Janae Harris on why most naturals get it wrong at first

Janae Harris did not set out to become one of the most recognized voices in the natural hair space. It started with a decision, a relaxer that stopped working, a woman with a beautiful afro, and a moment of clarity. Today, with over 500,000 followers across social media, Harris has a community built on honest conversations about textured hair. She has gone viral multiple times, graced the stage at CurlyCon LA as a panelist, and partnered with brands like SheaMoisture and Mielle Organics. 

When and why did you decide to go natural?

I went natural back in 2011. I had a relaxer for a long time. My mom would do my hair, you know how that goes. After a while, I realized my hair wasn’t growing past a certain length. It would just stop, and I would see a lot of shed hair in the bathroom and never knew why.

After I graduated high school, I started to step into my own as an adult. I ran across a woman that had an afro and I was like, your hair is so beautiful. I thought, I could do the same thing. I decided I wasn’t going to do a big chop, but I was going to let my roots grow out. That’s when I started transitioning, and then here we are.

You’ve built a huge following sharing natural hair content. What are the most common questions you get from people just starting their natural hair journey?

The most common question is how to get your hair to grow. People say, I want my hair to grow like yours, how did you do it? And I tell them it took trial and error. I had to do a lot of testing with my own hair to find out what works best for me. How I got my hair to grow is by keeping a routine, washing my hair maybe once a week, or catching up the second week if I skip. Just finding a routine that works for you.

Wash day routines are a big part of what you share. What does a proper wash day look like, and what mistakes do you see people making?

For kinky, coily hair, it gets really tangled. Before I even apply shampoo, I put conditioner in first and detangle before the shampoo. It makes the whole process easier. So a proper wash day for me is condition, shampoo, and then deep condition or condition again. The biggest mistake I see is people not detangling correctly. They expect top-tier results but forget to work in sections and really get into the strands. A lot of people focus on the front of their hair and forget the back of their head. Properly detangling is one thing that makes a huge difference.

How can people figure out what products actually work for their specific hair type and texture?

I can speak from my own experience. My hair gets dry a lot, so anything hydrating and moisturizing works for me. The best way to find out is by doing your own hair more frequently. A lot of people don’t really know what their hair is like because they always have someone else doing it. When you start working with your own hair, you realize what you need by feeling it and observing it. You may have low porosity hair and need certain products. Just feel your hair, get used to how it looks and feels, and do your own hair more.

What products do you use on your natural hair?

I try out a variety of products. I’ve tried so many, but that’s how I learned what works. I could see a YouTube video where a girl uses a certain product, try it myself, and it just doesn’t work for me. So I go find something else. The main products I’ve been using lately are SheaMoisture, Mielle Organics, Kaleidoscope Hair Products, and Design Essentials. For this afro, I applied Design Essentials Moisturizing Daily Lotion, detangled it, and fluffed it out. Just keep testing them out.

Is it okay to use heat, and how can people protect their hair when they do?

It’s okay to use heat. It just depends on the setting. I would say no more than 350 degrees when flat ironing. At 450, you’re going to start causing damage. Find your middle ground, because you still want your hair straight but you don’t want to damage it. Always put a heat protectant spray on beforehand, and go from there. The last time I flat ironed my hair was years ago because I prefer big natural hair, but I do blowouts maybe once or twice a month. I use high heat for that but always apply a heat protectant first.

Scalp health is just as important as hair health. How often should people wash their hair when they have a protective style in?

When I wear protective styles, I don’t wash my hair with the style in. If it’s dirty, I just take the style out. But I do know people wash with the style in, and if you go that route, I’d say stick to your normal routine once a week. When it’s a fresh style, you really don’t want to put water in it, so there are products like dry shampoo and cleansing sprays that let you scrub and cleanse without fully washing. I have a dry scalp and can get dandruff after just three days in braids. That’s when I use something to try to cleanse it a little without ruining the style.

What is the most important advice you would give someone who just went natural or is thinking about it?

Do what works for you. Look at different products you think your hair might need and go from there. Keep a routine that fits your lifestyle. If you’re working, work around your schedule, but never forget to take care of your hair. Protective styles actually help grow your hair. Mini twists are a great one. They keep everything together, you don’t have to worry about touching your hair constantly, and you can refresh the style as needed. Just keep a routine and go from there.

Band and wash, or just work in sections?

I do both, depending on how tangled my hair is. If my hair still feels good from an earlier wash, I skip the banding because it takes a lot of time. But working in sections is something I always do. I have a lot of hair, so I split it down the middle, clip one side up, work on the other side, twist it up, then switch. Especially if you have a lot of hair, working in sections is the move.

Where can people find you and follow your work?

You can find me on Instagram at janaeharrisofficial, YouTube at janaeharris, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest.