs in Cornrows on Wash Day
*Wash your hair in the shower instead of the sink
*Saturate your locs with shampoo and conditioner from top to bottom
*Use your Favorite styling mousse
*Use Donnas Recipe at least 2-3 times per week especially on wash day.
*Try to air-dry or sun dry your locs to get that Vitamin D on your scalp
*After you workout, lightly spritz your scalp and locs with rose water and warm water
*To protect the ends of your locs, wear “up-do” styles or head-wraps and scarves
*Tie your cornrows up so you can rock them for at least a week.
There you have it…my tips that will allow you to rock your faux locs for a while! Try them and see if it does the same for you.
Guest writer: Arnita Champion (Content creator and Professional Fitness Trainer)
IG: @beachamp_ifbbpro
Summer is the season of equal parts joy and frustration of our natural hair. It’s joyful to enjoy the warm weather by wearing curly hairstyles that are more casual than your winter norm. But it can also be a time of frizz, unintentional damage and curl unruliness. Just like our skin, our hair is directly exposed to weather conditions, especially the sun, temperature, and humidity. Hair, being a protein fiber, may undergo physical and chemical changes with the changing environmental conditions. As we move into summer, consumers are frequently engaged with outdoor activities, such as traveling, swimming in pools, or the ocean. Exposure to these weather conditions can affect the health of our hair. So! Here are some helpful tips for nourishing, hydrating and controlling your curly hair. Learn how to take care of curly hair…all summer long!
Interaction of solar radiations with the hair fiber
What does this even mean? Well, solar radiations possess enough energy to initiate the degradation of hair protein and color fading. Hair proteins undergo chemical reactions by absorbing light energy from solar radiations and as a result, various chemical bonds in the hair structure are broken. This weakens the structure of hair fiber, hair becomes fragile, loses its strength, and surface properties are completely changed. In other words, the more you stay outside directly in the sun, the more possibility of hair damage.
Just like we need sun protection for skin, our hair needs the same protection. Before stepping out, please ensure you have applied a leave-in conditioner that contains organic natural solar protectors. A leave-in conditioner protects your hair against photodamage, preserves its structural integrity besides improving hair lubricity. A well-balanced leave-in conditioner should not contain any synthetic UV blockers or silicones.
Hair Color Fading
Besides protein loss, intense heat and solar radiation can also fade hair color. Natural virgin (non-chemical treated) black hair becomes brown and even gray with continuous repeated exposure to the sun. Hair contains melanin colorants responsible for our hair color. However, under summer conditions, melanin undergoes degeneration by breaking its various chemical bonds and converting melanin into smaller molecules that come out of hair fiber during the washing/rinse off cycle.
Hair fibers colored with temporary or permanent hair color undergo photo-degradation even quicker and the color only lasts a few days during summer. Your hair needs protection to minimize color fading and this requires customized and special formulations designed for summer times. Hair experts suggest staying away from shampoos with sulfates, because they can easily dissolve hair colorants and accelerate color fading. Instead, rely on moisture based shampoos and leave-in conditioners as they inhibit water uptake, minimize frizz, and forms a courting at the hair surface minimizing color bleeding.
Chlorinated Pool Water & Ocean Water
Swimming pools are regularly treated with chlorine to control mold and bacterial growth. Chlorine treatment maintains the quality of pool water and keeps it suitable for swimming. However, chlorine molecules can get absorbed by the hair during swimming and can turn blonde hair into a greenish color. This may initiate chemical reactions on the hair’s surface which accelerate under the sun.
The same situation happens with ocean water, as it contains a significant level of inorganic metals, calcium and magnesium. These metal components can alter the physical and chemical properties of hair.
Now how do we avoid this problem? It’s highly recommended to use a moisture balancing conditioner or leave-in conditioner before heading to the pool or beach. This minimizes the chance of having chlorine penetration of metal binding with hair. Also to protect your hair, mist your hair with water and applying a few drops of Donna’s Recipe Strength Hair Oil. Filling the hair with moisture instead of water will prevent it from swelling. After swimming, cleanse your hair with a clarifying shampoo, followed by a moisturizing conditioner.
Sweating
The scorching heat during summer causes you to produce an unfortunate amount of sweat. Human sweat debris can form deposits on the scalp’s surface and hair shaft leaving an undesired aesthetic feel and odor. To help remove these materials from your hair, use a clarifying shampoo, then follow with a deep conditioner to hydrate your hair restoring its natural gloss and texture.
Eek! Itchy scalp AND flakes?! Must be dandruff, right? Maybe, maybe not.
Is it dandruff or is your scalp just dry? Dry scalp and dandruff can look similar but are caused by different conditions. If you look a lil' closer, you'll discover a few things that set them up apart.
As similar as these conditions may seem, knowing the difference between them will help you understand how to treat your itchy, flaky scalp.
DRY SCALP
A dry scalp is caused by your sebaceous glands being unable to produce enough natural oils to keep the skin on your head moisturized. As a result, the top layer of skin on the scalp dries out and begins to crack and shed into tiny little white flakes. And the itchiness? Well, just like the skin on other parts of the body, once the scalp gets dry it can get irritated and itchy. Another common sign of a dry scalp is dry hair. The lack of sebum not only deprives the scalp of moisture but the hair shaft as well, leaving ends feeling and looking dull and rough.
WHAT CAUSES DRY SCALP?
Cold, dry climates
Over-shampooing
Drying products (hairspray, styling gel, etc.)
Dehydration
DANDRUFF
Dandruff is caused by a condition called seborrheic dermatitis which causes the scalp to become oily, red, and scaly. Normally, the skin cells on the scalp multiply when you need more of them and then shed off and die but with dandruff, the skin cells multiply and shed faster than usual. The best way to tell if it is dandruff is by the flakes. Due to the oiliness and overgrowth of skin, dandruff flakes are often larger and sometimes yellow.
WHAT CAUSES DANDRUFF?
Most people believe that dandruff is caused by poor hygiene. Although a dirty scalp and hair can certainly aggravate and contribute to the condition, the true culprit is a fungus called Malassezia. It can be found in every head of hair, but some people have more of it than others which is what causes their skin cells to multiply quicker.
How do you treat itchy, dry, flaky, scalp?
If you suspect that you have a dry scalp, be sure to use a gentle and moisturizing shampoo that will not further dry out your scalp and hair. Always be sure to follow that up with a silicone-free conditioner and styling products that help to keep your hair hydrated.
Massaging oil into your scalp is also a great way to prevent it from getting dry and flaky. The Donna's Recipe Strength Hair Oil Jojoba Oil (plus other amazing ingredients) which simulates the texture and consistency of the natural oil your scalp produces, making it less likely to build up on your skin/scalp and clog your pores and hair follicles.
Much like many other natural hair tips and advice, how to wash natural hair isn’t one-size-fits-all. That means there isn’t a singular answer when someone asks, “How often should you wash your hair?” In all honesty, the frequency of your wash days depends on your shampoo, personal preference, and the state of your natural hair. With that said, there’s a strong chance that you should be cleansing more often than you have been—or at least think you should be.
It’s very common and understandable to have hesitancy about overwashing natural hair. It’s the driest of the bunch, which makes it a lot more prone to damage, breakage, and curl pattern changes. However, there’s one big takeaway that those with natural hair need to remember: Water is your friend. It’s all about balance, and with the right hair care products and hair washing routine, you can absolutely make the most of each wash day. Here’s what you need to know.
How Often Should You Wash Natural Hair?
Although there isn’t an exact science to figuring out how often you should wash your hair, since it depends on a few factors. To determine how often you should wash your hair, consider how much product and the types of products you’re using on a regular basis.
Wash your hair once a week if … your hair requires heavier oils, gels that might flake after a few days, or hairsprays that leave hair stiff. This also may be what’s needed if you have an oily scalp. Piling product on top of the natural oils that your scalp produces, particularly if it’s in excess, can not only clog the hair follicle but also might lead to irritation, inflammation, itching, and in more severe cases, follicle damage or hair loss.
Wash your hair twice a month if … you add heat to style your hair with a diffuser to dry, a curling wand to define, or even if you blow dry your hair straight on a regular basis. When you add heat to style your hair, cutting the wash frequency back to every other week can be beneficial. Even if you’re using a heat protectant (which you absolutely should be), there may be some level of moisture stripping happening. When you do shampoo, use a moisture-boosting shampoo to help bring back any lost hydration.
Wash your hair once a month if … your hair is drier or if your scalp is more on the normal to dry side. Once a month shampooing will likely be an ideal step for you. Of course, you can always adjust if in between washes you’re feeling itchy or if you work out often and sweat a lot. Otherwise, weekly shampoos may better suit your active lifestyle to keep hair feeling and smelling fresh.
Should You Shampoo Natural Hair?
Contrary to popular opinion, natural hair needs shampoo. A lot of naturals are die-hard co-wash fans, and this is totally fine. However, a traditional shampoo is highly needed to help remove excess oil and product buildup, something a cleansing conditioner isn’t designed to do.
