The Natural Hair Journey

Ask Kirigo: How do I manage my split ends in a place where African hair and products are not popular?

Here's a 911 situation for a sister in Ireland. This is a situation that happens to be very common for Black women who end up in countries or cities where natural hair is unheard of. Just read and see what challenges Jaki is faced with. Can you relate?

Hi, visited your site tonight. thanks for being such an inspiration. I live in Ireland, my natural journey is 1 and half yrs now. Had ups and down, struggling with split ends but hanging in. Been relaxed for ten yrs!
your name sounds Kenyan, have you heritage from Kenya? am Kenyan.
the sis twist is it kinky hair extensions? They look fab,l want to try them.What do u advice for my seriously splitting ends. Just bought the aussies products, in Ireland we don't have a wide range of products let alone natural hair,hope to hear from you.

Regards
Jaki

Hello Jaki,
Great to here from you all the way from Ireland.

Split ends, if not cut off, can be a big problem. I recommend you find a shampoo and a conditioner that has the word HYDRATING on it. After washing your hair, saturate your hair with the conditioner, place a shower cap on your head for at least 30 min. If you can sit under a dryer even better. Comb your hair with a wide tooth comb before rinsing the conditioner.

Next rinse the conditioner, and blow dry your hair and cut off at least 2 inches. You may need some else to do that for you, but it is the only way to maintain healthy natural hair. Continue with the deep conditioner every 2 weeks, and just twist you hair after rinsing. Slowly the state of your hair will improve. Please be patient.

Hope to hear from you soon with your follow up. Oh by the way I am definitely from Kenya. Raised in Canada, living in the US, but my first home is KENYA (More about me here).

Kirigo
Your Natural Hair Coach

Essence Magazine: Hot Hair Special Issue

Have you seen this issue on the magazine stands lately? I suggest you pick it up, and look at some of the styles with natural hair. Beautiful!

Major cities such as D.C., Detroit, Atlanta, and New York are represented. Length of hair options and styles are included, and much more.

Page 73 and 74 have some of the best lock styles in the magazine. Overall I think this issue can be inspiring for stylists offering creative ideas, and can offer more natural style options for clients who want to try something new.

I love this issue.

source: Essence

Thanks Essence you've done us proud.

Kirigo Kabuga
Natural Hair Coach

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Mark Your Calenders

In the Maryland, D.C area and would like to check this out?

Loads of interesting things geared for natural hair lovers.

Would love to hear from you if you go.

Hope to make it as well.

Kirigo

Your Natural Hair Coach

Check out my new "How to DVD's" on-line

I am so excited to share these new DVD's with all of you.

You now can have access on how to do your child's hair in the comfort of your own home.

These videos are packed with useful information and tips that will make hair time easier for you and your little one.

Try the videos and and let me know what you think.

 http://www.naturalhairjourney.com/blog/childrens-natural-hair-care-dvds.html

Kirigo

Your Natural Hair Coach

What is Wrap-A-Loc?

Process where you wrap hair, especially long locks, around the wrap-a-loc tool. This tool used to "create long lasting curls, spirals and waves, on locs."

The tool can be left in for at least a week. No more long hours under the dryer. When removed from the hair the curls are tighter than ever before.

This style can last at least 3 to 4 weeks with good care and dry cleaning. It sure is a show stopper and makes long locks look short again without the hair cut. I find it's a great option for individuals that  have very long locks.

Have you seen this style before? If so please let me know what you think.

For more information or to find a trained wrap-a-loc stylists near you,  go to

www.wrapaloc.com

Sister Nandi introduced this idea to the natural hair world.

I wish you much success.

Kirigo

Your Natural Hair Coach

Children and Natural Hair

This has been a growing topic and concern for parents of all ethic backgrounds. The key is to have a positive out look about natural hair especially when engaging with the child or children. It happens to be a task of which there is no way out but to face the task at hand.

Having the right tools is key e.g. The right combs, brushes, moisturizing shampoos, and hydrating conditioners, even the technique of handing hair is important. Children with well kept hair look healthy. Using the right terminology of hair when talking to the kids is important and reminding them how beautiful their hair is will support their own self love.

Keep it positive!

Kirigo

Your Natural Hair Coach

After taking out the two strand twists, I find that my hair always tangles while washing, how do I avoid this?

