Groganics Daily Topical Scalp Treatment - Review

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.

Gosh it has been way too long. Life has been happening. So much has happened to me in the past few months. I wrote exams, passed, graduated, lost my job, went full time into business and today i am here doing my favourite thing... which is writing about hair.

As I have said i have gone through the highs and lows in the past four months since i last wrote. To anyone out there going through the same. Please don't give up one day at a time everything will be fine. x

The following review is based on My personal experience and my personal views and should therefore not be taken as being anything other than just a personal review.

Anyone who knows me and my  hairline will know that said hairline is non-existent and has been that way for a very long time. I feel i have tried everything that everyone else claims to work for them without naming names, though i find with this hair game and i may have said it before, a lot of factors come into play before we can all claim the mid back length hair, genetics being a major one, your lifestyle - diet included, climate where you are living, and your everyday hair practices.

Of the 4 listed above, everyone has the capacity to control 2 of those, another if you have a very big bank balance - but relocating for the sake of growing long hair is a bit crazy. The last one, genetics which in my case plays a very big role very little can be done about it.

So with said struggle of diminishing hairline i came across a product called Groganics DHT BLOCKER SYSTEM. I purchased the daily topical scalp treatment from Bon Marche for about US$9 which is a very good price considering that the price it sells for in the USA is US$9.99.

What is DHT?

Dihdrotestosterone (DHT) is a natural but powerful metabolite of the human body and the main cause of hair loss in both men and women. It is a chemical derivative of testosterone, created when metabolism of androgen gets involves with an anzyme called 5-alpha-reductase.

The product is recommended for use by person's with advanced hair loss and severely thinning hair only. I felt the my hair line was so bad it qualified.

The product packaging makes note that use of the treatment "sends a cooling sensation to the scalp to stimulate blood flow, while delivering nutrients to the hair follicle", I felt this and for some reason because of the sensation i knew immediately that this would be a product that would work on my hairline.

I would recommend this product especially before any form of protective styling as you will be itch free for longer period.

The price as i said is very good, value for money and well worth the product

Fast forward 3 months later i can testify that my hairline is making a recovery, i even have baby hairs. I am so happy with this product, i will recommend it to others, however, please take my recommendation with a pinch of salt, what works for me may not work for me because of the factors stated earlier. I also do not have before or after pics, but since i am still using the product i will take pictures now and come back when the tub is finished.

Will I purchase this product again? Yes I will.

That's all for now. Next post will be my hair length check which was due when i was going through some stuff. Hopefully something positive has happened since then.

Take care my lovlies x.

Natural Hair and Winter.

In our corner of the world the days are becoming shorter, and the nights longer. From beautiful sunny skies during the day, come evening we are feeling the pinch in the air, meaning winter is here. I am a winter baby, but believe you me this does not mean I am a fan of winter and my hair is less of a fan.

As the temperatures drop it means that there is less humidity and less humidity means there is less moisture on our hair and our skin. So in as much as we will up our skin care regime to include heavier body butters and serums, we must also do something about our hair if we are to maintain our length and all our progress.

My Regime

I am sharing my regime with you, but as always I say find what works for you, because we are all different.

I will continue to wash/co-wash  my hair every 7 to 10 days. Each time I wash  I will deep condition my hair, my hair is very low porosity and therefore rather dry without the added effects of winter so I need this deep conditioning step in my regime.

Protective Styling: will play a major part of my regime, I will be staying away from braids and any extensions (I have nothing against those who choose to protective style with weaves or braids) just that i am trying to recover my hairline and i know my hairline does not need the added pressure. So I will mainly keep my hair in cornrows and twists, I will incorporate a lot of headscarves and hats as well.





Hot Oil Treatments: I have recently incorporated Hot Oil Treatments into my regime i can attest to this - H.O.T's leave my hair feeling super duper soft and leaves my hair stronger. Read more about the benefits of H.O.T's and when to have a H.O.T at http://blackhair101.com/hair-care/hot-oil-treatment-why-when-how.

