My Hair Care
Golden Rule in Natural African Hair Care – Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Golden Rule in Natural African Hair Care – Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!
The key to healthy Black hair and growth is moisture. I just recently changed my moisturizing regiment, because while I religiously moisturized my hair, it was still very dry. I found that although I was frequenting African hair care vlogs and blogs like Curly Nikki, I wasn’t truly paying attention to what contributors were writing about. I think because my hair had grown 5 inches in 6 months (when previously I hadn’t achieved any growth due to breakage) and I completely repaired the damaged sections of my hair, I thought my moisture regiment was on point. Boy was I wrong!
First, I would mixed around three tablespoons of coconut oil and one table spoon of olive oil together and heated it up in the microwave (not too hot). I would then wet my hair, soaked it with the hot oil and put on a heat cap for about 30 minutes. Next, I would co-wash the oil out of my hair, spray in Hawaiian Silky leave-in conditioner and let my hair air dry. Once it was dry, I would moisturized my scalp with my Jojoba mix, which consists of 5 drops of Rosemary, 2 drops of Lavender to one tablespoon of Jojoba oil. I then separate my hair into 11 big sections, twist each section, put on a satin bonnet and I’m done.
With this regiment, I didn’t comb my hair much, once a month at best. I found that detangling with my fingers while co-washing worked just fine. Its common knowledge in the natural African hair care community that our hair isn’t supposed to be combed or brushed too much and not combing worked for me when I grew my hair out over the winter.
My hair would only remain supple for ONE day on this regiment. It would literally be dried out on the second day even after re-spritzing with the leave-in. I do co-wash two to three times a week, one because I can’t stand that frowsy hair smell and two, washing allows me to get some moisture. Although some may consider 3 co-washes a week a bit much for dry hair, its the only way I can get that suppleness back.
My hair had always been super, duper dry and I just thought I had to live with that fact and do whatever I could to keep it moist for as long as possible. After sticking with this treatment for eight months I realized there should be something I could do to stay moisturized, so I started researching again. I spent a couple of hours on Curly Nikki as opposed to just browsing for a few minutes and low and behold, I came across a post from a sista with baddest Afro I have ever seen in my life! One of the first things she talked about was how dry her hair is and she went on to outline her moisture regiment.
When she co-washes, she uses around five different types of conditioner together and she doesn’t rinse it out! Further, if she feels her hair was getting a little dry between co-washes, she’ll spritz in more conditioner! I first thought that all of that conditioner would cause a lot of build-up and eventually be damaging, but the truth is everything the mainstream teaches us about natural African hair care is backward. We can basically do the opposite of what other people do with their hair, especially in the case of conditioning. After all, look at her hair! She’s maintained this regiment for the better part of six years and her hair is gorgeous, so all of that conditioning must be working!
As I researched on, I came across a post about sealing with oil. The post described how sealing locks in what ever type of moisturizer you are using and aids in keeping your hair moisturized. I’ve never sealed my hair. I figured since I hot oil treated my hair, oiled my scalp and used a very rich leave-in, I didn’t need to put in any more oil. However, it was still very dry between co-washes, even when I added more leave-in, so whatever I was doing wasn’t working and my hair was telling me it was time for something new.
So, when co-wash day rolled around, I dove right into this sista’s moistureregiment. I co-washed with Garnier Fruictis Triple Nutrition and Suave Almond and Shea conditioner. I repeated the co-wash three times and on the third time, I didn’t rinse it out. To seal it, I mixed Shea butter and coconut oil together until the consistency was a little thinner than normal Shea butter, but not too oily. After my hair dried, I coated it liberally with the mix, but I didn’t saturate it. I didn’t use the Jojoba oil mix this time, because I wanted this regiment to be completely different to see what the results would be. I twisted my hair up as usually and put on my satin cap.
For this regiment, I combed and brushed my hair! I used a wide-tooth comb and a Con Air vented brush with the balls at the tips of the bristles. Although natural African hair care science doesn’t condone too much combing and brushing, a lot of sistas comb and brush on a regular basis and their hair is fine. So, with this new regiment, I combed my hair out while co-washing and brushed it after putting in the Shea butter/coconut oil seal. Again, trying something new!
I must say, my hair is so dry, I didn’t expect much difference. I actually felt my hair might be a bit too greasy and I would have to modify my hair style. LET ME TELL YOU!! When I took my twists out, I couldn’t believe it! My hair wasn’t greasy AT ALL and it was completely stretched out (shrinkage is a problem for naturals). Usually, when I take out my twists and style my hair, it poofs out into an Afro. This time, my hair laid straight down curly, as if it was being weighed down, but without the greasy, heavy feeling. I can’t believe it! My hair literally drank the Shea Butter and coconut oil seal and I think for the first time in a long time its truly happy!
I went to a festival that day and literally, the first sista I passed by stopped me to ask me about my hair – Shout Out to Lovita! – and needless to say I was a little excited to tell her all about my new conditioning method! I’ve only done it twice and my hair looks so good, I’m not worried about build up. I’ll probably shampoo my hair a couple times per month just to clarify it.
From now on, I’m going to follow natural African hair care science to the letter – Shout out to Curly Nikki! Sistas that take the time to post information about natural African hair care REALLY know what they’re talking about, just look at their hair! I had to learn that if my hair doesn’t look good, its not getting what it wants and needs and instead of figuring I know everything there is to know, I should take some advice and do something different.
Now go ‘head and Grow Your Natural!
About the Author
I have worn my hair naturally for more than 17 years. I have been through all of the different stages of growth and feel I have something to ad to the natural hair conversation. For more information on the subject please visit: http://growyournatural.blogspot.com
My Hair Care Routine – Affordable!
