Hey Brittanie,

I have had natural year for a year now, but have no clue as to what regime I should follow to take good care of my hair. can you please tell me how to take care of it. Right now it needs to be de-tangled and its very dry.

- Anonymous

Hello!

First I’d like to say that there isn’t one set of rules for caring for your natural hair. Everyone’s regimen will be different, and tailored to what their hair needs. That said, I can address how to detangle and dryness. Because our strands are coily, it’s harder for natural oils to run down the shaft of our hair, leaving us open to dry season. Since it is still winter this one of the worst times for natural women who need help maintaining moisture. There are a few daily habits you can change, as well as products you can introduce into your regimen.

First, are you sleeping on cotton? If so, stop. I love cotton pillows cases (they’re soft and fluffy!) but it’s essential to try satin or silk pillowcases for your hair (and face as well). The silky texture is a lot less harsh on your tresses and doesn’t remove as much moisture as cotton fibers. Next, bonnets and satin scarfs are your friend as well when tying down your hair at night (they operate for the same function as the pillow cases). To introduce a good moisture balance in you hair, I recommend deep conditioning once a week, I use Aubrey Organics GPB as my deep conditioner. For daily moisture I recommend some type of cream mix until the harsh weather breaks. If you want something pre-made and off of the shelf, my recommendation is Shea Moisture’s Curl Enhancing Smoothie. If you’re into making your own products, then I recommend creating a mix of shea butter with your favorite essential oils into a nice cream for your hair. Always remember to seal, that’s the most important part. Once you moisturize your hair, you have to make sure it STAYS moisturized. A good oil (I use Proclaim Natural 7 Oils) will help seal your hair shaft.

Thanks for writing and I hope this helps!

-Brittanie