With being natural comes a whole new world of handling hair. All sorts of tricks, tips and techniques are flung around on YouTube and blogs. Many of us will hear this information, think it’s gospel and continue to do things to our hair that just doesn’t work. It’s okay if it doesn’t work for you. I’ve come to terms that there are quite a few things that my hair just doesn’t like. Here are three of the most popular amongst other naturalistas.
Wash and go
Glamfun had an awesome video about how “Wash and go’s don’t work on nappy hair” which explains this first technique that’s loved by thousands of naturals. When it comes to my hair, wash and go’s worked beautifully up until the second it reached 4 centimetres. It was now long enough to put into twists or braids (albeit a crapload of them on my head) so it began to reject wash and go’s. And no matter how hard I tried, what product I used, my hair would have a tantrum and shrink up on itself so much I would dread my next detangling day. That’s why I keep my hair as stretched as I can. My hair usually shrinks more as the week goes on but I can never let it get to that wash and go length. It’s just asking for trouble.
Pineappling
Pineappling is a method of wrapping your hair before sleep when you ‘pile your hair onto the top of your head and wrap your scarf around the base of your head’ so the hair pops out at the top. My hair doesn’t fall, it stands up. So whenever I do this, I know to expect Will Smith circa Fresh Prince of Bel Air days type of style the following morning. Not cute. But when I’m absolutely knackered and the only energy I have is to get my butt upstairs to bed, I slap on the scarf and spritz the next day to refresh it. It’s better now that my hair’s longer. But it only works sometimes.
Washing with twists/braids in
I’m talking about the twists/braids with my own hair, not extensions. My hair just freaks out when I’ve done this. And I only needed to do it two-three times to know for sure that it just doesn’t work. Fro tangles, knots, mattes and just becomes a nightmare to handle. The first time I did this was last year when trying to keep my hair in twists like so many other naturals swear by for a couple of weeks. Fro said no. Between then and another time, I watched more videos and tried to take advice from others – that again swear by it – and again, Fro said no. It doesn’t like it, my hair’s a hot mess when I’ve tried it so I’ve just decided to leave it be.
There you have it. I have a couple other things I don’t do with my hair but these seem to be the most well loved practices for other fros – just not mine.
What doesn’t cut it for you?
Hey, what sort of hair gel do you use? I am having difficulty finding one that wont clog my hair up.
Hey. Do you have any suggestions for a good hair Gel? I tried ORS Edge control and it is a flaming white mess, do you know what i can use for edges and styling?
1 & 2 doesn't work for me as well. but washing in twists is a time saver for me.
http://www.themanecaptain.blogspot.ca
My hair refuses to be washed in twists . The knots, tangles and breakage go on for weeks after I've sworn never to do that again
You are gorgeous thank you for all of the tricks!
i ve found out that sealing with butter is a big No for fine strands. dey will just fall limp and wont rise up till u take the butter out by washn again
apple cider vinegar and aloe vera juice. t (YES i mixed it with water) this stuff makes my hair so dry. i was denial at first but i have come to terms that it does not work for me.
Yep, these don't work for me either. Always important to find what works for your own hair. I needed to learn that in my first year with my natural hair 😛