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Eureka AirSpeed Gold Bagless Upright, AS1001A $129.99 “EUREKA” AIRSPEED GOLD UPRIGHT VACUUM ?Extended Reach: 14′ hose and wand plus 32′ cord provide 46′ of reach for quicker, easier cleaning. |
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Nutiva Certified Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil — 54 fl oz $24.41 How virgin coconut oil is processed is the key to optimizing its taste, texture, color, and aroma. Within two hours of Nutiva’s coconuts being chopped, the virgin coconut oil is cold-pressed. Contrast this with 99 percent of the coconut oil used today in cooking and body care. First, the coconut is chopped and left to dry in the sun for days. Then the meat is scooped out and sent thousands of mile… |
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Enfamil Premium Infant Formula, For Babies 0-12 Months, 23.4-Ounce $15.19 Enfamil PREMIUM Infant provides the nutrients needed for your baby’s healthy physical growth and development. It’s clinically proven, before the addition of prebiotics, to support brain and eye development in babies up to 12 months, and its Natural Defense Dual Prebiotics® blend is designed to help support an infant’s natural defenses. This formula is part of Enfamil Staged Formulas, along with… |
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Great Lakes Unflavored Gelatin, Kosher, 16-Ounce Can (Pack of 2) $23.32 Beef gelatin. For use in regular and dietetic recipes. Collagen joint care. Pure protein. Kosher. Collagen Protein: Gelatin is an excellent source of protein, and cannot be recovered from hoofs, horn or non-collagen parts of vertebrate animals. There are… |
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Hair Care $179.95 This highly illustrated handbook covers the scientific basis for professional hair care and bridges the gap between hair cosmetic basics science, salon practice hair care and what the practicing dermatologists sees in his/her practice. |
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Organic Hair Care Paraben Free Big Body Conditioner 11 Oz $7.95 Organic Hair Care Paraben Free Big Body ConditionerOrganic Hair Care at its best. Kiss My Face Big Body Conditioner works with our Big Body Shampoo to enhance volume for fine hair without buildup. The organic botanicals and pure essential oils hydrate and fortify hair. The scent-uous Aromatherapeutic essential oil blend will leave you uplifted and exhilarated.(Organic Hair Care Paraben Free Big Body Conditioner by Kiss My Face). |
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Organic Hair Care Paraben Free Whenever Conditioner 11 OZ $7.99 Organic Hair Care Paraben Free Whenever ConditionerOrganic Hair Care at its best. Kiss My Face Whenever Shampoo gently and thoroughly cleanses your hair without stripping or drying and soothes your scalp with pure essential oils and organic herbs. Especially great for the very sensitive shampooer. It’s as. |
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Organic Hair Care Paraben Free Miss Treated Conditioner 11 Oz $7.95 Organic Hair Care Paraben Free Miss Treated ConditionerOrganic Hair Care at its best. Kiss My Face Miss Treated Conditioner works with our Miss Treated Shampoo to enhance dry/damaged, overstressed hair. The organic botanicals and pure essential oils moisturize and nourish hair. The scent-uous Aromatherapeutic essential oil blend will leave you uplifted and exhilarated.. |
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Science of Hair Care $249.95 The most comprehensive source on the subject, The Science of Hair Care has been completely revised and expanded to include the most recent advances, technologies, and trends in hair and hair care science, tracking the development of hair care products, the emergence of new regulatory practices, and the latest methods in product safety and efficacy assessment. With many references and color photographs throughout, the second edition surveys dermatological and cosmetic disorders related to the hair and scalp. It describes the structural components and physical properties of human hair, devotes a chapter to the biological features of hair growth, and thoroughly reviews the safety and efficacy of hair products. |
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Hair Cubed Color Care Conditioner $26.99 Hair Cubed Color Care Conditioner is specially formulated for Hair Cubed Thickening Spray. |
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Herstyler Complete Hair Care Set $74.95 Achieve beautiful, lustrous hair with this complete hair care set from Herstyler. Save over 25% (compared to combined individual purchase). The set includes: Shampoo Conditioner Hair Serum Hair Mask |
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Organic Hair Care Paraben Free Upper Management Styling Gel 8 OZ $8.99 Organic Hair Care Paraben Free Upper Management Styling GelNatural hair gel at its best. Rich in organic botanicals, Kiss My Face Upper Management is the final step to luxurious locks that stay under your control. The natural vitamins nourish your hair and scalp, without buildup. Effective control and hair nourishment all in one product. As always, our products contain no animal ingredients, artificial colors, or unnecessary chemicals and were not tested on animals.. .. |
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Organic Hair Care Paraben Free Hold Up Styling Mousse EA 1/8.5 OZ $8.99 Organic Hair Care Paraben Free Hold Up Styling MousseHold it right there, a natutral mousse? Yep, Kiss My Face introduces Hold Up Mousse. It adds volume and helps you style with ease. Create the look you want and keep it up!. |
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Organize It All 1962 Hair Care Rack, White $10.82 Organize It All 1962 Hair Care Rack, White Organize It All 1962 Hair Care Rack, White Features: Hair care rack Organize cords and other items White |
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Essential Overnight Care Hair Mask $58.99 Women’s 125ml/4.2oz . A leave-on overnight treatment mask Formulated with Glycerol & Lanolin to condition & repair damaged hair Balances out any sign of hair deficiencies Easy to apply & invisible to dry hair Gives long-lasting effects & will not overload hair Unveils suppler bouncier & healthier hair To use: Apply a small amount to dry hair. Leave on for 20 minutes or overnight. Rinse off the remaining with shampoo |
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