5 WAYS TO PROPERLY CARE FOR YOUR LOCS

Locs, also called dreadlocks, dreads, or “dada” (by our Nigerian people) is a great way to carry your natural hair. When done right, they are beautiful, versatile, and unique. You will be able to rock your natural hair in so many different ways and also, nurture them to attain an impressive length. Locs are not your easy-way-out to treating your natural hair. If you don’t take care of your locs, they end up looking unhealthy, unattractive, and most importantly, like the dreaded local dada. You don’t want that. 

Locs need as much TLC as your normal natural hair, maybe even more. Following a regular regimen for caring for your locs will leave you with healthy, beautiful, and enviable locs. Below are some tips to help you on your journey to locs that people want to copy!

How to make Onion Juice without the Onion Smell

Onion has a lot of benefits for the hair. When you learn how to make onion juice for hair growth, you will find that it smells badly.
How To Get Rid Of Onion Juice Smell From Hair and still get the benefits of onion juice for hair growth, hair loss and even dandruff. Well, keep watching.
Here are some more hair growth remedies https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCT7rEmj0XkynzCv0uvsvaIZHeURjJ38h

Benefits of Onion for Hair
- Nourishes the hair follices
- Minimize breakage and thinning.
= Anti-bacterial properties and help fight infections of the scalp. -= - - Reduces hair fall
- Antioxidants
- Ability to reverse the effects of premature greying.
- Provides healthy shine to hair
- Prevent Lice
- Thicken Hair
- Helps fight dandruff
- Improve blood circulation there by improving hair growth.

Onion Juice Smell in Hair is one thing that prevents people from using this natural hair growth treatment remedy, Adding essential oils to the onion juice after making it can help mask the smell of onion juice. Lemon oil and Lemongrass oil are one of the best essential oils for bad odor smell. They also have great benefits to hair. Lemon oil has antifungal properties that can help scalp control overproduction of oil and stimulate regrowth of hair. It also help clean the scalp by de-clogging hair follicles and prevent dandruff. Lemon grass contains citric acid, calcim, magnesium, vitamin C, pectin, and flavonoids. Lemongrass oil helps strengthen hair follicles and has antibacterial properties that promotes healthy scalp and produce healthy hair. However, if you are pregnant or nursing, do not use lemongrass oil.
If you still have onion smell in your hair, do an apple cider vinegar rinse before shampooing your hair. Here is how to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITjNShNH5ks

Click here or watch below

Are You Doing Too Much using Natural Hair DIY Products?

As naturals, we use all sorts of things in our natural hair; from Aloe Vera, to Okra Gel, Palm Oil, Molasses Hair Mask, Guava Leaves, Rice Water Rinse, Onion Rinse, Clay Washes. 
Are we doing too much to our natural hair? What do you think? Here is my opinion.

Watch below or click here:

DIY Hair Treatment for Shine and Strength

Sometimes we do not have access to store bought products to use as protein treatments. In those times, here is a kid-friendly do it yourself (DIY) hair treatment I like:

1/2 cup of Mayonnaise (strengthens hair)
1/4 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (anti-inflammatory, emollient, rich in fatty acids)
1 banana (soften hair, improves elasticity, strengthens, promote shine)
1 tablespoon Raw Honey (humectant , smoothens cuticles)

Mix well and apply to freshly washed hair. Leave on for 30 mins and Rinse.


Stay beautiful! 💖 

If you like this blog post written by Sola of DiscoveringNatural, you can find her on her Youtube channel, DiscoveringNatural,  for more natural hair tips. Click here to visit her channel.

DIY LOUNGE - Herbs And Spices Natural Hair!

 By now, we all have agreed that chemical based products aren't any good for our hair! Even though they allow us to manage our hair easily, they actually end up damaging our hair, giving us scalp and hair issues.
Natural products on the other hand are best to realise our long, luscious, thick and healthy hair goals and since realising this, we all have invested in natural hair products but there is this " natural awesomeness" most of us lack in our hoard! Even I am guilty of this, I do not know if its due to the lack of not knowing about it, not paying attention or if its just because you think finding them in stores can be difficult or near impossible but most of us do not care about these natural items.
 So, lets chill on talking about how awesome our natural shampoos and conditioners are and lets take a moment to explore the world of natural herbs and spices.

