Gabe's hair has changed a lot since he was born. He had really straight hair, then it slowly started kinking up, then went through that phase where some of it falls out, then grows back in. Then it became really obvious that he needed a major conditioning ritual after getting it washed and on a daily basis. Sometimes his hair looks dry. And after shampooing, it looks great, but by the next day, dry again. I had to remind myself that curly hair needs moisture, period. And the curlier it is, the more moisture it needs.
Like for instance my own hair; I have dreadlocks now, I obviously do not comb my hair, so I don't have to be as militant with the moisture. But once I cut them (and I think I will by the end of the year), I need to have a totally different hair care system in place that includes LOTS of conditioner. I found this great website called biracialhair.org and its run by a woman who is biracial that had to battle her hair for years until she learned how to properly care for curly hair. The result is that she has long, healthy hair now. Proper care means not treating your curly hair like it's straight hair; one mistake black folks make is combing their hair when it's dry (in it's unprocessed state). BIG mistake. This harms your hair and makes you feel like it's too hard to manage. Your hair needs to be wet and lathered with conditioner while combing and it will be much, much easier to comb, and getting that much needed moisture.
So here are a few pics after Gabriel's salon appointment, ha ha.
