Hey guys!
I hope you guys have been well. I took a little break last week, because life has been happening, school stuff, plus some stuff in my personal life, but hey! Here I am.
Last post, I said that I’ll be sharing with you my hair care routine, plus some products I use and tips that have helped me along the way, hoping you can take up some of these tips, to help you on your natural hair journey.
Please note, that the products I recommend have worked for me, but they may not work for you, and that’s okay! It gives you an opportunity to explore, know what YOUR hair needs because it’s unique. It’s a journey anyway.
So, I’ll share with y’all how a wash hair day looks like and what I do to maintain and protect my hair.
Wash Hair Day
I do a full wash hair day every four weeks, but I co-wash every two weeks (at least I try to!).
Co-washing means, replacing your shampoo and conditioner with one product that can simultaneously do the job of both the shampoo and conditioner, which is cleanse the hair and keep the hair nourished and moisturized, respectively.
I recently came across this product from Dark and Lovely. I got it at Carrefour and it goes for around sh.700, if I'm not wrong. You can also get it here at Jumia.
I've not used this product yet since I still have braids, but soon, I'll try it out and see how it goes. First I’ll say, if you plan to wash your hair, make sure you actually plan, because the whole process will take a big chunk of your day. Those who have natural hair know what I’m talking about!
Anyway, let’s get into it!
Step 1: Shampooing
First, I like to section my hair into 3-4 sections, so that as I wash, I can focus on one section at a time and ensure my scalp is clean.
I’m not particular in the shampoo I use, as long as it lathers easily, cleans my scalp and doesn’t leave my hair super dry and stripped of moisture.
Since I had color-treated hair for a long time, I used Tresemme Colour Revitalise shampoo. I found this at Naivas. (This brand can be pricey, but there was a time in the past they were having a clearance and they were quite cheap, I think at that time it was like ksh. 200-300 or something.)
I also like the Mikalla shampoo. It's affordable and deos a great job on natural hair. I don't have one with me now, but you could find it in local supermarkets or beauty shops. Last time I checked a 500 ml bottle goes for sh.230. That sounds like a good deal to me!
So, my shampooing process goes like this:
This can be in the shower, or with the classic jug and bucket.
I wet my hair with luke warm water, pour on a little shampoo and lather it by massaging it into my scalp. Then I rinse off, put on a little more shampoo and really lather it in, massaging thoroughly but gently into my scalp to clean completely. I start from my ends to my roots. Then I rinse off for the last time. As I rinse, I allow the shampoo to flow through the length of the rest of my hair in that section. I do this for the rest of the sections and that’s it.
Tip: use Luke warm water when washing your hair. Hot water can be harsh by stripping off natural oils from your hair, and cold water can hinder the products from penetrating into the strands and doing their job. So use water that’s not too cold and not too hot.
Step 2: Conditioning
After the shampoo has rinsed off, it’s time to condition. Conditioning helps to detangle your hair, making it easier to style and handle. It also adds that extra shine and pizzaz to your hair that shampoo can’t do.
One of my favourites is the Au Naturale Knot-out conditioner from dark and lovely. It smells beautiful and my hair feels like a cloud after using it. I've not checked how much it goes for from the supermarket, but you can find it here from Jumia as well.
I also like The Mikalla Honey and Butter conditioner. You can find this at your local supermarket or beauty shop for sh. 253 for a 500ml bottle.
My conditioning process goes like this:
I take a generous amount and apply it on my hair, then the detangling process begins. You can use a wide-toothed comb, or just your fingers. I prefer using my fingers because it’s gentler and I’m less likely to yank my hair off. Here, the secret is gentleness and patience… a lot of it. I begin to detangle from the bottom of the hair strands going up until I can run my fingers through my hair completely or, if it’s easier to do so. Then, after I’ve done all the sections, I rinse off.
Tip: Be gentle and take your time in the detangling process so that you can preserve the length and growth of your hair. You could put on some music so that the process feels less dreadful and tiring.
Step 3: Deep conditioning
After rinsing off the conditioner, I dry the excess water by wrapping my hair with an old cotton t-shirt.
The deep conditioners I use are these ones from Mikalla.
I can't recall how much these are in the supermarket, but you can find them here on Jumia. Their prices range from sh.400-700, excluding delivery fees*.
Deep conditioners help to repair damage caused by past treatments or hair manipulation. Like color-treating and plaiting braids.
I simply apply this all over my damp hair, put on a shower cap, wrap a bonnet on top and forget about it for like the next 3 hours. See, this is why I said you need to block out like a day to wash your hair! Lol! I do this to create a warm environment in my hair, which ensures more penetration of the products I’ve applied.
Tip: Why use a t-shirt to dry your hair? A t-shirt helps to absorb excess moisture from your hair, without damaging the hair strands. A towel is made of fabric with micro-fibers which can damage your hair strands. If you don’t have an extra t-shirt, you can use a leso.
Step 4: Finishing up and styling
It’s time to rinse off the deep conditioner.
I simply rinse off with Luke-warm water. At times, I do a final cold water rinse since this seals in the moisture and results obtained from the products I’ve used.I then dry with my cotton t-shirt.
Next, after my hair is somewhat dry, but still damp, I apply leave-in conditioner. My favorite at the moment is this one from Mikalla (again!).
You can find this at Quickmart or Carrefour. Last time I checked, A 250 ml bottle goes for sh.283
Then, I apply coconut oil all over my hair.
I apply castor oil on my edges since it helps with thickness and growth. I use this one from alison's.
aaaannd that’s the end of my wash hair day process!
Styling
When it comes to styling, my go-to protective style are the two-strand twists.
One thing that can help to maintain hair length, is low manipulation, and this style helps me to maintain that when my hair isn’t in braids.
To do this, I section my hair once again, then I apply cantu curling cream and twist away. I use this one. The coconut curling cream. You can get it here from Jumia.
Now now, I know Cantu products can be pricey, and sometimes I’m like ‘can’t u be a bit cheaper?’ lolz! Get it? I apologize for my dry jokes. But I honestly think they’re worth the investment, they smell great and do an amazing job.
So, I twist away while watching something on T.V or YouTube because it can be kinda monotonous and your arms get tired. I takes me about 1 hour to 1 and a half hours to finish. After I’m done, I apply castor oil in my scalp, then I tie them up.
For maintaining the twists, on a daily, I spray water, apply a little leave-in and coconut oil, and that’s it.
A few tips to finish:
It’s the little things that you do that will ensure you meet your hair goals. Whether its growth, thickness, health or length maintenance, pay attention to the small things like using lukewarm water, drying with a cotton t-shirt/leso and gentle detangling.
Invest in a silk/satin bonnet or pillowcase. Silk/ satin are gentle fabrics. They help tremendously to reduce split ends, breakage and dryness caused by friction from cotton fabrics, thinning and tangles when sleeping.
Remember that your hair is unique, and the products I or someone else uses will or won't work for you. It's about exploring different products and techniques, being patient as you work towards your hair goals and having fun while at it!
Okay guys, that’s it for me today. I hope you’ve enjoyed this and learnt a thing or two, and if you’re in your own natural hair journey, I hope you have learnt something from my own routine and tips I’ve shared and may try some of the products I’ve tried, maybe they may work for you!
Next week I’ll be sharing something similar to this kind of content that I’m passionate about and is personal to me, just a little bit different.
I’ll see y’all next time!
Xoxo
BK.
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