Monday, 29 June 2015
HAIR MAINTENANCE
A lot of people ask me how I maintain my hair and what routine I follow. The answer is simple, I wash and treat it with
moisture and protein products weekly. I prefer to do my hair on Saturdays (I
call it "My Hair Day").
Here’s my weekly routine (with or without protective styles).
WEEK 1
WASH
This depends on how much oil and dirt you have acquired on
your hair during the course of the week. If it is really dirty or oily,
use shampoo. (You can tell this if you use your hands and go through your hair
with your fingertips). If it’s not oily or too dirty, use water only. The reason
for this is because shampoo removes all dirt and oil from your hair and if you
don’t have much of that, it’ll remove whatever is there and leave your hair dry
(and we don’t want that).
I use
TreSemme Nourishing Moisture or
Dr. Miracles
Moisturising Lotion (separate weeks)
1. Pour the product in the bowl (however much you
require),
2.
Separate hair into 4 sections,
3.
Apply the product in each section of the hair and massage,
4.
Once all sections are done, use a shower cap,
scarf and hat to cover it,
5.
The time I have it under the cap depends on how dry my
hair is. Sometimes I sleep with it and sometimes I'll leave it for 3 hours.
6.
Wash hair (with water only) towel dry or air dry,
7.
Style as you please :)
Week 2
WASH
Again, this depends on how dirty or oily
your hair is.
PROTEIN TREATMENT
I use:
Organica Nourishing
Conditioner and
Dr. Miracles Deep
Conditioning Treatment
1.
Pour the product into the bowl (however much you
require),
2.
Separate hair into 4 sections,
3.
Apply the product in each hair section and massage,
4.
Once all sections are done, use a shower cap,
scarf and hat to cover it,
5.
The time I have it under the cap depends on how dry my
hair is. Sometimes I sleep with it and sometimes I leave it for 3 hours,
6.
Wash hair (with water only) towel dry or air dry
7.
Style as you please
Thursday, 25 June 2015
BEING COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT
The biggest challenge I faced when I decided to go natural, was styling my
hair and matching it with my clothes and make up. I know people struggle with this even if they are not naturalistas but for me, it was difficult as I felt that I was transitioning into a new me and had to find ways to be comfortable and confident in that.
Before I go further, let me say this. Make-up for me is, a good shadow, mascara, eyeliner and lipstick. Growing up I was never
interested in the whole theory of make up as it seemed like a lot
of work (plus some people didn’t put it right which put me off it).
Things changed for me after my #GlamJozi shoot. I liked the
way my make-up was done and that made me want to explore it more. So I
went shopping and found a few products and a starter kit from Edgars. While going through this transition of teaching myself and watching YouTube videos, I realized
that I don’t need to go all out on make-up, especially because I’m not out to
please anyone. I apply what I want.
So while on this journey, I discovered my own basic every day routine which is;
1. know what I want to wear
2. what style do I feel compliments the look and
3. focus on my eyes (make-up)
Focus on the best features of yourself and highlight that. For me it is my hair, eyes and curvaceous body :). If you don't know what that is for you, listen to people's compliments of you and take it from there :). I can now say that I no longer worry nor concern myself with my looks because I know I have it packed and sealed :)
Sunday, 7 June 2015
#GlamJozi
So this is my #GlamJozi day
 |
| Before shoot. Fro and I |
 |
| Make up Ready |
 |
| Ready for the shoot |
 |
 |
| During the shoot |
 |
| Finished Product |
Thank you to the ladies of #GlamJozi and my friend for inviting me. I had an amazing time and my hair and make up were on fleek ;)
THE DECISION TO GO NATURAL
Growing up I had long, beautiful, strong and thick hair (thanks to my Mom). She made sure it was combed, put under protective styles for longer periods and taken care of. As a young African girl growing up in the 21st Century bombarded by the media, I fell into the trap that light skin with weaves was more beautiful. Since I had one of those (light skin), I felt that because of my natural hair, I wasn't beautiful enough and needed weaves to "complete me". I looked in the mirror one day and I didn't see the beauty in myself through my hair. So the decision was made, and I cut my hair.
I had no idea the implications that followed. I started putting my hair under intense heat, intense regular relaxing and less in protective styles. The longest I lasted with protective styles was a month of which every time I took the style off, I relaxed my hair. I loved seeing my hair even more straight (not thick) and getting approval from people I don't even remember.
What I didn't know (or had no idea of) was the damage I was causing to my hair until I started noticing the lack in growth, weakness and breakage. I knew something was wrong but I couldn't put my finger to it. It took me 15 years to realize the beauty in myself and to be strongly convicted that I'm Beautiful (#naturalbeauty). My beauty comes from within and permeates through my skin, hair and character. I don't need approval from anyone telling/explaining to me what my beauty is.
I am a strong African woman, born from a rich culture of love and respect. Fearfully and wonderfully made by GOD to be as HE intended me to be. Nothing on me is a mistake, not my hair, not my skin color nor my character. I am who HE says I am, made for HIS honor and glory. I AM WOMAN.
THE BEGINNING
They say life is a journey, one of a lifetime, and this blog I created to share my journey with you. I'm not perfect, I'm learning, discovering as I go and sometimes it is blissful but sometimes it is scary. I'm on a journey to self discovery but THIS is who I am so far:
1. A Daughter
2. A Sister
3. An Aunt
4. A Friend
4. An Entrepreneur
5. A Naturalista
It would be my pleasure for you to join me on this journey in hope that it'll help someone out there.
WELCOME TO MY JOURNEY TO SELF-DISCOVERY.
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