Everyone with curls knows how hard and time consuming it is to manage, style, and maintain them- especially my black queens. We invest our time and money into billions of products, trying to find the one that’s right for us. Curly hair is the most delicate type on the block, and as we transition and settle into the campus, it’s hard to keep up with our usual routines. Classes, friends, the city- we’re pulled in so many different directions. Personally, it’s only been two weeks and I’ve already grabbed the flat iron at least 3 times. It’s difficult because part of us knows it’s bad for our curls, but the other part pressures us into straightening it for easy hairstyles. I’ve come up with a couple of strategies and hair products to help my fellow curly/kinky-haired queens of New York City.
My Advice
- Wash-and-go is great sometimes but can break your hair when done repeatedly. Instead, dry your hair with a cotton shirt after washing (reduces frizz and breakage). After it dries up, section your hair into 4 parts and oil your scalp (my all-time favorite recommendation being The Camille Rose Cocoa Nibs & Honey Ultimate Growth Serum, found at your local Target). After massaging your roots, add your usual products and braid the 4 sections. This method has saved me time and time again, and kept my hair healthy throughout quarantine.
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Always comb your hair from bottom to top to reduce frizz. Detangling hair from the bottom-up allows you to gently detangle each knot, rather than complicating knots toward the bottom and yanking your way through.
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Deep condition your hair while doing homework. If treating your hair takes up your time, I suggest putting on a deep conditioning treatment (My recommendation: SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque) for about 30 minutes and get a little bit of work done while you’re at it. The key to success is time management!
As times get tougher, make sure to always practice self care. Through hard times we tend to care for others more than we care for ourselves. I hope every beautiful person reading this remembers to take care of herself both physically and mentally. Have fun (safely)- and remember, we will get through this hard time together.