r/TheNaturalJourney

*** I added my art in the second photo to show this is not Ai, I create my art and add the text afterwards ***

Why "just oiling your scalp" might actually be stalling your hair growth (Hand-drawn anatomy breakdown from my book!)

Okay, hear me out. For years, so many of us were taught that if our scalp feels dry, itchy, or isn’t growing, the solution is to just keep piling on heavy oils, greases, and butters.

​I fell down a massive rabbit hole researching scalp anatomy while writing my book, and I drew this diagram to visualize what’s actually happening underneath all that product.

​Our scalp isn't dry soil—it’s active skin with its own sebaceous glands and natural bacteria balance. When we keep layering heavy stuff on top of unwashed buildup, here’s the messy reality:

​We’re literally choking the follicle: Heavy oils mixed with shed skin cells and styling gunk create a thick plug right at the follicle opening.

​Dead skin gets glued down: Instead of shedding naturally, dead skin cells form a stubborn crust on the surface (hyperkeratosis).

​The "bad" bacteria throw a party: Trapping all that oil creates the ultimate buffet for opportunistic fungi and bacteria, which is usually the real culprit behind that non-stop itch and flaking.

​Even sweat ducts get blocked: When your sweat glands can't breathe, it throws off the scalp's natural pH and triggers low-key inflammation around the root.

​If your scalp is constantly irritated, tender, or your hair feels stuck at one length, grab a good clarifying shampoo and give your scalp room to breathe before reaching for another bottle of oil.

Comment 🖐 if you want to be one of the 5 to recieve a free copy of my book so you can learn more about how to reset your natural hair to its beautiful state!

If youd like to support me and my book, you can purchase the book on Amazon HERE

I’m giving away 5 free copies of "The Natural Hair Reset; a Guide for Coils, Kinks and Curls" ebook to 5 readers in exchange for an honest peer review! If you love diving into practical reads and sharing your feedback, I’d love to send a copy your way.

​How to claim your copy:

​Drop a comment below and send me a DM with your email address.

​Commit to reading and leaving a short, honest peer review once you finish.

​Spots are limited to the first 5 people who reach out. Let’s connect!

(This is an image by @hearthuestudios from the paperback version of my book, which will be available Friday!)

Stop using heavy sealing oils when your hair is actually begging for inside-out moisture. 🛑

​Not all hair oils do the same job. Depending on fatty acid size and structure, oils fall into three distinct zones:

​Penetrating (Cortex Entry): Coconut, Babassu, Palm Kernel, Ucuuba Butter, Rosemary, Olive. These small-molecule oils actually enter the cuticle layer and inner cortex to strengthen protein structure from within.

​Semi-Penetrating (Cuticle Anchoring): Argan, Sweet Almond, Avocado, Safflower, Macadamia, Sesame. These sit partially in and on the cuticle to condition, soften, and smooth the surface.

​Sealing (External Occlusive Shield): Grapeseed, Flaxseed, Castor, Black Castor, Mineral Oil. Large molecules that form a tight barrier to lock in existing hydration and block moisture loss.

​Using a sealing oil on DRY hair simply seals the dryness in. Layering them correctly—water/hydration first, penetrating oil to nourish, sealing oil to lock it down—changes everything.

​Want the full scientific breakdown of how to build a routine that actually retains length?

Check out my book, the Natural Hair Reset: A Focused Guide for Coils, Kinks, and Curls https://a.co/d/07AMgMUS

Hey everyone!

Our community is growing, and we’re looking to connect with professional hair stylists, braiders, and natural hair specialists.

​Whether you love sharing hair science, styling tips, answering member questions, or just showcasing your work, we’d love to have you active here.

Benefits of becoming a mod:

Instant Credibility: You get that Mod/Expert badge right next to your name, so people know immediately that your advice is legit. ​Eyes on Your Work: Free, natural exposure to an audience that actually cares about hair. It puts your portfolio, socials, and booking link directly in front of THOUSANDS of potential clients ​Control the Vibe: You help decide what gets posted, what topics we dive into, and keep the space helpful, positive, and drama-free. ​Real Connections: You get to network directly behind the scenes with me and other stylists for collabs, joint projects, or just bouncing ideas off each other. ​Leadership Experience: It looks great on a resume or brand bio showing you actually lead and build a community in your niche.