What Should You Use To Wash Natural Hair?
No matter your hair type, curl pattern, or the current state of your hair, what’s most important is the type of hair shampoo you use. Sulfate-free shampoo is key as it will give your hair and scalp the necessary cleansing to keep it strong and growing, without stripping any natural oils.
How Should You Wash Your Hair?
This may seem unnecessary, but there’s actually a method to washing, especially if you’re shampooing natural hair. This will ensure that you keep your hair from getting damaged and help eliminate frizz when you get to styling. Here are our hair washing tips.
Step 1: Check your water temps. Much like skin, hot water can dry hair out. Yes, we know it feels luxurious to run hot water through your hair, but the heat can strip your hair of essential oils. Wash with lukewarm or room temperature water instead, and finish with a cool rinse.
Step 2: Portion out the shampoo. Have you ever wondered, “How much shampoo should I use for my hair?” Well, let me tell you: You shouldn’t just squeeze a sizeable amount of product onto your locks and hope for the best. Pour shampoo into the palm of your hands and not directly onto hair. This will ensure that you’re doling out the right amount and not overdoing it.
It’s better to start with a smaller amount of product (about a golf-ball-size) through your hair and add more if needed, rather than to douse your head with it. It’s unnecessary. Shampoo should primarily be applied on your scalp and not the length of your hair (more on that in a minute), if you’re used to coating every inch of your strands, you may be accustomed to washing with way too much of your favorite hair shampoo.
Want to know what’s also unnecessary? That whole lather, rinse, repeat deal. We’ve already gone over that you likely don’t need to wash your hair more than once a week—you definitely don’t need to lather up multiple times during the same shower.
Step 3: Work through your scalp. Start by massaging the shampoo into your roots. You want most of the product to be concentrated on the scalp as that’s where the majority of buildup, dirt, and oil usually sits. Work the product around the scalp in a back and forth motion. Not in circles! This will tangle your hair and make it more difficult to comb through later.
Step 4: Cleanse and finger comb the hair. Use your fingers only and not any brushes or combs to gently work the shampoo through the length of your hair. Try to gently detangle a little bit as you go. You want to start the detangling process while you have product in your hair, so that even if it’s not all the way knot-free before rinsing, you can at least run your fingers through larger sections.
Step 5. Massage as you rinse. Once you’ve worked the shampoo through to the ends, it’s time to rinse. How you do this is equally as important as how you applied and worked it through. Rub your hands all the way from root to tip as water flows through your hair. This will ensure that all of the shampoo gets out, and your hair is ready for your conditioner. You don’t want any shampoo residue to get in between your strands and the conditioner or detangling cream you’ll be applying next.
Step 6. Follow with conditioner. You knew this was coming. Cleansing and conditioning go together just as perfectly as any dynamic duo ever has. After washing out all of your shampoo, apply your conditioner. It’s best to stick with a conditioner that coordinates with your shampoo—aka one that’s part of the same hair care system—instead of mixing and matching. Apply the formula to your hair, focusing it on the mid-lengths to ends rather than your roots. Let your conditioner sit for the designated amount of time—probably between two and five minutes—then rinse it out with cool water.
Step 7. Use a leave-in. Squeeze any excess water out of your hair to prep it for a leave-in conditioner. Pick one based on what your hair needs. Does your hair need a boost of definition? Is it dying for more moisture? Are you trying to fight off frizz before your hair dries? Choose wisely!
Step 8. Dry your hair. Don’t want to leave your hair sopping wet? We get it. To soak up a little bit of the water, use a soft cotton T-shirt to gently dry your hair. This will be more gentle than a terry cloth towel. If you’re in a rush, you can break out your blow-dryer, but make sure to use heat protectant, and we’d recommend reading up on our previous blog “Air Drying vs Diffusing”, first.
When Should You Wash Natural Hair?
Aside from the frequency, it’s also important to note the best time of day to wash your hair. Of course, this tip is merely a suggestion, but it could impact the long term health of your hair. Hair is most fragile when wet, so you typically want to avoid sleeping on wet hair. Knowing that, you should give hair enough time to air dry—before you go to bed—if you prefer to style it without heat. Even with a protective bonnet or satin pillowcase, any bit of friction against damp or wet hair may lead to breakage and frizz. For this reason, many people with natural hair prefer to wash their hair in the morning to give it plenty of dry time.
