Hair Care: Learning to Capture Your True Texture Through The Anthony Dickey Method

I'm loving being natural but I've been struggling to find that happy medium between my natural texture and the manipulation that it takes to achieve certain looks. I have a difficult time making certain looks work with my hair but after watching this video below I've learned a few things. Check out the video then I'll tell ya my take away from this:

1: Heat IS Not a Bad Thing! I've been natural now for several months and just about on every single blog I've ever read it was always something along the lines of Heat is the devil! NO HEAT! NO HEAT NO HEAT! Well according to the Dickey method heat is actually okay. Using this method the hair is moisturized and the amount of heat used won't damage.

2: No Combs Needed! I have a bad habit of using a comb or a detangling brush to get rid of stubborn knots and tangled hair. I just comb it out and its all better in my book. But I didn't realize that by doing this I was combing out my natural curl pattern. Which made my hair frizzy and untamable. Forcing over styling and manipulation. By using Mr. Dickey's method I could probably have a simpler routine.

3: No Oils! I love using oils on my hair. I can't just wake up and not use some oil on my hair. I have very dry hair that is subject to dandruff. Which causes itching and irritation. But I assume that with my styling product as mentioned in the video and the method of washing and co-washing that was suggested will aid in my dryness and help to keep my hair moisturized and healthy. I'm crossing my fingers that this will work! LOL

4: Saturate and Use Cleansing Product LIBERALLY! I usually use a clarifying product once a month and then once a week I co-wash. I did this because my hair was dry and needed a really good conditioning after a whole of twist outs and heavy product usage. Detangling and scrubbing the scalp is essential. But in the he didn't use a clarifying agent to do it. Mr. Dickey suggests using a conditioning cleanser or conditioner to clean your hair. To thoroughly wash the hair you need to apply your cleansing agent liberally (cleansing conditioner or your co-wash conditioner). Saturate the hair thoroughly with water. Then liberally apply the cleansing conditioner of your choice. Using the product gently stretch the hair and scrub the scalp. All your doing is lightly pulling the hair from the shrunken state and allowing the curls to naturally flow all while cleaning your scalp of build up and dandruff. This will prevent from stripping the hair of its natural oils and allow the hair to be stretched and prepared for whatever styling you decide to do.

5: Co-Wash Heavily! Be liberal with your product. Its important to saturate the hair with water (to thoroughly remove the cleansing agent) again and use enough product to coat every strand. You want your hair completely filled with conditioner. Take a moment to work the conditioner in after it has been applied to the hair. Gently coating the hair and working in the conditioner. As you do this your natural curl pattern will become visible.

6: Apply Your Styling Product IMMEDIATELY After You Rinse! Its important to capture the curls as they are in their natural state. That is your true curl pattern. So before you leave the shower right after you rinse your conditioner. Apply your styling product to your wet hair. Again SATURATE THE HAIR WITH PRODUCT! You want to use enough product to coat the hair. When the product is applied aggressively work the product into your hair. Squeezing and stretching the hair away from the scalp for length.

Optional: You can add the water as Mr. Dickey did to help aid the product. The weight of the product and water will help to stretch out and elongate the hair.

7: Finish The Style! Bend over shake out your hair allow the curls to fall in the style you are going to wear. And viola your true texture is revealed. Now set!

There Are Several Ways to Do This According to the Dickey Method:

Diffusing: Okay when you get your dryer (usually the more expensive ones like FHI or CHI). They come with several attachments. One of those attachments is a diffuser. A diffuser spreads out the heat softly and adds volume without losing any of your curls . If the hair dryer was used alone it would give a solid blast of heat which would destroy your curl pattern and blow out your hair. If you are unsure about how to use a diffuser check out these links: Hairromance & WikiHow (this link has step by step picture gif instructions)

Hooded Dryer: This is straight ol skool but it works. The hooded dryer can come in many forms. A handheld version with cap and hose that completely covers the head without having to sit underneath the normal hooded dryer. The table or shop version. Usually in the shop its connected to a chair and plugged in to the wall. The home version of these machines are able to sit on the table and allow the person to sit underneath it. Put it on low heat and let it go for

Air Dry: Simply allow the hair to dry with no dryer or diffuser. Everything will stay in place. *Use this method during the summer months. As the air is humid and your hair will frizz less.

Product Suggestion

Herbal Essences Naked Cleansing Conditioner $8 - I use this cleansing conditioner right now. Its great. Its available at most drug stores. But if you can't find it in your areas you can definitely find it at Soap.com

Daily Cleansing Cream by Hair Rules $24.00 - Its a bit pricey especially for the recommended usage but it is available in the 16oz bottle and the 32 oz is coming soon!
Here's the description for the cream via HairRules: Great for kids - creamy formula won't run into eyes. Cleanse, condition and detangle in one step! Hair Rules Daily Cleansing Cream was created to treat your hair with the same philosophy as skin care. If you have dry skin, chances are you wouldn't use a harsh detergent to wash your face. Traditional shampoos contain sulfates (found in detergents) that deplete the hair and scalp of moisture. As a result, your scalp starts to produce more oil to make up for the dryness. This leads to a vicious cycle of hair being dry at the ends and oily at the scalp. Daily Cleansing Cream is a gentle non-sudsing cleanser that helps to normalize oil production in the scalp and reduce irritation and flakes. Also helps to protect color and chemically treated hair.

WEN $29 - Its very pricey. But it works by the standard of replenishing and cleaning the hair without stripping it. So if you've got the dough then go for Wen. The only thing is it works like Pro-Active. Its an auto-ship renewal program so be mindful of that when you sign up!

Here are some other great conditioners via YourNaturalHair.com:

Suave

Tresemme

Aussie Moist

Eden Body Works Cleansing Co-Wash

Nothing But Co-Washing Conditioner

Pantene Pro-V Natural Co-Wash Conditioner

L'Oreal Ever-Curl

As I Am Cleansing Pudding

As I Am Coconut Co-Wash

Darcy's Botanicals Daily Cleansing Conditioner Creme

Shea Moisture African Black Balancing Conditioner

All of the above conditioners can be found at your local Sally's Beauty Supply, Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Dollar General, and Family Dollar! All reasonable prices or you can check out Anthony Dicky's hair line Hair Rules and get his book all through his site HairRules!

I think I'm going to try Anthony Dickey's method. It seems to work and I really want my hair to look healthy and curly and not dry, tight, unruly!