Tools for a Natural: My Favourites

Hi loves,
Today I thought I'd share some of my favourite haircare tools, since I've shared quite a bit on products. so, in no particular order, here goes.

#1 Satin-lined Bonnet & #2 Satin pillowcase
I put these two together because, they serve the same purpose: to protect your hair from breakage when you're asleep. I have two bonnets; a standard size and larger one for when I have braids installed. There are a few companies that sell bonnets the ones that I've used personally are: Marley Grey and Kikkaboo. They also sell satin pillowcases (which are also available from Mr Price Home, if you're worried about ordering online).

My satin-lined bonnet; this one was custom-made by Marley Grey.

#3 Head Wraps
Life-savers! without question. If I don't know what to do with my hair, it's raining or my hair won't cooperate. I've got so many, ranging from cheapies I've picked up at Chinatown and Mr Price, to satin-lined #pineappledoek and ankara head wraps (My collection includes wraps from The Scarf Company, Lavish Atelier, Kikkaboo and Marley Grey). Satin-lined wraps are better in the long term, because they're gentle on your hair and minimise breakage and loss of edges.

Pineapple doek from Marley Grey

Ankara turban from Lavish Atelier

#4 Shampoo brush
It's not completely essential, since can use the pads of your fingers to massage your scalp when shampooing or doing oil treatments. I'm not convinced by Vanity Planets vibrating brush ($20 for a brush is expensive, add on that shipping and custom duties). I have a cheapo from dischem that goes for ZAR 30.00.

#5 Spray bottle
All spray bottles are not created equal! I've been at this too long, if I'm nit picking about the spray bottle. The best ones are those with the trigger nozzle, because then your finger doesn't slip off the nozzle while you're busy. Also, no cramping of your index finger - wash days are looooong! My current one is a continuous mist spray bottle, which was relatively affordable for ZAR 50 at Dischem.

#6 Softhood attachment
The softhood attachment is a good alternative to getting a hooded dryer if you don't have the space, because you can fold it away for storage. I attach it to the nose end of hair dryer and use it during the deep conditioning step at low speed and medium heat for 10 minutes or so. My softhood is by Curlformers. Here in South Africa, you can order it online from hairhouse warehouse and Marley Grey

Giving my deep conditioning step an extra oomph

#8 Detangling brush(es): Tangle Teezer
 I've recently switched up my detangling brush. I was using the the D31 from Denman which is great for the first step after finger-detangling but not enough to get all the knots and shed hair. I know tangle teezers look scary to us kinky-coilys, but use just like any detangling tool; section your hair and do small sections at a time. Start at the tips, and work your way to the roots slowly.

Tangle teezer for thick & curly hair, and Shampoo brush

#9 Bobby Pins
This one is a no brainer, regardless of hair type or curl pattern. Sometimes I can't find any of them, and that's frustrating. I've become picky about these; I find my favourites are the ones by Denman, because  They don't loose the knobs at the ends (so I don't scratch my scalp or cut my hair). I'm very possesive about them too 🙈, you can have the cheapies but not my Denmans 👀

#10 Duckbill/Crocodile clips
These are essential for me; my hair's gotten long and it's thick, so I have to section my hair whenever I wash or style. crocodile clips are better in my opinion because they have teeth to hold the hair in place.

Least favourite...
My not so favourites that I keep around ...drumroll please 🥁🥁🥁  Rollers! I'm talking about the old school ones with the teeth that can scratch your brain, but they're the best at stretching my afro. So they get to stay.

Brain scratchers!

What are your favourite haircare tools? Leave a comment below if you like.

Until my next post, 

xoxo, N

Hair: It's my one year nappiversary!

Hi all,
I celebrated my one year nappiversary last week. Can't believe the year has gone by so quickly.
I'm not going to go through the reasons and back story for going back to being natural, you can read about it here in a previous post.

Protective Styling &Length Retention
My main goal this year was healthy hair and growth; I defintely wanted to regain the I'd lost when I chopped. As a child my mother maintained my afro by keeping it in big braids and then later cornrows or threading.
In high school, I maintained my hair by doing two-strand twists and braids. When I got to varsity I kept my hair in box braids.
So I know that the best way for me to retain length would be to do protective styling which is I maintained my length in the past. Box braids and marley twists are my preferred methods, and to keep things interesting I decided to use coloured extensions instead of the brown and black I usually go for.

Purple ombre

Gunmetal grey/ Silver

Blue & Green Marley twists

I never kept the braids installed for more than 4 weeks at a time, after which I took a 2-3 week interval before re-installing. during those weeks, my go to styles were twist-outs and braid-outs, and just wearing scarves when I was feeling lazy.

December 2015

 

April 2016: 2 years post-relaxer

Head wrap

Heat Styling
I tried to keep heat to a minimum, and when I did use it - I slapped on that heat protectant. In the past year I've blow dryed my hair maybe 6 times and this mostly in the winter when I didn't want to sleep with wet hair (It's really uncomfortable and it takes forvever to dry). I blow dry with a round brush at medium heat and speed. I used a hair straghtener only once this year and that was at my 2 year post-relaxer mark in May.

Colour
Up until 2 years ago, I'd never coloured my hair, but I've been coloouring hair since I started my transition. I lighten my the ends of my hair with bleach and then use sem-permanent hair dyes such as Manic Panic and Crazy Color. So bleaching is not go for your hair; I lightened my hair in three steps 3-4 weeks apart until I achieved the desired shade of blonde.
To minimise the damage, I do protein treatments with aphogee 2-step every 8 weeks, and I do a light protein treatment every month with the CHI fortifying treatment. I also deep condition every week, no exceptions and minimise the amount of heat I use on my hair.

Favourite products of 2016

Jamaican Black Castor Oil - If there's a holy grail product for me, It's JBCO! I use to pre-poo by adding it to my conditioner. I also use it in Mandy's growth mix,  in a new Mafura butter mix I'm currently using and the scalp oil mix I use (I'll have to do a post on my DIY hair products).


Shea Moisture JBCO range - is one of favourite haircare ranges. I have the shampoo, treatment masque, leave-in anf styling lotion. When used together, the results are amazing.

Mandy's growth mix - I've talked about this in a previous post. It's an old school South African growth recipe that Mandy from The Mandy expedition modified as the original recipe is quite drying. Click here for her recipe. I add rosemary and peppermint essential oils to my mix and I use Jamaican Black Castor Oil instead of normal castor oil.

Challenges
My scalp has become really dry in the last year. and the flaking was out of control in the winter. I had to use the Shea Moisture African Black Soap range to reduce the flaking and it helped.

Supplements
I considered giving into the hype and trying Hairfinity, Mane Choice etc., but I decided against it as I already take the Vital Hair, Skin & Nails supplements. I started taking these for my nails which tend to break when I don't take the supplements.
 
Goals for 2017
Maixmum length retention and to grow my hair to bra-strap length
To keep it healthy

December 2016; 1 year natural.

It's important to realise that there isnt one magical product that will make your hair grow. Your have to eat properly and exercise, drink enough water and take care of your hair; limit the amount of direct heat and keep your hair in protective styling to maximise length retention. 

I don't think I've left anything out,

See you in my next post,
xoxo,