Hair products & styles for natural hair

In August I was on a 14 day European tour. Being Afro-American with a perm, I was in dire need of a salon. I couldn't fine one.Then I realized how confined I was with a perm, all I could do was wash and pull back in a pony tail. Needless to say I didn't look good half the time. Forget this! So I decided to allow my perm to grow out and go natural so as to have more hair control, but now my next dilemma:What products do I use to soften and moisterize my hair as well as hardware(irons, combs, rollers, etc.), so that my hair has bounce, body for styles that come as close to permed hair as possible? I haven't gone natural since I was a little girl. I need serious HELP!!Thanks,Barbara P

My own hair is texturized. In other words, my hairdresser puts a mild relaxer in my hair just enough to loosen the curl and give me a wash and go look-- sort of like scary spice, but longer. Anyway, while I was searching for more natural hairstyles, I ran across this book by Lonnice Brittnaum Bonham called "Good Hair." Don't let the title mislead you. The book is actually about escaping cultural notions of good and bad hair, and learning to love natural African hair textures. Anyway, she thoroughly discusses hair tools and styling products for natural hair. One styling tool that she mentions that I found extremely helpful is called Perm-for-a-Day Rods. They are "U"-shaped prongs that you wrap your hair around to define the curl pattern in your hair. You used to be able to get them at Revco stores and K-mart, but I am sure that you can get them over the net. Anyway, good luck, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact me.