oil rinsing

So it Grows, I Ching, Adapt

Posted on by A Plus Recommends

If you’ve been natural for any length of time, you know that wash day is the most unpredictable in your routine. Since I big chopped on Nov. 5, 2014, I had established a routine that was working for me — until it wasn’t.

What to do when you’re hair changes up on you without cause? If you’re like me, you consult your hair buddy in the natural hair community that you’ve built around yourself since the shock of cutting of inches upon inches of relaxed and otherwise healthy hair. After backtracking through my routine with my hair buddy, who happens to be my cousin and the person who planted the transitioning seed in the back of my mind, we figured out which step had caused the hiccup.

I have suffered from dry scalp since childhood (I wonder if getting my first relaxer at five-years-old had anything to do with that, but I digress), so early in my natural hair journey, I discovered oil rinsing and incorporated it into my routine. In one session, it transformed my hair from hard and excessively dry to moisturized and pillowy. Alas, its days had come to an end for it worked too well. My hair is now normal, as opposed to dry, and thus, the extra oil was leaving my hair, well, oily to the touch. Oil trickling down your forehead and neck just isn’t cute. Yuck.

Just when I thought I had it figured out, my hair was like: "Girl, naw."

Just when I thought I had it figured out, my hair was like: “Girl, naw.”

After identifying the cause, I quickly omitted the culprit, and my hair is back to what I would describe as fabulously fly. In the five months that I’ve been on the long and winding road, my biggest lesson is: I ching, adapt because your hair will change whether you want it to or not.

I may have to return to oil rinsing when the temperatures drop again, and that’s ok too. My hair reserves its right to do what the hell it wants, and I respect that. So, if you’ve big chopped, and you’re trying to find your footing, just know every (wash) day is a learning one. If I can get this far, so can you.

If you’re curious, here’s some pics showing you my growth stages from BC to today (Five months post BC):

I was not happy during those first two weeks. Uh, no.

I was not happy during those first two weeks. Uh, no.

Five-month Hairversary:

I'm feeling it, are you?

I’m feeling it, are you?

Natural Hair Tip: I ching, adapt.

What are your natural hair tips that you’ve learned along the way? Comment with your response and help a newbie, or even a vet.