DETANGLING ON HOT OIL TREATED HAIR...

Hey loves, I know I have been MIA  and I do really apologize, life has been doing me. lol. I'm a little over a year now in my journey since big chop and I must say, the journey has been interesting. When my hair was shorter I never really bothered with detangling my hair at all. I'd just slather some product on and just rinse it out and whaalaah done.

TWA days...breeze days!!!

NNNOW!!! My hair has grown and boy I cannot run away from detangling. I really tried to avoid it by taking short cuts and protective styling for long. I killed myself. My hair suffered. single strand knots/fairy knots found a HOME on my head and still today I will never forgive myself for being so negligent.  I was so hurt because I had just trimmed my hair and now I had to snip off some more hair because of my laziness.

this is my hair after a trim.

see that?????? 

my hair was not cuddling  and beautifully coily as I'm used to it....

this is my hair with little fairy knots. there are lots in there trust me.

Anyway, I have to forgive myself and start doing better by my hair and for my hair and yes for me too. :). 

I've heard and seen a lot of people (you-tubers) use coconut oil and a conditioner for detangling but I cannot use coconut oil because coco' and I just don't get along. I felt helpless and really didn't know what to use. But I didn't give up I was willing to sit the whole weekend and detangle my hair strand by strand if that's what my hair wanted me to do. I was ready. I had  planned to use the olive oil and a conditioner instead of coconut oil.

 On friday night I did a pre-poo/ hot oil treatment and left it in my hair over night (GREEN HOUSE EFFECT METHOD). 

coincidentally, Saturday morning I just started touchy touching my hair and I couldn't believe what was happening, the tangles and knots were melting, like literally melting apart. I had not added anything in my hair, there was only oils and a little mist from the GHEM...*JumpingWithJoyAndAmazement* I really got motivated to sit and do my hair. I finger detangled my whole head without the usual struggle and I was very happy. I used my fingers only because I dint want to push it with a comb since the hair was dry. I don't do the comb business on dry hair, I refuse. After the finger detangling process I proceeded with my normal wash day routine and ...................BAHMMM!! my coils are united and smooth again. 

I  have been a lazy natural  and I'm planning to change that. I'm still looking for easier ways to care for my hair. If anyone can recommend any techniques or tips on how to cut down on the long hours of detangling natural, please, I could use all the help in the world. I hope my newly found method will help someone out there. 

xoxo

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Products I used on my hair

This post is long overdue and I apologize for taking this long to bring it to you ladies. Straight onto it...

Wash/es (shampoos and DIYs) 

 The Schwarzkopf smooth'n shine shampoo which I bought at dischem. It is very affordable and it does do the job. Lets just say it works like a shampoo, it strips out all the product build up both on the scalp and the hair strands. Nnnnot something I'll buy again , not because it's bad but only because I've had better.

The Afro Botanics Repairing (non-sulfate) shampoo. I bought this on Afro Botanics online store. Affordable too. This shampoo is very delicate on hair but very efficient when it come to removing the build up on the scalp. A little goes a long way with this bad boy right here. When I first got it, I was like uuuuhh!! But yeah, I still have it and it'll be long before I get another one. I definitely will be buying this  one again when I feel I need a gentle shampoo. 

Organic root simulator olive oil creamy  shampoo.  I really like this one, it is my favorite. I bought this one earlier last year during my relaxer days. It is a bit pricey yes but it works wonders for someone like me who prefers a thorough clean scalp. I have a problem with scalp build up, my whole head just breaks out when my scalp is dirty and this creamy sweetheart here knows how to take care of it. This is the shampoo that inspired me to write a post on "My  shampoo experience" post. check it out here http://naturallycoiledsa.blogspot.co.za/2015/07/my-shampoo-experience.html

Yes, I will be buying this one again in the future. 

DIY CLEANSERS

Apple cider vinegar rinse

As mentioned above, I suffer from break outs on my scalp, so I decided to stay a little bit away from harsh/chemicalized products and decided to strictly use an ACV as a cleanser to see if it can help with the breaking out problem. ACV is known to be good for:

• Balancing hair and scalp pH
•  Sealing the hair cuticle
• treating dandruff, itchy and dry scalp - anti-fungal 
• promotes hair growth
•  works as a natural detangler

I mix 1/3 to a bottle of water plus tea tree or peppermint essential oils and spray the mixture into my scalp and hair, then cover with plastic for about 20 minutes and rinse off with bearable hot water. I use bearable hot water because I'm low porosity so this aid in opening my hair cuticles to prepare them for my second rinse with ACV. That way my hair is able to absorb some of the goodness of ACV. 

