Yarn Braids on Natural Hair

So I decided to braid my hair cos for a while, I’ll be somewhere where I won’t have the time to make my hair every two weeks.

If you know the texture of my hair, you will know that it’s not really the obedient type. Even when it was relaxed, it got rough very easily. And as for my natural hair, the rate at which it gets rough and frizzes is off the hinges. So as a natural haired lady, I found out that the only braids I could get away with was kinky braids. That was till i discovered yarn braids. The wool is dull enough to mask the frizziness of my hair. So i decided to try yarn braids this time.

I always dread a visit to the salon. The last time I visited the salon was last December, when I did kinky braids. So I had to mentally prepare myself and my physically prepare my hair for this event. You know braids has the tendency of drying out our natural hair, so I had to reduce the chance of this by properly taking of my hair before braiding

Before braiding

I loosed my twists and detangled my hair.

I did my preferred method of Deep conditioning on my hair. I left it in my hair for 5 hours.

I then washed and conditioned my hair. 

I then used ACV to get rid of any leftover build ups and smoothen my hair cuticles.

Finally I did the tea rinse to further condition and soften my hair.

After washing my hair, while still moist, not dripping wet, I applied a mixture of castor oil and olive oil and finally sealed it with my Africa Naturalista hair butter.

I then stretched my hair by braiding it in eight parts, put on my satin bonnet, and jumped on the bed, kissed my pillow, and said goodnight to God.

The next morning, i sprayed my hair with a mixture of water, olive oil and glycerin and proceeded to the salon

During Braiding

After the usual instructions to the stylists which went thus

Thou shall not pick my tiny, or 'arrange’ my in front hair

Thou shall not braid my hair tight

Thou shall not comb my hair

And some other important-to-me but petty-to-them instructions,

We finally started the braids. They constantly asked why I did not relax my hair, and I constantly educated them about natural hair. After a while, one of them said 'Aahh ,you really like this natural hair thing o'.  They could see the passion with which I talked about natural hair.

After three hours of my gruelling salon experience, this is what I ended up with.

After Braiding

I don’t plan to neglect my hair just because it’s braided, lest the protective styling now becomes my nemesis. So here is my regimen

I will do the daily spritz every morning and night. It’s a mixture of water, olive oil and glycerin

I will wash my hair every other week, as usual

I will use a mixture of castor oil and olive oil around my edges

Summary

The advantage of yarn braids for natural hair is that unlike extensions, wool is actually very light. So the weight doesn’t actually draw or burden your hair strands. This means very low risk of alopecia

The disadvantage is that yarn braids has a very dull looks compared to extensions. So you might want to spice your look up by adorning yourself with bright make up and accessories

For a similar post I did on Kinky Braids, click here.

In the meantime, please vote on the gadget on the right hand side, in order to let us know what your greatest natural hair challenge is. The poll ends next month. This will help us know what problems most naturalistas have and we will therefore be able to carry out more research and do posts on what we have found out.

Also, follow us on twitter. The twitter handle is @africanaturalis

Before you do the Big Chop… Steps you need to take

I realised that before a lot of ladies who want to go natural cut their hair, they hardly prepare themselves for that next phase. This is analogous to taking a leap over a wall without looking over the fence to have an idea of what to expect. Not advisable at all. Below are a few things we suggest you do before taking that bold step to cut you hair and going natural.

KNOW EXACTLY WHY YOU ARE GOIN NATURAL.

Are you going natural because it is currently a fashion trend in your local vicinity? Is it because your hair got damaged, or is it just a temporary measure, so your hair can become healthy again before you relax? There are loads of reasons why people go natural. Know your own specific purpose for going natural. This will help you in your natural hair journey and will help you know whether you are seeing your desired results or not.

RESEARCH, RESEARCH AND RESEARCH.

Before doing the BC, do a lot of research on the various ways you can maintain your natural hair. Come up with a regimen you will start up with. This will help you not to get confused and overwhelmed when your hair begins to grow into a very disobedient afro. Even with the pre-BC research, you will still have difficulties, talk less of when you don’t research. I am surprised how people cut of their hair without even having an idea of what they are going to do when the natural finally begins to grow.

ASK QUESTIONS

Ask other naturalistas about how they maintain their hair. Let them share their experiences with you. Have a list of naturalistas you can run to in times of hair difficulties

KNOW THIS FACT.

Everyone’s hair is different. That something worked for your friend’s hair when she cut off her relaxed hair does not mean it would work for you. You have to work out your own hair salvation with fear and trembling determination and diligence. So don’t be quick to stock your hair closet with the same products that have been working for your friend before you do the BC. Be patient and find what works for you after you do the BC.

