What’s Your Hair Type?
To save you the time of trying to look up what type of hair you have, here are the different variations listed in groups. If some, or all of your hair hasn’t been chemically altered, the best way to find your hair type is by looking at the texture while wet, or after it dries.
Each hair pattern group is listed from 1 to 4. Group 1 is Straight, group 2 is Wavy, group 3 is Curly, group 4 is Coily/Kinky. There are also different hair volumes/widths. These are listed as, A; fine hair, B; medium hair, C; thick/coarse hair.
My natural hair is considered to be 4B. (My hair..Top: Wet.. Bottom: pulled u and dry.)
I have coily, semi-oily, jet black hair. Everyone’s hair can also have its own characteristics based off genetics and how much oil, and moisture, their hair can hold.
Here are some tips and hair recipes that I learned from my mother, who is a professional beautician, and that were beneficial for me.
(If you are getting your hair professionally done, keep these tips and products in mind as well.)
Here are some tips and hair recipes that I learned from my mother, who is a professional beautician, and that were beneficial for me.
(If you are getting your hair professionally done, keep these tips and products in mind as well.)
Brands to Use
I’ve learned harmful ingredients such as alcohol, parabens, sulfates, and any other preservatives, in hair products, can cause dryness or can result in stringy hair strands and breakage after constant use.
Here’s a list of pretty good hair products for natural and chemically altered hair that worked best for me..
Hair Products:
- Cantu Shea Butter products
- Shea Moisture products
- Creme of Nature products
- ogx products
- ORS Olive Oil products
- As I Am products
I didn’t list the brands in a specific order. They all equally worked fine for me. They all have a variety of products and products from different brands.
Maintenance Tips
If you’re active you should wash your hair 2-3 times a week. If you’re not, 1 to 2 times should be enough. Chemically processed hair can be washed whenever there is buildup or stiffness.
Wash your hair in warm water. Water too hot can cause damage and water too cold can prevent the removal of build up or dirt.
However, you can use cool or cold water after applying the conditioner. Cold water can seal the cuticles promoting shine and frizz free hair. This can also lock in natural or added moisture.
After sectioning your hair, while it’s still damp or wet, start brushing from the end to the root of your hair. Use a detangling brush or a wide tooth comb. Lastly, you can let your hair dry using little to no heat to decrease damage.
I use the cool option on the blow dryer. I also let it air dry by patting my hair lightly with a towel, then separating my hair in small sections. After that, I twist or single braid the sections and let it dry for several of hours.
Wash your hair in warm water. Water too hot can cause damage and water too cold can prevent the removal of build up or dirt.
However, you can use cool or cold water after applying the conditioner. Cold water can seal the cuticles promoting shine and frizz free hair. This can also lock in natural or added moisture.
After sectioning your hair, while it’s still damp or wet, start brushing from the end to the root of your hair. Use a detangling brush or a wide tooth comb. Lastly, you can let your hair dry using little to no heat to decrease damage.
I use the cool option on the blow dryer. I also let it air dry by patting my hair lightly with a towel, then separating my hair in small sections. After that, I twist or single braid the sections and let it dry for several of hours.
Dry Hair, Itchy/Dry Scalp
As said before, using products that have harmful ingredients can cause your hair to dry out. Too much heat and excessive washing can also cause dryness.
However, if you notice your hair is feeling dry, weak, or sheds too much, here are recipes to help resolve dryness as well itchiness, and breakage.
- Greek Yogurt, Honey, Olive Oil Mask (Dry/Itchy scalp)
- Buy a shower cap and all ingredients. Make sure they are natural/raw.
- Add ½ cups of yogurt, 1 tbs. of oil, and 1 tbs. of honey.
- Mix or whisk well in a bowel.
- Wet hair until damp.
- Apply ingredients to scalp and hair. Leave in hair 25 to 45 minutes while wearing a shower cap.
- When time is up, rinse ingredients out of hair.
- Avocado, Coconut Oil, and Honey Mask (Dry Hair)
- Gather 1 fresh avocado, virgin coconut oil, raw honey and shower cap.
- Mash the avocado.
- Mix the mashed avocado, 1 tbs. of oil and 1 tbs. of honey in a bowl.
- Apply ingredients to hair and leave in hair for 15 to 20 minutes while wearing a shower cap.
- When time is up, rinse ingredients out of hair.
- Apple Cider Vinegar Mask (Itchy scalp)
- Buy a spray bottle, shower cap, and natural apple cider vinegar. Preferably with the “mother” in it (look on bottle label).
- Separate hair in small sections.
- Mix 4 tbs. of apple cider vinegar and a half cup of WARM water.
- Add ingredients into a spray bottle.
- Spray scalp until roots are damps. Leave on scalp for 3-5 minutes while wearing a shower cap.
- Thoroughly rinse or wash hair when done.
- Banana and Honey Mask. (Dry scalp)
- Buy two ripe bananas and raw honey.
