This post is sponsored by Native
Food and language are ritualistic aspects of culture, I was once told, and separating your interests from either one will results in your distancing from that primitive feeling of acceptance. That feeling we'll all experience during our lifespan, from cooking your favorite food with someone you love or having dinner together every day, to speaking your native language at home. These are cultural aspects that connect us to a place where we feel comfortable. The more I experienced integration and felt comfortable in my grounds, the more I started to question things. Why do we want to feel accepted? Who determines acceptance? What are other socio-cultural aspects that mean so much to me? What are their stereotypes? ... And with so many revolving questions came one answer: Hair care!
Without diving too deep - or maybe I've already drowned - as an Afro-Latino man who grew up in the Dominican Republic, my hair type is categorized as "malo" (bad). Ugly and unmanageable are also descriptive words used for my hair. I was taught that my hair was so uninterested and unpleasant to look at that my entire life, I've kept it very short. Now that I look back at my limited hairstyle choices, it was all because I wanted to be culturally accepted. A few years ago, I decided to grow my hair for the first time; I didn't know what texture or volume my hair had, so I was extremely excited to embark on this journey. A few months later - BOOM - my beautiful thick curly hair took a life of its own. Entering a new and exciting phase of learning to take care of it and understand its needs - yes, its needs!
I'm not proud to write this, but it took mistreatment and a significant count of chemically based products for me to learn a few pointers about proper hair care. As a result, my hair became dry and severely dull. Thankfully, I was recently given the opportunity to try Native's new hair care products; through my hair educating journey (as I like to call it), I was blown away. Because of my hair's current condition, I decided to use their Coconut & Vanilla Moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. It's been several weeks, and my hair has been literally thanking me for the nutrients and power it's finally receiving. I had no idea simple changes and ingredients were so impactful. Native's Hair Care products are made with 10 ingredients or less, which I didn't see possible considering everything I previously used on my hair. Also, sulfate-free, paragon-free, silicone-free, and even dye-free - SAY WHAT!?
Now, I can proudly say I've developed a healthy hair care routine. I've even included Native's Almond & Shea Strengthening Hair Mask as my hero product. When in the world did I ever thought I'll be using Coconut Shampoo and a Hair Mask? This feels so good! I'm so relieved I don't have to put my hair through any more experimenting phases. Thanks to Native's transparent ingredient directions, I know what to look for and what to stay away from. Ingredients I understand, honestly, simpler than what I thought. You should also develop a clean and healthy hair care routine alongside Native, visit Target (exclusively sold here!), and start nurturing your hair the way it deserves. This might sound silly or even stupid, but I finally feel my hair and I deserve each other 🙂
Cheers,
