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Chapter 1: Introduction:

Embracing Your Natural Beauty……..pg3

Chapter 2:

What Type of Hair Do You Have?...pg 6

Chapter 3:

Hair Porosity???????...........pg10

Chapter 4:

Doing It Naturally…………pg14

Chapter 5:

Transformation Begins…pg 18

Chapter 6:

A Routine That Suits You…pg 21

Conclusion:

Glossary and Special Thanks…pg 25 2

Chapter 1 Introduction:

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Every REASON WHY

• Flexibility for previous Lifestyle Conflicts • For all of you swimmers, exercisers, and yoga masters, this would

be a great change for you. The one thing that you are going to do is sweat when you exercise. Yes, that’s surely inevitable. Natural hair can definitely give you the versatility to wash daily or style your hair for exercise. Also, if you are on-the-go, going natural has great options for styling: wash n go, afro, bun, etc.

• You Will Really Learn Your Hair • When I was relaxed, I never took care of my hair. The reason was

not because I did not feel like it or didn't know how, but because I had someone there who could just do it for me. Once I went natural, there was no salon I went to that knew how to do natural hair (probably have changed now or could have just been my city). So I was forced to really learn my hair. When you go natural, you will learn that not everyone can do natural hair. Not everyone will know how to even care for natural hair. So it will be up to you to learn your hair. Who better to do your hair, than you? Be your own hair guru!

• Time And Money Saver • Other than saving money on going to the salon weekly, going

natural can save you lots of money. Unless you are a product junkie or you literally have a wash day full of oils after herbs after treatments after other treatments, having natural hair is not that costly. All you need is a shampoo and/or co-wash, conditioner, leave-in, styler, and bobby pins (lots and lots of them). You may have other products depending on your styling and hair care preference, but that’s basically it.

Want A Change

This could be from having straight hair all the time to wanting a different look. If you are looking for a change, you will definitely get that with natural hair. If you are tired of the same style over and over, going natural can give you endless options to cater to that change you are looking for.

Debunks European And Western Standards Of Beauty

When I was younger, I was taught that straight hair was the standard for beauty and poise. Kinky and coily hair was not accepted as beautiful, lovely, or appropriate. But now... natural hair is everywhere! Companies want to be part of the movement, models and designers are for it, and the standard of “what is beautiful” is changing. Straight hair, what? Straight hair, who?

Healthier For You

Nothing against relaxers and other processing methods, but harsh chemicals are just not healthy for you. No matter how the box is sugar-coated with added oils, herbs, and cute pictures, it’s still a harsh chemical that can affect your health in the long run.

Embrace New Growth

Gone are the days of dreading new growth. If you're looking to achieve and retain length, you will rejoice when new growth shows up!

Hair Versatility

You can be 4 different women in one week! Flat Ironed Beauty, Afrostatic Diva, Lioness Blowout and Fierce Female Twistout. With the right care, natural hair can really give you any style you are feeling for any day you want.

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Every REASON WHY

• Unique And Special

• Today, natural hair is seen as something so unique and special from

everyone who passes by. Whether your natural hair is flowing and springy

or fluffy and bountiful, natural hair is basically beautiful. People want to

touch your hair, talk about your hair, ask you questions about your hair,

and even smell your hair (seriously, I had that happen before). Natural

hair is something that is praised about and loved on. It seems so new to

other cultures and even some of us. Natural hair is the new girl in town

and everyone wants a piece of her.

• Sense Of Freedom And Acceptance

• I’m not saying relaxed hair keeps you bound and chained, but it’s

something about going natural that makes you feel liberated. It’s your own

hair that grows out of your own head and you accept that! Your hair is on

the schedule that you set for her and not on another’s time schedule. You

give your hair the freedom to frizz as she pleases, fro as she grows, and

spring indefinitely. There are no limits to natural hair! Everything can be

achieved as long as you accept her.

• If you make the decision to go natural, make sure that it is your own

decision and not anyone pressuring you. Remember that this is your hair

and your journey. Make the right choice for you alone.

