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For so long I feared swimming and it messing up my natural hair for the week. After spending so much time and money on getting my hair done I did not want it to be ruined by one beach day.
If you are a black woman or are on your natural hair journey I’m sure you can relate.
Missing out on so many fun sandy and water related activities as a kid was one of the main reasons why I wanted to transition my coils and curls to be fully natural. I was tired of being tied down by my relaxer and it affecting swim team, pool parties and vacations. I wanted the freedom to roam in the outdoors if that meant sweating on a hike, swimming in a river or relaxing at the beach.
I am at the point on my natural hair journey where I have experienced a lot of trial and error. These are the guidelines I follow for beach trips to ensure my hair is protected and stays healthy well after the last bit of sand leaves my coils.
This post is all about the best tips for caring for your natural hair at the beach.
The Best Tips For Natural Hair on Vacation
1. Oil or moisturize natural hair before getting in the water
It is best to allow your hair to fill up on the good stuff i.e. your high-quality moisturizer or oil instead of the saltwater that can strip and damage your hair.
My favorite oil is coconut oil but find what works for you! This tip really depends on your specific hair needs and natural hair type. My tried and true for moisturizers is definitely Shea Moisture.
If you don’t have your products with you before your spontaneous beach trip be sure to rinse your hair with tap water before swimming. Ocean water can be so cleansing for the spirit but not for your hair!
2. Put your hair up in a quick natural hairstyle
Braids. Buns. Twists. Ponytails. Protective styles are always your friend. Especially in the ocean.
With all the wind and waves you want your hair to be nestled on your head rather than whipping around and getting damaged.
Personally, I love a bun for beach days. I feel like it locks in my moisturizer, stays in place and it is easy to undo it and rinse out my hair at the end of the day.
3. Wear a hat
The sun is extremely powerful! It not only can damage our skin but also our hair. Wearing a hat protects your hair from drying out and getting brittle.
Bonus, it can also protect your scalp, face, and neck from sun damage.
I know there are hair products that have sunscreen in them but I have yet to try them out. Let me know in the comments below if you have tried them on your natural hair journey. I’m curious!
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4. ALWAYS rinse your natural hair afterwards
Regardless of how often you like to shampoo your hair, it is ESSENTIAL that you rinse the salt, sand, and algae out of your hair. Maybe even microplastics too. (Sorry I had to mention it!)
If your hair can handle an extra wash day it might be helpful to shampoo it after beach days too.
Extra tip: let your hair air dry instead of blow-drying it-if possible. You don’t want to add heat damage to your hair too.
5. Comb out all the tangles
This is the one I find myself skipping way too often and I always end up paying for it later on.
When you are rinsing out your hair use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to work out the tangles. Sand can get trapped in the knots which is not ideal.
Hopefully, your hair doesn’t have any knots because it was in a protective style 😉 but if you did manage to collect a few it is best to work them out now before they build up into a bigger mess.
6. Nourish your body and hair
And of course, nourish your body with lots of water and healthy snacks on your beach day! Healthy and beautiful hair starts with what we feed our body.
If you are looking for some nourishing plant-based snacks you can bring on your beach day you can find some here.
I never want to miss out on another outdoorsy opportunity because of my hair! There is so much pressure on black women to have our hair look a specific way and many times that doesn’t tie well with outdoor activities. I am letting that go because it does not support the life I want to live.
So here’s to doing what we want with our lives and our hair. Especially when it comes to the overall health of our hair.
How do you prep your hair for the beach? Do you have a similar natural hair journey? I would love to hear your tips and stories in the comments below!
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Stay well,
Maggie
This post was all about the best natural hairstyle tips and tricks at the beach.
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