If you haven’t heard the words ‘natural hair movement’, where have you been hiding? From coils and curls to locs and afros, the last few years have seen a shift in the way natural hair is viewed and the accessibility to good, affordable products. In the UK, the natural hair movement has grown from strength to strength, with major stores reevaluating the diversity of their haircare range and helping us naturalistas gets those edges on fleek and curls poppin!

While transitioning to natural hair has become the new wave, very few women have an idea of the basics they should know before going natural. You probably don't want to end up with an "I Wish I Had Known List" when it comes down to going natural. So before you make the jump of faith to transition to afro hair, here are the top 10 things you should know before transitioning to Natural Hair.

Credit picture: Tia's Hair salon Natural hair movement in the UK can be traced back to the 1970s when natural hair movement was at its peak, fuelled by the rise of Black Power and the civil rights movement in the US. Having a fro back then was not solely based on creating a fashion statement or signature look, it was rather about making a political statement to express and showcase your black identity with utmost pride and confidence. In the last few years, research has shown that black women are making statements in the beauty industry. Due to this, they have become an invaluable voice that must be listened to by stakeholders in the hair industry. In fact, the black hair industry at the moment is worth £88 million, with black women spending six times more on their hair care than their white counterparts. In the UK, the afro Caribbean hair industry has been found to be quite lucrative, with so many brands now venturing into the market due to the increase in consumer demand for natural hair care products.

Youtube recommendations are something else. It was December 25th, the time was 6pm. I was strolling my Youtube feed, trying to avoid the depressing universe that I created for myself with my 2019 obsession for the UK Brexit, the US impeachment proceedings and France new retirement plans wotlessness. Note that I am doing all of this actively trying to avoid the new disturbing ads featuring cows and humans in “funny” sexual positions and cars crushing watermelons … when I found “Hair Love”.

If you have ever done research on promoting hair growth, you’ve probably heard of protective styles. Protective styles refer to any hair configuration that protects your ends, edges and overall curls from consistent manipulation that can lead to breakage and further damage. Protective hair is an essential part of natural hair care that can be of immense benefit to you. Wondering why protective hairstyles for natural hair are important or what protective hairstyles to wear? We have compiled some of the top benefits of this technique as well as some trendy protective styles you should know.

Edges, edges, edges! a topic that can draw as great a discussion as the afro movement itself. For those who are not aware, ‘edges’ refer to the hair around one's hairline, sometimes referred to as ‘baby’ hair. What a display of spectacle and artistry it is to see how some black women and young girls create intricate designs and waves with their baby hair.

What are Locs?

Locs, Dreads, Dreadlocks or whatever term you use, is hair that has not been manipulated over a specific period. During this time the hair will become clump together and become matted. The wearing of locs can be traced back to earlier civilizations. They are worn for cultural or spiritual reasons by "Sadus", Hindu Holy Men, as well as men and women from the Rastafari "Livity" in Jamaica. Therefore, for these people, combing of their hair is discouraged and left to grow freely. Without any form of maintenance, it usually clumps with other pieces of hair and “locks” together, hence the term “locs”. One of the most popular individuals who popularised locs back in the 60s and 70s was Reggae Legend, Bob Marley. However, more recently, locs are worn for aesthetic reasons. An increasing number of people love the overall appearance of it. Popular celebrities are currently rocking locks such as rappers Future, Lil Wayne, Quavo, or actresses Whoopi Goldberg, Zendaya, Ava Durverynay. They all have used different methods to "lock" and maintain their hair and this is what I propose to explore in this article.

Picking the right hair salon can be anxiety-inducing for anyone, particularly for people with afro hair. There are many options out there but knowing which to choose can be hard. There are several things you need to look out for before you put your head in the hands of a stranger so you can get the best service and experience. We have done the hard work of compiling a list of 9 things to check before choosing your afro hair salon. Let’s delve fully into the topic.

Quick catch up with Pamela Haynes, author, public speaker following the publication of her book 'Loving the Brothers', rated 4.9 out of 5 stars on Amazon. A must-read!

When it comes to choosing a shampoo to use for your afro hair, you need to be selective as there are different types of shampoo on the market. Some shampoo products were made with Africans in mind while others were made for Caucasians. As you might know, research has shown that Caucasians and Asians have more hair follicles than we do even though our natural hair may look fuller. The reason is that, of all hair types, afro hair is the most vulnerable to breakage, and using the shampoo made for Caucasians can strip both hair and scalp, ruffle the cuticle or dehydrate already parched curls. We know that it can be tough for you to shop for afro hair products in a market saturated with products for people with straight hair. This is why we have done the hard work for by researching and compiling the best shampoos for natural hair.

If there are awards for hairstyles, Box braids would have won a whole lot because of their low maintenance and ability to be manipulated into different styles. Box braids are made by using synthetic hair to add thickness and fullness as well as length. Did we mention that box braids look gorgeous after being installed? Or that they can last up to 6-8 weeks when maintained well? Add this to the fact that box braids are easily low-maintenance, and then you understand why they are still so popular after all these years. So if you love to keep your box braids as fresh as the day you made it, here are the best ways to maintain and keep them that way.

Our natural hair is the crown that we wear daily. And as such it must be cared for with the best products, tools and love. Often our afro hair is not in the best condition it is, due to lack of care for it. In this article, we will be sharing the top 5 best tips to take care of your afro. These tips will, hopefully, help you increase the length, strength and hydration levels of your hair to bring it to an optimally healthy condition. Your hair is your crown and should be worn proudly.