You should also take note of your hair’s porosity. This will determine things like how long it takes your hair to dry and even plays a part in how your hair absorbs and retains moisture when you wash it. With that, check out our “What’s Your Hair Porosity?” blog!
How Often Should You Condition Natural Hair?
Once you know the answer to how often you should cleanse natural hair, it only fits that you ask how frequently your hair should be conditioned. And believe it or not, there is such a thing as over conditioning your hair. Of course, soft, moisturized strands are the goal, but using too much conditioner, deep treating it too often, or leaving a conditioner on for longer than the recommended time frame can leave hair limp and fragile. Determining when to lay off with conditioning shouldn’t be too hard. You’ll be able to tell pretty easily if your waves, curls or coils look lifeless or if you’re having a hard time getting your hair to hold a style. If this happens, you’ll need a product with Protein in it to help Balance your Moisture level.
To get your hair on a better conditioning routine, try using a conditioner on a weekly basis. Weekly treatments with a natural hair conditioner are ideal for all curl types. If your hair is drier, you can amp by adding hair masks or a deep conditioner on a bi-weekly basis. For finer hair or strands that are not typically super dry, you can cut back to using the deep treatments once a month, but stick with the regular conditionings with a light leave-in formula.
Take note of how you condition as well. We touched on this a little, but the point of the conditioner is to replenish moisture, rebalance, and help seal in water from washing your hair. There’s no need to apply conditioner to your scalp, even if it tends to be dry. There are other products such as Donna’s Strength Hair Oil that you can use at the styling phase to help soothe a dry scalp. Even super coily and dry strands don’t need conditioner at the roots, instead, apply it from the mid-shaft down to the ends of hair. Remember, natural hair especially needs the most moisture at the tips, so focus the application there.
Share how you cleanse and condition your hair on social media using the hashtag #DonnasRecipe! Feel free to follow and tag us on @DonnasRecipe to be featured!
Raise your hand if you are a product junkie. What is a product junkie you may ask? Look in the cabinet of anyone in the natural hair community, and if you find dozens of products, such as clarifying shampoos, moisturizing shampoos, conditioners, deep conditioners, masks, styling puddings, gels, curl creams, co-washes, oils, and anything in between…that my friend is a product junkie. My product shelf used to be loaded with ALL KINDS of hairstyling products, you name it.
Now you may be wondering, what were all of those products I just named? Or what are they all for? It’s very common in the natural hair community that one’s wash and go may only consist of a conditioner and some type of oil. That’s it.
Using only oils on your hair is not enough to keep your crown healthy and moisturized for the long haul (remember the hair grease days of the ‘80s and ‘90s?). Since it’s hard for natural hair to maintain moisture, you need to add a few more steps to your routine to get the job done.
Achieving the perfect wash day is often the compilation of many different products, and there are a few very beneficial and justifiable reasons for it.
Most products usually serve one or two specific purposes, as most wash days/styling require several elements, so using a variety of different products is often necessary.
Now let’s talk about some essential products for building a healthy hair regimen.
Every regimen shares a few essential components, and although your hair type and concerns may alter your hair care routine in some way, here are a few basic steps that every person can benefit from.
1. Cleanse
Cleansing is a balance between removing things like dirt, product residue, and dead skin cells without stripping the hair of its natural oils. Clarifying shampoos work to remove buildup from the hair - it’s like a reset button for your hair. On the other hand, a regular shampoo has mild cleansing agents with more emphasis on moisturizing your hair and making it shiny rather than clean. The trick is to alternate between the two, ideally using a good clarifying shampoo once a week to reset your hair and purify your scalp.
2. Condition
Conditioner is meant to stabilize the pH of the hair after shampooing. Conditioning benefits include moisturizing, added shine, detangling, and frizz reduction.
Deep Conditioner or Repair Mask: A deep conditioner, or a repair mask, can be used in place of a conditioner after shampooing. This is designed to be left on your hair longer, then rinsed out completely. These will not only stabilize the hair’s pH, but work to rebuild compromised protein structure, increase hair’s elasticity and enhance moisture retention overall. These products are especially great for chemically damaged or dry hair. Deep conditioners or repair masks should be used weekly on damaged hair and hair that is just beginning a new healthy hair regimen.
Leave-in Conditioner: A leave-in is meant to be applied after your hair is freshly shampooed and conditioned, and doesn’t need to be washed out. This will help further detangle, reduce frizz, and maintain moisture throughout the day. A leave-in conditioner is also designed to prime your hair before you begin styling.
3. Moisturize
To add further hydration and protection from dryness and breakage to the hair, you may want to use a styling cream that does everything from softening and defining to moisturizing and volumizing.