To avoid or reduce tangling after washing out your twists, the magic trick is to comb it all out before emerging it into water.

Our natural hair draws up when in contact with water, so its a good idea to loosen up the cuticles with a wide tooth comb before getting it wet. You also lose less hair because you're not forcing the comb through.

Once the hair is washed, saturate with conditioner and comb it out  thoroughly, then rinse the conditioner out. Leaves hair manageable and ready for styling. 

 Thanks for this great question from Blessed. Hope it makes things easier.  Enjoy your hair.

 

Kirigo

Your Natural Hair Coach

What Hair Products Should I Be Using While I Transition to Natural Hair?

I was recently asked this question which happens to be a very common question, especially for individuals who are transitioning from relaxed or texturized hair to natural hair. I have always said "what works for the goose does not always work for the gander!" There is no one great product, it all depends on the individual. I only recommend that you read all the ingredients in the products.

Words like hydrating, and moisturizing in shampoos and conditioners are good for natural hair. Products that are light and not heavy are also recommended for styling. Avoid anything with wax in it. It tends to make natural hair appear dull looking. Creates a lot of build up which makes it hard to wash out with regular shampoo. May also make combing the hair difficult, causing it to break more than usual.

When locking, the wax may get trapped in the dreadlocks causing them to weigh more than normal altimately causing the locks to weaken, break and fall off. At this point a lot of damage has already occurred. 

So when shopping for the products that best suit your needs,take your time reading the ingredients. If the product of interest has natural ingredients, and the price is right, why not try it ,it might be the one for you.

Do you have a great product that is a must share? Let us know why!

 

Kirigo

Your Natural Hair Coach

Why grease is not the best option when going natural.

I recommend that when transitioning to natural hair one must really consider the products they put in their hair. Hair Grease and waxes were introduced when Hair Pressing was the popular thing to to. Hair grease was the best thing next to the hot comb, it protected the cuticles from burning and made it easy for the hair to straighten out as the hot comb passed through. So I suggest to leave the grease to the pressing era and use hair oil. 

Grease on natural hair causes build up on the scalp and also promotes a lot of dust collecting. Grease on locks becomes very unattractive after some time as it gets trapped inside the locks making it very difficult to wash out. It also leaves the hair looking dusty, without enough luster, & leaving a dull appearance. Natural hair is not necessarily shiny but one can tell healthy hair from unkept hair, something about a certain glow.

Hair oil is the best choice. As long as it runs you are in good hands. Jojoba oil is the closest man made oil to that which our body produces. It is light, almost scentless and can be used almost daily. Other oils that are good are olive oil, which happens to be one of the heavier oils. Grape seed oil, sunflower seed oil,  rosemary oil, these carry a heavier scent, Jasmin oil, avocado oil etc. Some oils can be combined to create a sample for a specific goal. The idea is to finding an oil that works for you, and one that can be easily washed out of the hair.

For my children, I use jojoba oil especially right after I wash their hair. I massage a little through their hair and their scalp. I usually buy it from Whole Foods. I personally use Annahita hair oil by Warm Spirits. I find this oil to have such a sexy scent, and what a better way to treat my hair.
If you have a favorite hair oil let me know what it is, and what makes it  great.

Related Posts:

• Why Is My Hair Breaking Off?

Your

Natural Hair Coach

Today I coloured my hair

Today I coloured my hair black. I can't remember the last time I was this colour. For the past three or four years my hair has been every colour but black/dark brown. I spell Color - Colour the Canadian way, the way I have always spelled it and the computer always tells me it's wrong but I won't change my spelling. Anyway I went back to my original colour for 2 reasons. First I just wanted a change, it also gets my clients worked up. secondly and most importantly I wanted to get back to my original 2B (dark brown) hair colour. I want to slow down on colouring my hair and this is a perfect way to go about it, because as my hair grows I will not have the need to dye it  since it will be close to my natural hair colour.

When I picked my son and daughter from school, my daughter noticed immediately that my hair was black. She said "mommy your hair is black!" She seemed quite surprised. I then explained to her that this was actually my natural colour and she proceeded to ask me why, as a 7 year old would ask... I keep looking at myself in the mirror because I'm just getting used to it. In the next couple of days it will then be the norm but right now I am adjusting to being me again.

Have you ever had to adjust to a hair colour change, and how long did it take? Please share.

Your

Natural Hair Coach.