1. GINGER
                     Helps in strengthening hair roots and increases hair growth.

How to use : grate  and squeeze the juice from the ginger using a cheesecloth or thin handkerchief. Use a cotton ball to dab the juice on to your scalp, leave for 30 minutes and wash out.

2. WINTER CHERRY 
                    Balances PH, prevents breakage and split ends , helps hair growth and relaxes anxiety.
How to use : mix with lukewarm water and apply from scalp to tip. leave in for 30 minutes and rinse out.

3. REETHA 
                  Prevents breakage, great hair cleanser, strengthens and thickens hair, makes the hair shiner and softer.
How to use : mix with lukewarm water and apply all over your scalp. leave for 20 minutes and rinse out with clean water.

4. SHIKAKAI
               Can act as a conditioner,strengthens and promotes hair growth and its also a good cleanser.
How to use : add 3 tbs to 1 cup of water or green tea and leave in for 2 hours, sieve and add 1 cup of water. Use as hair rinse.

5. HENNA 
               Strengthens the hair , prevents hair breakage and shedding  and is an excellent treatment for grey hair.
How to use : 


These herbs are super amazing and i know some of us that already know this do not use it cause we do not know where to get them but here is this the good news, at AFRICANNATURALISTAS we sell all these herbs and have a lot more in stock! All you have to do is visit our physical or online store and for a very reasonable price any of these herbs could be yours!

please remember to mix all herbs and spices in plastic bowls,with plastic spoons and also avoid contact with the eyes.


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DIY LOUNGE - Cinnamon For Natural Hair Growth

Hello Naturalistas,

Cinnamon is a very popular Sri lankan spice gotten from the back of the Ceylon tree.  Asides aiding weight loss and being beneficial to our skin , Cinnamon has unbelievable benefits for natural hair.

     BENEFITS OF CINNAMON FOR NATURAL HAIR!

- Cinnamon increases blood circulation which promotes hair growth.
-  Cinnamon is an antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal which can help prevent fungal and bacterial infections.
- It can be use to treat dandruff and dry hair.
- Cinnamon is also great to combat hair loss.
- Instead of using dye to colour your hair, cinnamon can be used to lighten the hair naturally.
         
So, above are a few of the many benefits of cinnamon, I really like the last benefit and I can't wait to try it out.
 
    HOW TO USE CINNAMON FOR NATURAL HAIR.
Things you need
* 2tbs of cinnamon
* Olive oil
* 2tbs of natural honey.

   Direction:::
STEP 1
   Mix 2tbs of cinnamon into the 2tbs of honey.
STEP 2
   add enought olive oil to form a paste.
STEP 3
   Section your hair into parts and apply on your scalp.
STEP 4
   Leave in for 20 minutes and then wash off with your shampoo.

 Do this once a week and your hair troubles are over and did I mention that that cinnamon smells so Divine. I really hope you try it out  and if you have been thinking of coloring your hair but you are scared of the damage it might cause, why not just drop a comment and we might just be teaching you how on our next post.

     HAVE A FABULOUS WEEK!







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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Happy new year, new month and new week guys! This year is really starting on an awesome note with "new"' everything and we at African naturalistas are grateful for all of our readers.
This is just a spontaneous post and  I would like you guys to tell me in the comment section your best posts from 2016, the ones that were a bit confusing, the ones that have now become staples and hair DIYs you would like to learn in the year 2017!
I would also appreciate it if you can share your hair resolutions and goals for the new year, mine is just to have healthy hair like that of our founder (Atilola)! OMG! have you seen her bridal hair?! shes my new hair crush and she has set some goals for me and I am so going to meet those goals unlike the unrealistic one I set in the previous year.  So, share yours down in the comment section and have an awesome year!


       HAPPY NEW YEAR, LETS BE AWESOME!!!