I will also be incorporating the G.H.E into my regime. Between 3 and 4 nights per week. Seal my ends and moisturise my scalp as often as possible (another reason why I am opting for 'extensionless' protective styling so that i have access to my scalp.

Products I will be using.

Scurl No Drip Moisturiser
Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner
Macadamia Leave in Conditioner
Shea Butter
Olive, Coconut and Jojoba Oils for my H.O.T's

All these products can be found at Venus Beauty Supply look them up on Facebook www.facebook.com/venusbeautysupply or alternatively order through the blog.

Do tell, how do you care for your hair in the dry winter months?


As a parting shot, protect the ends of your hair. They are after all the oldest part of your hair and therefore more prone to breakage.

xoxo

Cornrows as a protective style

Wigs are also used for protective styling

It's been a minute.....

Hey my lovelies, It's been a hectic couple of weeks, I am currently suffering from a bout of laryngitis... am in my 3rd week already - talk about going on silent mode. And I had audit at work.

 I am also in my final semester of my Bcom in Financial Management with UNISA (pictured above) so I have had exams to deal with, fingers crossed that I did well.

Anywhoo am back now i will start posting soon. I have so many posts that i want to share with you. With winter around the corner we will be talking about Winter Preps for our hair and how to take care of our hair in winter, will also have another post on Sisterlocks for those that are not familiar with Sisterlocks you will soon be in the know.

Talk soon.

Beer Rinse

$3.10 from Athientis Spar

So after my light bulb moment  a few weeks ago when i came to the realisation that I had thin hair, i trolled the WWW in search of a solution to  maybe make my hair a bit more dense/thicker.  I came across a Nigerian Naturals Page and it was suggested that i try a beer rinse hmm I thought, so off i went again to do more research on the WWW and YouTube.

Of Course don't take my word as the hard and fast facts I encourage people to do their own research, these are some of  benefits that I found can be achieved from doing a beer rinse. 

• Softer Hair
• More body/Bounce (This right here is what i am wanting)
• Shiny Hair
• Revitalised Curls

Some do say that a simple beer rinse can help with heat damage but I am not worried about that as  I currently do not suffer from any heat damage.

That said and done if you want to try a beer rinse here is what you will need.

• A pint of Non - Alcoholic Beer (or 2 pints depending on the length of your hair) I got mine from Athientis Fife Avenue for $3.10 (not cheap). Why non-alcoholic, well alcohol strips the hair of its moisture and would therefore dry your hair - not what we are after. **Though who drinks non-alcoholic beer??**

The Process

1. You will have to start with clean hair. I  co-washed my hair with Dischem Essential Treats Volumising Conditioner. 
2. I divided my hair into 4 sections and slowly poured the beer over that section making sure that my hair was thoroughly drenched. ( I did this with my head over the sink I dont quite like the idea of beer running down my back).
3. Let the beer sit in your hair for 3 - 5 minutes.
4. Rinse out the beer. At this stage you can use conditioner afterward, that's your prerogative.

And Voila you are done.

My observations from beer rinse;

My curls were definitely popping and more pronounced my hair was very soft and I can say more bouncy and fuller looking. I am going to be adding a beer rinse to my hair regime.

 * It is very important that you use a non-alcoholic beer when doing the beer rinse, this is because non-alcoholic beer is more acidic and will yield better results.

* Make sure that the beer is completely flat before you do the beer rinse. So you can leave it opened over night or you can just open and let it sit for a couple of hours before doing your rinse. 

3 Days After my beer rinse my hair has never looked so thick.

Just Loving my hair so will randomly post pics every now and then.

Sooo.... Could I possibly have Fine Natural Hair?

So I bumped into a friend in the gym today and she has the cutest TWA and I remarked on how i wish my hair could pull a hairstyle like that, to which she responded surely when it shrinks you can pull it off, and i said nah my hair doesn't actually shrink that much and she says 'Oh your hair is fine'... ding dong i see the light now.

