For many women, the journey back to natural is a challenging one. Wouldn’t it have been nice to have a professional hairstylist on call to answer all of your most transitioning dilemmas?
These lucky women did.
For six months NaturallyCurly and Dark and Lovely helped nine women along their natural hair journeys, in whichever stage they were in. We had recent big choppers, long-term transitioners, and even veteran naturals (they still had many questions!”> participate in the Grow Out Diaries, and you can watch their progress on YouTube. These women tried a mystery product for six months leading up to the launch of Dark and Lovely’s brand new line for Anti-Breakage.
We also hosted a Live Google Hangout with Mezei and all 9 of the women last week in New York, you can catch the video here. And you can start your own blog or read about other womens’ experiences on our Grow Out Diaries.
Here are a few of the questions these women had for Softsheen-Carson educator and natural hair afficionado Mezei Jefferson. Chances are you have wondered these questions yourself!
Raquel
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How often should I wash and condition my hair?
You should shampoo and condition as often as needed. If you wearing a wash and go style, it could be daily and if it is a twist out or up do style then it might be weekly or bi weekly.
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How can afford knots and tangles?
You really cannot avoid tangles, they happen due to natural curl pattern of hair. Keeping your hair moisturized will help with tangles somewhat. Also consistent use of the leave it and hair butter/dress will help with tangles by lubricating the hair shaft.
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How can I protect/prevent my hair from getting matted while I’m sleeping?
At night you have a couple of options with your hair. 1st is to twist or braid hair nightly with some of the hair butter/dress to retain texture and prevent breakage from the pillow. Just a couple braids or twist will do. 2nd get a satin pillowcase or scarf to wrap up hair at night. This will eliminate the rubbing and the cotton sucking the moisture out of your hair. 3rd is pineapple the hair, this will help prevent losing the curl pattern and tangling at night. To do it bend over and pull all hair up into loose top ponytail and secure with soft scrunchy. Loosen up hair on top so you don’t get indentations
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How can I reduce frizz and define my curls
Curls get frizzy and undefined when they lose protein and moisture. Deep conditioning hair and a light trim will make curls spring aback to life. Also to retain moisture, use the leave in and the hair dress/hair butter when needed to keep curls well defined.
Quay
- Can the conditioner be used with heat or as an overnight DC?
The conditioner is designed to work alone and doesn’t require any heat application to penetrate. It can be left on hair overnight, if you feel you need more conditioning.
Lola
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How often is it necessary to wash your hair?
You should shampoo and condition as often as needed. If you wearing a wash and go style, it could be daily and if it is a twist out or up do style, then it might be weekly or bi weekly.
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Does your curl pattern change over time while transitioning?
No, your curl pattern should not actually change while transitioning. If you notice hair getting curlier it is likely because of hair elasticity. When beginning transitioning your hair is used to the curl being blown out or flat ironed. As you begin to get more natural the curl takes over and your true texture becomes more apparent.
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What are some hair tips you have while I’m transitioning?
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Use a leave in conditioner always
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Be gentle on your relaxed hair when combing, hold hair in hands and start to comb from the ends upward
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If still wearing hair blown out smooth, use a low heat setting
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Once you have 3-4 inches of new growth start to do flat twist sets to style and use a roller or pin curl on the ends of hair for definition.
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When starting to use products, get a nice trim of ends. That way you maintain healthy hair
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What can I do to prevent my hair from breaking during my transitioning process?
I already mentioned the trim and at night follow one of these instructions. 1st is to twist or braid hair nightly to retain texture and prevent breakage from the pillow. Just a couple braids or twist will do. 2nd get a satin pillowcase or scarf to wrap up hair at night. This will eliminate the rubbing and the cotton sucking the moisture out of your hair. 3rd is pineapple the hair, this will help prevent losing the curl pattern and tangling at night. To do it bend over and pull all hair up into loose top ponytail and secure with soft scrunchy. Loosen up hair on top so you don’t get indentations. Use the hairbutter/ hairdress
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What is hair butter and how often should you use it?
The Hair Butter is designed to lubricate the hair so you can comb and manipulate it without excessive breakage. It can be used daily if needed on scalp to moisturize as well as on hair to refresh style. It can also be used to do twist outs and braid out styles.
Lauren
- What is the best way to detangle hair when applying styling products after conditioning? Comb or finger detangling?
Combing is what can cause the most breakage to hair if not done properly. First always remember to mist hair with water first and use finger to part hair in sections to detangle. If your hair gets really tangled, then use a wide tooth comb and start at the end of hair and work up. Apply conditioner or the hair butter to help lubricate hair if needed.
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Is it better to mix the leave in with the hair dress before applying to hair for moisture?
No, actually it is better to layer the products for maximum effect. First apply the leave in and then apply the hair dress and style to retain moisture.
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What are some tips about keeping up with moisture during the fall and winter months. Any styles recommended?
Tips for winter months are to use a silk scarf or cap inside of your caps and hats so hair doesn’t rub up against the hat and cause moisture loss or breakage. Also wear hair in protective styles like braids or twist. Wash and Go’s are hard on the hair during severely cold times. Use the softening butter to create twist and reapply at night to retain moisture.
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Would it be more beneficial and absorbent to use the leave in on wet hair? Or would it absorb better on dry hair?
Use the leave in on damp hair for better absorption. The softening butter can be used on damp and dry hair.
LaKresha
- What styling tips can you provide for my short hair?
For short hair you can do comb coils or even protective styles like twist outs w/ extensions for a longer fuller look to the hair.
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Is it better to mix the leave in with the hair dress before applying to hair for moisture?
No, actually it is better to layer the products for maximum effect. First apply the leave in and then apply the hair dress and style to retain moisture.
This article is sponsored by SoftSheen-Carson.
