Taking proper care of your natural hair is literally everythinggg. As someone who’s obsessed with beauty (and a makeup artist who’s 1,000% all about that glow-up!), I feel like I don’t stress this enough. Whether you’re rockin’ your natural curls, coils, or waves—girl, you gotta keep them healthy and poppin’. And don’t even get me started on how our hair can affect our entire mood. Y’all know the drama of waking up with a bad hair day—it can throw everything off, right?!
So, here are some super-REAL tips to keep your natural hair looking and feeling like its absolute BEST. We’re talking defined curls that don’t quit and a scalp that’s thriving. Let’s get into it, babes.
First Thing First: Moisture is the Holy Grail 🌊
OKAY—for real though, I cannot shout this loud enough! Moisture is your bestie when it comes to natural hair. Our hair naturally craves moisture but it loses it so quickly because of how curly/kinky textures are. Tight curls shrink up, meaning the moisture from your scalp doesn’t evenly distribute through the length of your hair. Sooo, if you aren’t adding moisture often, brace yourself for dryness and frizz city.
Keeping natural hair moisturized isn’t just a one-and-done; it’s totally a lifestyle. Here’s some daily stuff to focus on:
- Water’s Queen: You know how you keep your skin hydrated by drinking water? Your hair deserves some too. Spritz it with water or a fancy hydrating mist to refresh it throughout the day.
- Leave-In Conditioners: These are soooo clutch! Opt for a rich leave-in conditioner to lock in that moisture after you spritz. Your hair will definitely thank you. For a lightweight, non-greasy option, try the Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In Detangler.
-
Oils Be Workin’ Overtime: Yes! Seal that deal with an oil that compliments your hair type. Coconut, argan, or jojoba oils are big faves in the natural hair community. They help lock in moisture and create a protective barrier while adding shine. But don’t just slather oil on dry hair—always apply it when your hair is damp.
Moisturizing your natural hair isn’t optional… it’s a VIP guest list and hydration is the password!
Know Thy Hair Type! 🔍
This is key, people! I need y’all to know your curl type, porosity, and texture. Natural hair comes in a lot of varieties—4A to 4C types, for instance—and each needs a tailored (sorry for the fancy word) type of care.
Finding your hair’s porosity helps you understand how your strands handle moisture. For example:
- Low porosity: Your hair cuticle is tight and doesn’t let water in easily but once it does, it holds onto moisture.
- High porosity: Your cuticle has gaps, so it absorbs moisture fast but loses it just as quickly.
If you have low-porosity hair, use heat or steam to open your hair cuticles so moisture can get in. A steamer or even covering your head with a plastic cap after conditioning works wonders. Pro tip: the Greenhouse Effect treatment is pretty amazing for drying low-porosity hair out.
If you’ve got high-porosity hair, focus on sealing moisture in with thick creams or butters like shea butter, and always use a leave-in conditioner with protein (but don’t go overboard with protein… trust). The SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Shea Butter is a goodie if your hair drinks up moisture fast and you need that help sealing it in.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet for some deets on curl types and porosity:
| Hair Type | What It Looks Like | Go-To Care Product |
|---|---|---|
| 4A | Tight curls, springy | Hydrating curl cream (like Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Curl Smoothie) |
| 4B | Z-pattern curls | Whipped shea butter for moisture |
| 4C | Tightest curl, zigzag | Heavy creams & oils, regular deep conditioning |
Treat Yo’ Curls the Same Way You Snack—Frequently 🍇
Ever go long without a snack and your mood tanks? Your curls feel the same way when you skip deep conditioning. Deep conditioning equals hair love! Girl, my locks live for an intense moisture mask! Make it a weekly thing.
Drenched in conditioner, that’s how your curls wanna be at least once a week (or every two weeks if you’re lazy like me sometimes 😅). And don’t just slap it on—use a plastic cap and sit under heat to help your hair absorb it.
Pro-tip: Keep using it religiously. The process builds up over time, leaving your hair stronger and shinier AF.
