Many of you will know the consequences of the damage associated with perming, relaxing, or bleaching your natural hair. So to keep your natural curls out of the way and maintain an easy hairstyle, your go-to looks could include wigs, weaves, twists and braids. While there is nothing wrong with sporting a protective style, these types of looks could keep you from embarking on your natural hair journey as they can hide your natural curls.
The media tells us that beautiful women have straight or wavy hair, and so it is easy to think that your afro curls don't fit into that perception. We're here to help you appreciate the beauty of your afro hair. To build your confidence in your natural curls, and dismiss any negative voices in your head. Here are our 5 steps to wearing your afro hair with pride:
Associate Positive Language With Your Hair To Banish Negativity
Having spent a long time conforming to traditional beauty standards by straightening your curls, it can be difficult to undo this way of thinking. Associating your curls with positive langue and wearing your natural hair with confidence will not appear overnight, and that's ok. Instead, it’s about recognising and reducing the negative thoughts you have about your afro hair.
While it might take you some time to get away from this negativity, you need to take small steps towards thinking positively about your natural afro hair. These steps could involve saying at least one good thing about your hair every day as part of your gratitude journal. Then, when you have these negative thoughts, these can be banished by reading through what you have previously written and acknowledged.
Learn How To Look After Your Natural Afro Hair
While creating a hair routine might seem complicated, it is one of the first steps towards appreciating your curly hair in its natural state. First, cleanse your hair with a sulphate-free shampoo so that you can gently cleanse and remove build-up at the same time. Not sure which shampoo to buy? Use our Sulphate-Free Hydration Shampoo with Manuka Honey. Manuka Honey has natural properties that nourish your scalp, treat split ends, and keep your kinky hair looking healthy and frizz-free.
For even better results, follow your cleansing stage with our Moisture-Rich Conditioner with Manuka Honey & Avocado so that your natural curls get the maximum amount of moisture locked in.
Finally, if you are looking to fingerstyle your hair into curls or waves and don’t want to lose your natural definition or shine, try a generous amount of our Curling Crème with Coconut & Jamaican Black Castor Oils. After your cleansing and conditioning stage, this Curling Crème can maintain hydration for your scalp.
Remember that it might take a lot of trial and error to find a hair routine that works, so don't worry if one solution does not work for you, as this is an opportunity to learn.
Find Your Community Of Natural Hair Influencers To Inspire You
Simply washing and conditioning your hair will not be enough to change your attitude towards your curls. While a good hair routine is the first step in inspiring confidence, you can go further by following people on social media who share positive images of their afro hair. Additionally, you can learn tricks and tips for managing your natural hair and get inspired to feel more positive about wearing your curls in public.
Pick And Plan The Time When You Can Wear Your Natural Hair In Public
Instead of pressurising yourself to wear your natural hair every day, you can start with a few days and then increase the number of days as time goes on. Perhaps this is the weekend or one night a week when going out with friends?
If one of your natural hair looks requires you to stretch your curls without heat, try our Curl Elongating Gel with Flaxseed Oil & Rosewater. This mixture is perfect for touching up your curls and will give them a no-crunch shine.
Don’t Strive For Perfection. Just Be Yourself
Afro curls have a terrible habit of not always doing what you want them to do. Even if you follow the same natural curly hair care routine every week, the results might not be a carbon copy of the previous week. So to make it easier for yourself, forget about the idea of perfection and remember that sometimes frizz-free hair isn’t always possible. Instead, learn to embrace the good and the bad of your natural hair to gain confidence in your curls.
Once you start embracing your natural curls, you will replace your negative feelings towards your hair with positive energy and appreciation. Remember that while some days might be more challenging than others, it is up to you to reclaim the love for your natural afro hair.