Tips from the World Natural Hair Show
If you've never been to a natural show, add it to your list of things to do. This year's spring show was nothing short of amazing. I had great company with me (shout out to Mo!) and met tons of great vendors that I am building relationships with. I was a sponge soaking up all the advice, tips and tricks that vendors were sharing. I'm going to share a few of things I remembered:
- Felicia Leatherwood of Beautiful Textures recommends that you shampoo your hair every 7-10 days. If you are an avid exerciser or a person who sweats alot, you should shampoo more frequently. She also suggests that you shampoo 3 times when you do. The first is to loosen buildup, the second is to get the build up moving and the 3rd is to wash it away.
- Deep condition twice a month and cowash in between washes.
- You must deep cleanse your hair at least once a month to remove build up and clarify.
- AS I Am taught me the definition of "cocktailing". It's when you take two products and mix them together. They recommend that when you style your natural hair, you use a styling product and a moisturizing product.
- AS I Am also suggests that you don't try to work against your curl pattern. If your hair has spiral curls, why would you force them to have a zigzag curl? They believe in your loving you and your hair AS You ARE.
- The first 5 ingredients in a product are what make up a majority of it. Water should be the first or second one.
- Shea Butter is and will always remain one of the most popular staple products for any naturalista.
- YouTube and blogs are good information channels but the only person who knows what's best for your hair is you.
- Trial and error is the name of the game when it comes to natural hair.
- Water is our friend - inside and out.
- What you put into your body effects what happens to the outside of your body.
- There is no time limit on how long you should transition.
- Limit the use of heat on your hair.
There were just a few that stood out to me. Just remember that you have to find the combination of products and styles that work for your hair.