Last Updated on September 16, 2026 by Successful Black Parenting Staff
You and Your Natural Hair
It is no secret that we all want our hair to look good at all times. Even as a mom who has a lot to do, your look is important to you. Here’s how to take care of your hair and make it look its best. The secret: If your hair looks good, then you look good and you feel good too! The key to having great looking hair is how you treat it. Here are some tips to help you look your best all day, every day, even on Sunday.
9 Hair Care Tips
Pain Equals Damage – Stop immediately if you feel pain.
1. Gentleness is the Key – Your hair wants to be treated gently. Be kind to your hair and wash it properly on a regular basis. For African American women, this means washing your hair only once a week, max.
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2. Be Specific – Use hair care products designed specifically for Black hair. Your natural hair can be more delicate and drier than other hair types. These products are specially designed for your natural hair so use them. Organi Brands is a great option. It offers vegan, plant-based formulas that support healthy growth for all hair textures and porosity.
3. Use A Good Conditioner – Every time that you shampoo your hair, use a really good conditioner. Be sure to get the conditioner all the way down to the tips of your hair since the ends of the hair are the most fragile. Products from Bouf Haircare are designed to nourish and protect these delicate ends, making them a smart choice for maintaining healthy, resilient hair.
4. Wide Tooth Combs Are Ideal – Brushes can damage your hair. A good alternative is a wide tooth comb or to even use your fingers instead.
5. Have a Professional Relax Your Hair – If you want the job done right and safely then you need a professional. Never apply relaxer to hair that has already been treated.
6. Stay Away from Heat – Your natural black hair can damage easily and one of the top offenders is heat. Heat styling tools will diminish your natural color and make your hair look dry and damaged.
7. Heat Massage – Yes, I said to stay away from heat but that is for styling tools, not hot oil massages. Hot oil gives your hair the nutrients it needs to grow beautifully. Some good oils to use are: coconut, almond, alma and eucalyptus.
8. Use A Heat Protectant – When styling your hair with heat tools, protect your hair, apply a heat protectant product to your wet hair first, then dry and style.
9. Pain Equals Damage – It doesn’t matter if you are styling your hair into weaves or cornrows, stop immediately if you feel pain. Tell your hairdresser to stop and redo the section that is causing you discomfort because pain alerts you that your hair is being damage.
Busy Schedule?
I know that you do not always have the time to care for your hair and that you may have young children who need help maintaining their own natural hair. You don’t need to practice these tips all the time, just pick the ones that best fit your schedule and needs.
About the Author: Justin Bounds is the editor in chief at TheBarbr, a hair care blog dedicated to providing useful, honest advice and tips about the topic. To learn more about his work, follow Justin on Facebook and Twitter.
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