Rosalyn Nicole's World: Natural Hair Journey

Okay ladies,here's the naked truth behind natural hair care and growth. I use to get highly offended when people who didn't know me would ask to touch my hair. I would think subconsciously "do I look like a science project to you?" but now I can appreciate the question. I received so much of a riff about going natural when I started 2 yrs ago. One thing I can say is it is truly liberating and I will gladly let anyone who have a 10 second touch and feel of my hair. Here are a few things you will need to do. But before we go on I must ask, what are your reasons for RETURNING natural? For me, it was simple: my hair was over-processed from relaxers and coloring. I was a stress hair puller and I also had at one point been diagnosed with alopecia areata. What I realized was my hair was its healthiest when it was in its natural state! So let me break it down for you:

Your wave/curly/kinky hair pattern is not the same as mine. That's what makes going natural so amazing. So DON'T stress over the process and it will grow with ease. Also don't touch your hair when you are under a lot of stress or anger. You tend to pull and damage the hair follicle.
Invest in the following tools: Wide tooth comb, spray bottle that you can put water in and a wider bristle brush, bobby pins.AVOID rubber bands and things with metal. Let you hair be free and stop pulling it into a ponytail until its able to reach effortlessly.
Shampoo, CO-Wash and Gel breakdown. Ok I am so beyond tired of people looking for products that contain NO ALCOHOL or attempting to wash their hair with shampoo daily. With natural hair it is important to keep MOISTURE. Your hair is stronger when kept moisturized. That spray bottle I mentioned needs to be filled with water. Spray your hair with water twice a day and then proceed to either apply the following: pure Shea butter or your preferred leave-in conditioner. There are GOOD alcohols and there are bad alcohol for the hair. CETYL-ALCOHOL is the good one! Lastly, when it comes to washing it is always better to wash your hair with conditioner than with shampoo or trail lightly if you don't feel comfortable with this step. Have you ever wondered why you have to follow your shampoo wash with a conditioner or a hair mask? Because shampoos truly strip the hair of natural oils and then you must replace them through moisture!
DIET and EXERCISE. Yes I know its a curse word! We need to all be better at eating properly and working out when necessary. The drink 8 ounces of water a day isn't enough. Go back to eating things full of vitamins and proteins. It's okay to eat a burger, just don't be greedy and eat a burger everyday! Yoga has been the best source of relaxation and exercise for my mind, body and my hair. I am challenging you to 30 minutes of a workout and thinking twice about what you take in.
Massage that scalp! A 5 minute hair massage stimulates the scalp and allows the hair to grow. I usually find myself doing this while watching television.
Wear protective styles. This prevents damage from our outdoor environment and allows the hair to grow and breath as necessary. This would be braided styles, wearing units or covering with a scarf.
Do you research! Learn your hair type by taking a hair quiz or visiting a natural stylist. This will save you a lot of money and prevent you from purchasing products that will leave you irritated.
DON'T GIVE UP! As much as I see women with bone straight hair and thing I want that creamy crack, I will NEVER GO BACK! Think about the overall outcome if you stick with it 7 inches of new grow in a full year if you do all the things I listed above And you'll have and wear the confidence to encourage others who may have thought about going natural but needed more insight.

Below are a few links to some tips and products for natural hair.I DO NOT OWN any rights to any of these links they are just brands or links that have worked for myself and others.