Natural Hair Challenge: Easy Steps To Combat Dry Or Dehydrated Hair This Spring

It takes a little getting used to the fact that natural hair is dry – and that’s okay. What it means is that our scalp produces natural oils (sebum) that sit on the scalp but do not travel down the hair shafts as they easily do with straighter hair. However, while the scalp normally produces these natural oils, there are scalps that don’t produce enough natural sebum as they should and this causes a dry scalp. This is where a good moisturizing routine comes in. when you moisturize your natural hair, this helps to pump and seal in moisture into the strands so your natural hair stays hydrated. Whether seasonal changes dictate hair routine adjustments or you’re battling your own routine laziness, keeping your natural hair hydrated with an elite group of natural ingredients has a powerful and noticeable impact on your daily Afro hair needs. So, as the seasons shift, the quality and quantity of our routines need adjustment, too. We’re in the full swing of the warmer days and switching routines to get your hair in its best for spring and summertime months ahead is a must.

However, it can come as a surprise – if you consider all the efforts that go into maintaining your natural hair. Whether it’s dry or dehydrated, most of us now understand the negative effects of either two on our hair life as we are becoming increasingly aware of the difference between the two. Because the main purpose of moisture is to pump nutrients to the hair strands, moisturised hair should not be an occasion but rather a day to day practice to fortify your hair from within. At a glance, they can appear to be the same but the key distinction between dryness and dehydration is reported to be that dry hair lacks oil and dehydrated hair lacks water. It’s so common to not know the difference – until a month ago, I didn’t know it myself. But many of us are learning, as is the case with our entire natural journeys -learning as we go.

As you continue, remember that moisturizing is a consequential part of a hair (and even skin) care routine. It not only hydrates the hair strands, but it also protects it from breakage, damage from weather conditions and even free radicals. On that note, it’s safe to say that not moisturizing our hair properly is a sin we commit and regret every time we have to deal with our Afros in their not so dazzling state. But sometimes no matter what you do to your hair, it still says “I’m still thirsty”, so you have to actively take steps to moisturize (and rehydrate) it. When your natural hair is properly hydrated it is able to carry out its purposes like cooperating with our efforts to style and manipulate it. Really good moisturizers like our Hafro Natural Raw Shea Butter, Leave in Conditioner or Hair Food (amongst others) are nourishing and able to supply sufficient moisture to help natural hair achieve a bouncy, supple and glowing sheen. It is helpful to be aware of normal changes in the quality of your hair (including seasonal changes) so you are better able to identify changes to the quality of your natural hair and address them accordingly. If you simply analyze your hair, it will sometimes tell you what you need to know (and do). However long ago you moisturized your hair, it starts to show and you know it’s time for a revival – whether you’re ready or not. Remember that if the integrity of our natural hair is impaired, the more vulnerable it is to tangles, breakage and damage. That’s why we should constantly be on the lookout for convenient hydration techniques to moisturize and rehydrate our natural hair as needed. So how do you know that it’s time to rehydrate? Well, keep reading!

 

So Is My Hair Is Dry Or Dehydrated?

Whatever routine you have put in place for yourself, it needs frequency and consistency. You don’t need a ton of products (or steps); you just need the right ones that work for you and your presence. While there are plenty of factors beyond products and hair types, dry or dehydrated hair is not the end of the world (although it can be frustrating to shake). Common sources of dryness include heat and styling products (and their usage), and the common sources of dehydration can be attributed to the ineffective use of moisturizing products, environmental elements and our overall hair care habits. While having moisturised hair is as important as cultivating a habit, there are a number of ways to sooth them both. If you make a habit of analyzing your hair, you may be able to tell what type of care and attention it requires at the time. The look of the hair may be telling, but the feel of it tells the whole different story. If you run your fingers through your strands and you get the feel of tangles and flakiness or brittleness, your hair may be dehydrated. And if you have no moisture to left on your fingers, it may be dry.