​If you're a stylist (or know a great one!), drop a comment below or send a modmail/DM with:

Where you’re based / your portfolio or IG link

​Your specialty (e.g., natural hair, color, locs, precision cuts, protective styles)

​Let’s connect! ✨

I’m giving away 5 free copies of "The Natural Hair Reset; a Guide for Coils, Kinks and Curls" ebook to 5 readers in exchange for an honest peer review! If you love diving into practical reads and sharing your feedback, I’d love to send a copy your way.

​How to claim your copy:

​Drop a comment below and send me a DM with your email address.

​Commit to reading and leaving a short, honest peer review once you finish.

​Spots are limited to the first 5 people who reach out. Let’s connect!

(This is an image by @hearthuestudios from the paperback version of my book, which will be available Friday!)

PSA: You might actually be sealing moisture OUT of your hair (Penetrating Oils vs. Sealants explained)

​For the longest time, I couldn't figure out why my hair felt chronically brittle and dry no matter how much oil or rich butter I slathered on it. Turns out, I was committing one of the most common natural hair mistakes: using heavy sealants on bone-dry hair.

​If your hair feels greasy on the outside but straw-like underneath, here is the breakdown that completely changed my routine.

​1. Penetrating Oils (Hydration & Nourishment)

​These oils have smaller molecular structures and fatty acid profiles that actually allow them to sink into the hair shaft rather than just sitting on top.

​Examples: Argan Oil, Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil

​What they do: Nourish the cortex from within, improve elasticity, and soften the strand.

​When to use: Great for pre-poos, warm oil treatments, or layered directly over damp hair to help deliver nutrients inside the strand.

​2. Sealant Oils & Butters (Locking It In)

​These have larger molecules and form a protective barrier over the cuticle.

​Examples: Castor Oil, Raw Shea Butter

​What they do: Lock existing moisture inside the strand to prevent environmental evaporation.

​The Catch: A barrier works both ways. If you apply pure castor oil or heavy shea butter directly onto dry hair, you aren't moisturizing it—you’re creating a waterproof shield that completely blocks future moisture and hydration from getting in.

​How to Layer Properly (The Golden Rule)

​Hydrate first: Always start with water or a water-based leave-in conditioner. Water is true moisture.

​Nourish/Penetrate (Optional): Layer a penetrating oil (like argan or avocado) to soften and condition the inner core.

​Seal last: Use heavy sealants (shea butter, castor oil) strictly at the very end of your routine on damp/hydrated strands to trap that moisture inside.

​Knowing the difference between nourishing the hair shaft and sealing the outer cuticle is an absolute game-changer for kinky, coily, and curly textures.

​What oils are you guys currently using in your rotation?

Learn more tips and tricks to help grow your hair with The Natural Hair Reset; a Guide for Coils, Kinks and Curls ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

https://a.co/d/07AMgMUS

Doing washday at the gym for the second time was a win… apart from my results from the products I tried this time 😮‍💨

So last wash day, I accidentally found an incredible product in my “collection” so decided to try and get lucky with some other stuff I have lying around

The kerastase line is lovely. I used their hair mask last time as well and I think it did make a difference vs using just their normal conditioner. The leave in is a good base as well … the other products I used afterwards ruined this particular wash and go for me

I started adding the shea butter after and it took a while to work into the hair. It seemed to frizz things up nearly immediately which was surprising. Adding more of the leave in from kerastase brought curls back out so I was doing a combo. I did like that it was thicker than the leave in alone.

The curl cream was not moisturizing or defining in a way expected. It would bone straight hair I applied it to, and sometimes would curl it inexplicably into a gorgeous S curl I rarely see my hair hold. Definitely has gotta be some user error here… but also the texture of it was sticky and I had to go back in often to help it run down my hair. It didn’t spread well and after my hair dried (took forever for it to dry with this product on) it had a stickiness when touched. Later on, I learned that it does apply better on my hair when it’s more dry though the instructions say it could go either way.

