Yay me! Today marks my first year as a naturalista and it’s been great. During my first year wearing natural hair, I was clueless to a lot of what I should and shouldn’t do. I tried a lot of stuff and a lot of stuff didn’t work. But I did learn some really valuable things like:
Coconut + me = BAD! Yes, I know that I have an allergic reaction to coconut and I always have, but I never knew that I was that allergic to it. Coconut is in most hair care products, so taking the time to read ingredients has helped my scalp immeasurably. (Many folks online love coconut and coconut-based products for their hair. If you are allergic, you can always find a substitution like shea butter, mango butter, olive oil, etc. Same goes for if you are sensitive to anything that everyone online swears blind about.)
Commercial shampoos are BAD! No matter what state your hair is in – natural, permed, texturized, in-between – commercial shampoos are not good for your hair. Sulfates are used in many shampoos and dry out Black hair… and it doesn’t matter if your shampoo is supposedly ‘formulated’ for Black hair. The majority of them have sulfates in them and for healthy hair, you need to stay away from them.
You don’t have to buy everything you see or hear about. At first, honestly, it’s hard. I had a head full of hair that I didn’t really know how to care for. So, as I researched, I found information about different products that can do everything under the sun or so they said. Well, there is no magic formula that will do everything. It’s all about trial and error. Once you find the right product, stick with it. I know my hair likes heavy butters and oils, so why am I playing around with other products?
The only person who has to like your hair is you. At first, a lot of people didn’t understand why I would want to go natural. Some people preferred my hair straight. The majority of people were positive and that’s probably why I was so comfortable keeping my hair natural. But, in all honesty, the only person who has to like my hair is me. If I’m happy with how it’s growing, looking and behaving, I shouldn’t have to worry about if someone else likes it.
One year down and how many more to go? I don’t think I’ll ever put chemicals in my hair, but locs are a definite possibility in the future. If I can get my hair to this stage without much knowledge, imagine what it’ll look like next year?
The Accidental Natural 
Do you know of any sulfate free shampoo for children?
I just added your blog to my favourite 🙂
Blended Beauty has a children’s line (www.blendedbeauty.ca). My only issue with them is price — I don’t think that you have to spend a lot of money on hair care. Check out — under DIY hair care — the castile moisturizing shampoo. Castile soap is gentle enough for babies and you can get it at any natural food store. (My mom and my friend use Dr. Bronner’s — I can’t, it has coconut oil in it — but it’s pretty inexpensive.) It’ll clean their scalps and hair without drying. Lemme know if you try it out!
Thanks for the add — I appreciate it! The more the merrier 🙂
You’re welcome! I’ve decided since my last perm about 5 wks ago that I’m not going to perm my hair while on mat leave so its a good time to read blog like yours. I’ve gone almost 2 yrs before so lets see how far I make it this time around.
Congratulations on your one year nappyversary!
I’ve visited the “blended beauty” website and decided to order some products. Before I do so (because they are very pricey and I’m a frugal shopper) were you pleased with the results from using their products? Do you find “DIY” and castile hair products at the Natural health store. Sorry for the “thousand” questions but other than doing hair shows in my teens, I haven’t paid much attention to my hair products.
They are pricey… but I did like the shampoo and conditioner. Personally, I don’t think you have to spend that much to get good products — especially if you are willing to mix your own products. I would suggest starting off with the castile soap (yep, you can find it at any health store. I know for sure that Nutrition House sells it) shampoo mix. It’s about $10 for a medium sized bottle and it will last pretty long because you dilute it with water. Shea butter is good for moisturizing and it’s cheap! I got it for $5 at the hair store.
I say inexpensive first! If that doesn’t work, then try something pricier. Let me know if you try the Blended Beauty products and how they work.
I’m going to order some first for Jasmine because until I know what I’m going to do with my hair I don’t want to spend the money. Its funny how taking care of Jasmine’s hair as led me to this new venture in my life. I’m honestly thinking of cutting off the perm haired so I can rock afro’s with my girls and never have to here “mommy why isn’t my hair like yours and why doesn’t my hair move like yours, or like Chris Rock’s daughter asked “why don’t I have good hair”. You started this blog at a good time for me 🙂 All I have been doing this week is “hair research”. I’ll go ahead and place the order now and get back to you.
Definitely let me know how it works on Jasmine’s hair! I hope that the blog can help you out!!