It is no news that the natural hair movement is the rave of the moment. Some years ago, the only thing that comes to mind when you think about keeping your hair natural is the pain that comes with the combing and the few options available as far as styling is concerned. But today, keeping the natural hair is fun and trendy. With all the different styles naturalistas do with their natural hair these days, and the rate at which some celebrities are flaunting their natural hair, you may want to join the train too. So if transitioning your hair to natural is one of your goals for the year and you don’t want to do the big chop, I am sure these tips will help.
1. Be psychologically Ready: Don’t get alarmed, it is nothing serious, but transitioning your hair means changing your lifestyle and inconveniencing yourself for a while, so it is good to prepare your mind for the journey ahead. Many ladies started transitioning but backed out as a result of the inconveniences or pressure, you don’t want to make the statistics I am sure. So what will you do when you just want to comb and style your hair like you use to do when it was relaxed? It seems simple, but believe me, it can be frustrating.
2. Stop Using Relaxers: That is the whole point, relaxers deny you your kinky afro curls and you wish to get it back, so the first thing is to ditch the chemicals.
3.Stop Chemical treatments: Let the dyes, texturizers and keratin treatments be for now, these products may make your hair look good and easier to style but they can prolong your transitioning period.
4. Avoid Heating Tools: At a point, your hair may become more difficult to comb and style, using a flat iron or hot comb may seem like the only reasonable thing to do, but this is one temptation you must not fall into when transitioning. Your hair is already weak as a result of the transitioning process and hot tools may do great damage to your hair.
Read: 6 Back to School Bun Hairstyles For Natural Hair
5. Feed Your Hair: I know your hair doesn’t it, but you need you feed it with protein treatments and ensure frequent deep conditioning.
6. Moisturize regularly: I know different oils come to mind when we hear moisturize, but moisturizing actually starts with water or water-based products, then add oil(s). You can then lock it in with shea butter if it works for you (Some people complain shea butter gives them dandruff and itchy scalp while it works well for some others).
7. Wear Protective Styles (PS): Transitioning may mean you are not in control of your natural hair for the main time, so wearing a PS may be a good option here. Aside from this, you would also be protecting your hair from the harsh weather and frequent combing.
8. Trimming: Since you are not doing the big chop, it is advised you trim your hair in bits. How often you will trim depends on the length of your hair and how fast your hair grows. You can trim every 2 to 3 months.