- Mash both bananas.
- Mix bananas and 2 tbs. of honey in a bowl.
- Wet hair until slightly damp.
- Add ingredients to roots and scalp and leave in for 20-30 minutes while wearing a shower cap.
- When time is up, rinse well.
If you decide not to use the masks, here are some oils you can apply to your scalp when needed. These oils also help if you are wearing protective styles. Just make sure you avoid getting oil on your extensions or weave.
These oils can also promote hair growth.
These oils can also promote hair growth.
Apply oil by purchasing an application bottle. Application bottles also allow you to add more than one oil. You can also buy the oil that comes in a bottle where you can lightly apply the oil to your scalp.
If you are applying oil to hair with your hands, use about a tablespoon.
Dry Hair:
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Argan Oil
- Jojoba Oil
Dry Scalp:
- Coconut Oil
- Black Castor Oil
- Almond Oil
- Carrot Seed Oil
Itchy Scalp:
- Tea Tree Oil
- Peppermint Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Rosemary Oil
Moisturizing Chemically Altered Hair
For people who have some, or all of their hair left out; wrapping or covering your hair at night can protect your hair. This can also help different styles last as well. Avoid water-based products that can frizz up styles as well.
If you’re dealing with frizzy hair, or want to protect your hairstyles, here are some light natural oils that may help.
Oils:
- Almond Oil
- Macadamia Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Argan Oil
Damaged Chemically Altered Hair
In the past, when I relaxed, bleached, or colored my hair, I had to restore it using a mask. Hair strands are held into place with three types of bonds that create a protein structure. These bonds can be disrupted by chemicals, heat, and a lot of water.
The protein mask ingredients I used are…
- 1 tsp. of honey
- 1 tsp. of olive oil
- 2 eggs,
- 1 cup of real mayonnaise.
I mixed all the ingredients together until it was smooth. Then I left it in my damp hair for 30 minutes, to an hour, wearing a shower cap.
(Use once after every relaxer, coloring, bleaching or once a month).
After the time was up, I rinsed my hair in cold water.
Moisturizing Natural Hair
If you’re wearing your hair natural, and want to use natural ingredients to moisturize it, you should add oil, cream/butter, and gel. The gel can help keep your curls defined.
After I washed my hair, I made sure it was moisturized. Everyone’s hair is different so you can tweak the amounts of oil, cream, and gel as you wish.
This method worked for me.
(Visual of my results below)
After I washed my hair, I made sure it was moisturized. Everyone’s hair is different so you can tweak the amounts of oil, cream, and gel as you wish.
This method worked for me.
(Visual of my results below)
I combined a certain ratio of products. Altogether, the amount wasn’t bigger than my palm. The amount of oil was less than the gel, and the amount of gel was less than the cream.
If you’d like you can use teaspoons or tablespoons to help you measure the ingredients. I always changed the amount depending on how I wore my hair.
After applying all ingredients I brushed my hair while it was still damp. This can help separate curls so they can mold into its natural shape.
If you’d like you can use teaspoons or tablespoons to help you measure the ingredients. I always changed the amount depending on how I wore my hair.
After applying all ingredients I brushed my hair while it was still damp. This can help separate curls so they can mold into its natural shape.
If you do not feel like washing your hair, use at least 1 tbs. of the oil and 1 tbs. of the cream. Then put both ingredients in a spray bottle halfway filled with warm water. After shaking up the ingredients, spray your hair until damp. Brush, then provide gel for styling if you wish.
Oils
- Black Jamaican Castor Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Argan Oil
- Tea Tree Oil
Creams/Leave-in Conditioners
- Cantu Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment
- Motions at Home Hair and Scalp Moisturizing Hairdressing
- Raw Shea Butter
- African Shea Butter
- Shea Moisture curl enhancing smoothie
Gels (optional)
- Eco Styler Gel (olive oil, black castor oil & flaxseed, Argan oil)
- Cantu Natural Mega-Hold Styling Stay Glue Gel
Warning; some gels may cause the hair to look a little white. Make sure the gel is non-flaky or you don’t have to use any at all. Sometimes the white residue disappears after the hair is completely dry.
You can also make homemade gel if you’d like as well. Below are ingredients and steps to different homemade gels.
- Flaxseed Gel:
- Purchase flaxseeds and natural oil of choice. Make sure you have cheesecloth or strainer.
- Soak flaxseeds overnight.
- After flaxseeds have soaked, combine water and flaxseeds in a pot and bring contents to boil.
- Stir the contents, while they are boiling, until contents turn into a thin, foamy jelly. Then turn off the heat
- Pour the contents in the pot through the cloth, or strainer, into a bowl. Make sure you clean the pot immediately so it won’t be difficult later.
- Add oil into the jelly-like substance. Mix well.
- Pour contents into a storable container.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before use.
- Return product to the fridge when done. Contents can last up to a month in the freezer.
- Aloe Vera Gel:
- Purchase a raw Aloe Vera leaf.
