Things I Wish I Knew Before Turning Natural

Being a naturalista is all fun and games until it isn't. It can get overwhelming with the different terms and categorization. Suddenly 3B isn't a Form 3 Business class anymore but a hair texture and the combs we knew whilst growing up become our enemies. Perhaps, if we were privy to some nuggets of wisdom about natural hair, things might have been a bit easier.

Here are few nuggets to keep in mind while we go through our natural hair journey.

Water is your friend

The days of running away from rain are behind you. One of the most important things you need as a naturalista is moisture, i.e. water. Your hair needs it to flourish so drink lots of it and moisturize your hair with water as the base or use water-based leave in conditioner to moisturize. Whatever the case might be, you're free to dance under the rain. 

YouTube videos are not the standard

Yes, we know sis! You followed the YouTube video step by step but your hair came out looking messy. We've all been there before. Don't worry about it. YouTube videos are not the standard and there's nothing wrong with your hair. The YouTuber's hair texture may be very different from yours. Keep experimenting and soon enough, you'll find what works for you.

You don't suddenly become a stylist

Forget about the hype. You don't suddenly become a stylist when you turn natural and there's no shame in it. Don't let anyone make you love your hair less just because you can't style it. Get yourself a natural hair salon and let the professionals handle it for you. Trust Eya Salon to handle all your hair care issues at affordable rates. 

Grease isn't moisture

Gone are the days when greasy products used to reign. If no one has told you yet, allow us to burst your bubble. Grease isn't moisture. Neither are oils. As a naturalista, you need relevant set of products which ensure the retention of moisture in your hair. Whether a newbie or veteran naturalista, the Essentials Set from Eya Naturals helps in taking care of your hair for soft, manageable, tangle-free, healthy hair.

You can't comb willy nilly

Hold on! Don't throw away your combs yet. Keep the wide tooth combs. Now keep in mind that the technique of combing permed hair is different from how to comb natural hair. With your wide tooth comb, start combing your hair from the ends and work your way down to the roots. Make sure your hair is still conditioned and moisturized before combing. If your hair dries out while combing or detangling, free feel to spray in some more water to get it damp/wet. Unless you're laying down your edges or parting your hair, do not take a small tooth comb near your hair.

Your hair needs attention

You cannot ignore your natural hair and get away with it. It needs a lot of attention. First off, do not just put your hair in cornrows for weeks on end without moisturizing it. Stop wearing wigs all the time. If you're fond of braiding for long periods, it's time to put a stop to it. After taking out your braids or cornrows, please always treat your hair to help restore the moisture and lustre you might have lost. Natural hair needs a lot of moisture and treatment. You'll get a hang of it soon.

Your hair is growing - even if you can't see it

Yes it is. Due to how curly natural hair is, you might not see the growth or length. This is why you might have to stretch it to truly see the length. You can do so by blow drying, banding or using African threading. If you decide to blow dry, please do so sparingly and always use a heat protectant. 

The temptation to texturize

Within the first few weeks of turning natural, you might be tempted to texturize due to how overwhelming taking care of your hair might seem. It's not a bad thing to texturize but the chemical composition of your hair changes after doing this. Your hair is no longer natural and you might have to start all over if you over-texturize. 

It truly is an exciting experience taking care of natural hair. Enjoy the process. For further hair consultation, please do not hesitate to contact Eya Naturals on +233 204 600 464 or +233 59 237 7008 @eyanaturals on Facebook and Instagram