WhyKnot?: My hair care Journey Transiton to Now pt. 2

Continuing on braids, weaves, etc.

If you are going to rocking braids

A.) Make sure the braids ARE NOT TOO TIGHT. If you eyes are giving a cat look and that is not your natural eye shape then stop and reverse. If the braids are too tight then you’re doing more damage and help. You could loose your hair line and pull out hair, plus you do not want to put sores on your scalp…I hope.

B.) Make sure the person braiding understands your are transitioning and or natural and KNOWS HOW TO COMB YOUR HAIR GENTLY. I can think of at least 2 women who I want to leave my heel print on their car for combing my hair so rough. I want though…can’t care for Lola right in jail lol.

C.) Do a deep condition before the Braids. This should help your hair be easier to comb.

D.) And make sure you take the time to wash your braids at least every once in a while. You sclap has to breathe and dirt “chillin,” in all of your pores isn’t helping.

E.) Lastly, condition. When I had braids I would put some of my favorite conditioners (Knot Today by Kinky Curly for example) you can use your choice of course. Knot Today + Water in a spray bottle= spraying my hair. Then I would seal in moisture with a oil (jojoba for example…NOT MINERAL BASE OILS) and let my hair air dry.

Not into braids? Well lets look at wigs, weaves, hats (including scarf’s)

If you’re going to wear one of the above choices please protect your real hair.

A.)Do not just bunch your hair into one of these. Braid, twist, or two strands twist your hair. What I recommend is doing one of those (twisting, etc.) then before the wig cap, hat, or scarf add a satin bonnet. If you put just a wig or hat on, it can dry your hair out unless it has special lining. Also if you just bunch your hair into a hat then you take a risk of hanging out with a lot of tangles later.

After my BC (big chop) I….

After my bc my hair was hard, shrunk, and a wth (what the heck). I still had straight pieces so I went back and had more hair cut off (a picture will be posted). I learned a lot about my hair by talking to other naturals and you tube. One lady told me that my hair would probably change up to a year…It did and to an extent still does. She said the scalp and hair as to get use to not getting a relaxer and grow out. One thing I can say is learning to condition my hair made a huge difference in my texture and how it feels.

As a twa (a name for new naturals), I would wash my hair everyday and condition. Do you have to wash everyday…no. If you have a drier texture you probably should only wash once a week, but you can Condition instead. To an extent conditioners can remove dirt, plus your adding moisture. Your hair will thank you. I have thick, kinky, spiraled hair, which means it make take long for my natural sclap oils to reach the ends of my hair so moisture is a must of mine.

I would also allow my hair to rest sometimes. As my hair began to grow, I would put it in twist and or give it days to rest. Putting your hands in your head all the time has to possibility of creating stress. I am not saying go out side looking like you slid down a mountain and saying “my hair is resting,” honey that is denial. I’m saying style it and leave it like that a few days.

If your hair is too short to style at this point:

Shake and go’s and or Wash and Go’s.

I am a huge fan of those. What you do is condition and if you like add a non alchol gel or custard and shake your head. Allow it to air dry not towel dry, if its cool outside wake up with enough time to let your hair dry. A wash and go is more finger styling to me. If you want to mode your hair then you can do so with custards, gels, etc.

A.) Kinky Curly Custard

B.) Miss Jessie’s

C.) Blue Magic or another non alcohol gel

I highly suggest if you want to save money, to find a natural with these products and ask for a sample. You can also look on you tube for people with your hair type or Natural Hair Groups like Natural Hair at its finest (facebook) or Kingdom Curls and ask how these products did for their hair.

A BC Pic after 3 months of new growth...oh my gosh, I still have a hard time believing I did this, but glad I did.