Naturally you: Get ready to embrace your natural hair

Welcome to our new column dedicated to natural hair. Every other week, we will tackle various topics — hair types, product recommendations, styling tips, and more.

Our experts are Kidist ‘Pinky’ Emery, owner of Salon Pink, Samaela Cannonier, owner of S Factor Salon, and Maxine Famous, owner of Maxillous Salon. 

Speaking on the natural hair trend, Samaela said: “The natural hair trend is wonderful and more women should embrace their natural hair. 

“I have noticed an increase in more ethnic women deciding to go natural in the past three years, thus giving up the creamy crack. 

Maxine said: “I think many ladies opt for natural instead of chemical processing because of their mane being damaged after years of processing. 

“For some, it’s a spiritual or cultural transition, whilst for others it may be just the latest fad.”

And Pinky added: “I believe that women should embrace their curls and that the natural process can be quite liberating. 

“Going natural is a way of being able to exercise and not have to worry about shampooing and styling your hair so often, causing the hair damage. 

“I also believe not everyone can pull off natural hair due to lack of knowledge of styling and caring for luscious locks.”

Asked if it’s an easy process, Maxine said: “It’s definitely not an easy process as many would think. 

“The cost for maintaining your natural mane is just as expensive if not more expensive than taking care of a chemically- treated mane.”

Samaela said: “It can be challenging for women who are trying to grow their hair with perm on the ends. They have to make the decision to endure the half and half look or cut it off and start fresh. 

“Many women do not know what their natural hair looks like because it has been straight for so long. They have to learn what products will work best in their hair and what they can actually do with their own natural hair.”

Pinky added: “Going natural is not an easy process but very rewarding if you are patient. 

“The fastest and easiest road to take is to cut all relaxer out of the hair and allow for your natural hair to grow out on its own.”

And finally, here are the stylists’ top tips for women looking to go natural. 

Pinky said: “My number one tip would be to perform weekly treatments. Naturally curly hair, no matter your ethnicity, is dry, so you must always hydrate your curls with putting moisture, keratin and back into the hair. 

“I also would say to grow your hair out to an acceptable length and then cut all the relaxer out and continue to train your curl to get the curl you can get due to texture.”

Samaela said: “Women need to understand that natural hair is very beautiful. It can be difficult to grow out during the first year, but they need to persevere to get past the in-between stage because it will be worth it in the long run. 

“Once the natural hair starts to fall, when it gets to about five inches, the afro look is replaced by tame curls and can be styled in many different ways.” 

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