Those days of fearing water are over! Well….maybe not totally, but something that you may not know is that water is the ultimate moisturizer for black hair. Getting the best results is all in the technique.
First off lets get this straight. Oils and greases are mistakenly referred to as moisturizers, some are even marketed and presented as such. However this is totally incorrect.
Oils and hair grease ( if you actually still use this) are sealants. They work to keep moisture in your hair, but on its own they are not moisturizers.
Water is the premiere source of moisture and one of the best things for your hair’s health. Why many of us kinky ladies dread water, is often not because of the water itself, but how it is applied to the hair.
Incorrectly applied you will find yourself walking around with a dried flat pancake matted mess!
For Daily Moisturizing
So you saw the latest YouTuber spritzing her hair with water and now you want to try too. Kinky ladies can use this method for moisture or a water based product if they prefer, but it’s all about how you do it.
You must not drench your hair in water but you should opt for misting it. Keeping your hair in a wet state is damaging to the hair.
After misting, follow up with an oil to seal the moisture in. If you have particularly dry hair, you are going to want to make sure you follow up with oil otherwise, the moisture from the water will escape and you will be left with shriveled up dry hair.
Jojoba oil is good for sealing in the moisture from your spritz and it actually has a similar composition to sebum, a natural oil that our scalps produce. Using this method with protective styling will also help you to retain more moisture.
How You Wash Your Hair
The products that we use like, sulfate shampoos actually leave our hair dry not water. Reconsider the cleansing products that you are using and try pre-pooing or co-washing to reduce the chances of dryness occurring after washes.
Still Running from Water?
Since my hair is usually in twists 90% of the time at this point when it rains it’s not really a big deal to me. If I happen to be wearing a twist out, that would be a different story. That rain would mess up all my hard work and frizz my hair out.
So yes my naturalistas if you are like me and hate frizz then this is the only time when you might find yourself running from water. However, when it comes to moisturizing your hair water is your friend. If you are not a fan of water by itself, at least make a point to use water based products for moisturization. A good moisturizing product will contain water as its first ingredient.
Great article. Keep putting the word out that water is the best moisturizer, the LOC method has done wonders for my hair and I ususally just use plain water for the liquid.
I went back to my “natural roots” since 2001 when I decided not to have to fix and patch my dying relaxed hair. I told the beautician – “CHOP IT OFF” and never looked back. Yes you may not look like some kinda model but when you realize that you have most versatile types of hair and embrace what God gave you – you are so much more the happier. There are times when folks look at you and say “What’s wrong with your hair” – simply because it looks different from theirs – I look back and say -“Oh this beautiful thing on my head? Nutten – what’s wrong with yours?” Then they know to be mindful next time. My husband is all about the long flowing hair and all that hoopla – but I told him – My brother – we have been married over 20 years now (27 since 6-14-13) and I am figuring – if you don’t like me in my natural state – you would have gone by now so just love me as I am”. My granddaughter has the same type of hair and so i have 2 heads of hair to do now but when people come up to you and compliment you at how pretty and soft your hair is – it’s all worth it! Have a happy nappy y’all !!!
I really like this website. I find that the only think that makes my hair even a little bit manageable is water. But that spritzing thing would never work for me: my curls are way too dense. I need something that can penetrate to the the root (or at least close) Right now, I just have a bit of regular conditioner in my hair, that I’ve worked into the strands, so that I can brush through it. I want to try this sealing thing hear I hear about. Because once it dries, it will coil back down, and I’ll have to go through this all over again.
thank you my sister coming all the way from Barbados its usually hot hair so keeping my locs from drying out is always a problem but i will definately try this as you learn somthing new everyday
I dont know what to do anymore, I do know
one thng, that I am anemic, and my hair breaks
at the slightist thing. Weave, braids, locs, it still breaks, I have not has a perm in my hair in
over 25 years, But still my hair breaks and no
growth. So at this point I am thinking that I may need to get some iron supplements
My hair regiment is the following:for my natural hair I wash with a good shampoo for relaxed hair (more moisture) use a handful of Downy as a rinse out conditioner 2-3 min.Great for tangles. Then apply 2compatible essential oil plus sesame and almond oils. I then apply a light coating of Crisco paying close attention to my ends to give me some stretch.
Protective styling. I have 4c type.Always had thick hair that was permed its been 2yrs
The funny thing was I was not going for long hair just a head full of thick and healthy.But I have all now.
Tips:
Sponge scalp with Listerine between washing.
I shampoo every 10 days
I mist my hair with water several times a day.I hope you find what works 4U
Do your research
Good Luck!
great read!