Heat Free Stretching - December 2015

From the pic above its clear that i don't have the same hair texture or density that many naturals that i see have.  When i embarked on my journey i refused to jump onto the typing bandwagon but was determined to learn as I go what works for my hair and what doesn't.

My hair has always been fine and low density even when I was relaxed. However i did think this would be a thing of the past when i turned natural. As a result when it comes to styling my hair, my twists have never been the thick, luscious full type and my braid out, twist out and bantu knots have zero curl definition. I prefer to heatless stretch my hair using African threading and then just wearing it lose.

So since i now acknowledge that i have fine hair, its imperative that i wear more protective styles such that my hair can be left alone for several days at a time if i am going to gain length. To do this as i am going to rely on African Threading mainly as i find since i do it by myself it is kinder on my edges and i will re-evaluate my progress when i have my length check in at the end of June.

I will also be turning down my moisturising routine, I have always been a bit heavy handed but now that i understand my hair i know see why my hair was always a bit limp and greasy looking and had me wanting to wash it after a few days, cause i was overdoing it.
What i will be changing mainly is that i will be using more of my water and olive oil spritzer and coconut oil to seal in concentrating on the ends and i wont be using my butters as often. In a nut shell i will not be moisturising as often as i was before but will ensure that my hair does remain hydrated.

Wish me luck.

African Threading - Styled

My go to hair style will be lots of 'mabhanzi' as we call them neatly tied away. I like it.

Before Styling

Natural Hair in the Workplace.

In a few weeks time i am going to speaking at an event in Harare "Curls, Kinks and Fashion" so the facilitator has just asked me for a short description about myself and what i intend to speak on at the event as the "Curls & Kinks" part is obviously aimed at women with Natural Hair. On a whim i responded that i will tackle the subject of "Natural Hair in the Workplace."

Before i actually said that i hadn't really stopped to think about Natural Hair in the workplace but now that I have, I will share my experiences.

We see Natural hair everywhere these days, our celebrities wear it with pride both locally and internationally, Shingai Shoniwa, Dephne Madyara, Prudence Katomeni Mbofana, Pearl Thusi, Solange Knowles, Viola Davies the list is endless, you would expect that it is widely accepted that Natural Hair is here and it is here to stay... but alas.

When I wear my natural hair to work whether in a fro, or twist out, the first people i get disapproving looks from are my 'brother's and sister's' from another mother, and i think to myself how is that even remotely possible? What is it with the straight hair mentality that has people thinking that once you show your curl pattern they have the right to turn their nose up at you. So yes i often get told that i need to make a 'plan' about my hair. What plan should i make, how has my hair offended you? Am i not being productive with my hair in a fro? Is my hair really that unprofessional? Who then deems what is professional and what isn't?

Because of my hairstyles I am often viewed as being a hippy or eccentric and am sure people half expect me to be high on weed half my life. But i am not a hippy, i have been very fortunate enough to stay clear of weed and any other dangerous narcotics, so please with all due respect if i don't judge you based on your hair, don't judge me on mine.

What i boils down to is that society must accept that Naturalista's are so much more than just their hair and to recognise and understand why we choose to wear our hair the way we do.

As I said earlier this type of reaction i face mainly from other men and women of colour that i work with. The exact opposite is true of my Caucasian colleagues, the lady that i share an office with loves that i am able to wear my natural hair, she is amazed by the versatility of my natural hair. 

Its a saddening reality i think.

End of rant. Disclaimer these are my views and perceptions and mine alone we all have different stories to tell I just put mine out there.

Length Check 1,2

Since i started my HHJ it has always been more of an issue of Healthy Hair over the length of the hair. There are some people out there who will have BSL (Bra Strap Length) hair but they have more split ends than is allowable in the Natural Hair Community.

So yeah now that i think my hair regime has resulted in the healthiest hair that i can possibly achieve i am starting to look at the length aspect. I reckon i am grazing shoulder length in a blow dried state, i am looking to achieve that same shoulder length with no heat.

