7 Important Reminders for the Newly Natural

In the spirit of new beginnings, you might be one of many women who has recently cut of their permanently straightened strands. You might be looking to embrace your own hair pattern and texture. Whether this was a quick decision or one you’ve been pondering for a while – cheers! Kudos to you for starting something new. “Natural hair” is a weighted phrase. The definition of the phrase represents different things physically, spiritually and emotionally to many people. With the mélange of opinions, comes a lot of advice.

Let’s keep it simple. For the sake of this piece “natural hair” means hair that is not permanently, chemically straightened to any degree. (Color is sensitive topic. I will leave that to your discretion.)

The experiences of women who have “gone natural” have been increasingly well-documented through their own voices. Especially, in recent years with thriving social media use. It has even garnered major media coverage for its impact on the hair industry. Maybe you started perusing hair journeys on Fotki years ago. Maybe you are an avid blog reader or follow a natural hair-themed Instagram page. Regardless of how you started, at this point you’ve seen the stories and testimonies. Most of us are no stranger to popular, creative and inspiring naturals who use the internet to share their journey. We love to get style/product tips, and commentary about how the world has responded to their hair. Then of course there is your sister, mother, best friend or co-worker who has been natural for a while. They are usually ready to give you all the advice you (n)ever needed.

Here are 7 things to keep in mind as you start getting advice about your newly natural hair:

Everyone wants different things, make sure you determine what you want. The advice someone gives you about your hair is under the heavy influence of their own personal perspective and individual goals. Some people see natural hair as a style change and others see it as a life change. It is helpful to know that someone’s advice aligns with your goals for hair care and/or styling.
Hair Care & Hair Styling are different things. There are so many glorious styles to choose from. So many. It is fun to see new things you can try with your hair. Just remember that some of the best style tips might not mix well with hair care. Before and after a new style, check the condition of your hair. Always be sure you have knowledge of how your style choices impact your hair.
Learn your hair. It’s difficult to know what products and styles work best for your hair. Especially, if you don’t know your hair. There are different “hair-typing” classifications with various numbers and letters. Just like your skin or body, no two heads of hair are exactly alike. So products or styles that work best for you may be different from someone else. Even if your hair “looks just like” theirs. Beyond curl pattern, your hair has unique characteristics like density, porosity, and thickness of your hair individual strands. A highly-recommended book to start learning about your hair is The Science of Black Hair by Audrey Davis-Sivasothy.
It’s okay that everyone you love, doesn’t love it – including you. There may be some people who don’t like your new ‘do. Maybe it’s the length, the texture, or maybe it’s just because it’s different. Some studies suggest that people tend to like what they know. That includes you. That is okay. It might take some time to adjust to seeing yourself differently. Give yourself time to love your new look and appreciate it.
Your hair doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Going natural might be your first time caring and styling your hair, or doing it frequently. You may notice things you haven’t noticed before, then look for quick fixes and take anyone’s advice. When you’re looking for solutions it can be tempting to think about your hair as if it’s in a vacuum, like it’s this mass that spontaneously appears to crown your wonderful mind. The truth is, the unique condition of your body (nutrient supply, circulation, hydration, etc.) already have influence once your hair sprouts . Not to mention, the influence of the conditions of your environment (weather, humidity, friction from hats etc.). Before you look for a product or take advice, first take an honest look at your overall health and your environment. Sometimes a visit to your doctor to ensure that you are doing well on the inside may be a better solution than a new product.
It’s okay to ask for help. Once you study your hair and know the basics of how to care for it, you may find that a friend or professional is more efficient (or skilled) at getting your desired results. Or maybe you just need a break. There is no shame in getting help.
Keep it simple. Hair is wonderful. It is a crown, it protects your mind, which houses your brain. Arguably these are very important and wonderful qualities. This entire article is dedicated to it. It isn’t everything though. If things start feeling complicated and overwhelming focus on the basics. Take care of yourself from the inside out. Try not to sacrifice moisture for a style, enjoy it but don’t disturb it too much. Lastly, choose styles that make you feel your best.