You’ve heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” Well the saying is true of your hair as well. Your hair is what you feed it. First let me say I’m not a natural hair expert, but I am an expert on food…and I happen to have natural hair.
I’ve been natural for two years now and after countless YouTube videos, product hit and misses, and stalking natural hair blogs, it took a while before I saw the results I was looking for. I had to learn my hair and learn my body. I wasn’t successful in my natural hair journey until I began including foods in my diet that worked WITH my hair and began including them in my healthy hair regimen. Everyone’s natural hair journey is different, you have to #DoYou but I will share some of the foods I feed my hair with and some great products that work with those foods to keep this naturalista looking fabulous from the inside out. 
My main goals in this journey (yes I have hair goals) are MOISTURE, LENGTH, AND STYLE. I was really excited to be introduced to Motions Natural line for Textured hair because I was able to find products that were perfect for my hair type (Type 2NL- Too Nappylicious) and that help me achieve my hair goals. 
GOAL #1 – MOISTURE
One of the biggest problems I had with my natural hair was breakage. Whether it was wet or dry it was always breaking. It was hard to style because every time I touched it my hair was coming out. After doing a little digging and binge reading on Natural Hair blogs, I found out that my hair was thirsty and the key to maintaining healthy natural hair above anything is to “quench your curls”!
So here’s my solution:
FOODS THAT HYDRATE HAIR-
Water- Drink up!! I hated water but after learning the many benefits of it I’m sold! Its truly a superfood and the best food to hydrate your hair and body from the inside.
Salmon, Walnuts, Almonds, Avocado- The Omega fatty Acids in these foods help your body regenerate cells and also prevents water loss.
Oranges, Strawberries, Red Peppers, Blueberries, Grapefruit- These foods are loaded with Vitamin C and helps build collagen and increases hydration.
What I do to HYDRATE my Hair –
Motions Moisturizing Cleanser – I only wash my hair once a month…but #DoYou. I’ve found that shampooing it more than that strips it of the oils it needs. I love this cleanser because it gets to my scalp and doesn’t leave a build up. It doesn’t lather as much as I would like (because I’m bubbly) but it smells yummy and leaves my hair really soft.
Motions Smoothing Conditioner – I co-wash my hair every week usually on the weekends so I can style it freshly and be cute all week. 
#DoYou. My favorite thing about this conditioner is the smooth detangle quality it has. My hair is usually very hard to detangle and it is very thick, but this product keeps it very soft and I don’t want to cry or jump off a building when I run my fingers through it to detangle for styling.
I also treat my hair to a little olive oil on my scalp once a week mixed with a little shea butter. 
GOAL #2 – LENGTH
As I mentioned, everyone’s hair goals are different. Some people could care less about length. Well I will be honest with you. I had a short, sassy, “Halle Berry” haircut before I went natural. Well let’s just say Buckaroo was not thrilled about my ‘TWA’. So I knew I needed to grow it to a length that I was comfortable with and he would keep quiet about. I’ve heard, “I am not my hair” and that your significant other will get over it but I’m taking about me. And keepin’ Big Daddy happy keeps him keeping me happy…but again, #DoYou.
So here’s my solution:
FOODS THAT RETAIN LENGTH
Spinach, Broccoli, Beef, Beans, Mussels, Oysters- one of the top causes of hair loss is not having enough iron, I’m sure this has something to do with why when you’re pregnant the vitamins that they give you and iron supplements give you the best head of hair you’ve ever had…most people. An added tip is to eat iron rich foods with foods rich in Vitamin C (see hydrate) because Vitamin C helps your body absorb the iron. Spinach Salad with Strawberries and Walnuts anyone?
Eggs, Beans, Nuts- You need protein for healthy hair. We naturally shed hair but without protein our bodies can’t rebuild the cells that shed for more to grow. Low fat yogurt such as Greek yogurts has also been found to promote healthy hair growth.
What I do to retain LENGTH and keeep my hair growing:
I don’t stress! Chile stress does NOTHING for your health or your tresses. Whatever I have going on at home, work or elsewhere wont be fixed by me stressing about it. I also get my ends trimmed every six months.
Hydrate my Curls Pudding- It’s also important for me to keep my hair hydrated DAILY to prevent breakage. This product is very light but my hair drinks it and I love that. My hair feels great and my twists feel so juicy when I use this cream. Many people don’t have to moisturize every day but I do and I like that this cream doesn’t leave a greasy build up. My hair eats it and loves it. 
I also love sew-ins, braids, twists and other protective styles that keep my ends from getting damaged. I don’t wear them as often as I would like but they do help…and Buckaroo loves for me to switch my look up. #DoYou
STYLE 
I wish there were foods that help with style. I would have it down to a science by now. I love to try new styles and I have YouTube to thank for helping me find some good ones. 
My Favorite Styles to wear are:
-My infamous AFRO PUFF, which the Motions Shine Enhancing Pomade gives me the smooth edges I like to have without the “cake-looking” film and it also gives me some shine! I wrap a cute “crown” on it and I’m ready to be great!
-My trusted TWIST OUT , which the Motions Define My Curls Creme works great for. I usually get better definition on a dry twist out, but I got REALLY nice twists using this product. I like to pin one side up and add a bow or a big barrette. That’s also because I have one side of my hair that just “cant get right when I twist it.” I also like to set my twists on rollers. That always turns out cute.
Do you have hair goals? What are you feeding your hair?
M.W.A.H.,
Mandi
