How To Style Your Natural Hair Without Gel

Know Your Hair

Your natural hair is unique and its texture and porosity determine the kind of styling products and techniques that work best for you. Porosity is the ability of your hair to absorb and retain moisture. Low porosity hair has cuticles that are tightly sealed and do not easily absorb moisture, while high porosity hair has cuticles that are open and easily absorb moisture. If you are not sure of your hair type, you can do a strand test. Take a small strand of your hair and place it in a cup of water. If it floats, it means your hair has low porosity and if it sinks, it means your hair has high porosity. Knowing your hair type and porosity will help you determine the best way to style your hair without gel.

Wash and Condition Your Hair

Before you start styling your hair, make sure it is clean and well-conditioned. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to cleanse and nourish your hair. If you have high porosity hair, you need to use a deep conditioning treatment to help your hair retain moisture. Leave-in conditioners can also help keep your hair hydrated. After washing and conditioning, use a soft towel to gently squeeze out excess water.

Use Heat Protectant

If you plan on using heat appliances to style your hair, make sure to use a heat protectant spray to guard your hair against heat damage. Heat protectants help form a protective barrier around the hair strands, reducing the amount of heat that is transferred to the hair cuticles. It is best to use a thermal spray with a low setting to ensure that your hair is not exposed to too much heat.

Choose the Right Styling Products

The type of styling products you use will also determine how successful your styling will be. If you have low porosity hair, use light and creamy products that contain natural oils to keep your hair hydrated. For high porosity hair, use heavier and oil-based products that can help your hair retain moisture. Natural oils such as coconut, olive, and avocado oil will help nourish and protect your hair from damage. You can also use a cream or butter to add definition and shine to your hair.

Choose the Right Styling Tools

Depending on the hairstyle you choose, you may need to use different styling tools. A wide-tooth comb is great for detangling your hair and distributing product evenly. If you want to add curl, you can use a curling wand or a curling iron. If you want to straighten your hair, you can use a flat iron. Make sure to use a heat protectant spray before using heat styling tools. To keep your style in place, you can use a natural hair spray or a light-hold hairspray.