In a previous post (Help!!!! My Hair is not growing!) I have attempted to highlight that all hair grows at least on average 1/2 an inch every month but its how you treat your hair that determines how much you will retain.

Different strokes for different folks, some people will swear by hair vitamins such as Hairfinity and  Nutrivites, while others will cut their hair according to phases of the moon.

This is how i plan on achieving growth.

1.   Follow a Healthy Lifestyle

In as much as what we eat and drink and how we generally take care of our bodies affects our skin, its a ripple effect and it actually affects our hair as well. A person needs to eat enough fresh fruit and vegetables, drink enough  water and exercise regularly for overall body health. And since it follows that hair grows directly from the body, when you treat your body well your Hair, Skin and nails will benefit too. Vitamin deficiencies and unhealthy diets can cause dry and brittle hair.

2.   Low Manipulation Styles

I am also going to try and incorporate hair styles that involve as little as possible manipulation of my hair and if possible try and minimise the use of my beloved afro comb :-(.

3.  Protective Styling

I am planning on evaluating my length 3 months from now (end of June 2015) so the time in between I will have to overcome the temptation to show off my hair by keeping my hair in protective styles. Protective styles will help retain length (Protective styles keep your ends which are often the oldest and driest parts of your hair from rubbing against pillow cases, clothing and car seats) and by so doing also helps our hair retain moisture.

4.  Condition Condition Condition

I cannot stress the importance of regular deep conditioning on a regular basis for Natural Hair. Well moisturised hair is less prone to dryness and breakage which results in length retention.

Length Check 25.03.15

THE PROS AND CONS OF SULPHATE-FREE SHAMPOO

These buzz words have been doing the rounds for the past few years and, if you have haven’t already jumped onto the sulphate-free train, now might be the time to consider  changing to a sulphate-free shampoo.

What does it mean?
Sulphates are ingredients that create the foam that we all so love to see when we wash our hair,  you don’t just find them in shampoo. They’re in everything from facial wash and shower gel to common household cleaning products – one of the reasons they’ve gained such a bad reputation.

Sulphates have a  tendency to strip hair of its good (natural)  oils, as well as the bad ones you are trying to remove by washing. And when you consider the thousands of chemicals  in the products we use daily – from our toothpaste to our night cream – it’s not surprising we’re looking for products with gentler ingredients.

The Good
If you suffer  from allergies,  skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis or general reactions to products( which I unfortunately do) then you should seriously  consider switching to sulphate-free shampoos. They’re gentler on the scalp and therefore less likely to cause any irritation.

They’re also better options to use when caring for hair after chemical treatments as well as ensuring that colour lasts longer.

The Bad
Sulphate free shampoo’s generally tend to be more expensive than other shampoos. Because of this they are hard to come by, however with the natural hair revolution that is taking over they are a bit more accessible than having to purchase only online. In Harare try Venus Beauty Supply or Evenhand Cosmetics.

When it comes to washing you’ll also notice a difference in how the product spreads. Sulphate-free shampoos don’t lather as well as regular ones because they don’t contain the heavy surfactants which cause that foaming action we expect from shampoos. And if your hair is very long or prone to oiliness, you’ll probably find you need more product than usual. This doesn’t necessarily mean a shampoo with sulphates does a better job at cleansing; it simply foams better than those without them, which means it spreads faster and more easily.

Read your labels
Look out for sulphates in shampoos located in the ingredients list under the names sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate (SLS and SLES) and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS). Try to find a shampoo that is both free from sulphates as well as sodium chloride, used to thicken shampoos. This is basically table salt and also damages hair .

The Beauties
Try some of our favourite sulphate-free shampoos: Nature's Gate, Dr Miracles Curl Care Range, Mark Anthony Strictly Curls.

My Favourite Oil - Coconut Oil

Very few things in life get me as excited as a jar of coconut oil. No, not because I’m basic, but because this stuff is actually, really, really that good.

