I remember as a young girl my mom would wash and condition my hair and then grease it to the nines with Vigirol (you remember the blue grease). My freshly washed hair would be greasy for days, and Lord forbid if I decided to scratch my scalp, I'd get a fingernail full of mess. lol!!!
As I got older we kinda started to get that moisture came from water based products, but for that moment it was in the form of Jeri Curl moisturizers like Care Free Curl. Something interested happened during that time, folks with Curls hair began to grow, and grow quickly ---- Water Based Moisture. Then something even more wonderful started happening. The natural hair culture came of age.
As a natural hair culturist when I tell my clients to use water based products there's almost disbelief. Use water on African American hair? Yes, yes and yes. Natural hair is curly hair and curly hair needs plenty of moisture. Yes, no matter how tight the curl, its still a curl:) I have tight, nappy hair too and proud of it, but it still needs plenty of water.
Your hair care products should not costs a small fortune, reasonably priced product can have a price point up to $22 and be awesome. I've spent $30, $40 on product, only to have to give it away or throw it out because it didn't do what it says it was developed to do. The ingredient list is very important. Conditioners should contain water as the first ingredient followed by fats, proteins, vitamins and essential oils. A good styling agent that provides hold for twists, locs, sets ect. should contain the same, but also contain a holding agent for real hold. FYI - butters and natural gels such as aloe are great for keeping the hair soft and conditioned, but are not good at holding locs or twists, they need a good holding agent like a carbomer.
Oh, I almost forgot the mention, don't be mislead into thinking that you can only use products targeted to African Americans for your natural hair care. Paul Mitchell Instant Moisture Daily Shampoo and Instant Moisture Daily Treatment are the best moisturizing shampoo and conditioner I have ever used, personally and professionally. Keepin It Real Sculpting Gel is the absolute best curl definer with great hold, no buildup and excellent shine after drying that I've professionally. Additionally, with Keepin It Real Sculpting Gel you can rewet your hair daily with a water based moisturizer (Care Free Curl, Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Moisture Mist, Curls Quenched Curls, etc.) and the curls will spring back to life for up to four days - a great money saver.
Last, but certainly not least is steam. Steam's small molecules penetrate deep into the hair shaft to make your conditioner do double duty. It also assists in pushing essential oil scalp therapies deep into the scalp to nourish the hair follicle, making your scalp therapy treatments more effective. Steam is also great for the skin. You don't have to go to the salon to get that great steam conditioning. Your shower can serve the same purpose. During your shower, don't cover your hair, let the steam moisturize your hair for about 10 minutes once a week and see the difference in how it feels.
Blessings to all, and don't forget to follow me on twitter www.twitter.com/locsbytanya
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