Tips For Caring For Your Natural Hair In This Spring

  • Step up your conditioning (Condition! Condition! Condition between washdays)
  • Add water based moisturizers to your routines
  • Be diligent with the daily moisturizer
  • Try the L.B (Liquid & Butter) method as an easier option to ramp up hydration
  • Be cautious with heat techniques
  • Make peace with the regular trim

On many occasions, we blame the condition of our hair on other things other than our own habits (or lack of) when it comes to taking care of it. We think perhaps the weather or even the products that we use are the culprits, and while there’s some truth to this, there’s more to understand about the state of our hair at given times. The kinkier the hair, the harder it is for the scalp’s natural oils (and your own oiling efforts) to travel down the hair strands because of its tighter curl pattern. The one thing to it is to take regular (and extra) steps to restore and revive moisture to your natural hair. When you look at it, what you’re really doing is moisturizing in order to hydrate. Head over to our YouTube channel for your daily, night time, wash day, wash ‘n go, plus other moisturizing (and hair care) tips.

So indulge – take advantage of our combos for all your natural hair care moisturizing needs at hafronatural.com 

Hair Care Inspired By Skin Care

Every day, our head (scalp and hair) like our skin, is exposed. The scalp has its own unique needs and challenges, and this means something different for everyone. It used to be that personal care meant skin care (face and body) and the condition of the scalp has raised questions (and concerns) about we choose to take care of our whole head. At its core, the scalp (with the bed of hair on our heads) is, well, skin, with the same methods of renewal and rejuvenation as the skin (on the body), just on its own league. If you take a moment to think about it, without the bed of hair on our heads, we are bald and covered in skin. While many of us are pretty on top of our personal care routines, this is limited to the face and body-but the skin isn’t the only thing that benefits from TLC-the scalp (in conjunction with our hair) does too and it’s important to know that our scalp requires maintenance too. Considering that the scalp may suffer the same concerns that the skin on the body takes from different factors (sun, heat, products & build up), it makes sense to step up our perception when it comes to the notion of personal care in its entirety (from head to toe).

For many of us, beauty evokes a basic desire to care for ourselves, and cosmetic products are now breaking all boundaries. Today, ingredients have been re-imagined and reinvented in many ways and still remain staples for everyday uses. The relationship between our hair and scalp now begins and ends with safety, and innovations in skin care have been steering the direction for safety in hair care. Are brands effectively responding to the environmental emergency and the impact on our good health? Whatever it is, it’s a win-win situation! The newfound focus on the scalp has opened up research opportunities with botanical beauty ingredients repurposed to create combination products.

The ingredients that are normally associated with skin care are being used in holistic personal care products, and with benefits. The same ingredients that purify and nourish skin are re-imagined to care for the scalp and tresses. Ingredients like Honey, Almonds, Cocoa, Coconut, and Shea Butter among other natural plant ingredients that were once prioritized for skincare alone have been in the spotlight for all the right reasons. If you have concerns about your scalp and hair, there are options available to address those discomforts. Below is a selection of nourishing ingredients on a long list of product goals that are fit for skin, scalp and hair:

  • Almond Oil

Sweet Almond oil softens the scalp and adds shine & suppleness to hair.

  • Cocoa Butter

With its healing qualities, Cocoa butter softens the scalp to keep it in optimal shape between treatments and styling.

  • Honey

Apart from hydration, honey works to treat and reverse damage from UV exposure as well as other exposures such as environmental stress

  • Argan Oil

The scalp is exactly the same as the skin. Argon (from the Argan tree kernels) is mixed into personal care products and helps to treat inflammatory skin conditions.

  • Coconut Oil

Coconut oil with its many uses works to penetrate hair the shaft for optimum moisture and care.

Our beauty routines have come a long way since sacrificing superficial beauty methods and embracing natural beauty. From health to self care, Personal care has fast become a major concern when deciding which type of products to invest in. The scope of innovation for brands, coupled with consumer interest has opened up options and greater freedom of choice. Because personal care aims to affect processes such as ageing, and protection (from environmental factors and free radicals), product goals come in different forms-depending on hair types. Just as the right routine can transform the skin, imagine the possibilities that the right exfloliator, nourishing mask or oil can do for the scalp. Everyone has their hair ‘truths’, and multipurpose plants that can be categorically repurposed for the overlap between hair and scalp for expert level care is something worth looking into. The next time you’re looking to pamper yourself, flip a bottle and see what it says the ingredient does!