First thing I’m asked when I talk about this stuff is where do I buy it. Coconut oil is available at most Pharmacies though i doubt the pureness of it, Vitamin Bar health food stores such as ZimSpice . I buy my coconut oil at a Venus Beauty in Belgravia $18 for 500g

Second thing I’m asked is ‘is it supposed to be hard?’. Yes. It hardens in cooler temperatures. If you scoop out a little and rub it between your palms, it liquifies. During summer, it’s almost always liquid.

Why is coconut oil this amazing?

• Because it’s an oil, it can’t be classified as a moisturizer (like water), but it’s one of the best – if not the best! – natural oil for locking/ sealing moisture into your hair;
• Is your hair always mince-ing? Coconut oil is great at blocking moisture from the air from penetrating your hair, so your great style won’t be ruined by humidity or weather conditions;
• It makes your hair stronger because it can bind to your hair’s protein structure;
• If you use is BEFORE you wash your hair, in a pre-shampoo or hot oil treatment, it can help minismise the damage your hair potentially faces due all the manipulation and handling it goes through on wash day;
• If, like me, you’re dealing with porosity issues, this is the oil to use as a general all purpose oil.

How I use coconut oil: 

• Detangler: I’m one of those ridiculous people who dry finger detangles and this oil just makes my knots and tangled curls melt;
• Sealant: During summer, this is my go-to oil for sealing in moisture and doing the LOC method;
• Hot oil treatments and scalp massages: Due to my position as The World’s Laziest Natural, these don’t happen regularly, but, when they do, coconut oil features prominently;
• ‘Hair Food’: You know when you go get your hair braided and the stylist wants to reach for her mineral oil-laden hair food or Vaseline to base your scalp or help lubricate her hands to work faster? Hand her a jar of this stuff instead;
• Shine Serum: On the rare occasion that I’ve straightened my hair, I spread a few drops of this in my palms and smooth over my hair every day. Good at keeping flyaways at bay and adds shine without having to reach for a silicone-based product;
• Body Moisturiser: When your skin feels a bit meh, smooth some of this over it. Lavishness.
• Eye Make Up Remover: Because I’m addicted to cat eye liner, I’m constantly on the look out for ways to remove all the gunk without ripping my eyelids apart. This stuff is so good at removing eye make up without spending hours rubbing at your sensitive eye area.

HELP!!!! My Hair is not growing!

This is something i hear from my Naturalista Sister's who are starting out on the journey all the time.

Our hair at the very least grows at least half an inch in six weeks. Why then is your hair 'not growing?' The probable reason for this is that your hair is breaking as fast as it is growing and for you to see the growth you need to stop the breakage. What can be done to stop the breakage?

Since i went back to being natural (yes i went back to being Natural) i have discovered Deep Conditioning (DCing), what in Harare when you go into a salon is usually described as an Oil Treatment (OT) despite the fact that there is no oil used.

So, let's talk hair health with DEEP CONDITIONING. Deep Conditioning offers the hair loads of benefits.Along with that, Deep Conditioning your hair will provide the much needed nutrients to the hair follicle and allow the hair to shine and appear as healthy as possible as it has been hydrated and conditioned through the treatments which have been used in the hair.If your hair is damaged or feeling extremely dry, you can deep condition more often until it gets back to a healthier condition.  Generally speaking, any conditioner can be used as a deep conditioner although there many conditioners marketed for the purpose of deep conditioning the hair. The great thing about using a deep hair conditioner is that it gets the chance to be as effective as possible by being left on the hair longer and hopefully allowing heat to help it penetrate better.

Before I get into the wonderful benefits of Deep Conditioning, let me first cover who benefits most from Deep Conditioning.

