As some state laws are now finally changing to reflect the importance of hair culture in our society, they are just evidence of what we already knew: all-natural hair is good hair.

In 2016 the Perception Institute conducted the Good Hair Study. This study assessed bias in relation to natural hair, hair anxiety of participants, and attitudes toward black women’s hair. 

The results probably won’t surprise you, especially if you have natural hair, as there is a bias against natural hair. But that’s changing.

Embracing your natural hair

Here’s an interesting concept that you probably already know, but you haven’t really accepted. Not all natural hair is the same, which means not all natural styles are for you. 

Ready to take that a step further? You don’t need to settle on just one style. Hair freedom means hair creativity and giving yourself permission to just be you.

It all sounds great. Just imagine the freedom of being able to let your hair do what it wants to do. The time and money you’ll save alone make it seem like a fairytale. So, how do you get to the point where you can embrace your hair and look as fantastic as you feel?

You can be on the cutting edge of acceptance and help push for a greater understanding and appreciation of natural hair. You may find that one of the biggest hurdles to overcome is your close circle of family and friends and your own inner monologue. 

Unlearning the concept of “good hair” takes time and work. You’ve been programmed by society to accept one beauty standard, but don’t get too down on yourself and your circle if the positive change takes time.

When you’re accepting your natural hair, you also need to stop comparing it to others, no matter what their race is. There is diversity in hair color, texture, type, curl pattern, etc. Your hair is uniquely yours.

Great styles for natural hair

Now that you’re on the road to accepting your hair, you’ve opened the door to an explosion of hair creativity. The following hairstyles are a good place to start for inspiration, but the final result will be based on you and what your hair naturally wants to do.

Braids. Braids are a very popular hairstyle for black hair and have their roots in African culture. This season it’s all about the Fulani braids. The look is regal and beautiful, and it’s so much fun to embellish with beads. 

Just remember, braid maintenance is necessary–no excuses. One of the best ways to nourish your scalp and keep your braids looking fresh is N°77 Leave-In conditioner spritzed on your scalp daily. 

With only five all-natural ingredients, it gives your hair and scalp the nourishment it needs without the harsh chemicals that dry hair and cause breakage.

Wash and Go. It’s the dream for many and seems out of reach, but it’s not. Making moisture the priority for your hair gives you the freedom to rock the wash and go. All you need is a good moisturizing system and a good blow-dryer diffuser. 

While you no doubt have your own method of adding moisture to your hair, one of the best ways to add moisture is from the inside. That’s right–the old recommendation to drink more water really does help. Add Foundation Beauty Elixir to one of those glasses of water, and suddenly your hair not only gets the moisture it needs, but it’s got the nutrients required to hold onto that moisture and build strength from the follicle out.

Bantu knots. You saw Rihanna rocking these knots at the iHeart Radio Music Awards, and now you need them, too. The look is hot and happening, but it’s far from new. Bantu knots originated in South Africa and made quite a splash in the U.S. in the 90s. 

Today Bantu Knots are a perfect choice for expressing yourself because they have an edgy look, but they’re easy to do and easy to maintain. The key to keeping them tucked into place is a good finishing product that hydrates and isn’t heavy. Hair La Vie Serum is your simple solution. Spritz each knot as needed and enjoy the hydrating helping hand.

Short cuts. The short haircut is a huge hit this season for everyone. If you’ve ever been tempted to play with a pixie or even a shave, this is the season to do it. Add an edgy vibe to your feminine style and watch the wonderful reactions you get.

If you’ve wanted to improve the health of your hair, starting fresh with a very short cut and then redefining your nutritional intake is the way to go. Focus on eating healthier foods and using a hair supplement to fill in any nutritional gaps. 

When you’re done with your short-do, you’ve got healthier hair to work with.

Final thoughts

Are you ready to express the real you? This is not an easy decision for many women with natural hair. You’ve been taught that your hair is somehow inferior, and there’s a good chance you’ve spent a lot of your life trying to force it into unnatural styles. Imagine how freeing it will be to let go of those beliefs and be you.

That said, letting your natural hair go doesn’t mean there aren’t styling options. There are a lot of different ways to sculpt and nurture new looks. In fact, once you become adept at working with what you have, you’ll love the styling options.

Natural hair needs to be maintained with all-natural products that do more to nourish and enhance than to tame and train. Hair La Vie focuses on the essential nutrition that your hair and scalp need to be healthy and beautiful. Pair our products with a stylist that genuinely understands your hair, and you can achieve any look you want with confidence.