My hair had whiteness that wasn’t crazy noticeable but just gave the whole thing a bit of a waxy dullness. Unfortunate as applying and drying this product took about 2x as long as last time with the results not being nearly as good.

It’s good to know these other products are best for a different style… open to any suggestions for how else to use them if anyone here is a fan.

I put my hair in little puffs at night to sleep, and waking up with only some curls really holding at the end + some of that stickiness turning into tangles, I had to rinse my hair out. Product left on it reclumped and I’ll do a proper wash or cowash soon

Can’t win em all!

What i learned - if it’s seeming like the products aren’t working for what i want - im not gonna force or try and finesse it. Ill just focus on moisture and figure out the definition or style later to save myself the trouble

1. gym motivation
2. more space to spread out
3. easier and less to clean
4. their drains are stronger than mine
5. better lighting
6. makes me more likely to be gentle to my hair 😆

Thats me in yellow. What was I wearing and what was goin on with my hair?! LOL!

Growing up as a little black girl i was so self conscious. It didnt help that I struggled with my hair. I remember one day I had to go to school with my afro out because I didnt know what to do with my hair. I was a lock/key kid cuz i walked myself a mile to school in elementary school by like 4th grade - I would never let my kids do that nowadays. I was sooo embarrassed because I had so much hair and it was thick too, it took over the room when I walked in. My teacher thought It was a great idea to sit me down on her lap in front of the whole class and talk about being accepted or something about hair - i couldn't even hear her - i only heard my heart beating from embarrassment. I know she meant well but I wasn't ready to embrace my natural hair yet.

Fast forward to 7 years ago. I couldn't get my daughters hair to grow evenly and I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. So my research on natural hair began. Ive always been the go to hair person in my family. I got it from my mother who was pretty much the stylist for her family too. But this time was different - I felt like I couldn't help her. Then the stress from having babies and life lifing made my locs fall out and I new I had to do something different. I had to create a routine for both of us that actually worked.

Through years of trial, error, and deep research, I finally cracked the code on moisture retention, healthy growth, and embracing our crowns with confidence.

​That journey is exactly why I wrote The Natural Hair Reset. Whether you're navigating your own natural hair journey or trying to manage your little ones' curls and coils without the daily tears and frustration, this manual is for you frfr. It’s packed with the exact routines, tips, and steps I wish I had when I was sitting in that classroom feeling so overwhelmed. Its the guide i wish I had when I had my first daughter and when her hair kept breaking off. Sometimes we forget that our hair isn't just something to manage; it's a legacy of strength, resilience, and beauty passed down through generations. So we have to care for it like our lives depend on it!

One of the biggest game-changers for me—and a major mistake I was making early on—was not understanding the difference between penetrating oils and sealants.

​I used to load up my daughters' hair with heavy oils thinking I was moisturizing it, but I was actually sealing moisture out, not in.

​Here is the truth:

*​Penetrating oils* (like coconut oil, olive oil, argan oil, avocado oil, sunflower oil, babasu oil) actually sink into the hair shaft and help retain protein and moisture from within.

*​Sealants* (like castor oil, jojoba, or heavy butters) sit on top of the strand to create a barrier and trap water inside.

Also, ​If you apply a sealant to completely dry hair without any water or liquid base first, you block hydration from getting in, leading to dry, snapping strands. Once I learned how to use them correctly in the right order, everything changed for us and for the better. Im so grateful for my natural hair journey because we are over here with moisturized curls for days now rather than dry and brittle hair the way it used to be.

​Stop the guesswork and learn the exact steps in my book, The Natural Hair Reset: a Guide for Coils, Curls, and Kinks. Id love for someone to review it and tell me if and how it actually helped you!

https://a.co/d/07AMgMUS

Hi guys!