4. Seal
When it comes to oil, a little goes a long way. Oils can enhance your hair’s natural oils and lock in moisture and strengthen your hair strands. Donna's Recipe Strength Hair Oil is a dual hair and scalp oil to add shine, seal in moisture and help scrunch out the crunch for soft, defined and frizz-free curls.
5. Gel
These provide hold to your hair, from a light hold to a super strong one, depending on the product you use. Gels can also hold in moisture, enhance and define curls and control frizz.
6. Treatments
Scalp treatment: An exfoliating scalp treatment can unclog follicles, stimulate circulation and calm issues like scalp itchiness.
Protein treatment: Frizzy or damaged hair may need an extra boost from protein. These monthly treatments fill in gaps/holes in the cuticle, strengthening and smoothing strands. Experiment to find the one that works for you.
7. Tips
I know it sounds cliché, but consistency is key.
You’re not going to notice dramatic results overnight — although the effects of masks and certain styling products can be noticed instantly, it takes time for your hair to get used to new products.
When it comes to the frequency of use with products, it’s best to consult a professional. There are no hard rules for how often you should use each product. For example, some people wash their hair three times a week, while others wash only once a week. And some do it even less. When in doubt, ask a professional for personalized advice targeted to the products you use and the needs of your hair.
Your individual hair needs will naturally change over time. There’s a saying that hair changes texture every 7 years. Unlike most of the rumors floating around the internet, this one does have an element of truth behind it. Noticing these changes and responding appropriately can keep your hair looking healthy.
A good rule of thumb is to swap products as the seasons change. In the summer months, you may want to choose more lightweight and anti-frizz formulas to help hair in the face of humidity. As the winter months arrive, you may need to opt for products with extra hydrating properties.
Which products are in your hair care regimen? Share with us below.
Hey Family!
Remember those big dreams and plans you used to have way back when? Let’s talk about them. It’s so easy to get distracted or discouraged, especially when life throws endless curveballs your way or when we let the opinions of others in. Before you know it, you wake up one day asking yourself where did the time go and regretting the things you didn’t do. Maybe your confidence about pursuing these dreams have been shaken or maybe you feel it’s too late. Well, I want to remind you that as long as you still have air in your lungs, it’s never too late! Those dreams and plans can still be realized! It may look a little different now than it did back then and maybe you’ll have to tweak a couple things, but there’s still time.
One good thing that comes from being delayed is, you now have more wisdom and knowledge. You have fresh eyes and life experiences to see your dreams through. You may also have more access to resources. You don’t need to make it all happen in one go, but you do need to take just one step.
Grab a journal, and write that dream down.
I know from experience that looking at your entire dream can be overwhelming and anxiety inducing. So underneath your written dream, I want you to write one thing that you can accomplish in the next day(s), week(s), or within one month (don’t allow yourself to go beyond a month). It could be something as simple as making a phone call, doing some research, or assembling a team of trusted people - to something as big as applying for that loan, looking for a new job that will allow you the freedom to work on your dream, writing that manuscript, or starting therapy to figure out what’s stopping you from pursuing those dreams in the first place. Nothing is off the table. Once you’ve accomplished that first step, check it off, and write down another one.
Put that step on your calendar.
Give yourself a deadline and make it happen!
Find a trusted friend or mentor to hold you accountable.
If you have someone expecting an update from you, you’re more likely to make it happen. share your dream or plans, but make sure it is with someone who will encourage and push you. Someone who will believe in you.
Surround yourself with people who are where you want to be.
Watch the TedTalks, go to the conferences, or YouTube “how to”. Reach out to people on social media. If you can see it, you can absolutely achieve it.
Remember that every setback is a set up for something even better.
Don’t give up. Try again or attack from a different angle.
Lastly, HAVE FUN.
Your dreams should be something you enjoy doing - something you can be proud of that gives you purpose and your life meaning. It will be harder to accomplish them if you are dreading getting up each day to go after them. It won’t be easy, but it should be enjoyable.
Don’t be afraid to dream big. I’ve heard time and time again, “if your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.” Aim high, because regardless of if you make it to what you envisioned or not, I promise you, you’ll be much further than where you are now. Be brave, tune out the naysayers and your negative inner dialogue. Affirm yourself, take a leap of faith, and start now.
What is one dream that you are committing to taking steps to actualizing? Let us know below! And once you complete your first step, come back and write “I Did It!”. See you on the other side of your dream cousins!
XO,
Ashley
