5 Smart Decisions to Make for Your Natural Hair Journey
Your natural hair journey can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to follow every trend or stick to all the so-called rules. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
In this article, you’ll discover five practical decisions to make that can support your natural hair journey and help you reach your length goals. I’ll use the terms natural hair and curly hair interchangeably because, at their core, they are the same.
Let’s Clear This Up First
For too long, women of color with natural, unprocessed hair have been led to believe that their hair isn’t actually curly. But that is exactly what it is. If you stretch a strand of type 4C hair, what do you see? Curls. Tight curls, yes, but curls nonetheless.
There are different types and textures of natural hair, but don’t get caught up in labels. Just because your curls aren’t loose doesn’t mean they aren’t curls. Keep this in mind as we walk through five decisions that can genuinely support your natural hair journey.
Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s get to the five healthy hair care habits that I believe will make a difference in your curly hair journey (see what I did there!)
I. Add DIY Treatments to Your Natural Hair Routine
There are tons of great products on the market, but every now and then, your hair just needs a little extra love. That’s where some intentional DIY treatments come in. For me, that looks like:
- a blend of hair oils with a proven track record for stimulating hair growth
- a 2-3 ingredient herbal hair mask, or clay masks to strengthen or restore the vitality of my curls.
- An aloe vera pre-poo
Of course, creating your own hair care treatments can be time-consuming, so just try to incorporate them into your natural hair routine once or twice a month.
Why this is smart: Occasionally, making your own simple DIY treatments helps you tune in to your hair’s needs without relying solely on store-bought products. It’s a mindful way to give your curls extra support using ingredients you trust without overcomplicating your routine.
II. Limit Who You Follow for Hair Advice and Inspiration
The second decision you should consider making for your natural hair journey is following just a few influencers and letting the rest go.
Focus on people who have experience with hair that looks and behaves like your own.
Why this is smart: Too much conflicting advice can lead to confusion. Focusing on fewer, relatable voices helps you stay consistent and confident in your choices.
III. Keep Your Hair Stretched
One of the most practical things you can do for your hair is to keep it in a stretched state.
A friend of mine, Janet Davies, Creator of Ominira Naturals, always says, “stretched hair is the best hair.” I couldn’t agree more.
Now, before you go all ballistic thinking that the message is “straight hair is better than coily,” let me explain.
We are not saying that having your hair straightened out is better in terms of appearance. What we are saying is that stretching out your natural curls is beneficial for the health of your hair.
Why this is smart: Stretched hair is easier to manage, reduces knots and breakage, and helps you retain length without changing your curl pattern.
IV. Choose 1-2 Hair Goals to Focus on Each Year
Many naturals know the value of setting hair goals, but often overdo it by trying to tackle too many at once. I strongly recommend focusing on no more than two hair goals each year.
Hair goals are a great way to stay in tune with your natural hair and keep your routine focused. It doesn’t matter if your goal is to experience hair growth or to feel proud of your hair when you look in the mirror each day.
Why this is smart: Narrowing your focus keeps your routine intentional, prevents you from becoming “stretched thin”, and increases your chances of making real progress.
V. Keep Your Hair Routines Simple and Consistent
One of the biggest mistakes naturals make is overcomplicating wash day with too many products or unnecessary steps. Instead, build a routine that includes just the essentials: cleansing, conditioning/strengthening, detangling, and moisturizing.
If you follow no other piece of advice in this article, let it be this one. When your routine is simple and repeatable, you are more likely to stick with it.
When and how you go about completing your hair care routines is going to be the best decision you can make for a number of reasons.
Why this is smart: A predictable, streamlined routine helps in three major ways:
- Reduces the overwhelm of wash day because your routine becomes predictable and manageable..
- Saves you money because you won’t be easily swept away by buying too much to support doing too much
- Helps you discover what works best for your hair. This includes the techniques you use to style and care for your hair. It also includes the types of products you use on your hair.
The Thread That Ties It All Together
Simplicity is the common thread that ties all five of these smart hair care decisions together:
- Use DIY treatments occasionally to give your curls what they need, without doing the most
- Choose your hair inspiration and advice carefully and minimally
- Stretch your hair in simple ways that protect your length and reduce frustration
- Set one or two focused hair goals to stay consistent and avoid overwhelm
- Create a repeatable routine that supports your hair’s health and your peace of mind
As you can see, caring for naturally curly hair doesn’t have to be super intensive. With a few simple shifts, your entire regimen can run like a well-oiled machine.
Helpful Resources for You to Follow Up With
Here are some additional resources to help you with taking action on what you just read:
- Tips to Prevent Pesky Single-Strand Knots
- How to Gently Stretch Your Natural Hair
- How to Master Your Hair Goals
- Love Your Hair With Tried & True Routines
- A simplified curly hair regimen
Written by Michelle Smith, natural hair enthusiast and creator of Fine Natural Hair and Faith, sharing real experiences and results from caring for her fine natural hair for over 20 years. She helps other women navigate their natural hair journeys with confidence and faith.