Who Should Consider Deep Conditioning On A Regular Basis: (Weekly)

• Those who use styling products often. Styling products can cause buildup. Buildup prevents hair from looking it's best and can feel dull and lifeless. Due to product buildup, a clarifying cleanse is needed. This can strip the moisture from the hair. Deep Conditioning replenishes the hair with moisture. Products that contain harsh ingredients, such as harmful alcohols (not plant based), sulfates, synthetic fragrance robs the hair of its moisture, thereby causing the hair to feel dry.
• Individuals who use heat on a regular basis.
• Individuals who use chemical dyes, relaxers or other harsh treatments. Because these elements break down the molecular structure of the hair by first stripping the hair of all of its moisture, Deep Conditioning is of extreme importance.
• Those who apply micro braids and hair weaves. Deep Conditioning should be administered before the application of any of these styles, because these styles can leave the hair brittle and dry.
• Individuals who use shampoos that contain sulfates. Sulfates rob the hair of moisture.PERIOD. By applying a deep conditioning treatment, moisture is restored to the hair.

Benefits of DEEP CONDITIONING

• Deep Conditioning the hair provides a preventative measure to ensure that there is as little damage to the hair as possible through the style.

• Deep conditioning for 15-30 minutes or cover with your plastic cap and leave over night, using heat will definitely help with the healthiness of your hair.
• Using a deep conditioner on a regular basis can help your hair bounce back from dryness and damage.
• You hair's elasticity will improve because of the emollients and other moisturizing ingredients in the conditioner. 
• Other ingredients in the conditioner will help fill holes of damage that lead to poor porosity.

How To Deep Condition:

• Make sure you detangle your hair with a wide tooth comb before deep conditioning. 
• Pin your hair up or let it hang if short and add a plastic cap to keep your hair in place. 
• Sit under a warm hooded dryer for 30 minutes is one option.
• You can also just leave the conditioner on for about 30 minutes with the plastic cap and let your own body heat work its magic on your conditioner.
• Wet a face cloth and heat it up in the microwave for about 15-30 seconds, then apply to the top of your hair. Put on your plastic cap and leave on for 15 minutes.
• A quick and effective way of deep conditioning quickly is to put your plastic cap on while in the shower, then turn up the shower to the hottest you can stand to cause steam. Then bathe, scrub or whatever while the steam helps the conditioner penetrate your hair. In the time you finish, your hair will have deep conditioned nicely. I used to do this ALL the time!!

If you had not tried a deep condition, i hope i have convinced you to at least try one, i mean other than your hair what do you stand to lose right?

Next up Homemade Deep Conditioners.

Wash Day

My Wash Day Staples as pictured above;

Vatika Coconut Oil.
Tresemme Naturals Shampoo and Conditioner.
ORS Hair Mayonnaise.
Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner.
Macadamia Leave In Cream.

My hair has been in braids for 5 weeks exactly so have finally taken them out i must say i had missed my hair but sometimes its best that she stay away for a while.

The first stage of my wash day routine (which in actual fact stretches over 2 days) is the pre-poo stage for which i am going to use the Vatika Coconut Oil (i change between coconut oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil).

For the Newbies to this HHJ (Healthy Hair Journey) i will explain a Pre-poo.

Pre-Poo (is a pre-shampoo treatment) very similiar to the traditional Hot Oil Treatment. The difference being that your oil of choice is applied to your hair before shampooing.

Why Pre-poo?

When we wash our hair we all want the dry squeaky clean feeling at the end of it all. But how good is the said 'squeaky clean feel'? Most shampoos contain the chief ingredient Sodium Lauryl Sulfate which is what gets our shampoo to lather but unfortunately also strips our hair of its natural oils and moisture. So to minimise the effect of the Sodium Lauryl Sulfate its always best to do a pre-poo treatment Plus, it can help with pre-wash detangling. Try a quick 20 minute pre-poo before your next detangle and wash. Not only will your hair feel softer after washing, you’ll also see a reduction in breakage and shedding that occurs during detangling and washing.

What can you use to pre-poo?

What follows is not an exhaustive list but if you are a Newbie it will set you on your way.
Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Honey (yes the one in your kitchen cupboard), mango butter, Castor Oil, you can also use an 'el-cheapo' conditioner mixed with your favourite oil or as stand alone.

