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.