Okay… so we’re not all blessed with hair so emblematic as Tracy Ellis Ross’. 

I for one have straight, thin hair and will never be able to make my hair my most outstanding feature.

Learning to embrace and flaunt what nature has given us is a wonderfully intimate and empowering process. Caring for what we have been given is incredibly self-loving.

After years of chemically straightening her hair, our main girl Linadria here at the office decided to let her natural hair grow out. We’ve been watching her process and practices and have learned a thing or two. Yes, her grown out curly hair looks great now, but her confidence and self-love is even more striking.

As any woman of color who has transitioned from relaxed to natural hair will tell you, growing out that chemically damaged hair is no mean feat. These are Linadria’s tips and rules on what to do to grow Afro-textured hair and what worked for her:

• Keep the ends of the hair moisturized at all times. Three times per week use an oiling treatment like castor or argan oil and let seep into the hair overnight. Remember that the ends are the oldest and most delicate part, so be sure to keep them moisturized and sealed.

• Even if you’ve found a formaldehyde-free straightening solution your hair has likely been severely damaged and thinned from years of abuse. For this reason alternate the oiling process with a Hairprint Color Restorer treatment every 2-3 weeks. If your hair is dark and doesn’t have gray it won’t affect your color. Rather, the treatment will add protein to you hair, strengthen its structure, and make your hair soft.

(Please note: your curls might become looser. If you wish to avoid this look, do not use as frequently)

• Every month check for split ends and cut any split hair to keep your hair healthy and growing. Your hair will grow 0.5”/ 1.27cm per month so if you don’t cut too much off you will see progress.

• Avoid any heat on your hair. This means no straightening tongs if you can help it.

• If you want to go the extra mile, purchase silk or satin pillowcases to protect your delicate strands when sleeping.

• Your best tools are wide toothcomb combs made of wood for gentle detangling. Avoid combing your hair with combs that have small teeth, and brushes with rough bristles.

• Using a natural wood comb will allow you to move the sebum and natural lubricant on your scalp to be carried and move thorough to the ends.

• Choose shampoos and conditioners that are fermented if possible and that are delicate enough to maintain your scalp’s sebum naturally balanced. We recommend our Amla shampoo and conditioner.

• Be mindful of the hairstyles you chose to adopt as they might cause breakage. Opt for silk scarf’s instead.