Pride In Afrotastic History

If you are into the history of natural hair, then going natural would definitely be for you. Personally, I love the history and the timeline of Black Hair and how it evolved through history to the present time. Having natural hair makes me feel like I’m part of a great history. My hair has awesome roots (pun intended) and that makes me so proud to be Afrotastic in my own right and history.

Great Sense In Natural Community

When you become natural, you will inherit a bunch of sisters, aunties, mommas, and even brothers. The natural hair community is very welcoming and full of love when it comes to newbie naturals and those who are considering going natural. You can join natural hair groups on Facebook, chat in forums, add your comments and opinions on natural hair online publications, or even check out the family atmosphere of natural hair on other social media sites. Having natural hair comes with family who are willing to aid you in your healthy hair journey.

Inspires The Next Generation

Your little ones already want to be just like mommy! Your daughters, nieces, and grand-babies are definitely looking at you to see what is important to you. When you embrace your natural hair, they will see that natural hair signifies grace and beauty. They will learn to love their own curls, coils, kinks, and naps from the beginning of their lives. Help them take the first step in loving their hair by seeing you love your own natural hair.

Controls Our Economics And Businesses

Seriously though! Do you see how many businesses are wanting to take part in the natural hair industry? Most of the companies are brick and mortar ones, but there are rising and emerging companies who are black and natural-hair owned. Isn’t that something to celebrate in its own right?!

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CHAPTER 2

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• 3a- These curls show a definite loopy "S" pattern

that is well defined and usually springy. Type 3a curls

have a circumference the width of a piece of sidewalk

chalk. Generally, this hair type can be easily

straightened or re-texturized. Type 3a curls are more

prone to frizz and losing definition than Type 2 hair.

• 3b- Type 3b curls are more voluminous and have a

smaller circumference than Type 3a curls, the size of a

Sharpie marker. Type 3b hair is not as shiny as Type 3a

curls, and the texture can be coarse and dense.

• 3c- The curls resemble tight corkscrews and are

approximately the circumference of a pencil or straw.

Type 3c hair tends to be higher in density and coarser

than type 2 or 3 hair, giving it more volume. Type 3c

curls are finer in texture, though packed tightly together

on the head.

What’s YOURS?

Curl pattern refers to the amount of wave, curl, or coil in your hair. It is divided into 3 main hair type categories: Wavy Type 2, Curly Type 3, and Coily Type 4.

2a- This type hair is slightly "S" waved hair that sticks close to the head. Type 2a hair tends to be fine in density. Although it does have a natural sheen, Type 2a waves usually lack volume and definition.

2b- The wave in this type hair usually forms throughout the hair in the shape of an "S" like Type 2a, but the hair sticks closer to the head. Type 2b waves might be slightly frizzier on the crown of the head, and tends to lose curl definition easily.

2c- This type hair, the waves are the coarsest of wavy hair patterns. They are composed of a few more actual curls, as opposed to just waves. Type 2c hair tends to be more resistant to styling and loses curl definition more easily than other textures. Bantu knot-outs, roller sets, or twist-outs might actually cause the hair to lose definition rather than promote it.

• 4a- Type 4a is tightly coiled hair that has an "S" pattern. It has more moisture than Type 4b coils and has a visible curl pattern. The circumference of the spirals is close to that of a crochet needle. The hair can be wiry or fine-textured. It is usually fragile with high density. Type 4a hair has fewer cuticle layers than other hair types, which means it has less natural protection from damage.

• 4b- Type 4b strands have a "Z" shape and a less defined curl pattern. Instead of curling or coiling, the hair bends in sharp angles like the letter "Z." Type 4b hair is tightly coiled and can feel wiry to the touch. Type 4b hair can range from fine and thin to wiry and coarse with many strands packed densely together. This hair type often experiences shrinkage up to 75% of its actual hair length. Type 4b coils can hold altered styles well in comparison to Types 2, 3, or 4a hair.

