Have you ever wished that your hair was different or that you had hair like someone else? For most Black women, our hair is a large part of our identity. How we view our hair is often a reflection of how we view ourselves.
Your hair is unique and beautiful. It deserves to be appreciated and celebrated– no matter what it looks like. But sometimes, that’s easier said than done.
In this article I will share 5 ways to help you fall in love with your hair.
1. Understand Your Hair’s Porosity Level
It’s easier to love your hair when it’s healthy and moisturized. Porosity level refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture, and it plays a large role in the health of your hair.
High Porosity hair is like a sponge. It absorbs water very easily, but it loses moisture just as quickly. It’s important to use an oil or heavy butter to seal your hair after moisturizing it to keep it soft.
Low Porosity hair has a difficult time absorbing moisture without assistance. It’s important to keep low porosity hair free of product buildup that can further block moisture from penetrating the hair strands. You can steam low porosity hair to help raise the cuticles and allow moisture to penetrate your hair strands.
It’s easy to get frustrated with your hair when it seems to be dry no matter what you do. But if you understand your hair’s porosity level, you’ll feel better about your hair because you’ll finally be able to give it the moisture it needs.
2. Stick To A Hair Care Routine
Like most things, our hair thrives on consistency. This is so important to reaching your hair goals. Keeping your hair clean, staying up to date on your trims, and deep conditioning your hair regularly will help your hair look its best, and help you feel better about it as well. It may take some trial and error to develop a consistent hair care routine. Once you figure out what works best for your hair, stick to it and watch your hair thrive.
3. Develop Realistic Expectations
Believe it or not, most people have bad hair days. And it’s ok. Things like hormonal changes, stress, and exhaustion can affect your hair. Your hair typically only grows about 1/2 inch per month.
On days when it seems like you and your hair just aren’t on the same page, don’t try to force it. This will only lead to further frustration. Instead, take a break from styling your hair. Put your hair in a head wrap, high puff, or ponytail and then try to focus on something else.
Hair behaves differently based on texture, porosity level, and other factors such as whether or not it has been heat treated or chemically processed.
Be sure that you’re not comparing your hair to someone else’s, or expecting it to look like someone who has a completely different hair type than yours.
4. Find a Signature Style
Find a style that’s flattering, easy for you to achieve, and makes you feel good when you rock it. Crown braids, high puffs, and claw clips hairstyles are just some examples of classic looks that can help you feel confident and love your hair on a day to day basis. There are so many styles that you can wear, but finding your signature style is key.
5. Take a Hair Vitamin
Healthy hair that you’ll love starts from the inside out. Be sure to eat a healthy diet rich in micronutrients that your hair needs to thrive. You should take a daily hair vitamin to supplement any nutrients you may have missed.
Trust The Process
Learning to love your hair no matter what it looks like can be a journey. There is a process of unlearning harmful and unrealistic beauty standards, healing past hair traumas, and growing to understand your hair that has to take place before you can love your hair in its entirety.
The process may be difficult at times, but not impossible. No matter where you are on your healthy hair journey, don’t give up.
Give your hair attention and care, and use safe and high quality tools and products that will help it flourish. Your hard work will pay off in the end.
Brandelyn Green is the Founder of VoiceOfHair, a platform to help women of color find the best hair care products, regimens and hairstyles! Since starting VoiceOfHair in 2014 she has grown the social media platform to over 1MM+ on Instagram and Facebook. As a natural who is also a salon goer, she wanted to create a platform where people could find the best products, hairstylists, advice and trends.
