Thanks so much for this information. I, after 20+ years of chemicals and a brief stint with weaving via bonding, have decided to go au naturel. I still have plenty of processed hair on my head, but believe through these suggestions on products and techniques, I should come out of all of this with a healthy head of hair. I am so tired of the breakage and lack of moisture, and spending the hours and money in the salon to "fix" the beauty and glory God already gave me. Thank you, Essence, and your legion of devoted online readers and bloggers!

i use pure avocado oil to "condition" my hair..and it works wonders! i also use pure ojoba oil after flat ironing for a bit of moisture and shine...pur coconut oil is also great for conditioning treatments and for moisture.. pure oils are better than the processed oils in most of these products

Good info. I have been growing my perm out of my hair since 1/1/09 (apx. 11 months). It was a process, but I LOVE my hair natural! Its so stronger and is growing back healthy. I use Aubrey Organics 100% natural shampoo and conditioner and Jane Carter Solutions leave in conditioner/detangler 100% natural, presently. The combination works wonders on my hair! I also do a weekly homemade hot oil treatment or deep conditioner - all 100% natural. I figured, while on my quest for natural hair and healthier lifestyle, why add other chemicals/alcohols to my natural hair? Once I fully switched to no perm, all natural shampoos, conditioners, treatments and oils, my hair has never been happier!

To all the Black women that hate their natural hair, please give yourself a chance on a daily basis, saying affirmations of your natural hair. You will eventually believe and know that you hair is beautiful. Yes, it is a challenge to accept our hair sometimes, but TRUST me. You will learn to love it, if you practice things that encourage good thoughts about your hair.

I love Carols Daughter's products they really do work. I just was not happy with the black vanilla shampoo it didnt lather, so I use pantene breakage defense shampoo and conditioner also carols daughter's (healthy hair butter, lisa's elixir and the black vanilla leave in conditioner) all of these together are working great in my hair!

What about Carol's Daughter? They have great products for black hair. They work well and keep your hair moisturized. I especially love their Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner.

At the age of 42 years after nearly a quarter of a century of weaves and extensions, I have a discovered within me a growing resentment at the fact that in order to feel attractive I have spent my entire adult life buying someone else's hair and having it integrated into my own hair. When you think about it, it really is a ridiculous, not to mention costly scenario however like millions of other Black British women, I always felt that my own natural hair was unattractive, made me look unsophisticated and almost crude. My mother is the daughter of a mixed race woman and so has very silky and soft 'good' hair however I unfortunately inherited my father's coarser, traditional afro hair. I cannot believe that I am the only person to wonder over the years why we are the only race on earth to have been lumbered with this difficult hair. It may be politically incorrect to say this but I have no love for my hair whatsoever as it has always been a source of pain (tangles), breakages, and a great expense for short term benefit. The average trip to London hair retailers (usually under the ownership of Asians rather than Black people frustratingly, so it's not even my own community who benefit financially from my purchases)costs me £125 for natural hair pieces so it is frightening to consider the cost over a 25 year period. Hair is supposed to be one's crowning glory and there is so much emphasis on women's hair in Europe but unless I have my weave in place I have always felt inadequate. If you look at the photos in the feature above, the second and third hair types look cute however the first and the last (which are closer to my own hair type) look really unattractive to me. This is not an issue of hating my race but just a case of hair frustration. I often wonder why God didn't give us 'European' hair naturally as most black women with good weaves look absolutely stunning. Our natural hair is also so prohibitive in terms of life style. Swimming or walking in the rain are moments of great fear for black women who wear their natural hair straightened and God help you in a steam room or sauna. On the other hand with the weave in place, I have lost count of the number of times that I have had a white boyfriend attempt to run their fingers through my hair during a romantic moment only to recoil in horror when their fingers encounter a plait under the weave! So the only option I am left with if I am going to live without hair extentions in the future is to revert back to the hairstyle of my childhood - ie tying up my hair into a simple, plain and boring bun and wear loads of jewellry and makeup to glam up.

I recommend hairlista.com for both women who want to go natural or obtain long hair with perms. i STRONGLY suggeest.
also natural sites like bglhonline.com is real good for women considering natual hair. and maneandchic.
there are all sorts of resources out there and books aswell. all women of all races can obtain long healthy hair.

great info...very informative!!!
If you need advice on how to do your hair and have searched the internet you should have run across the hair forums..lots of info on the hair forums!!!.... you tube is a wealth of infomation on hair care.

I hate my hair but im blessed to have hair on my head. i grew up without having a mother figure to show me how to do my own hair or even take care of it. im 25 and in the usn i dont have the luxury to go to the beauty salon and get my hair done. now im freaking out about how to do my hair without looking like a hot mess and so far its not going well for me. i think i have looked all over the internet and book stores I NEED HELP!