If you have more guidelines for ladies who want to take the bold step of doing a BC, please, let’s know in the comment section. If we come up with more points, we will update

In the meantime, please vote on the gadget on the right hand side, in order to let us know what your greatest natural hair challenge is. The poll ends next month. This will help us know what problems most naturalistas have and we will therefore be able to carry out more research and do posts on what we have found out.

Also, follow us on twitter. The twitter handle is @africanaturalis

Summary of the Natural Hair Meetup in Lagos 3 (NITC3)

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Hi people, sorry for this late update. As usual the Natural Hair meetup was da bomb. Apart from the free hair that the lovely Omozo of O'Naturals did for me, I can't even begin to pick what the high point was for me in the event. It was just so lovely, though I am sad that I still did not win the giveaway prize, and this is the third time in a row this is happening.

As usual, I got there and was really excited to talk to my natural friends, until the first speaker literally drove us in, cos time wasn't our friend.

Before I continue, for all of you who have been asking me to post pictures, you can find pictures here.

The first speaker was a very fierce white lady who educated us about our hair, and emphasized the fact that if we are to use products, we have to be careful and use the ones made specifically for black natural hair, not just any kind of product. Her energy was off the shizzle.

Next Screwy Hair came up and did a presentation on retaining hair length. Below are a few of the things she highlighted. She dispelled some very common hair myths

Everyone’s hair grows

• There is no product that will make your hair grow faster

• There’s no product that can repair split ends

Things that promote hair breakage are

1. Playing with your hair often

1. Pulling your hair strands with a tiny comb

1. Heat styling

1. Not moisturising your hair

1. Bad detangling

1. Using too many products

1. Excessive use of chemicals, gels, texturisers, etc.

1. Carelessness when removing weaves

1. Tying your scarf too tight.

At this point, I was dragged to come and make my free hair, but I was still listening from where I was seated.

When screwy hair finished with her presentation, Yeni from Adornment 365, which is a natural hair salon in the UK came to advise us on how to survive a visit to the salon. She said we should go to the salon knowing what exactly we want. Sometimes, we should try to wash and section our hair before visiting the salon, etc.

Next thing I know, some lady walks up to me and hands me a sample hair butter. It was kinky Apothecary’s hair butter. It smelt so so good. That means you should order for my own Whipped Hair Butter ooo, lol, cos mine smells like heaven.

Next came the doctor to talk about caring for our skin. From the feedback I got, this was the favourite session for most people. Everyone had one question or the other to ask. People basically did not want this doctor to leave, but alas, time did its thing again.

The MC at the show was mad funny. I wonder where she fell from. She is just too good. She was just cracking everyone up.

After this Sherese came up to do her presentation, which I sadly missed.

Lastly was Natural Nigerian. As she was making her presentation, the UK hair stylist was styling her hair. Unfortunately, I had to step out this time to do a photo shoot of my hair, as I am now a Natural Hair model for O’Naturals (Wide grin).

They did the giveaway after this and my friend won. I was so sad for myself and happy for her. And because I had predicted from the beginning of the event that she might win, I was able to corner the Natural Nigerian coconut oil in her giveaway package.

As you guys know that I have been searching for the perfect Natural Hair gel, I bought the Eco Styler Olive Oil gel from the Kinky Apothecary stand. I have used it for a twist just last night and I want to see if it will solve my gel problems. I like the fact that it is thick, yet water-based, not oil-based.

So yes, this is the summary for now. I might update later

Another Natural Hair Myth

“I want to go natural but…”

Yes, I am sure many naturalistas hear this from their relaxed friends. So many excuses are given for why they don’t want to go natural, and one major one we hear all the time is that Natural Hair it too expensive to maintain.

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That Natural Hair is too expensive to maintain is one of the Natural Hair myths reigning today. Read about the most popular Natural Hair Myth here. I know some naturalistas are Product Junkies (PJ), always looking for the perfect natural hair product. This makes their natural hair journey a money-sapping one. In all honesty, the products you use on your natural hair are really not as important as the techniques you use in maintaining your hair. The trick is finding what works for you and sticking with it. And what works for you doesn’t really have to be expensive, there’s a reason why it’s called ‘going natural’.

In my personal experience, I have spent far less money carrying Natural Hair than when I was relaxed. I make sure I wash my hair regularly, do my DC regularly, and maintain a healthy hair lifestyle.

So for those who don’t want to go natural because they feel it is expensive to maintain… fear no more, it is just a myth. Find what works for you, it might be cheap Shea Butter, natural hair gel, or oil extracts. Whatever it is, find it and stick with it. Don’t be a PJ, and other things will follow.