So this is my first official Reddit post of many. I’ve been on a natural hair journey for about 13 years, though technically I’ve been natural most of my life. Before 9th grade, I spent all of middle school trying to fit in by constantly straightening my hair. To make matters worse, my grandma was playing hairdresser in my head — she gave me layers I didn’t need and even thinned out my hair. In 9th grade, I tried a texturizer “just because,” and it loosened my curl pattern so much that I ended up doing a big chop. My hair grew quickly afterward, but I didn’t know how to maintain it on my own, and I didn’t have anyone to help me. Because of that, I dealt with a lot of breakage and split ends.

Fast forward through several mini chops and years of growth with no real length retention, I finally decided to big chop again this Wednesday. I was tired of my hair breaking off every time I detangled or blow‑dried it. It’s the shortest it’s been in a long time, and while I’m okay with it, I’m definitely still adjusting.

Right now, my focus is hydration, moisture, and improving the overall integrity of my strands. These are the products I’m currently using. I feel like my shampoos work for the most part, but I don’t think I’m clarifying well enough. When it comes to styling products, I’m unsure. My hair was very inconsistent for a while (mostly because my split ends were basically half my hair length). It would love a product at first, then suddenly hate it.

For leave‑ins, I was using African Pride (both the leave‑in and the hair lotion), but my hair eventually rejected them. I tried Mizani 25 Miracle Milk — it was okay, just thinner than I prefer. Then I found Being, which I’m liking so far, though it’s only been a week. The Texture ID Low Porosity Twisting Cream is also decent, but sometimes it doesn’t mix well with other products. Blue Magic has always worked for me, so I’m open to other hair greases too.

I saw that Ulta is having a few sales on hair products (I was eyeing the Olaplex Curl Bond line), and I wanted to know what everyone would recommend I pick up.

For reference, I’m low porosity with dense, fine strands. I’ll include pictures of my hair from my trim last year and what it looks like now.

HeartHueStudios has been my passion for just 1 year now. Ive been drawing all my life, but i was afraid to touch a canvas and paint, really color in general. I didnt want to "ruin" my sketches. But im so glad I had the courage to try, because painting has changed my life! Im a full time accountant by day, and its so relieving when I put the computer down and pick up that paintbrush - that feeling of freedom is unmatched! Tell me, which one is your favorite so far?

https://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartHueStudios

don’t gate keep 👀

I’ve had good luck with Mizani Miracle cream - haven’t used it much since learning how to properly detangle and moisturize the fro, so I’m looking forward to trying it out

How much money have you wasted on products that promised the world and delivered... nothing?

​If you're tired of trial-and-error routines, it's time to stop listening to marketing hype. Real hair care isn't a mystery. It's biology, chemistry, and mechanics.

​Built from years of deep research and real-world experience, I broke it all down so you don't have to.

​Get your copy of The Natural Hair Reset on Amazon today!

https://a.co/d/07AMgMUS

A good cream is it and gel tangles my fine strands so bad. The cast and all that stuff sounds cool in theory but that has never worked for me and would just make gnarly knots.

I got home from swimming at the gym, then used a detangle brush with the cream and coasted (almost) every curl. Separated more up front bc that’s where the density is lower. Then blow dried enough for the white of the product to “melt”. Happy with the results - not oily, not hard, but moisturized and just feels like there’s a light layer of lotion that protects it from the elements

My biggest curl fro to date 🥹 I wonder what 2 years from now will look like

——-

EDIT: product is Carol’s daughter curl defining butter!!

They have a Coco Crème Coil Enhancing Moisture Butter …. But different line & different ingredients. I guess I’ll be trying that to see if it works similarly

Boy is this truly a journey, gonna be rationing it in the meantime … Wondering how I even got this 😂

​Hey everyone! After pouring so much love, research, and care into this project, my natural hair guide is officially dropping in less than 2 days! 🌿✨

​I created this guide to help cut through the confusion around moisture, maintenance, and styling so you can truly embrace and care for your unique texture from root to tip.

​eBook: $9.99

​Paperback: $23.99

​Drop a ✋ in the comments if you want me to shoot you a reminder link the second it goes live! I'd love to hear what your biggest current hair care struggle is down below too. 💛

I love my natural hair!