About a week ago, I was surfing and came across a pretty blog which I immediately fell in total love with. A great concept beautifully put down by good writing by three Kenyan girls called The Girls of the Round Table. A beautiful concept I thought as they had an idea of implementing something that should have been there or, is assumably thought to be.
So via Twitter, I met one of the lovelies and from my avi we had a common ground: Natural Hair! I tell you, natural hair brings the world together! Anyone who wanted proof? Ther you have it ☻ So I asked MyVintageVanity [Funky names, huh? Just check out their blog!] to share something about her Natural Hair journey and she was kind enough to share it with us. Her Hair Regimen and in case there any philanthropists without a cause, A Natural Hair Wish List. Check it!
"Thanks for having me on your lovely
blog Siri!
It’s been 19 months since my BC, but
I went properly natural about 11 months ago. Going natural has been one of the
best decisions of my life, no doubt. My
hair is so much healthier, and I’m definitely taking care of it much more than
I did when it was relaxed, now that I don’t visit the salon often and have to
rely on myself. That means I know what every single product going into my hair
contains, and I feel more in control of my hair.
My Hair Care Regimen
Right now, I’m doing this thing
where I braid my hair every other month. I’m partial to Afro Kinky extensions
because they blend so well with my texture. When my hair is in braids, I spritz
daily with a handy home-made moisturising spritz courtesy of the girls at Kurly
Kichana. I deep condition weekly to keep my kinks and curls in prime condition.
When my hair isn’t in braids, I wash
it with conditioner only, but I’ll use baking soda every other week to get rid
of build-up. I usually keep my hair in three-strand braids, which I’ll dress up
with hairbands and bows during the week and rock a braid-out for the weekend.
Products I swear by
When I first went natural, I scouted
the streets of Nairobi looking for all sorts of products for my hair. It’s a
phase all naturals go through, because we’re so inexperienced and need to try
everything before coming up with product staples. Well, little did I know that
the most essential things I’d need could be found in my own kitchen!
1. Olive oil
Liquid gold, I tell you. It gives my
hair a high like you wouldn’t believe. I use it for my hot-oil treatments, I
mix it up with other ingredients for my home-made deep conditioner (more on
that in a bit), and I use it for sealing moisture in when I do my braids.
It has a million and one uses which makes it quite economical. It’s
amazing for your skin, and will get rid of blemishes. Want another beauty
secret? When your nails are on a nail polish break (which, ladies, is a must
from time to time), spread some olive oil on them daily for amazing results.
It’ll moisturise cracked nails and give them a new lease on life! And, for all
my fellow foodies out there, who doesn’t love to cook with olive oil? I’ve said
it before, I’ll say it again: LIQUID GOLD, baby.
2. Water
It’s
basic, but it’s essential. Water = moisture = mandatory for us kinky-haired
girls.
3.Baking soda
It is essential for getting rid of
build-up and tonnes more gentle than shampoo. Did you know that sodium
bicarbonate is the weakest base? Perfect cleaning your hair without the harsh
side-effects of most shampoos! I’ll use it every other week, especially when I
need my hair free of build-up for, say, henna treatments. My baking soda supply never runs
low, especially since, like olive oil, it’s a jack-of-all-trades. It’ll get rid
of household stains, clean and whiten teeth for those extra special days, and you can bake with it (and all the
foodies say YAY!).
4.Honey and banana
I know
you don’t normally associate honey and banana with hair, but don’t freak out; I
haven’t lost it (yet). Honey is a humectant. That means it’ll keep hair
moisturised by holding on to water molecules. Sure it’s sticky, but it’s
nothing a little baking soda won’t get rid of. The banana is optional, but it
contains potassium and amino acid called tryptophan and lots of vitamins and
natural oils which, Google tells me, are good for your hair. Also, honey and
bananas go together like straws and berries (strawberries, gerrit? I’m lame.
Deal with it). Given these awesome facts, who wouldn’t want banana in their hair? Plus it’s yummy. :-)
I’ll usually use both to make my home-made moisturising
and hydrating deep conditioner, the recipe of which is outlined just for you
below:
- ·
Honey
- ·
Mashed
banana (about the consistency of honey)
- ·
Olive
oil
- ·
Coconut
oil
I estimate the amounts, so just go
as the spirit leads you (which spirit, I won’t specify :-p). Pop it in the
microwave for a few (and by a few, I do mean a few. Burnt scalp = not nice) and
spread it all over your hair. Cover with a shower cap and lounge around for a
bit. 15-30 minutes will be adequate, but I wouldn’t advise anything over an
hour. Wash it out with baking soda, use some cheapie conditioner, then style as
usual. Feel free to marvel at how soft your hair feels now. You’re welcome. :-)
5. Kids’ Organics by Africa’s Best™: Shea Butter Detangling Moisturising
Lotion (enriched with olive oil)
I generally trust Kids’ Organics
products; I figure they wouldn’t put crazy things in products marketed for
kids. Although looking at Beautiful Beginnings, I could be wrong. Anyway, this
stuff is pretty awesome. I’ll apply some just after washing my hair and comb
through it.
6. Organics by Africa’s Best™: Olive Oil Leave-In Conditioner
Works like a charm and smells good
too. I usually add a few drops of this into my moisturising spritz for some
extra oomph.
7. Organic Root Stimulator™: Olive Oil Heat Protection Serum
I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that anything with “olive oil” in the
title tends to attract me. :-) Anyway, Organic Root Stimulator™ is a brand I trust, and their olive oil-enriched products make my hair
smile. You know how much it loves olive oil. :-) On the rare occasions that I
straighten my hair, I always use this. I’m heat-shy, on the whole, but I’m all
for switching it up from time to time!
My Wishlist
1. Shea
Butter
Does anyone know where I can get
pure shea butter in Nairobi? Do tell!
2. Kinky-Curly
™
This is a brand that I see on all
the hair blogs. Their products contain no petroleum, mineral oil, plastics,
silicone, wax, carbomer, acrylics, paraben or alcohol. I won’t pretend to know
what all those are but I do know this: Kinky-Curly™ products must
be really safe!
Alas, ladies, there’s a catch: it’s
not available in Kenya. How unfair is that? I am especially coveting the Curly
Custard, shown below, which I intend to use to rock a wash-and-go. In my experience, wash-and-go’s tend to look
better when they have a holding product to give structure.
That’s it from me
(and, wow, this post is long)! Thanks again, Siri, for having me. :-)"
No madame MVV, Thankyou! I hope you enjoyed our first Natural Head ✉
Guest Post courtesy of the lovely MyVintageVanity of The Girls of the Round Table. Check out their blog >>> HERE in case you did not catch the other link ت
Have a lovely time,
Siri Nusu.