Our Natural Hair Loves Water

Even though most of us  Naturalistas dread the thought of using water on our hair frequently mostly cause of shrinkage,water is still one of the best things we can use to pamper our hair! Our hair can also get thirsty (dryness) and thus can be quenched with water.
Below are some of the benefits of water for natural hair
- Drinking 6-9cups of water a day makes our hair stronger and thicker.
- Water helps our body to flush out toxins which allows for quick hair growth.
- Water also keeps our hair hydrated from the insides.
- Washing your hair with just natural and ph balanced water leaves your hair healthier and softer.


I trust you didn't know water is that important on our natural hair journey but now that you have read it here, substitute those frizzy drinks for water during this festive holiday.



                 MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS






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A Last Minute Christmas Gift: PepperMint Flaxseed Gel

Don't go empty handed to that Christmas party. Here is something you can take along. PepperMint Flaxseed Gel. 
You will only need 3 ingredients: Water, Flaxseed and Peppermint.
This gel will make you hair shiny and the smell is amazing!!




Stay beautiful! 💖 

If you like this blog post written by Sola of DiscoveringNatural, you can find her on her Youtube channel, DiscoveringNatural,  for more natural hair tips. Click here to visit her channel.

DIY LOUNGE - Oatmeal For Natural Hair!

Oatmeal is much more than something we take for breakfast, oatmeal is a natural moisturiser and is very nourishing for natural hair!
Yeah! You read  right! (I am already laughing at all the side comments I would get).

 Hair benefits of oatmeal
- Oatmeal can act as an emollient and help thickens the hair!
- Oatmeal soothes itchy scalps and regular use can treat dry and itchy scalps, since oatmeal is a natural moisturiser.
- Oatmeal strengthens and maintains healthy hair length. Daily use can help with length retention and help attain hair goals.
- Oatmeal can help the elasticity of our hair,which helps prevent breakage.
- Oatmeal is super rich in vitamin B which allows for moisture retention.

          How to use Oatmeal for hair.
Ingredients ::
* 1/2 cup of oatmeal
* 1/2 cup of milk
* 3 tbs of olive oil.

Directions::::
# mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
# comb out you hair
# apply from root to tip
# leave in for 30 - 40 mins
# rinse out with warm water
# shampoo as usual.

If this is just to yucky for you or you think this is just a waste of a good breakfast during this recession, then you can consume your oatmeal regular and let it work it's magic from the inside!
I really think you should try this mask, especially If you have manipulated your hair a lot lately.












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DIY LOUNGE : : Beaded Elastic Band.

All through last week my hair was either in a bun or an afro. At a point I got tired and bored with my plain elastic band and I made a mental note to do something to jazz it up when I had the time. Well, I eventually did that yesterday and this I what I got. 

Materials used

- beads

- elastic band

- glue.

Directions

- Apply a little glue on the spot you want to place the bead on. 

- Place the bead and then hold it still for a minute while blowing air at it. 

- Do this till you have covered the band as much as you want.

I think it came out nice but I would really want to know what you think. You should try this at home and if you really aren't a bead person, you could use buttons. Please let's know how it came out.

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DIY LOUNGE - Yogurt Hair Mask

Yogurt is very effective when it comes to adding shine to our hair. It can also be used as an alternative if you think store bought conditioners are not good enough. Yogurts repairs dry and damaged hair, can serve as a good moisturizer and can make our hair easier to manage.
 Yogurt is a natural anti fungal and can help combat dandruff, it also has vitamin D and B5 which helps nourish our follicles, thereby reducing shedding.

Things Needed
* 6 tbs of yogurt
* 3 tbs of coconut oil
* 2 tbs of aloe vera gel

Directions 
- mix all the ingredients in a bowl
- apply all over your hair, making sure it coats all
- cover with a shower cap and leave in for 1 hour
- wash out with a mild shampoo.





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DIYLOUNGE - Aloe Vera Gel Recipes For Natural Hair

Aloe Vera gel and egg yoke conditioner
   We all know eggs are great as a hair mask ingredient but when you combine aloe Vera and eggs, it does wonders to the hair.
Mix an egg and enough aloe Vera gel to cover your hair, cover with a shower cap and rinse out after 30 minutes.

Aloe Vera gel hair mask for growth
   Mix half a cup of aloe Vera gel, half  a cup of coconut milk and a few drops of coconut oil(optional). Apply this mixture to your hair and scalp, leave in for an hour and then rinse off.

