My last article featured Part 1 of a very important and informational series which focused on tips and tricks that naturals will find useful for enjoying a very pleasant and hair changing experience. If you are like me, then chances are, you are always looking for ways to improve the health and look of your natural hair. It can be quite frustrating to be a passenger on the roller coaster of the natural hair journey. One day you are sporting a fabulous head of luscious curls and another your hair just refuses to overcome dryness, tangles, dullness, etc.

For every possible problem that natural hair faces, there is usually a workable solution. These are not rules pertaining to natural hair but are little details that will help you if you pay attention to them. Below is the second set of alphabetical tips that you will find useful in your day to day interaction with your natural hair:

H – Heat free natural hair tends to thrive better than hair that is exposed to heat on a repeated basis. One of the first rules of natural hair is to limit or, if possible, totally avoid the use of heated tools on your hair. Heat, in my opinion, is the enemy as it can cause not only physical, but also structural damage. Heat, depending on the intensity and frequency with which applied, can cause the bonds of the hair to break temporarily or in severe cases, can cause them to permanently break. In the latter case, the actual structural curl pattern of the hair changes, resulting in looser, less defined curls and, where damage is extensive, bone straight hair.

Heat abstinence is a fundamental, foundational principle that should be adopted very early in any natural hair journey. I have seen and heard of many cased where naturals had to Big Chop multiple times due to extensive heat damage. I myself had a negative experience involving heat damage very early in my natural hair journey but I was blessed to have been able to identify and correct the problem before it got to the stage where I had to cut all my hair off.

I didn’t totally escape the wrath of heat, though, as a small section in the front of my hair - which was my "leave out for a sew in” during my transition phase - had to be gradually trimmed off. It had become very straight and refused to revert to its natural state despite my many futile attempts.

I agree that the versatility and manageability that straightening natural hair gives is very pleasing and satisfying. So, the temptation to do so can be very strong. Just look at the temptation to straighten your hair as being similar to that of eating a huge slice of chocolate cake or whatever your favorite treat is. It gives instant gratification, satisfaction and pleasure but a few months down the road, your body or your weight can suffer for it.

Likewise, frequently applying heat to your hair will offer instant physical benefits but over time your hair will suffer. Think long term when dealing with your hair, especially if length retention is among your hair goals. Avoid that dreaded heat and explore safer straightening alternatives for your hair.

I – Ignoring the messages and subtle hints that your hair is sending is not a wise move. I believe your natural hair speaks a unique language and sends specific signals that will allow you to understand its needs.

After interacting with your hair for a while, you get to understand its likes and dislikes and you are able to tell when something is odd about the way it looks or feels. There is no set guideline that indicates how often to trim for example, as this will vary from person to person. Being attentive to your hair and how it responds in normal circumstances will make you better able to determine when it needs a trim.

You know your hair, its texture, its volume, etc. and when there is an unexplained variance it may be an indication that something different is going on that may require some action on your part. Sometimes it may refuse to hold moisture and feel excessively dry and crunchy, which may be a sign that it is time for a Deep Condition. If there is excessive shedding you may have to consider the need for a protein treatment, etc.

All are signals that your hair may be sending that shouldn’t be ignored. Ignoring the signals may have similar repercussions to ignoring the body’s odd symptoms. When we heed our body’s or hair’s symptoms, we can correct issues that if left untreated for too long can become irreversible. Listen to your hair; it communicates its needs to you in subtle and sometimes very obvious ways. 

J – Join with other naturals who may need your help or who you may be able to help by sharing valuable information and tips about natural hair.

1. You can become a part of local meet up groups in and around your area.

2. You can attend various natural hair shows where you will be able to make connections and network with naturals at different stages of their journey.

3. You can scour social media like naturals’ Facebook pages, Instagram accounts, Youtube Channels and natural hair blogs. All of these are free and can be enjoyed from the comfort of your home, office or wherever you have internet access, for that matter.

It is almost impossible for one person to know everything. Especially if the natural hair journey is new to you, you may want to join forces with others so that you can have a mutually beneficial natural hair experience.

K – Keep your hair ends protected as often as you can. This tip is of paramount importance to those whose primary goal is hair growth. The thing that gets most of us confused is the fact that our hair growth sometimes seems to be stunted. We believe that our hair is really not growing. That is really not the truth. If you are alive and breathing, and free from all major illnesses resulting in baldness, your hair will grow.

Studies show that hair grows at an average rate of ¼ to a ½ inch each month. The issue that most likely exists, though, is the inability to retain length. Length retention is dependent on a number of facts, but one of great importance is the protection of the ends of your hair. The ends of the hair is the oldest and, as such, they are the most worn and weathered; hence, they are the most likely to break. Wearing protective styles on a regular has been tested and tried as being one of the easiest ways of achieving long hair.

If the ends are braided, twisted or tucked, then they are not exposed to the elements that will cause them to weaken. By protecting them, you also prevents knots and tangles, which are usually culprits for inducing breakage. In order to preserve what comes out at the roots, you have to protect what is at the end. Take greater care with how you wear your hair both during your daily routine and while preparing for bed.

L – Leave In conditioner should not be optional in the regimen of a natural. If you are a natural you would have realized by now that keeping your hair moisturized is one of the biggest challenges faced in your routine. Moisture has a way of escaping natural hair and we have to find different ways and means of ensuring that our hair has optimal moisture at all times. Regular wash out conditioners introduces moisture and softness, and are effective to a point in addressing the age old problem of dryness.

Once regular conditioners are rinsed out, additional moisturizing hair care and styling products should be added in order to ensure maximum moisture. Leave In conditioner will set the stage for your hair to achieve that soft, touchable feel. Some Leave In conditioners also have restorative, reconstructive and strengthening properties which are an added bonus. If your hair is in good shape then you may stick with the ones that are primarily for moisture. My favorites are the Giovanni Direct Leave In and the Kinky Curly Knot Today.

M – Mixing your own homemade hair concoction is not only for the experts. My first order of business when I became natural was to research and experiment with whipping up my very own hair care products consisting of all natural products. Whether oil blends, a hair butter blend or a deep conditioner, the options are limitless where mixing your own products is concerned. There is no hard and fast rule as to what to make or how you should make it. Your nourishing oil blend for example will be a combination of your favorite natural oils or the ones that work best with your hair texture.

I find that the heavier oils work best for my hair texture so my oil blends will always include Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Jamaican Black Castor Oil and Coconut Oil. Ingredients may not be readily available in regular stores but fresh markets such as Whole Foods usually carry a lot of these natural hair oils. Online shopping is also another option. I source most of my hair ingredients from the Vita Cost website. 

Below are links to tutorials showing how I mix my favorite homemade concoctions:

1. Homemade Avocado Deep Conditioner

http://naturalhairnamix.blogspot.com/2011/10/avocado-and-coconut-milk-deep.html

2. Homemade Daily Moisturizing Spritz

http://naturalhairnamix.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-homemade-moisturizing-spritz.html

3. Homemade Shea Butter Concoction

http://naturalhairnamix.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-shea-butter-concoction.html

Like I mentioned in Part one of this series, natural hair care is not necessarily as easy as ABC. However, paying keen attention to these tips and tricks will definitely help to make your overall natural hair experience an easier and more enjoyable one.

Candie's Natural Hairnamix was birthed a few months after Jamaican native Rossette "Candie" Allen began her natural hair journey in May 2010. She gears this column toward naturals, transitioning naturals, aspiring naturals and the naturally curious, sharing experiences, expertise and experiments while celebrating emancipation from chemical slavery.