4 things to add to your natural hair + self care goals for the new year

Happy New Year Naturals!

Best wishes to you in your natural hair journey. This year I know many of you have natural hair goals you have to accomplish whether waist length hair, length retention, moisture retention, big chop, recovering from heat damage, protective styling etc. All of this can be accomplished this year with new or improved techniques. Time to ring in the new year with new self care goals. So, ditch your old ways from your regimen and unnecessary products from your stash, let's start the new year afresh.

1. Natural hair regimen

For the new year, your natural hair routine might need to be revamped. Simply start by washing your hair using a sulfate-free shampoo, finger detangling with a conditioner that has great slip, deep conditioning using a fortifying deep conditioner and covering with a plastic cap. Then, dry your hair with a cotton t-shirt to reduce frizz. Moisturize and seal using the LOC or LCO method with a water based moisturizer and a penetrating oil or heavy sealant. Styling options can be a low manipulation or protective style. From this simple regimen, you can then tailor it to the needs of your hair and add things to it like massaging your scalp with an oil mixture for more growth, doing more protective styles in order to retain length, moisturizing mid-week. Start achieving your hair goals with a set hair routine.

2. Body Care

Now that you've set realistic goals for your hair growth and maintenance journey it's time to set goals for your health. One way to help you achieve healthy skin and hair, and the results that you want, is by properly caring for your body. I know this may be a hard task because of the temptation of junk food, but you need to eat healthier and exercise this year for your hair and body's sake. Drinking more water and eating more fruits and vegetables will not only contribute to the overall health of your body but your hair; especially for hair growth. You can eat more foods rich in protein like nuts and eggs and my personal favorite, avocado because it's rich in vitamin B which is great for healthy hair, skin and nails. Also, don't forget to exercise and treat your skin with the best natural skin soap like JOSHICA BEAUTY's Bubble + Rinse shampoo and body bars.

3. Set small-goals

If you want to achieve waist length hair by this year, set specific mini-goals to reach the goal with steps and actions that you plan to take. For example, to grow 1 ½ inches of hair per month, your mini goals could be massaging your scalp everyday, taking your daily hair vitamins, getting quarterly protective styles and doing the LOC method every other day to help retain your length. Then, you can check them off as you accomplish them. Setting mini goals allows you to be specific with the goals you want to achieve and helps you to achieve your main goal easier. Don’t forget to be consistent with these practices by visiting your goals on a daily basis or on every wash day. Posting them on your mirror, desk or phone helps.

4. Self Love

This goal should be at the top of everyone's resolutions and goals. This way it's all about loving and caring for yourself, including your skin and hair. Your skin blemishes may not be fading as fast as you would like, your wash- n-go may not have as much definition as another woman's, your braidout may not last as long as someone else's or your hair won’t grow as fast as other naturals. Looking at natural hair people for inspiration is great but don’t be envious and don't compare. Focus on ways to better yourself and how you can give your best that you have to offer the world.

I hope these tips will help you with your natural hair and skin goals. I truly hope this is a fruitful year in your natural hair journey and beyond.

What are your natural hair + skin care goals for the new year?

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