How to create a natural hair care routine

Ditch the flat iron, skip the bleach and opt-out of your heat styling routine. That’s our first piece of advice for anyone who’s looking to go the 100% natural hair care route. From Burberry to Marc Jacobs, the catwalk is serving up some seriously chic au naturel hair looks. 

The golden rule

When we talk about natural hair, we’re essentially talking about hair that is not chemically treated, heat styled, relaxed or straightened. We’re talking about stepping out with your natural tresses and being proud to flaunt your hair just the way it is. The challenge is that not all natural hair responds to treatments in the same way. That’s why it’s important to know what your hair type is so you can invest in the right products to bring out your natural beauty and keep your hair in top shape and ready to shine.

Now, while no two heads of hair are the same, there is one golden rule (or one magic word, so to speak), that applies to all-natural hair: moisture, moisture, moisture. Investing in products that will infuse your hair with moisture is an absolute must. Now let’s hone in on some natural hair types and get some advice from natural hairstylist and beauty expert, Jill Swain.

Aunt Jackie's Grapeseed Thirst Quench Conditioner // Iwori Hair Treatment Mask // My Natural Hair Hydrating Conditioner // Cantu Sulfate-Free Cleansing Cream Shampoo // ORS Hair Mayonnaise Intensive Conditioning Treatment

Curly girls, listen up

Curly hair ranges in texture and type from loose, wavy curls, to tight, curly tendrils. Curly hair has more height and volume at the root than straight hair, making it very versatile to work with in terms of styling. The common enemy of all curly hair is frizz. Fighting it can be quite a mission. “The most important tool in every curly hair girl’s 100% natural hair care toolkit, is a good conditioner. Apply conditioner liberally after washing, scrunch it into the hair and go. The conditioner will maintain curls, keep the hair from going ‘poofy,’ and keep frizz at bay. I’m also a big fan of the plopping trend – you’ll be surprised at the miracle-working powers of an old t-shirt,” said Jill.  

Got coily hair? Here’s what to do

Coily hair tends to produce a tighter curl that normal curly hair. The great thing about coily hair is that it can shrink up to 70% and look super short or it can morph into big, afro styles with a simple style job. The biggest challenge for coily hair types is dryness. Thankfully, with so many magical ingredients out there like shea butter and coconut oil, you can make sure your coil is well maintained.

Says Jill, “I’ve worked with coily hair for many years and I’m always amazed at how much I can do with it. It’s bouncy, it’s big and it’s beautiful. Coily hair does tend to be drier than curly hair so what I always recommend to my clients, is a 100% natural hair treatment in the form of an overnight hair mask. Some of my favourite ingredients are argan oil and coconut milk, so look out for those when you read product labels. Smooth it on generously and wrap your head in a scarf overnight. In the morning, you’ll wake up with shiny, moisturised hair that’s ready to wow.”

How to look after coarse hair

When it comes to 100% natural hair care, caring for coarse hair doesn’t have to be a struggle. With the right products, you can make sure that coarse hair is protected from damage and gets the TLC it needs to be as versatile as it needs to be.

According to Jill, “Ammonia-free hair care is the way to go when it comes to coarse hair. Coarse hair is the most fragile hair type, so it’s important to use products that will produce the best results without causing damage. Ammonia-free hair dye for example, is a great option for coarse hair. It’s as highly pigmented as dyes that contain ammonia and it’s an excellent choice for a root touch-up. It also fades gracefully so you don’t create a stark contrast after the first few washes. Ingredients to look out for include jojoba oil and vitamin E.” 

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