7 Ways To Maintain Moisture, Your Way

One of the toughest jobs for women with natural hair would have to be maintaining moisture. It is also the most critical because for most Black women, dry, brittle hair usually results to tangles and breakage. The first step women should take in properly moisturizing their hair is to understand what it needs. It’s not as simple as slathering a handful of extra virgin olive oil or leave-in conditioner. One must take the time to walk through their natural hair journey with diligence.

 

Over the years, YouTube has revolutionized into a powerful educational tool, especially for women who belong to the natural hair community. There are videos offering naturals a step-by-step guide on how to take care of their hair, but how much of that advice can really help each unique viewer maintain moisture?  Everyone’s hair is different and what could work for one of YouTube’s top natural hair guru’s may not work for someone else. With that said, here is CurlSista’s guide to maintaining moisture, your way:

1. Do your research

• Everyone is unique, embrace it! It is important that you find which hair regimen will work for you. Don’t feel the need to try out certain products because everyone else is. That may end up being a waste of money and it could also set unrealistic expectations.

2. Eat the right foods

• Eating foods that are rich in protein will help keep your hair moisturized. Salmon, chicken, turkey, dairy products, eggs, legumes, quinoa and nuts, for example, are great options.
•  Omega-3 fatty acids are important to keep your hair and scalp hydrated, so try eating salmon, herring, sardines, trout, mackerel, avocado, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts because these foods contain important fats that can only be achieved through one's diet.
• Vitamin A is also important because it is needed to make sebum, your hair's natural oil. With that said, eating vegetables that are high in beta-carotene, such as carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes are great options.
• Biotin is another great option because this water-soluble B vitamin can help revitalize brittle hair and encourage hair growth. Including foods such as liver and whole grains in your diet will benefit you and your hair greatly!

3.  Drink enough water

• According to the Institute of Medicine, the adequate intake for women is 2.2 liters (about nine glasses) of water every day. Water is one of the best ways to give your hair the moisture it needs. Dehydration has a direct impact on the growth of ones hair, so it’s important to drink plenty of H2O. Everyone’s hair needs to be lubricated from the inside out and spritzing your hair with water whenever it’s dry won’t be as effective as drinking it.

4. Wear protective styles such as braids, twists, and buns to help retain your hair's moisture and length. There’s nothing wrong with leaving your hair down once in a while, but be mindful that the ends of your hair will rub against your clothes, which may cause breakage. To prevent that, we at CurlSistas.com suggest that you try putting your hair up and tucking in your ends neatly. Here at CurlSistas, we LOVE Bantu Knots as protective styles. Plus, you get bouncy curls afterwards!
5. Seal the ends of your hair with a product that contains oils and butters so that it will be soft, moisturized and manageable. This is also a great way to retain hair length.  Here are some products we suggest:

• Castor Oil
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Shea Moisture’s Leave In Conditioner
• Shea Moisture’s Curl Enhancing Smoothie
• Coconut Oil

 

6. Trim your hair every six months

• Trimming your ends prevents split ends from occurring and will boost hair growth.

7. Deep condition your hair (especially during the winter)

• Leaving a great conditioner in your hair for about 15-30 minutes will help you achieve healthy moisturized hair, especially if you use shampoo (which can be drying due to sulfates). Using a deep conditioner will restore the moisture that was lost and as a result, your hair will be manageable

Editor's Note - BONUS TIP: Natural DIY products are also a great way to maintain the moisture of your hair. They don't include any chemicals that can strip your tresses and instead they turn nourish your hair, just as they do your body. Here at Curlsistas, we are working on an exciting new book full of moisturizing DIY hair products that have helped our hair stop shedding and kept it feeling moisturized, even after a shampoo.  Some of our favorite DIY natural hair products that can be made in minutes in your kitchen include: coconut milk shampoo, green tea shampoo, apple cider vinegar rinse and our lust worthy chocolate conditioner made of pure cocoa butter. Stay tuned for ur book coming this Fall!

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What's your go-to regiment for moisturizing your tresses?

xo, Chinwe

Photo above of Vanessa Denis and Sasha Lee, April 13, 2014

Photography - Toni Smailagic

Hair - Valerie Price, owner of Valerie Signature Salon for Natural Hair in Harlem, NYC

Styling - Joy Adaeze

Makeup - Dre Brown