I hear a lot of people say that the products that worked for them while relaxed didn't worked for them after going natural. This article will provide both natural and mass market alternatives for transitioners.
The first thing you should invest in is both a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.I recommend Aubrey organics Honeysuckle Rose shampoo and conditioner as a natural alternative and both both Suave tropical coconut conditioner and Herbal Essence Hello Hydration mass market. But, trial and error will help you to figure out what makes your hair thrive. Most naturals tend to stay away from shampoo because they strip the moisture from your hair and as a natural we need all the moisture we can get. On average, I shampoo once a month after my monthly henna treatment. But, every week, I cleanse my scalp using conditioner only, which is referred to as a conditioner wash or cowash. If I need an extra cleansing, I add a little baking soda to my conditioner wash. It will take a while to get use to using condition only to cleanse your scalp because we have be brainwashed into thinking our hair isn't clean without suds and squeaky clean hair but you'll get used to it.
Never rinse out all of your conditioner and ALWAYS use a leave-in conditioner. Natural I've used Giovanni Direct Leave-in from the health food store as well as Alba but but my favorite is by Kinky Curly Knot Today. They sale Alba and Giovanni at both the Vitamin Shoppe and Whole Foods but Kinky Curly Products can only be purchased at Whole Foods in my local area. Mass market, Herbal Essence has one that i've read good things about.
Next, you'll need a good moisturizer. This will be the MOST important part of your transition. You will HAVE to keep your new growth moist during your transition. Moisturizer is going to keep it soft and manageable. It will also help to prevent breakage at the line of demarcation (the line where the natural and relaxed hair meets). There are a lot of good natural hair care lines that can be ordered online. My personal favorite is Qhemet Biologics Alma/Olive Heavy Cream mixed with the Olive/Honey Hydrating Balm. Another that I really like is Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Cream. But, mass market, I've heard good things about Organic Root Stimulator Olive Cream and Profectiv, which both cand be purchased from Sally Beauty Supply. Hopefully someone will post some recommendations in the comment section below. Remember that items containing mineral and petroleum are said to block out moisture so it is recommended that you stay away from those.
Next, you will need an oil to seal in your moisturizer. I'll suggest olive oil or castor oil. both are easy to obtain and both penetrate the hair shaft and soften the hair. You can get olive oil at any grocer or walmart. It's best to get castor oil at the health food store because you can get an big bottle for low price. A lot of the mass market oil blends like Hot Six Oil are pure oil so read the ingredients.
Next you will need a styler, I use natural gels like kinky curly knot today, Aubrey Organics Mandarin Magic Moisturizing Gelly, and Kiss My Face Upper Management Gel as well as creamy natural stylers like Ohm Body Sweet Hair Pudding. Mass market, people swear by eco styler gel as well as Sparkle-lites and several curl activator gels from the local beauty supply store.
I wore my hair wrapped the first couple of month until the roots got too thick.After that, I started setting my hair with two-strand twists for twistout wavy styles. You can do the same with single braids (plaits) for braidouts. Braidouts, Twistouts, cornrows, flat twists, rollerset and other transitioning styles help blend the natural and relaxed hair textures. Heat can damage the new growth if not utilized e properly so I chose to avoid heat but that's a personal choice. Many people choose to press their hair weekly press or opt for a Dominican blowout and flat iron style.
Check out the transitioners forum on http://www.nappturality.com. I don't think I would have made it through my journey without the inspiration of that site.
With Winter fast approaching in North Carolina, a cold weather healthy hair care regimen that I recommend includes:
Wash/Cowash
Condition/Deep Condition
Apply Leave-in Conditioner
Moisturize
Seal the moisture with oil
Style - Styling while soaking wet helps retain the most moisture.
Because I am already natural, as as added step, I ALWAYS seal my ends with castor oil, which is especially important in the cold weather months due to the various coats, hats, scarves, sweaters that your ends may come in contact with on a daily basis.
The first thing you should invest in is both a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.I recommend Aubrey organics Honeysuckle Rose shampoo and conditioner as a natural alternative and both both Suave tropical coconut conditioner and Herbal Essence Hello Hydration mass market. But, trial and error will help you to figure out what makes your hair thrive. Most naturals tend to stay away from shampoo because they strip the moisture from your hair and as a natural we need all the moisture we can get. On average, I shampoo once a month after my monthly henna treatment. But, every week, I cleanse my scalp using conditioner only, which is referred to as a conditioner wash or cowash. If I need an extra cleansing, I add a little baking soda to my conditioner wash. It will take a while to get use to using condition only to cleanse your scalp because we have be brainwashed into thinking our hair isn't clean without suds and squeaky clean hair but you'll get used to it.
Never rinse out all of your conditioner and ALWAYS use a leave-in conditioner. Natural I've used Giovanni Direct Leave-in from the health food store as well as Alba but but my favorite is by Kinky Curly Knot Today. They sale Alba and Giovanni at both the Vitamin Shoppe and Whole Foods but Kinky Curly Products can only be purchased at Whole Foods in my local area. Mass market, Herbal Essence has one that i've read good things about.
Next, you'll need a good moisturizer. This will be the MOST important part of your transition. You will HAVE to keep your new growth moist during your transition. Moisturizer is going to keep it soft and manageable. It will also help to prevent breakage at the line of demarcation (the line where the natural and relaxed hair meets). There are a lot of good natural hair care lines that can be ordered online. My personal favorite is Qhemet Biologics Alma/Olive Heavy Cream mixed with the Olive/Honey Hydrating Balm. Another that I really like is Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Cream. But, mass market, I've heard good things about Organic Root Stimulator Olive Cream and Profectiv, which both cand be purchased from Sally Beauty Supply. Hopefully someone will post some recommendations in the comment section below. Remember that items containing mineral and petroleum are said to block out moisture so it is recommended that you stay away from those.
Next, you will need an oil to seal in your moisturizer. I'll suggest olive oil or castor oil. both are easy to obtain and both penetrate the hair shaft and soften the hair. You can get olive oil at any grocer or walmart. It's best to get castor oil at the health food store because you can get an big bottle for low price. A lot of the mass market oil blends like Hot Six Oil are pure oil so read the ingredients.
Next you will need a styler, I use natural gels like kinky curly knot today, Aubrey Organics Mandarin Magic Moisturizing Gelly, and Kiss My Face Upper Management Gel as well as creamy natural stylers like Ohm Body Sweet Hair Pudding. Mass market, people swear by eco styler gel as well as Sparkle-lites and several curl activator gels from the local beauty supply store.
I wore my hair wrapped the first couple of month until the roots got too thick.After that, I started setting my hair with two-strand twists for twistout wavy styles. You can do the same with single braids (plaits) for braidouts. Braidouts, Twistouts, cornrows, flat twists, rollerset and other transitioning styles help blend the natural and relaxed hair textures. Heat can damage the new growth if not utilized e properly so I chose to avoid heat but that's a personal choice. Many people choose to press their hair weekly press or opt for a Dominican blowout and flat iron style.
Check out the transitioners forum on http://www.nappturality.com. I don't think I would have made it through my journey without the inspiration of that site.
With Winter fast approaching in North Carolina, a cold weather healthy hair care regimen that I recommend includes:
Wash/Cowash
Condition/Deep Condition
Apply Leave-in Conditioner
Moisturize
Seal the moisture with oil
Style - Styling while soaking wet helps retain the most moisture.
Because I am already natural, as as added step, I ALWAYS seal my ends with castor oil, which is especially important in the cold weather months due to the various coats, hats, scarves, sweaters that your ends may come in contact with on a daily basis.
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