Bentonite clay

Mud wash 

I have a post right here on my blog on mud was and conditioning. Be sure to check it out.  http://naturallycoiledsa.blogspot.co.za/2015/08/bentonite-clay-experience.html

Co-washes and deep conditioners 

I have always been using the Tresemme naturals conditioner and the VO5 give me moisture.  I really LOVE them both. I get these from clicks or dischem. I however repeatedly buy the tresemme only because I get more uses out of it. I add oils and honey to any of the two for deep conditioning. 

I this one as a protein treatment once a month. I am however staying away from the protein treatment for time being due to the protein overload I had around May - June. I'm still playing safe.

MOISTURIZERS 

I always used this raw Shea butter at night and cover with plastic because it can leave white residue on your hair. In the morning, the residue is gone, melted into my hair and my hair will be feeling very soft. It really feels like deep conditioning. 

SEALANTS 

I don't use much of the coconut oil on it's own directly onto my hair as it mimics protein when in contact with hair. I mix it with castor oil. 

NB: I have ordered new products (Aunt Jackie's) from Mzanzi Fro that I'll be trying out. I really credit this 10 months - 11 months of my journey to Afro Botanics. Their products have served me. salute!!! 

TRIMMING/DUSTING HAIR...I DID IT MYSELF!!

As much as "trimming" hair sounds disheartening to anyone looking to grow some length,  it is very important and essential for one to have once in a while. I've always wished I won't have to trim my hair at all but hay, that was just a wild dream. 

Trimming is more of evening out the ends of the hair strands whereas dusting is cutting off some dead ends. Trimming is more effective and beneficial compared to just dusting. 

So, why trim or dust hair? Trimming or dusting hair is important to prevent unnecessary breakage of hair and "It promotes growth" . When the ends of hair are damaged, it is recommended that you snap the damage off rather than leaving it to snap on its own. It also promotes better hair growth and health. 

When it comes to when one should trim their hair, I say different strokes for different for  folks. Some people have a strict schedule on trimming hair, some do it when they need it, some are just scissor happy, they just love the neat look a trim gives. 

I recently dusted my ends off myself at home. I used Carmen's of My natural sistas technique to archive this. 

I knew I needed some sort of trimming when my hair started feeling fried, dry and stringy. my hair was tangling a lot even after I have put my precious time into detangling it. It was very frustrating. The styles weren't coming out nicely as I know they could. I twisted my hair and left it for wigging. I haven't taken it out as yet to see how different it is after the trim. 

This is how much I snapped off >>>>>>>>

xoxo!!! 

MY HAIR JOURNEY, RELAXED TO NATURAL

I always had my hair relaxed for as long as I can remember. In fact I don't remember myself with coils on my head. My sister always had my hair stretched though my mom  preferred my hair short and less complicated.

I grew up knowing and believing my hair needs to be stretched and so  I "learned" to take care of my relaxed hair. I quoted "learned" because looking back now, I now know I knew nothing about  healthy hair. anyway I continued wearing my hair relaxed until in 2010-11. I went through a rough patch in my life and the stress caused a lot of damage to my hair. my hair just started thinning out and breaking off to the point of no return. I cut my hair very short.

2011 Feb



I took that as a fresh start to grow it back but I didn't relax it right away, I only blew it out there and then. 

2011 around august



 Fast forward to 2013 when my hair started showing signs of weakness again,I started looking for answers. My first search on Google was "why does African hair not grow" I don't remember what I found there but my next question was "how to grow African black hair" and boyyyy did I open cans of lovely worms? blog posts, images and videos POPPED up hunny, a lllot. There I was expecting to see what girls use to relax their hair, who and when do they relax and how often blah blah blah!, but no,  I saw "aliens", girls with long beautiful healthy natural hair and I was like wwwwwhat??????? how on earth?  I was so surprised I couldn't live with myself. From there on, The rest is history, here I am. 

My last chemical session was in September 2014. 28th October 2014 I finally chopped all "chemicalized" hair off.  

