Hey, Ladies! Let’s talk natural hair. If you’re like me, you may have a love-hate relationship with your hair. One day she’s beautiful and laying just the way you want her to, and the next day you have to wash her and you’re wishing you were bald. Trust me, I feel your pain. The struggle with Gigi (my hair) is real sometimes! Yes, I love my hair so much that I named her, and Gigi is short for Angela…Davis that is. Don’t judge me!
Despite the love-hate relationship that she and I have, it’s my job to protect her at all costs. Even if that means I have to put her in a protective style myself because my money is funny this month or my beautician isn’t accessible thanks to the “Rona”. Protective styles are a very important part of natural hair so we might as well learn some styles that we can do at home because you never know when you may need to be your own beautician!
Sis, I am NOT a Hair Stylist!
NEWS FLASH: I’m not a hairstylist either! I get my hair done by a professional religiously, and I’m not ashamed to say it. However, this has not always been the case. I haven’t always been at a place where I could afford to get my hair done every three weeks like I do now so I had to figure some stuff out on my own. Thank God for YouTube! Listen. Learning to style your own hair can be difficult if hair isn’t your “thing”. Don’t worry. I’m going to help you figure this out as much as I can, Sis.
Have Realistic Hair Expectations
There are thousands of protective hairstyle tutorials online so it’s important that you choose wisely and have realistic expectations for your hair outcome. Below are a few tips on how to set yourself up for hair success.
1. Be Specific.
When searching for a video, be as specific as possible. For example, instead of searching “natural hair tutorial” search “natural hair protective style for short hair”. A hair tutorial done by someone with 14 inches of hair might not be as helpful if you are working with 6 inches of hair.
Rocking my 4C hair all day!
2. Know your hair type.
Knowing your hair type will also help when searching for a tutorial that’s just right for you. Whatever your hair type is, go ahead and add that into the search engine also. Not sure what hair type you are? I got you! Click here and check out this simple guide to help you discover your hair type. Knowing your hair type is the first step in knowing what products and styles work best for you.
3. Find your hair type.
If you can find videos of chicks who have a hair type that’s similar to yours, it will ensure that you are trying a style that will work on your hair. If you are 4C and you’re watching a tutorial of someone who is 2B, you may end up being disappointed or frustrated with the results of your hairstyle. However, if you so choose to try a style that’s meant for a completely different hair type, just manage your expectations and know that your finished product will probably look nothing like the finished product in the video.
Patience Is A Virtue
If you are not used to doing your own hair, your hairstyle may not come out the way you want it to the first time…or the second time…or even the third time. Your styles might not start off looking as good as my girl Shari’s, and that’s okay! Doing hair is an art. It’s a skill that many people have gone to school to master so to expect it to be easy right off the bat is not exactly realistic. This is where patience comes in. Like everything in life, the more you practice, the better you’ll become. The more you practice doing your own hair, the better you’ll be! Just be patient, stick with it, and know that you will get better with time.
Now Go Be Great, Sis!
Alright, Ladies. I’ve given you my tips as a non-professional and fellow Sista in the struggle. Now, it’s time for you to go make it happen! Check out my crown protective style tutorial below. If your hair type is similar to mine and you feel this style would work on your hair, try it out and let me know how it goes! I look forward to hearing from you!
Happy To Be Nappy,
Mommi Joanna
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