Next up I shampoo my hair. As i mentioned before because my hair has been in braids for 5 weeks i will opt for Tresemme Naturals Shampoo as i really want that 'squeaky clean' feeling. Though it has sulphates the packaging says that it has lower sulphates. If it was my normal weekly wash i would have opted for a Co-Wash using the Tresemme Naturals Conditioner. This shampoo does dry my hair out a bit so i always follow up with a Deep Conditioning treatment.

In comes Mixed chicks Deep conditioner. This product gives my hair life i tell you, a bit pricey but i recommend it and you need not be of mixed race to use it. The mixed chicks softens and moisturizes my hair and leaves it easy to manage and not dry at all. This product seems to melt away tangles and leaves my hair easy to comb through and de-tangle. I usually concentrate this product on my ends, as too much near the roots will leave my hair limp and greasy. I refuse to de-tangle without using this.
I will usually leave the DC in for a while probably do the housework etc or overnight and wash it out the following morning.

The final product in my wash day routine will be the Macadamia Leave In Cream this product tends to leave my hair feeling a bit crunchy up until i do my moisturising routine. But overall it does what i need it to do.

Its not as long and complicated as it sounds, you get used to it after  a while too.

Till my next post off i go to wash my hair.

DIY hot oil treatments

You don't have to be intimidated by the idea of giving your hair a hot oil treatment. Not only is it extremely easy to do, it gives your hair incredible shine and a great moisture boost

A hot oil treatment is a type of deep-conditioning treatment that benefits your hair by giving it moisture, making it soft and limiting breakage. It can also help with scalp dryness.

You can use a ready-made hot oil treatment.  Or you can make one yourself using the oil of your choice or a combination of several. I mixed two tablespoons each of olive oil (raided from my grocery cupboard!), coconut oil and castor oil. The amount of oil you need depends on the length and thickness of your hair. You need just enough oil for your scalp and hair – the hair does not have to be dripping.

Other oils you can try are almond, joboba and Argan oil.

Here’s how to do the treatment:

Step 1: Shampoo your hair.

Step 2: Pour oil into a small glass or plastic container, and place the container in a pot of very hot water until the oil is lukewarm. Don’t let it get too hot as it may burn your hair and scalp.

Step 3: Apply the oil to your scalp and massage for a few minutes, then distribute through the rest of your hair.

Step 4:  Wrap your hair in cling-wrap or put on a shower cap.

Step 5: Dip a towel in hot water and once you have wrung out the water, wrap it  around your head and let the treatment penetrate for 45 minutes or longer.

Step 6: Rinse the oil out of your hair and use a conditioner.

Natural Hair 101

Afros are growing in popularity as more women become ‘naturalistas'. As much as going natural will be one of the best decisions you can make for the health of your hair, it can also be overwhelming. Don’t stress ladies, we’ve got some great tips to make it easier

When most of us think of natural hair, we immediately think shrinkage, dryness and blank frustrating stares into the mirror as we try to figure out what to do with our ‘fro today.

But having natural hair doesn’t need to be high maintenance or complicated if you take care of it correctly with a proper hair-care regimen.

1) What does natural hair need?

Moisture

Believe it or not ladies, water is not the enemy – your natural hair needs moisture to thrive.

It’s not water that damages your hair when you wash it – that’s caused by washing it too often and using the wrong products. It’s not advisable to wash your hair every day as this will strip away the natural oils and nutrients. Ideally wash your hair weekly using a sulphate-free shampoo. The second-best option after a weekly wash is to treat your hair daily with a water-based moisturiser and a light hair oil or food.

Conditioning

Don’t underestimate the power of regular conditioning. Not only does it make your hair soft and manageable, it also strengthens it.

There are three types of conditioners:

Instant Conditioners are rinse-out conditioners that are applied after you’ve shampooed your hair. Many are suitable for daily use and they moisturise the hair.

Leave-in conditioners can be applied after hair has been shampooed, but can also be used alone. They don’t need to be rinsed out. They are absorbed into the hair and repair split ends, detangle hair and protect it when heat is applied during styling.