Aloe Vera gel for dandruff treatment 
   Mix half cup of aloe Vera gel, few drops of rose water and massage gently into your scalp. Leave in for 45 minutes and wash off with cold water. Repeat this every other week and your hair is dandruff free forever.

Aloe Vera gel overnight hair treatment
   Most of us struggle with our edges, getting it to grow, keeping it full and all. This recipe helps grow and retain our edges, it also gives our hair shine.
Mix half a cup of aloe Vera gel and few drops of castor oil and apply to your edges, roots and all over your hair. Leave in overnight and rinse out the next morning.


 This marks the end of our Aloe Vera Gel series! I hope you learnt something new and this new found knowledge helps you at a particular point of your hair journey.





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DIY LOUNGE - Aloe Vera Gel As A Styling gel

 INGREDIENTS
* Aloe Vera Gel
* Coconut oil /Olive oil


 DIRECTIONS
* Take a small amount of aloe Vera gel and coconut oil in your palms.
* Apply through your hair, making sure it reaches all strands.
* Comb, style and you are good to go.

  Why is Aloe Vera gel better can my regular styling gel?
Asides containing 18 amino acids, lots of minerals and vitamins, Aloe Vera gel also :
 - locks in moisture, thereby keeping your hair hydrated.
 - maintains the PH balance of your hair, so that your hair is protected from fungi and bacteria.
 - defines your curls better.
 - serves as a detangler, which makes your hair easier to comb.
 - gets rid of itchy scalp


Who hasn't gotten her own Aloe Vera gel? Will you be a darling and tell us what you are still waiting for!






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DIY LOUNGE _ Aloe Vera Gel As A Leave in Conditioner

INGREDIENTS
*1cup of water
*1cup of aloe Vera gel(processed)

DIRECTIONS
 STEP 1
   Mix equal quantity of water and aloe Vera gel in a bowl.
 STEP 2
    Pour into a spray bottle.
 STEP 3
    Shake well and spray on your hair whenever you feel your hair is dry or acting up.


Aloe Vera gel controls hair frizzy and it's also an humectant that attracts moisture and keeps the hair hydrated. You do not have to worry about it being too heavy on your strands, aloe Vera is so light and can be easily absorbed.





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DIY LOUNGE - Aloe Vera Gel As A Deep Conditioner

INGREDIENTS
For medium Length Hair
1/4 cup of Aloe Vera gel.(processed or unprocessed)
1/4 cup of coconut oil.

 For bra strap and the rest
 1/2 cup of Aloe Vera gel.(processed or unprocessed)
 1/2 cup of coconut oil.


DIRECTIONS;
 STEP 1
   Pour your ingredients into a bowl and heat up in a microwave for a minute or if you do not access        to electricity, put in boiling water.

 






STEP 2
   Mix your ingredients together  using a spoon, blender or mixer.

STEP 4
   After washing your hair with your regular shampoo, massage the mixture from your scalp to your        tips.
STEP 5
   Cover with a shower cap and leave in for 30 minutes
STEP 6
   Rinse out and proceed with your usual wash day routine.

You guys really need to try this! My hair was soft and moisturized,my curls were tighter and more defined and i could swear my hair was shiner and darker! Aloe Vera Gel is my revelation of the year and I still think its a must have for every naturalista.


            Have A Great Week!






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DIY LOUNGE - Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera gel is a gel made from the Aloe Vera plant. Aloe Vera gel is one of the best natural skin remedy and healer there is. It can be use to treat sunburn, acne, stretch marks, gum diseases and can even be used as a beauty product.

                  USES OF ALOE VERA GEL

_ Aloe Vera gel contains some enzymes that helps repair dead scalp cells.

_ Aloe Vera gel promotes hair growth.

_ Aloe Vera gel is rich in amino acids which helps condition and moisturize our hair.

_ Helps reduce dandruff.

_ Promotes hair growth.

              HOW TO USE  ALOE VERA GEL

Aloe vera gel if mix with one or two natural products can be used as :

- As a prepoo.

- As a deep conditioner.

- As a detangler.

- As a conditioner.

- As a shampoo.