The guy who cut and dyed my hair did a crappy job with the dye but I left it, I wasn't going to put any more chemical on my hair. It meant walking around with that weird color on my head and so I did. I couldn't care less, I just couldn't wait to start my virgin hair journey.

I'm approaching my 1 year mark yayyy!!. I am in my basic learning stages and enjoying the journey.
From here on, I will be sharing my journey with you in picture so that you can see how it is going and all that I do and will be doing with my hair. I'll also be sharing all the challenges, accomplishments and lessons about my hair.

March 2015



This is my hair now, dyed black. May 2015

 

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You are beautiful, You matter. you are priceless. xoxo!! 

 

BENTONITE CLAY EXPERIENCE

Clay cleanser/detox vs clay deep conditioner

Hello hello loves. As promised I'm here with my clay experience as a cleanser and as a deep conditioner.
The first time I used the bentonite clay, I used it as a cleanser and as a detox for my hair from the protein overload I had experienced due to over indulging in protein treatments. The clay worked magnificently for me, I was very happy with the results. The brittle and the dry feeling my hair had, vanished straight away so I was over the moon with the clay results. My hair didn't feel "cleansed" It felt moisturized and detoxified. I will however try it again in the future as a cleanser on a much healthier hair and see how it feels, given that previously I was not necessarily looking for clean hair, I was looking for soft moisturized hair. I didn't pay much attention into whether it removed the build up or cleansed my scalp. So It'll be unfair of me to say it doesn't cleanse.  Here's a recipe for the clay cleanser should you want to try it.

Recipe for clay cleanser:

• Bentonite clay
• Apple cider vinegar 
• rosemary essential oil
• peppermint essential oil 
• water 

This past weekend I tried the clay as a deep conditioner and boy I LOVED the results. By far this is my most favorite deep conditioner I have ever had. My hair was so soft, the tangles were melting like butter. My coils clumped together like lovers ooolala!!. For the first time since I've been natural I felt the bounce in my hair. When I shook my head, I felt my hair moving. I saw my real curl pattern YAYYY!. I love my bento' ladies, I hope it'll give you great results should you try it too.

STEP 1

• On freshly washed hair I applied the paste 

STEP 2

• I covered my head with a plastic back for deeper penetration and left it for about 2-3 hours while I continued with my chores. I also wrapped a towel for that extra heat. ;) 

STEP 3

• I thoroughly rinsed off the clay using warm water then followed up with my tresseme naturals conditioner and only rinsed half of it off. I then T-shirt dried my hair. Immediately, I followed up with my leave in conditioner, raw Shea butter then castor oil to seal. I use the LCO method. 

STEP 4

• I stretched my hair . http://naturallycoiledsa.blogspot.com/2015/07/african-threading.htm

STEP 5

• styling 

Recipe for clay deep conditioner:

• Bentonite clay 
• apple cider vinegar 
• 5ml extra virgin olive oil
• 20ml organic coconut oil
• 10ml cold pressed castor oil
• Rosemary essential oil
• Water 

PS: The measurements for water, the clay and the ACV depends on the length and the thickness of your hair and how you personally want your paste to be.

Have you tried the clay ladies? please do share your experiences and tips on how I can make the most of my bag of clay in the comment section below.

Happy hair days to y'all.. mpwaaa!!!

MY SHAMPOO EXPERIENCE

So last night I decided to wash my hair using a packed sulfate shampoo after dodging it for a very long time. In fact I've only  used a sulfate shampoo once since I went natural. I have been using the moisturizing one from Afro botanics.

My hair has not been able to drink up moisture much these days so I decided to use a much stronger shampoo to help open up my cuticles. I also added the baking soda. I'm low porosity. So what was my experience? Let's just say This was the best decision I've ever taken for my hair ladies. My hair was super soft during the wash, YES!! SOFT!! Yes I know. It didn't feel stripped at all, my hair swell obviously because my cuticles were raised, llloved it. So I went in with my conditioner right away. Tresseme naturals. I continued detangling and rinsed it off with bearable hot water just so my cuticles could remain open. And then I followed with my DC. 

I choose among these based on my routine. 

I'm really happy with the results and pleased I've learned one more thing about my hair and that product build up can harm your hair. My hair loves shampoos. 

These are the products I use to cleanse my hair. 

Anyone with me ladies? Do you Love, hate or just okay with shampoos?


let's connect https://www.facebook.com/ImNaturalInSA?ref=aymt_homepage_panel 

AFRICAN THREADING!!

What is African threading?

Most of  us black girls are familiar with African threading. Very well. Probably not with the same name yes. I remember we used to call it "mologo wa wool" lol. yes that. I must have had my hair threaded 1000 times as a young girl and I don't remember suffering any complications with my hair, hair loss balding, hairline loss, NOPE!! NEVER!!.
 African threading is basically putting your hair  into ponytails using a thread. "We" in South Africa, I know most people use wool. In other parts of the world people use rubber threads. Rubber threads are plastic kind of material whereas wool is more cottony and is thicker than your regular thread and I'd say it's much safer because it's not too sharp to cut your hair.

remember this???

African threading can also be used as a protective style. Beautiful hairstyles. I think We must actually bring this method back by power by force. it's save. it's easy and it's cheap.

What you need for African Threading:

• Thread, wool or rubber thread. I use wool.
• comb - for dividing your hair in to desired sizes
• hair clips - just to make life easy by putting your divisions out of your way.
• TIME AND PATIENCE. ;)

NB: you don't need much skill. it is very easy to do. Unless you planning on wearing it as a protective style. then yeah!!

How to African Threading:

1. separate you hair into however sizes you like
2. cut up a piece of a thread/wool
3. place it right a the root of your hair
4. tighten the thread/wool around the hair going upwards to the tip of your hair.
5. knot it down or secure it down. lol.

FINITO!!

yazzzz!!

What do you do to stretch your hair ladies? what do you think of this method? share your thoughts and other fabulous methods on stretching natural down in the comment section.

Don't forget to like my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ImNaturalInSA for frequent updates.

chao chao!!!

WHO AM I AND WHY I'M HERE

Who am I and why I'm here

welcome to my blog and I hope you will enjoy it here.

Who am I?

My name is LydiaM and I'm here with all things natural hair. I am not an expert or professional on any type of hair. I am just a lover of a good healthy hair.

Why am I here?

My reason here is to share my natural hair journey with you all and to share what I do to care, maintain and love it to it's longest length possible.

Why natural hair?

I don't have anything against any type of hair, I just decided to grow my own natural crown and I am enjoying the journey. All I want is to give what I was born with a chance to flourish. I am an African female child who was raised with beliefs that my type of hair was not beautiful or good enough. So I took it upon myself to love, care and see my hair as beautiful and good enough. Hence the this journey. My hair is beautiful, I love it and I look pretty in it.

What am I hoping to accomplish?

Beside the fact that I want to gain inspiration from other "naturalistas" out there, I'm also hoping I will inspire someone out there who may need the courage and motivation to grow their natural hair. I believe by sharing my journey, tricks and technics I'll also learn more from others. 

What will I be sharing?

I will be documenting my hair journey, my regimen, challenges, accomplishments, hair anniversaries, natural hair styles and will be doing product reviews.



thank you for passing by, I hope you enjoy the valuable information I will be sharing here from time to time. please don't hesitate to share your advises and journeys with me as well. let's rock what our Daddy gave us girls... peace!!!

HAIR TYPES; MY HAIR TYPE

What is hair typing?

 
There are different types of hair and it is important to know yours so that you are able to know the specific needs for your hair and what kind of products are useful to your own type. Other people don't take it any serious but they are just able to work with their hair just fine (lucky them). I took it upon myself to know my type.
 
Hair typing basically explains the curl pattern of your hair. whether it's tight coiled, loosely coiled, curly, nappy or straight. Below are simple charts that may be helpful to you to identify your type:

 

 

I believe I am a 4B. Below is what has been found out about type 4 hair in general.

Type 4 – Kinky Hair

• Type 4 is kinky, or very tightly curled, with a clearly visible curl pattern
• The hair is very wiry, very tightly coiled and very, very fragile
• Type 4 hair can range from fine/thin to wiry/coarse with lots and lots of strands densely packed together
• Type 4 hair has fewer cuticle layers than any other hair type, which means that it has less natural protection from the damage you inflict by combing, brushing, curling, blow-drying and straightening it
• Type 4 hair is known to shrink up to 75% of the actual hair length

 

YEP!!!! I KNOW...