Unapologetically Me.

For so many women hair is a critical part self-confidence, happiness, and expression. When I was in kindergarten a lot of my hair fell out due to impetigo. I was too young to be devestated and I really was not sure why it was happening to me.

For so much of my young life straight hair fascinated me, it was all around. It seemed magical, easy. The wind seemed to enjoy straight hair more and so did my hands. I got my first perm in 2nd grade. My hair became too straight and thin. From there my signature hairstyles were braids or ponytails. I learned how to do my hair at an early age because I wanted to be independent and express myself the way I wanted to. In middle school I was not comfortable with my natural texture and experimented with a perm once more. Still, braids and ponytails were the best options. For the first half of high school I constantly straightened my hair, although all of the permed parts of my hair grew out. I always felt more confident with straight hair. Yet when it was humid, hot, or wet, my hair would expand and make me self-conscious. It seemed like frizz and straight hair always went together, yet I still continued to straighten and subsequently damage my hair, why?

During the second part of high school I started down another tumultuous path: hair dying. I dyed my hair browns, reds, and blondes all within a 4 year period.

I stopped dying my hair and trying to make it everything that it is not when a chunk of my blonde ombré hair just broke off. I was over it. I was over dyes, parabens, sulfates, cheap products, etc. I was over putting toxins in and on my body. I was even more over dry hair. My hair was so dry because I constantly felt the need to use coconut oil on my hair. The oil molecules are too large to penetrate into the hair shaft and sits on the hair blocking all moisture to enter the strands. I stopped leaving coconut oil in my hair and consistently added moisture to hair (be that water or good clean products that work for my hair). I stopped shampooing my hair everyday (now every week or so) and I stopped sleeping without some type of protection on my hair. Even though I do not clean my hair I still co-wash (wash only with conditioner) or refresh my hair with rosemary oil/water mixture.

I moved towards healthier products for my diet, hair, and body. Traveling, exercising, and working all of the time complicates things a bit but does not make it impossible. I thought I would never find products to help define my curls and maintain moisture. After a devacut last summer my curls have been redeemed. I have been consistently using Devacurls OneCondition on my hair for over a year and my hair retains more moisture and my curls are bouncier.

Things I use daily/weekly:

The biggest factors that have helped my hair througout this journey has been 1. hydration and health (eating clean, drinking clean) 2. not using combs/brushes (only hands to detangle) 3. finger coil application of product (adding tension to hair to facilitate in the penetration of product) 4. “pineapple” adaptation by using one scarf to keep my hair up in a pineapple and then another to protect the ends of my hair (this technique helps me maintain my curls for a week).

Healthy hair is good hair, and for me keeping a healthy mind and body has helped me feel confident, happy, and strong. What can you do to be healthier?