A lot of us do not see the need to have this amazing product and we most times just walk by it in the store and even some of the big natural hair stores do not even have it on the shelf. I was guilty of this too,until I stumbled on an article on how wonderful this natural and affordable product is! So, this new month (September) is going to be all about ALOE VERA GEL and how we can use it to its full potential and i am very sure that after one whole month of being in our faces we wouldn't dare ignore or just walk by it.

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Healthy Hair Recipes You Can Try at Home

Hi Naturalistas,

How is the week going?

I would be sharing a post I read on BlackZulu Blog. I hope you find it useful

Healthy Hair Recipes

Look into your kitchen for the BEST conditioners to moisturize and revitalize your hair! Here are four different masks for each type of hair that you can easily make in minutes using all-natural ingredients you probably have sitting in your refrigerator or cupboard right now!

DRY hair –Olive Oil and Egg
In need of some major TLC?? Combine three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil with two eggs and apply the mixture to your hair and let the mixture sit for 20 minutes before rinsing in the shower.
The olive oil will help hydrate brittle locks, while the protein in the eggs will promote healthy hair growth.

ALL HAIR TYPES — Avocado and Honey
Mash a ripened avocado and mix in a tablespoon of organic honey and allow it to sit for 20 minutes before rinsing it off in the shower.
Avocados are rich in a variety of vitamins and nutrients, including vitamin E and protein, both of which your hair needs to remain soft and healthy. Meanwhile, honey is a natural antibacterial agent.

OILY hair — Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon
Combine 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with the grated peel of an entire lemon and allow it to set for 15 minutes to absorb the excess oil from your scalp, and then rinse in the shower.
Apple cider vinegar will remove build up from styling products and conditioners and strengthen the hair shaft, leaving you with soft, shiny strands. It will also balance hair’s pH level, kill bacteria, and is a cure for dandruff.

DRY, flaky scalp hair — Banana, Honey and Almond
Mash together 1/2 a ripe banana and add two tablespoons of honey and a few drops of almond oil and allow it to set with a shower cap on for 20 minutes before rinsing.
Bananas can increase the moisture of your hair, smooth frizz and soothe your itchy scalp.

Choose the one that fits you better and bring your hair back to life (to moisturize and revitalize your hair)

Enjoy the rest of the week

Leeznijis

DIY LOUNGE - Moisturizing Hair Cream

INGREDIENTS
 * 5 tbs of coconut oil
 * 10 tbs of eco styler gel
 * 2 tbs of leave in conditioner
 * water

TOOLS NEEDED
- hand mixer
- bowl

- spoon
- an empty container for storing

          DIRECTIONS :::
STEP 1
    scoop all your ingredients into a bowl.

STEP 2
    using a mixer, mix until you get rid of all lumps

STEP 3
    add water ( the amount of water you add depends on you and how fluffy you want your cream to be)and mix some more until you get the texture you want.

I have been using this hair cream on my twist since i made this mixture and I promise you will not regret this particular DIY! It's my new styling cream, pudding and gel,I hope you get around to making it and having good reviews like i do.





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DIY LOUNGE - Avocado Hair Mask

Last week, we all agreed avocados are good for our natural hair. So, today on DIY LOUNGE we would be making avocado hair mask.

INGREDIENTS :::
- 1 ripe Avocado : for moisture and repair of damaged hair.
- 2 tbs Olive oil   :  to protect the hair from damage.
- 3 tbs Honey      : help the hair strands retain moisture and strengthens the scalp.

DIRECTIONS :::
- Scoop the avocado fruit from its skin into a bowl and mash till you get rid of all lumps

- Add 2 tbs of olive oil and mash some more.

- Add your honey and mash till you get a smooth paste.

Finished Product

HOW TO USE
* Apply the hair mask onto your wet hair, paying attention to your roots and ends.
* Cover with a shower cap and allow the mask to sit for an hour.
* Rinse well, making sure you get rid of all the mask in your hair.
* Shampoo and condition as usual.


PS: Mine is all lumpy because my avocado was not so ripe and  I tried getting rid of the lumps but they just would not leave. Learn from my mistake and make sure you use an over ripe avocado.



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