I just recently started my natural hair journey and I’ve been learning quite a lot from my sisters, friends and from doing my daughter’s hair as well as mine and it’s been quite an eye opener. Natural hair is hard work!! Yoh ha ah. Nobody said it was easy, no one ever said it would be this hard (Siri play the scientist by Coldplay), jokes aside. Summer can be especially challenging for natural 4C hair, but with the right care, you can keep your strands moisturised, healthy, and looking fabulous. Pro tip, if you spend extended periods of time in the African sun, you can wear a hat, scarves, or a head wrap.
Here are a few things I’ve learnt.
Moisturise!
Use a hydrating mist throughout the day to keep hair refreshed and prevent dryness. Opt for water-based sprays with minimal ingredients to avoid build-up. I can’t emphasise this enough. My advice, keep a small spray bottle in your handbag or your desk. Just spritz wena, stressed? Spritz. Thinking of texting an ex? Spritz. Breathing? Spritz.
Apply a hair mask.
Deep conditioners penetrate deep into the hair shaft, replenishing lost moisture and strengthening strands. Aim for deep conditioning at least once a week during the summer. I’m too lazy so I do it once a month but if you’re wearing your hair out try do it more than once a month. Here’s the one I use.
INGREDIENTS:
– 1 avocado
– 2 eggs
– 1 tablespoon of honey
– 1 tablespoon of Coconut Oil
DIRECTIONS:
1. Mash avocado and put the mash in a mixing bowl.
2. Add eggs, honey, and oil to the avocado mixture and mix well.
3. Apply to your hair from the ends to the roots.
4. Let sit for 15-20 minutes.
5. Rinse.
Keep your hair protected.
Did you know that the sun can damage your hair? I recently learnt that it can, it doesn’t just draw the line at your skin folks! Protect your hair by keeping it hydrated. Wearing a scarf, head wrap, or wide-brimmed hat when outdoors can shield your hair from the sun’s damaging UV rays. Choose breathable fabrics like cotton or silk to prevent overheating. Use satin bonnets and products of your choice to keep it moisturised. I like using African Crown’s Extreme Hair Growth oil. Look for leave-in conditioners, styling products, or UV protectant sprays with SPF to offer additional sun protection.
Less is more.
If I tell you I learnt this the hard way. Yikes! Use lighter products so your hair doesn’t get greasy and clumped up and nasty. Especially in the summer time heat.
Clean your scalp.
A clean scalp is a happy scalp. Really go in during your wash days make sure you get to the bottom of it, by it I mean the roots, also massage as you wash so you get the blood circulating it’s so soothing.
Last but not least trim those spilt ends regularly it keeps the hair healthy.
I'm Noni Zulu, editor of iNgudukazi Magazine and I'm proud to say that. This is a magazine that looks to empower the youth. We hope to entertain, inspire and motivate our subscribers and to help make a difference.