Because of the high demand of questions I have received via email, text message, phone calls, Twitter, Facebook and in passing, concerning my natural hair, I have decided to put some information out there for all of my ladies who have either started their natural hair journey, (to greatness : D), or who are veterans looking to try something new! I have been natural for a little over a year and a half now, (since March 2010) and it has been quite an experience to say the least. Some of you may have read my post from last year about my hair journey: (Check it out here!).

There definitely were several times that I came this close [] to putting a relaxer in it but I stayed strong and it definitely paid off! The first step that you MUST understand is that everyone’s hair is different! So there is no right or wrong way to care for your hair! I always tell people, “Whatever works!” For me, the transition has been fairly easy (Thank God, and thank my momma!) I literally have continued the same exact routine that I did with a relaxer, except of course the NOT getting a relaxer part, and I have maintained healthy, strong, full, hair! Here are steps that I take on a weekly basis, feel free to try them at your own risk:

1. I wash my hair with Mizani Thermasmooth shampoo & conditioner found at professional salons or professional salon stores, (or of course online!) *Because I wear my hair both straight and curly I also use Kera Care Humecto conditioning shampoo and moisturizing conditioner. It is important to protect and nourish your hair for the different ways that you wear it. *When washing my hair I stroke from the scalp, down, I DO NOT tangle my hair all around my head, I try to wash my hair in the same motion as much as possible!

2. I leave the conditioner (Mizani or Kera Care) on my hair and cover it with a shower cap while I wash the rest of my body, shave, walk around the house, whatever you chose to do to keep yourself busy while the conditioner sits on your hair for at least 10 minutes.

3. After rinsing out the conditioner, if I’m wearing my hair curly I rub on a leave in conditioning cream Kera Care conditioning hair dressing cream or Mizani True Textures curl refine. If I’m wearing my hair straight I rub Olive Oil or Kera Care Joba Oil on my hair as well as a hair syrum to protect my hair from heat and also give it it’s moisture. *Depending on YOUR hair this may differ! My hair produces natural oils so I use light oils to avoid weighing my hair down and causing it to be too greasy and unmanageable.

4. Next I either go on with my day and maybe pin it on one side and let it air dry OR if I’m wearing it straight I part my hair in sections (because it’s super thick) and I blow it dry with a ceramic blow dryer and flat iron it with a ceramic iron. THAT’S IT!

*Depending on the dryness of your hair, add conditioning cream or oil to it as needed. Wrap it to keep the straight style and put a bonnet on it if its curly to protect your ends, (it helps to have a satin pillow case).

VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have noticed that for most people there is an assumption about hair based off the way it looks or based off “what other people have told you.” For most hairdressers dealing with natural hair is new, especially different types…. DO NOT base YOUR hair off of other peoples. Get to know your hair and do what works for YOU! I have had people try and trim my hair based off of what they “thought” was permed hair!!! AND i’ve even had people assume that they could NOT do a roller set on my hair or flat iron it to achieve the look I wanted when in actuality my hair is very soft, thick but not corse, so achieving whatever style I want is easy! KNOW YOUR HAIR and finding what works for it will be easy! Don’t be afraid to READ and RESEARCH products either!

Enjoy, my loves, and good luck!! : )

These pics were taken within 3 days of each other, the two-strand twist was done before the flat ironed style.

My natural hair after I flat ironed it (And yes you too can achieve this look at home, with a regular ceramic iron!):

My hair natural hair after I two-strand twisted it: