Caring for your Natural Hair in Fall/Harmattan

Harmattan is here, the trees are getting bare. The dry and cold season is here again.  Many creatures of the earth will go into hibernation, and amongst those magical creatures will include our beautiful head of coils.

FALL/HARMATTAN HAIR CARE

My routine this season has not changed very much from my last winter season in FEBRUARY SECRETS: How to Care for Natural Hair in Winter/Dry Season

My basics are still the same;

SCALP MASSAGE/PRE-POO/HOT OIL TREATMENT

CO-WASH instead of Shampoo

DEEP CONDITION

SEAL

TRIM

PROTECT

 

Discovering Natural further emphasizes these point in her 5 Fall Natural Hair Care Routine MUST HAVE Video

What's slightly different for me this season is that I am incorporating a lot of protective styling. If you follow my instagram you know. Finally! Mushu and I can get a break from each other (Thank you holidays). It's hardly winter but it's already acting the most. One very important routine step to note is to REMEMBER TO TRIM. 

How to know When to Trim Your Afro

I hadn't trimmed Mushu in a minute. These were the signs it showed and I knew it was finally time to grab the scissors;

1. More Fairy Knots and tangles  than usual: Even though I was moisturizing regularly and doing my low maintenance bantu knot out and braids. I was getting a lot more tangles than per usual. 

2. SCANTY SEE THROUGH ENDS

 

3. DRYING FASTER THAN NORMAL: The more damage at your ends, the lesser the ability of your hair to retain moisture. You'd be pouring water into a basket. LITERALLY!

 

4. FAILED HAIRSTYLES: My simple usual hairstyles i used to get curl definition would bottom line result into knots and tangles with little to no definition. Even though I was following my exact same method of styling. This was a result of the coils refusing to clump together because of my damaged ends. 

 

 

Instagram: @nappyese

                                              

5. MORE BREAKAGE AND HAIR IN THE SINK: If basic mechanical efforts like detangling, styling combing is causing more snaps and breaks than usual. THen you know it is time for a trim

 

So when you notice any of these signs above, treat yourself to a trim. REMEMBER: HEALTH OVER LENGTH. Watch the short video below showing you how I trim my 4c hair, including a few of my protective style ideas for the Dry months ahead.

 

Happy Trimming! What protective style look will you be sporting this fall

 

Love&Nappiness

Nappyese

Tips on How to care for your Hair during Harmattan

Hi Naturals

I feel harmattan already. Do you?

We are all aware that harmattan period is usually associated with dryness and cold. Here are few tips on how you can care for your hair;

1. MOISTURISE REGULARLY: Water is your friend. Spray your hair daily with it, apply a leavein and seal with hair butter or oil (thick oils like castor) in order to keep the moisture in for as long as possible. If you use to moisturise only in the morning, you should be thinking about starting a night routine too. Moisture is important during the harmattan period as our hair gets dry easily. You could opt for a daily mist or just mix water, oil and leave-in conditioner in a bottle and spray on the go.

2. DEEP CONDITION HAIR OFTEN: With less moisture, your hair breaks terribly. No one wants that. With the dry weather draining out moisture from our hair, it's advisable to replenish it as often as possible. A moisturising deep masque or conditioner is applicable here.

3. STICK TO PROTECTIVE STYLING: You can put your hair in any protective style of your choice as far as your ends are tucked in. It could be braids, twists, wigs, updos e.t.c. As for me, I would be wigging all through till I get bored. lol

4. AVOID GELS: You definitely should not try using gels. It's a no no. The results are not going to be nice at all. Instead, use moisturising products and do not have strong hold on your hair.

5. DO THE GREENHOUSE METHOD: Spritz your hair with water and oil, wear a plastic or shower cap and leave overnight or for a couple of hours before bed. The heat generated keeps the hair soft and moisturized all day.

That's it. I hope you find this helpful. Please leave your comments below with any more tips you think would be great for haircare during harmattan


Enjoy the rest of the week

Leeznijis