Natural Hair Care Pioneer Taliah Waajid Reveals Black Women’s Top Hair Care Mistakes

Being A “Product Junkie”
Women trying to achieve a certain look may try out dozens of hair care products, a practice that Waajid said is expensive and unnecessary. “They’re looking for that magic solution,” she said, “that’s what causes them to become product junkies.”
Instead, Waajid said women should pay attention to their curl pattern and hair texture, and talk to their stylist about what works for them.

Bad Weaves
Leaving weaves in too long is another big mistake, Waajid said. Another is attaching too much weave onto thin or fine hair, which will cause breakage. “Even if you put the weave on your braided hair, it’s going to pull it and it’s going to weigh it down,” Waajid said.
She tells her clients not to forget their own hair when wearing weaves or extensions, and make sure that they’re regularly conditioning it and letting it breathe.

Putting Grown Up Styles On Kids
Parents should leave the weaves and extremely tight hairstyles for adults, Waajid said. Children’s hair isn’t fully developed, and when they wear extensions, tight ponytails and other styles that put stress on the hair, it can leave them with permanent damage.

“The worst thing I see that we’re doing is when you have a little girl and you’re doing that,” Waajid said. “It’s not mature hair. You’re damaging the hair before it matures.”

This interview was edited for space and clarity.