Natural Hair Tips for an Easier Routine

They say practice makes perfect, but we don’t always have time for all of that. More often than not, daily obligations get in the way of crafting that perfect hair routine which would allow our strands to live up to their full potential. So to save some of the time you’re likely spending watching natural hair videos on Youtube, here are some helpful tips to get you on your way to well-cared for locs and a peace of mind.

Tip #1: Get Yourself a Detangling Tool

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On wash day, detangling the hair will mean that not only are you working through strands which have wrapped themselves around each other, but you are also removing all of the hair that’s been shed up until that point. Thus, it is crucial to have suitable tools that will make the whole process go by as smoothly as possible. Thankfully, these days there are a few options available.

Finger Detangling: For those who prefer working through their tangles as carefully as possible, finger detangling might be for you. When you’re able to directly feel each tangle as you’re removing them, you’re less likely to walk away with unwanted breakage. While it typically takes more time to ensure you’re getting the job done thoroughly, you’ll be assured that your ends are getting the love and attention they deserve.

Brushes: If time is not on your side, you may be more inclined to get your hands on a detangling brush. With the right one, you can get through your wash day and  feel confident that your hair will be thoroughly detangled afterwards. Nowadays, there are several brushes to choose from, and they range in their overall shapes as well as their bristle types. Here are some examples of the options available.

• Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross’ Shower Detangling Brush
• Bestool Detangling Brush
• Tangle Teaser Hair Brush
• Rizos Curls’ Detangling Brush

Wide Tooth Combs: A useful alternative if you feel as though brushes are too rough on your hair. Not everyone can get away with running a brush through their strands every washday, so the idea of a wide-tooth comb may peak your interest. Of course, like with the detangling brushes, there are plenty of options available.

Tip #3: Slip, and lots of it

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch: https://www.pexels.com/photo/shampoo-bottles-on-shelf-3735627/

What’s the use of a good detangling tool without conditioners/styling products that make it easier to use such tools? By now, it’s pretty well know how important moisture is for a productive hair routine, the amount of slip a product has helps whatever you’re using move through those tangles both more quickly and efficiently. While finding the product with the amount of slip that’s most suitable for your preferences may take a little searching, here are some leave-in conditioners, conditioners, and styling creams that are worth starting with:

• Curls Blueberry Bliss Leave-In Conditioner
• Aussie Moist Miracle Moist Conditioner
• Melanin Haircare Plumping Deep Conditioner
• Curmix Conditioner
• Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner
• Camille Rose Moisture Milk

Tip #3: Don't Be Afraid to Choose Your Lifestyle Over Haircare Trends

Photo by Eric Rothermel on Unsplash

It cannot go unsaid that the Natural Hair Movement has brought to us a streamlined place to turn to for hair care tips/practices. At the same time, one could argue that the space feels so streamlined that it’s easy to get caught up in doing things “the right way” even if it doesn’t flow with our lifestyle. Wash, condition, style, and then sit under a hair dryer. Haircare recommendations tend to be something along those lines. But what if you don’t like sitting under hair dryers for extended periods of time? What if you just don’t want to?

Sometimes it can be some of the simpler solutions that aren’t always so obvious: you don’t need to feel obligated to craft your lifestyle around your hair routine rather than vice versa. If you don’t like dealing with hooded dryers (or don’t want to pay for one), don’t. If you don’t like wash and go’s, do twistouts, or something else. If you feel as though washing your hair more often is better for you, go for it. If you don’t, that’s fine too. Point being, sometimes outside pressure can do a greater job than we think at influencing what we do, so if going against the grain is in you and your hair’s best interest, don’t be afraid to follow that path.