Don’t let your strands starve. Feed them deep conditioner like it’s their superfood!
Hair Wash/Rinse Routine: Be Gentle, Sis 🧼
Washing your hair too much 🙅🏽♀️ equals STRUGGLES. Some naturals rinse their hair once a week or even every other week (depending on your scalp), and that’s fine. Girl, your hair knows what it needs. But be careful about your wash frequency.
Switch your go-to from shampoo to co-washing (cleansing with conditioner) in between full wash days. Use something like the As I Am Coconut CoWash if you’re trying to keep your hair nice without stripping it every time. Regular shampooing can dry out your natural hair so badly, it’s a crime 💀.
Buuuuut, if your scalp’s building up product or it’s getting gross, go for a sulfate-free shampoo to get rid of all those gunk-blocking pores.
Protect Your Hair Like It’s Your Last Avengers Ticket 🎟️
Sis. I NEED you to start sleeping with a silk or satin bonnet (or pillowcase at least)! This is non-negotiable. Cotton pillowcases will suck the moisture straight outta your hair, and you’ll wake up wondering why you feel and look like a raisin 😭. Text me later thanking me for this, btw.
Protective styles can also help give your hair a break while keeping it cute—think box braids, twists, or even a slick bun. If you’re feeling extra, throw on a satin scarf to jazz up your protective style for that grocery run (you don’t know who you might run into! 👀).
Also: don’t overmanipulate your hair! Putting too much stress on your edges, constant tight pulling, or combing while dry creates breakage. So…
If you want your hair to grow, stop messing with it constantly. Protective styling is *not* a crime; it’s rehab for those curls.
Detangle with Patience, or Detangle with Tears 😅
Ahhh, the dreaded detangling! I know natural hair can tangle SUPER quickly, but you can’t just rip through it like you’re angry. You wanna detangle when your hair is damp or fully wet with conditioner. Grab a wide-tooth comb or, better yet, use your fingers to separate your curls gently. Start from the ends and work your way up to those roots. Easy-peasy, right? But HERE’S where the real magic happens: sectioning.
Separate your hair into 4–8 sections (depending on how thick your hair is) and twist each section up after you’ve detangled it, girl! Keeping them in sections saves you from tangles forming again.
Detangling WITHOUT patience legit just equals breakage and regret.
The Magic of Scalp Health 👏
Your scalp deserves a full-on love sesh too, because healthy hair starts THERE. Did you know that a lot of naturals suffer from product buildup that clogs the scalp? Gross, right? Every now and then, you need a scalp detox. Try using an apple cider vinegar rinse to gently cleanse your scalp without stripping your hair. The acidity helps balance things out and calms any irritation.
Also, MAAAJOR tip: regularly massage your scalp in the shower. It increases blood flow, which promotes hair growth, honey! Bless that scalp like you bless your Instagram feed.
Don’t Overdo The Heat 🔥 (Seriously!)
Hot tools and natural hair are extra tricky. I get it, sometimes straightening just gives you a new vibe I totally stan—but girl, heat damage is NO joke. If you’re going to straighten your hair, always use a heat protectant! ALWAYS. A fave of mine is the TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray. It works like magic.
If you’re using blow dryers, PLEASE use a diffuser. Ain’t no way you should blast your curls with direct heat and waves of frizz. Banish that thought.
Be Patient & Let Hair Flourish 🌱
Natural hair doesn’t grow overnight, and that’s okay! Honestly, consistency is EVERYTHING! Keep showing up for your hair with all that good love from deep conditioning, moisture, protective styling, and heat avoidance… Sis, you’ll see growth in no time.
Remember this: Shrinkage is not your enemy. It means your hair is healthy, hydrated, and doing its thing. So when your hair shrinks up after adding product, don’t freak; just embrace it. Yasss!
And that’s it, boo! The big takeaway here? LOVE your natural hair and it’ll love you back. No matter if you’re rocking a high puff, your natural curls, or braids, consistently showing care is the sauce to getting that juicy healthy look.
