It Don't Come Easy

"Is it easy to do your hair?" This is the question I get the most from people about my hair. This is a tricky question and I used to reply, "Define easy." The answer I usually got was, "Something I where I can just get up and go." That's when I realized that our perception (all people, not just black people) of what hair can and can't do is completely screwed up. The only people that can truly get up and go are probably bald people, and even still I would want to moisturize my scalp from time to time. All hair needs effort; some more than others.

As a black woman, I too have fell into this mindset of no effort hair. I had this illusion that if my hair were straight it would be so much easier to manage. While I was able to drag a comb through it from scalp to end, my daily routine was anything but get up and go. The combing, the brushing, the moisturizing, the curling or flat ironing, the finishing. Even washing and drying was an ordeal. All the while, my hair was in horrible condition despite all the masks, creams and conditioners I used.

Even when I started my transition to natural hair, I still wondered if it would easier. But soon I realized that the process of managing your hair is never truly easy. There will always be a level of maintenance that you will occur on a regular basis. Now when people ask me, "Is it easy to do your hair?" I respond, "If you have an hour every few days, yes."

This is how I maintain my go-to natural hairstyle, the twist out. Here are some of the tools and products you'll need:

1. Conditioner and or low-detergent shampoo of choice
2. Hair clips and no-snag hair elastics
3. A wide-tooth comb
4. A plastic spray bottle (misting not streaming)
5. A moisturizing product (shea butter products work well for me)
6. A sealing or styling products to reduce frizz and define curl pattern
7. A satin sleeping bonnet or satin pillow case

Sunday: This is officially hair day. If I have any errands to run, I try to get them out of the way by noon. I will co-wash (washing your hair with conditioner) or do a deep cleanse and a conditioning mask. Before washing, I part my hair into 4-6 sections and use butterfly clips to keep everything separated. In the shower, I thoroughly wet each section of hair, apply my cleansing conditioner (or if deep cleansing, low-detergent shampoo), rinse and re-clip. Once I've co-washed or cleansed, I apply my conditioner for the requisite 3-5 minutes (or per the instructions). **Now this is an important step** While the conditioner is in, I use my fingers or a wide-tooth comb to detangle each section. This step will prove invaluable. Once detangling is done, rinse in sections. At this point, you can replace the clips with no-snag hair elastics or leave the clips in, but I've found that it is easier to semi-dry your hair without the clips (yet leaving your hair in sections will be a tremendous help). There are many specialty drying products , an old t-shirt or section of old bed sheet will do with a towel layered over.

After washing my hair, I start to detangle, working in small sections (approximately 2 x 2 inches) with my wide tooth comb and re-wetting the section as needed with a spray bottle of filtered water. Remember to always start from the ends of the hair. If you hit a snag, work slowly and carefully, even use your fingers to work through it. NEVER pull the comb trough the snag or rip it apart. It will only cause damage to the hair. I continue working my way up to the scalp. Once the section is detangled, I work the shea butter into the section until well incorporated. Then after working in a small amount of my sealing or styling product, I begin the two strand twist, making sure to add a little extra shea butter to the ends. Continue in this manner until your twists are done. Once dry or the next morning, I undo all the twists, spritz with some water and go.

Monday: About an hour before bed, I carefully work a little more shea butter into my hair(focusing more on the ends), being careful to not separate the curls too much as this will increase frizz. I then separate my hair into two sections and make a high ponytail on the top of my head and one near the nape of my neck. I then place my satin sleeping bonnet and I'm done. I will usually do this two nights in a row although if careful, I can keep this up all week. It really depends on how you want your twist out to look and how busy you are. Mine results in a nice afro puff I pull arrange high on my head.

If you like the look of a fresh twist out, I recommend doing the styling portion of the Sunday routine every two days.

If you have and questions or thoughts, please feel free to leave them in the comments section.