• 4c- Type 4c hair is composed of strands that will almost never clump without the use of styling techniques. Type 4c hair can range from fine, thin, soft to coarse with densely packed strands. Some say Type 4c coils look identical to 4b except that the curls are tightly kinked with less definition. Tighter coily hair can shrink more than 75%.

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NOW CHOOSE YOUR HAIR TYPE FROM THE CHART ABOVE

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Chapter 3

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Porosity refers to how easily your hair is able to absorb and hold moisture. It is affected by

the flexible outer hair layer called the cuticle, which determines how easily moisture and

oils pass in and out of your hair. For most, porosity is genetic, but it can also be affected by

external factors such as exposure, heat treatments and chemical processing.

There are two methods you can use to find out how porous your hair is.

• The Float Test

Take a couple of strands of hair from your comb or brush and drop them into a bowl of water. Let

them sit for 2-4 minutes. If your hair floats, you have low porosity. If it sinks, you have high

porosity.

• The Slip & Slide Test

Take a strand of hair and slide your fingers up the shaft (toward the scalp). If you feel little bumps

along the way, this means that your cuticle is lifted and that you have high porosity. If your fingers

slip smoothly, then you have low porosity hair.

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• Low Porosity

Hair with low porosity has a tightly bound cuticle layer with overlapping scales that lay flat. This type of hair is usually considered healthy, and is often very shiny, especially when it's dark in colour. Low porosity hair repels moisture when you try to wet it and is hard to process since it resists penetration of chemicals.

Low porosity hair requires moisturizers rich in emollients such as shea butter, jojoba oil, coconut oil and mineral oil. It also benefits from humectant products, which attract and hold moisture to your hair. Choose lighter, liquid-based products such as hair milks that won't sit on your hair and leave it oily or greasy.

• Medium Porosity

Hair with medium porosity often requires the least amount of maintenance. The cuticle layer is looser, allowing just the right amount of moisture to enter while preventing too much from escaping. Occasional deep conditioning treatments with protein conditioners can benefit medium porosity hair, but proteins should not be included in your daily regimen.

• High Porosity

High porosity can be either an inherent property of hair or the result of damage from chemical processing, rough treatment or environmental damage. High porosity hair has gaps and holes in the cuticle which let too much moisture into your hair and leaves it prone to frizz and tangling in humid weather. Even simple acts such as bathing, swimming and shampooing can create more damage and breakage due to the sheer amount of moisture highly porous hair can absorb.

Be sure to use anti-humectants as this will help seal damaged cuticles and prevent them from absorbing excess moisture in the air.

Because highly porous hair can also lose moisture easily, it's important to use leave-in conditioners, moisturizers and sealers. Layering these products will help your hair hold on to the moisture you're giving it. You can even follow up with a heavy hair butter to help fill the gaps in your damaged cuticles and further protect your hair from losing too much moisture.

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• GIVE IT A TRY AND LETS FIND OUT YOURS!

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Chapter 4

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An Awesome Path to Natural Hair Care

• Now that we have hair porosity out of the way, its now

time to move onto the next step.

• Use of Natural Ingredients for Exfoliating + Cleansing

+ Nourishing = Great Hair! Begin a healthy hair care

regimen by using products that are naturally based.

We all have an electromagnetic vibration, and healthy,

natural things have a higher vibration than non-living

things. Why is vibration important? Natural ingredients

have a very high vibration and for this reason, they

contribute to the energy and improved overall health

and well-being of your body. Natural ingredients are

absorbed more easily and heal and restore your body

and hair. Your skin is the largest organ on your body,

and everything that you apply on it, penetrates and

ends up inside of your body. Be careful what choices

you make when selecting hair and body care

products. Natural ingredients have healing powers

that simply can not be recreated by man made

synthetic ingredients. Commit to making wise choices

when choosing hair care products. Go through your

medicine cabinet and throw out all of the products that

contain petrolatum, mineral oil and dimethicone, as

they all contain very few useful ingredients. Get in the

habit of purchasing your products from natural grocery

and health food stores. 15

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