Anyone else trying to improve their hair styling technique right now?
Every Summer, on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook I see a graphic pop up about the women who didn’t learn to cornrow their hair as a child.
It me!
My mother had no idea how to care for my hair, relaxed or natural, so once I hit College, my haircare learning curve was HIGH! I turned to the internet for help (specifically Motown Girl.com).
I definitely had some bad hair days, but thanks to various people on the internet I learned to take care of and style my natural hair.
Though I rarely do so, I can cornrow and flat twist my own hair any day. I can even do a roller set or give my hair a good silk press. Matter of fact, I blew my hair out just last week and because I’ve had so much practice over the years it was a painless and quick process.
However, I remember the journey.
Matter of fact, the majority of messages I receive right now are from women who haven’t had to take care of their own hair up to this point. Then the Pandemic hit, and now they need help.
So, if you just want to master a hairstyling technique or just don’t know where to start, this post is for you
Top Videos to Learn the Technique behind Styling Natural Hair
Several years ago now, GirlsLoveYourCurls made a series of videos using yarn to explain the difference between plaits, twists, cornrows, and flat twists. I especially like her demonstration because you can clearly see which piece of hair moves where and how to add hair along the way.
You can gain clarity and a solid base of understanding of the technique behind styling from the GirlsLoveYourCurls series. However, doing these techniques to your own hair is very different than someone elses.
To learn how to place your hands so your cornrow or flat twist doesn’t loosen, turn to MariaAntoinette.
She is a licensed hair stylist, but also just a media mogul. The video quality of her tutorials are amazing and the instruction is very clear. Following her technique, I was able to create cornrow styling that I would not mind other people seeing!
Basic Technique: Then we have the wet set
Everything from the twist out to the rollers can be considered a wet set. I mastered my twist out early on in my journey and then turned to other styles. Fusionofcultures has a great video for learning the basic twist out, and I share my best Wash & Go technique here.
However, my favorite three-strand twist out and roller set technique video is by none other than DayelaSoul. She breaks down the steps and technique in an easy to replicate format with information about missteps along the way.
Basic Technique: Last, but certainly, not least is straightening natural hair.
Now, the silk press is not as simple as it seems. Many people on Youtube share techniques that aren’t easy to do on your own. For blow-drying the hair, I say stick with the basic comb attachment method and focus instead on buying quality tools to enhance your result.
Believe it or not, there is technique involved when it comes to properly flat ironing the hair. Always begin with a good tool to make heat styling the hair less risky, and then turn back to Maria Antoinette to learn good technique.
Learning to style your natural hair can take YEARS!
So, don’t sweat the journey. Instead, focus in on one technique and once you achieve consistency, move on to the next. Remember, your hair is an expression of your personal style.
Don’t take it too seriously, and always keep a bun or puff style in your arsenal for those days when your hair just will not cooperate!
If you care to share, please comment below with the style that you are still trying to master on your natural hair!