- Cut the leaf in segments (based off how much you’ll use) then cut between the outer layer, separating the skin from the jelly, or “pulp”.
- Peel the pulp from the skin into a mixing bowl.
- Stir or mix contents until smooth. Blending the contents into a blender can help as well.
- Pour contents into a container or jar.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Use as desired.
- Return to the refrigerator when done. The gel should last at least for 3 months if properly refrigerated.
- Coconut Oil Gel:
- Purchase a pack of flavor-less gelatin, virgin coconut oil, and distilled water. Make sure you have a heat safe glass bowl and pot to create a double boiler.
- Put the pot on the stove filled halfway with normal water. Place the bowl in the water, in the pot.
- Pour 1 cup of distilled water into the bowl then add 1 tbs. of gelatin.
- Then turn on low heat so the water in the pot can heat the water and gelatin in the bowl.
- Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
- Remove bowl from the pot and allow the bowl to cool for a minute or two.
- Add 1 tbs. of coconut oil to the bowl.
- Stir all contents until smooth.
- Add all of the contents to a container with a lid then place it in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. Then use as desired.
- The gel lasts for 2 weeks at the most when properly refrigerated.
Extra Styling Products
I also use certain edge control when I want to style my edges after slicking my hair back.
Below are some edge control products that I found pretty effective and didn’t mess up my hair. There are some brands that are best for natural hair and some best for chemically altered hair. Some work for both.
Below are some edge control products that I found pretty effective and didn’t mess up my hair. There are some brands that are best for natural hair and some best for chemically altered hair. Some work for both.
Edge control products:
For Natural hair:
- Eco-styling Gel
- Dr. Miracle’s Edge holding Gel
- Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste.
For Chemically Altered hair:
- Mizani Edge Taming Gel
- Avlon KeraCare Edge Tamer
- Eden Coconut Shea Control Edge Glaze
For Both:
- Ampro Shine 'N Jam Silk Edges
- Hicks Edges
- Gorilla Snot Gel
- Creme of Nature Argan Oil Perfect Edges
Extra Precautions
Regardless if you’re doing hair treatments or if you use the correct products, here are some precautions that can play a huge role in helping your hair grow.
You also shouldn’t constantly re-apply any products in your hair until it dries out or after you wash your hair again. Sometimes people with dry hair make the mistake of adding too much hair lotion, oil, or grease, to their hair thinking it helps.
Your scalp can react the same way that your skin does to lotion or oil. Constantly applying too much oil and grease can clog the pores in your scalp. Therefore, causing breakage to the hair; from the root to the end. Be sure to apply products moderately.
When you wear protective styles, make sure the braids aren’t too tight and be careful using hair bond and glue. You shouldn’t change your protective styles too often as well. Typically, some styles should last 1 ½ to 2, and maybe even 3 months depending on style, new growth, and how well it’s managed.
I left a sew-in in my hair for 4 months before. My hair wasn’t as tangled as I thought, but it could’ve been worse if I didn’t take care of it.
Lastly, you should also have your ends trimmed 3 to 6 months, or when needed, to ensure healthy growth and prevent breakage. If you get your hair colored, bleached, relaxed or even straightened a lot, be sure you stay on top of getting your ends trimmed.
You also shouldn’t constantly re-apply any products in your hair until it dries out or after you wash your hair again. Sometimes people with dry hair make the mistake of adding too much hair lotion, oil, or grease, to their hair thinking it helps.
Your scalp can react the same way that your skin does to lotion or oil. Constantly applying too much oil and grease can clog the pores in your scalp. Therefore, causing breakage to the hair; from the root to the end. Be sure to apply products moderately.
When you wear protective styles, make sure the braids aren’t too tight and be careful using hair bond and glue. You shouldn’t change your protective styles too often as well. Typically, some styles should last 1 ½ to 2, and maybe even 3 months depending on style, new growth, and how well it’s managed.
I left a sew-in in my hair for 4 months before. My hair wasn’t as tangled as I thought, but it could’ve been worse if I didn’t take care of it.
Lastly, you should also have your ends trimmed 3 to 6 months, or when needed, to ensure healthy growth and prevent breakage. If you get your hair colored, bleached, relaxed or even straightened a lot, be sure you stay on top of getting your ends trimmed.
Chemicals and heat can remove certain nutrients in your hair making it weaker than before. Therefore, your hair can be prone to more breakage if not careful.
If you can, go to a professional who has the proper tools. Using regular scissors can damage your hair more as well.
I’ve used many methods but the most successful ones are the ones I’ve stated above.
All of this may even be overwhelming for some people. At some point, I was overwhelmed.
You don’t necessarily have to go to beauty school or be an expert to know how to deal with your own hair.
It’s all about doing all the proper maintenance and hard work ahead of time so things can go uphill from there. But the more patience and perseverance you have, the better things will get.
Good luck on your hair journey!
(My hair growth journey… Before: April 2018 After February 2019