Deep conditioners are intensive treatments designed to penetrate the hair to restore the balance of protein and moisture.

TIP: You should deep condition your hair at least once a month to keep it healthy. Your hair deserves the extra pampering. ( I deep condition every week and my hair loves me for it)

Heatless drying

Air drying your natural hair is the least-damaging way to dry it. Although using heat has its perks, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. Hair that is regularly exposed to heat is prone to breakage, thinning and dryness and split ends that you will have to ultimately have to cut off thereby reducing your length if length retention is what you are about best stay away from the heat.

After washing your hair, let it air dry for about 10 minutes before applying products as some products hold in the moisture, which increases your drying time. Instead of using a towel to dry your hair, rather use an old 100%-cotton T-shirt to soak up the excess water. Cotton is soft and won’t cause as much friction and damage as a towel will. Then I suggest doing standing buns or twisting the hair and letting it dry on its own.

TIP: If you have to use heat on your hair, apply a heat protection serum while your hair is wet.

2) Ingredients/products to avoid:

Sulphates: Found in some shampoos, sulphates remove grease, dirt and oily build-up. However, sulphates are harsh on the hair as they remove natural oil, leaving hair dry and more prone to breakage. When choosing a shampoo, opt for one that’s sulphate-free.

Mineral oils/Petroleum: Found in hair oils, hair food and conditioners, mineral oils seal moisture into the hair and also give curls definition. The downfall is that they can accumulate on the hair and scalp, thereby attracting and holding dirt and residue. When this happens the hair follicles (pores) get clogged up, which slows down the rate at which your hair grows.

TIP: Rather use products with a base of natural oils such as Amla oil, caster oil, carrot oil or olive oil.

3) Healthy hair helpers:

Aunt Jackie’s Moisturising & Softening Conditioner, $14, is specifically formulated for natural hair. It deep conditions and moisturises hair, leaving your ‘fro hydrated and softer. Available from Venus Beauty Supply.

T444Z, $30, is a scalp-based stimulant that conditions and nourishes the scalp. It encourages thickness, volume and growth with ingredients such as castor oil, shea butter and Rosemary. Available from Evenhand Cosmetics

Amla Legend 1001 Oils Cream, $9 is an overnight cream that nourishes and softens hair. It contains Amla fruit and coconut oil which promote healthy strong hair. Available from Venus Beauty Supply

Twisted Sista Curl Activator, $14, is also specifically for natural hair and is designed to revive and give your afro the perfect curl definition. Venus Beauty Supply.

Curl Care by Dr Miracle’s Rehydrating Shampoo, $10, gently cleanses hair without stripping it of its natural oils. It’s sulphate-free and leaves your afro nourished.

Zimbabwean Naturals

I have started this blog because I want to celebrate Natural hair in Zimbabwe, and help other women develop an awareness of how beautiful black natural hair can be. Showcasing products hair care and much more.

About Me - Me and My Hair.

I have been fully natural for a little over 2 years now. Best decision i have ever made.

I started chemically treating my hair (not by choice, that would be my mom) when i was in grade 7 so thats about 12/13 years old. Wow i remember remaking when i got my first relaxer my hair looked like Laura Winslow's (Lol! i am showing my age she was Steve Urkel's girlfriend in Family Matters).

As i said getting my first relaxer was totally at Mom's discretion  ie. a retouch also happened at her Discretion, needless to say i had my hair fall out about 6 months later, when my mom could afford it i got my hair chemically treated again at a later stage. So the cycle continued for close to 7 years up until i finished school got a job and could afford to relax my hair on a regular without fear of my hair all falling out.

Fast forward to 2011 i came across a website and amazing lady Phrophro.com run by Lani Masuku and therein started the love affair with my hair. I transitioned for a full year  and went fully natural in November of 2012.

The rest as they say is History.

Join me as i continue on my journey of self discovery with My Fro and I.