I could probably list a hundred things that I would have liked to know when I became a natural. However, in the interest of time and your sanity, I will only list 10 of them. I am a researcher by nature and by major, so I researched natural hair for 3 years before I got with the program. My research helped me face a lot of the issues I encountered, but there were some things that I had to find out the hard way.
1. It can be lonely.
Don't get me wrong. The natural community has its benefits, but you may not always feel those benefits. No matter how many curlies you may meet online or in the marketplace, it's nice to have someone to talk to face to face who's going through the same stage or has been there. If you don't have that, it can be lonely especially if you try to talk natural problems with someone who has a relaxer. They're simply not going to be able to relate...even if they felt like trying.
2. Products may make your shrinkage worse.
We've all had it in our arsenal. That one-oh-so-awesome-softness-personified product that makes our hair feel like silk, yet causes our newly gained growth to seemingly disappear. Just me? No? I didn't think so. You don't want to give it up, but you sigh and keep searching.
3. You may have to order your products online.
I swore I would never be one of those naturalistas who ordered online. The shipping alone was a deterrent, but when you find what works and it's only available...you guessed it...online, you have to bite the bullet. I finally found what works best for me (review coming soon), but I have to order it online. The good news is the shipping is a decent flat rate and they fill their containers to the brim I tell you.
4. You don't have to be heavy-handed.
I know I know I've done it too. You think you have to use a lot of product to get the job done. While that may be true with some products, this high density, coarse-stranded curly can tell you that there are exceptions to every rule. That itchy scalp you sometimes experience could be too much product.
5. It's okay to not have holy grail products.
Let me clarify this statement. It's okay if the day you cut off your relaxed ends you don't have holy grail gotta have 'em or bust products in your bathroom. The truth is those bloggers took their time finding the right products and it took a while for some of them. Be patient you'll find them. I finally found what works for me 1&1/2 years after my BC.
6. Other naturals may not like you for no good reason at all.
This is one thing that took me by so much surprise it wasn't funny. I thought the natural community was just that...a community. That was Not the case for me. I've made a few natural friends in my area, but it wasn't easy.
7. Your worse hair days may be the days you get the most compliments.
This is proof positive that natural always looks good no matter how we feel about it. Someone always thinks it looks dope. Remember that the next time you have an extra long detangling session. Which brings me to...
8. You don't have to spend all day detangling.
Whether you're in Camp Prepoo or not, detangling shouldn't drain the life out of you. If it's taking forever (hours), you may need to improve your method. Different strokes for different folks applies to hair too. You may need a detangling tool like a seamless wide-tooth comb or a tangle teaser, or Mother Nature could have been kind and your fingers will do. Whatever you need, customize your detangling session to fit you and your hair's needs.
9. You don't have to use cold water.
Before I get attacked here, notice that I said it doesn't have to be cold. I didn't say it should be boiling either. If you're low porosity like me, cold or even cool water can be a hinderance. Skip the cool rinse in favor of room temperature or warm water not hot.
10. You don't have to do protective styles.
When I first became a natural, I thought two-strand twists and braid outs were a rite of passage. They didn't look great on my twa and I was disappointed. What I need to concentrate on was moisture and low manipulation hairstyles. That's when I saw the most health and growth.
Don't get me wrong. The natural community has its benefits, but you may not always feel those benefits. No matter how many curlies you may meet online or in the marketplace, it's nice to have someone to talk to face to face who's going through the same stage or has been there. If you don't have that, it can be lonely especially if you try to talk natural problems with someone who has a relaxer. They're simply not going to be able to relate...even if they felt like trying.
2. Products may make your shrinkage worse.
We've all had it in our arsenal. That one-oh-so-awesome-softness-personified product that makes our hair feel like silk, yet causes our newly gained growth to seemingly disappear. Just me? No? I didn't think so. You don't want to give it up, but you sigh and keep searching.
3. You may have to order your products online.
I swore I would never be one of those naturalistas who ordered online. The shipping alone was a deterrent, but when you find what works and it's only available...you guessed it...online, you have to bite the bullet. I finally found what works best for me (review coming soon), but I have to order it online. The good news is the shipping is a decent flat rate and they fill their containers to the brim I tell you.
4. You don't have to be heavy-handed.
I know I know I've done it too. You think you have to use a lot of product to get the job done. While that may be true with some products, this high density, coarse-stranded curly can tell you that there are exceptions to every rule. That itchy scalp you sometimes experience could be too much product.
5. It's okay to not have holy grail products.
Let me clarify this statement. It's okay if the day you cut off your relaxed ends you don't have holy grail gotta have 'em or bust products in your bathroom. The truth is those bloggers took their time finding the right products and it took a while for some of them. Be patient you'll find them. I finally found what works for me 1&1/2 years after my BC.
6. Other naturals may not like you for no good reason at all.
This is one thing that took me by so much surprise it wasn't funny. I thought the natural community was just that...a community. That was Not the case for me. I've made a few natural friends in my area, but it wasn't easy.
7. Your worse hair days may be the days you get the most compliments.
This is proof positive that natural always looks good no matter how we feel about it. Someone always thinks it looks dope. Remember that the next time you have an extra long detangling session. Which brings me to...
8. You don't have to spend all day detangling.
Whether you're in Camp Prepoo or not, detangling shouldn't drain the life out of you. If it's taking forever (hours), you may need to improve your method. Different strokes for different folks applies to hair too. You may need a detangling tool like a seamless wide-tooth comb or a tangle teaser, or Mother Nature could have been kind and your fingers will do. Whatever you need, customize your detangling session to fit you and your hair's needs.
9. You don't have to use cold water.
Before I get attacked here, notice that I said it doesn't have to be cold. I didn't say it should be boiling either. If you're low porosity like me, cold or even cool water can be a hinderance. Skip the cool rinse in favor of room temperature or warm water not hot.
10. You don't have to do protective styles.
When I first became a natural, I thought two-strand twists and braid outs were a rite of passage. They didn't look great on my twa and I was disappointed. What I need to concentrate on was moisture and low manipulation hairstyles. That's when I saw the most health and growth.