Natural hair sins that women commit unconsciously

Here are some of the most common mistakes that newbie (and even veteran) naturalistas make:

Focusing on texture Texture is a big thing for naturalistas. Coarse hair is often seen as 'bad hair' while softer hair is appreciated as 'good hair'. Many newbie naturalistas get trapped in the desire to transform C4 hair into softer hair types such as 4A. By looking through natural hair blogs, Pinterest boards, and Facebook groups, one can't help but admire women who have what is considered as 'good hair'. However, your hair is unique and the earlier you realise that the better. Whatever your texture is, it is beautiful. If you've been using chemical straighteners for a long time, it will take approximately six to five years for your hair's true texture shines through. Don't fall into the trap of chasing curl defining products at the expense of moisturisers.

Buying hyped products When a new natural hair product hits the market it is praised as the 'one you've been waiting for!' Newbie natural hair enthusiasts can get carried away with the hype and buy the products, which in most cases are not all they're cracked up to be. The best way to go about it is to choose a specific brand or line and mostly stick to it. Companies design their products to work with each other, not with competitor brands. When you mix and match products from different brands, you're likely to run into issues. If a product promises to give you the curls you don't naturally have, question approach it with caution.

Ditching professionals Going natural doesn't mean you're never going to need professional help with your hair. Professional hair stylists who specialise on natural hair can make your journey so much easier...and your hair will thank you for it. While you don't need a professional to help you maintain your hair daily, it is wise to go in for 'checkups' ever couple of months or so. The professional will be able to tell you what you've been overlooking and give you professional treatment and trim split ends.

Heat straightening Keeping kinky hair neat can be quite challenging in the beginning. No wonder most newbies rush to the salon to have their hair blow dried and straightened. However, using heat to straighten your natural curls can compromise the curl integrity and weaken your hair. Uneven curl pattern, loss of curl pattern, and breakage are all signs that your hair has lost its curl integrity. Unless you want your hair to be straight, just without having to use chemical relaxers, you should avoid heat straightening.

Overdoing treatments When you first go natural, you might be awed by all the natural hair challenges and treatments on social media. There's the deep conditioning, detangling, hair growth shakes, vitamins, natural hair masks, and what not. These treatments all look fun and promise to get you that beautiful curl pattern you yearn for. Used wisely, these treatments can greatly benefit your hair and scalp. However, don't be tempted to try them all at once... too much of a good thing can be bad for you. Simplify your regimen to better determine what works for you and what doesn't.

Fixing what's not broken When you find a regimen that works splendidly for you, it's advisable to stick to it. There's nothing wrong with testing a new shampoo or hair lotion every now and then. However, if a regimen is working for you, try not to change the fundamentals too much. You might end up losing length, causing breakage, or otherwise damaging your precious tresses.

Comparing journeys "I cut my hair at the same time as Sarah. Why is her hair longer than mine? Why can't my hair do what hers does?" Someone once said that comparison is the thief of joy. While you can learn a lot from natural hair forums, refrain from comparing your unique journey to others. As you learn to take care of the unique needs of your hair, it will flourish in its own unique way.