{"id":8363,"date":"2009-07-31T07:00:44","date_gmt":"2009-07-31T14:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theangryblackwoman.com\/2009\/07\/31\/tips-for-going-into-battle-with-your-natural-hair\/"},"modified":"2009-07-31T07:00:44","modified_gmt":"2009-07-31T14:00:44","slug":"tips-for-going-into-battle-with-your-natural-hair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amptoons.com\/blog\/?p=8363","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Going into Battle with Your Natural Hair"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"tips-for-going-into-battle-with-your-natural-hair\"<\/span><\/p>\n

It is a truth universally acknowledged that when three or more black women are engaged in conversation for more than fifteen minutes, they will start to exchange hair-care tips.<\/p>\n

Honestly, it’s uncanny. And in the spirit of that, here’s some of my ABW tips for Going into Battle with Your Natural Hair. (For the record: I love my hair, I do. But I admit that dealing with it can feel a tad antagonistic).<\/p>\n

Nothing against texturizers, relaxers, hot combs and all other manner of hair-taming devices, but I ditched those years ago after I got sick and tired<\/em> of watching my hair break off. If you do use a texturizer, may I suggest the Creme of Nature mild relaxer<\/a>. Do it very carefully, as it’s a lye-based relaxer and will burn your scalp, but it’s actually paradoxically much easier on your hair than a no-lye relaxer. Don’t leave it in too long, seriously! But I used it for years and it was the only thing that worked on my shorter hair.<\/p>\n

First, a description of my hair-type, to clarify whether or not any of this will be useful to you. My hair is long– about touching the end of my tail bone if I stretch it out. It used to be nappier when it was shorter and I was younger. For the last several years it’s been significantly easier to get through– I suspect that’s because once it got past a certain length, it started to grow differently. Still, it can get pretty nappy.<\/p>\n

So, going into battle.<\/p>\n

My chosen arena: The shower. I put in gobs of conditioner, wait a bit, and then comb it out with the conditioner still in, under running water.<\/p>\n

My weapon of choice: A fro-pick, of course. And, equally important, a heavy boar-bristle brush, like this one<\/a>.<\/p>\n

My armor of choice: A good, heavy, moisturizing conditioner, like Herbal Essences. Shampoo only in small amounts about once a week.<\/p>\n

The terms of surrender (uh, sorry, this metaphor is getting a little belabored): At the moment, I’m using great globs of beeswax, purchased from my local black hair care emporium. I have previously employed Mane ‘n Tail Leave-In Conditioner<\/a>, which doesn’t work too well as an in-shower conditioner, but is a great, heavy moisturizer that prevents untamed fly-away afro-puffs and those giant knots you cry over in the shower.<\/p>\n

Frequency of battle: About every other day, though sometimes I’ll use a do-rag\/put my hair in a bun for a third day if I don’t want to deal with it.<\/p>\n

Other tactical considerations: I use big hair clips to keep my hair up after I wash, comb and moisturize it. I have discovered that the longer I let my hair take to dry, the more manageable it stays. Sometimes I want the giant afro look, and then I’ll let it dry right out of the shower. But otherwise, I let it dry over the course of a day. That night, I put it in two braids, where it dries completely. And then the next day I have hair that looks nice, isn’t too tangled, and doesn’t break when I comb it in the shower the next morning.<\/p>\n

Other products I have tried:<\/p>\n

Frizz-ease<\/a>– Didn’t work at all. Leaves my hair way too stiff and brittle. I want to prevent the ends from splitting, people!<\/p>\n

Deva Curl “No-poo” cleanser<\/a>– Expensive, but this is great! I couldn’t believe how easily I got the pick through my hair after using this stuff. Wow!<\/p>\n

Deva Curl “Set Up and Above”<\/a>– Not so great. I need waay more moisturizer in my hair creams. Left my hair feeling brittle and sticky. See: Frizz-ease.<\/p>\n

Hair mayonnaise<\/a>– Gross. I know some people swear by this stuff, but it smells funny and doesn’t actually seem to weigh my hair down enough.<\/p>\n

Other products I want to try:<\/p>\n

Anything by Miss Jessie’s<\/a>. Anyone used this stuff? It’s expensive, but that Curly Meringue<\/a> looks like hair-cream heaven.<\/p>\n

Good luck! And if you have any tips for me, I want to hear ‘em.<\/p>\n

And now a word from our sponsor…<\/h4>\n


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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"tips-for-going-into-battle-with-your-natural-hair\"<\/span>
\nIt is a truth universally acknowledged that when three or more black women are engaged in conversation for more than fifteen minutes, they will start to exchange hair-care tips.
\nHonestly, it’s uncanny. And in the spirit of that, here’s some of my ABW tips for Going into Battle with Your Natural Hair. (For the record: I […]<\/p>\n

And now a word from our sponsor…<\/h4>\n


\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Your ad could be here, right now.<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

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