Seven Tips to Maintain that Mane
As a POC, having dry and coarse hair comes with the package if you’re born with an abundant mane. I have extremely dry and frizzy curly hair that at times is difficult to maintain and manage. However, as I go through life experiences and meet other women who have gone through similar situations as me, I learn that only through trial and error with products and DIYS is the first step in learning how to groom your head of hair. Here are a few tips and tricks that you can use all year long no matter the weather.
1. MOISTURE MOISTURE
Curly hair requires heavy duty amounts of moisture because it will soak it all up like a sponge. For hair touch ups throughout the day, I like to carry a small spray bottle filled with half cold water and 1/3 of my leave in conditioner and then I just give a few spritz of this hair crack onto my hair and voila, see the curls bounce back into action.
2. HAIR MASKS
During the summer, winter, and humid days, hair can become burned and dried out due to the harsh weather. To bring some life back into those tresses, use a Moroccan or Argan oil based hair mask; Brush it in, wrap your hair with a shower cap or plastic bag to seal the mask in and leave it in for about 30 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water and you’re all set. Do this routine for about once or twice a week. If you’re more of a DIY girl, then you can do an avocado mask that works just as well. Simply grab one avocado or two, depending on the amount of hair you have, peel it, put it in a bowl with a tablespoon of olive oil and mix it all up and follow the same steps as the other masks.
3. STAY AWAY FROM HEAT
Put those irons down ladies and embrace the natural locks you were blessed with. Also try to avoid the strong rays of the sun by wearing a cap, beanie or by doing a hairstyle that gives minimal exposure to the sun such as a bun, ponytail, or braid(s).
4. EAT YOUR FRUITS AND VEGGIES
I know junk food sometimes is hard to resist, but if that is what you are constantly feeding your body then you are not balancing nor giving the right nutrients to the body which it requires. Once I started cutting bad foods from my diet, my old, broken hair fell out and new and stronger locks began to grow and even my skin felt better. Moral of the story, eat those greens.
5. SLEEP AND SLEEPING STYLES
I know that episode on Netflix leaves you thinking what will happen next, but just know that you can always press play at any day and at any hour. Therefore, get all those Z’s first! While you sleep your body releases hormones, which is why it is important to rest. These are some sleeping styles to protect your hair while sleeping are:
- The pineapple: pile all of your hair up on your head into a loose ponytail.
- A braid or braids
- A bonnet or sleep on a silk pillowcase.
6. FOR THIN HAIR
If you have naturally thinner hair, a resolution for this is a hair mask that consists of:
- A scoop of shea butter
- A scoop of mayo (yes mayo.)
- One brown egg; crack it and throw in the whole thing except the shells of course
- A tablespoon of castor oil or olive oil whichever you have
Leave on for 30 minutes and wash off with cold water
7. WATER WATER WATER
Not much to say here except to drink some water every day. Your body and hair will thank you for it.
Just a few ways to take care of your beautiful curls and tresses and the most important tip of all is to EMBRACE WHAT YOU HAVE LADIES.