Some ingredients featured can be found in all Hafro Natural Cosmetics products. Browse Hafro Natural Cosmetics www.hafronatural.com product range and get in touch for expert level hair care.

For Richer Or Richer – Natural Oils That Will Breathe New Life Into Your Hair

One of the biggest debates (and trends) to be party to the natural hair bandwagon is ingredients. We get it! Plant based personal care benefits can be a nightmare to choose from. This is especially true in hair care, but there are reasons why these ingredients actually live up to the hype. So, when it comes to personal care, there’s probably an area which you allocate the majority of your time and resources. With so much development and so much going on around natural hair care, it’s easy to find oneself in a sticky wicket. How about the consuming frenzies regarding the endless steps, processes, not to mention conflicting tips and options that come with them? The desire to have a good head of hair can easily turn into a logistical ordeal. The thing for us to keep in mind is that our experiences when it comes to natural hair (different as they are) can be as flexible or as complex as we want them to be. And the good news is that it is totally up to us!

Nonetheless, we are happy to continue to discover natural hair ingredients that become our main sources for finding holy grail products. Before “clean beauty” became a collective effort, these ingredients have contained benefits far beyond. It’s still surprising that aside from their usefulness in cooking and consuming, they are earning their spots in our bedroom and bathroom shelves. Because of their health benefits for the body and skin, exactly how beneficial are they for our hair and scalp? With so many products (oils, creams, lotions, treatments) calling our hair, finding the right ones for our hair needs can be a Ripley’s believe it or not. As different oils (and products) serve different purposes, we’re looking at 100% Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and Jamaican Black Castor Oil with the qualities that make them different and effective hair oils:

100% Extra Virgin Coconut Oil:

As it turns out, our hair (especially natural hair) can experience a serious boost from nourishing oils that can be used as part of our daily hair care and maintenance routines. Caring for our hair varies from queen to queen, making it a unique experience for everybody. As we’ve mentioned that hair oils are also different, the fruit of the coconut is something special, with a range of different variations of the oil. When you’re looking forward to purchasing a jar of Coconut oil, you may get confused between regular Coconut oil and 100% virgin Coconut oil. If you want to harness the power of Coconut oil, it’s good to know that all the entire virtues of the Coconut milk are preserved within the virgin Coconut oil (100%) because it does not undergo any heating processes to alter it. This method maintains all the natural values (fatty acids and antioxidants) through a cold process which extracts the oil from the fresh milk of the coconut fruit, making it good for nourishing, moisturising, and deep conditioning hair.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil:

Next on the list of natural hair marvels? Jamaican Black Castor Oil is also having a moment right now (amongst others). Many ingredients didn’t normally get credit, but natural hair has changed all that. Thanks to its moisturizing and thickening benefits, Jamaican black castor oil is bound to be favourite (especially if you’re looking to grow your hair). With its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial perks, it has key benefits required to grow everything hair related. There are plenty of oils in the market that include a mix of Jamaican Black Castor Oil, and even as a standalone, natural coils are guaranteed next level care. Aside from treating irritated scalps as well as sources of dandruff, it is also found to be an ideal oil for making ultra-hydrating conditioners and hair masks.

The Difference?

Tons of us encounter common and sometimes distinct issues with our hair from time to time. When we’re looking to determine which oils (or products) are better, whether it’s with a multi-use or specific item, we can consider questions (to ourselves) such as am I struggling with certain hair problems like hair loss, dryness, or thinning? Have I tested what my hair prefers or responds to? As we use different hair oils (and products) for different occasions and needs, the choices that we make depend on the type of issues we want to address or possible cures that we might be looking for. With every product having its own set of significant benefits (ingredients), you’d think there are definite answers that can fit everyone. The point of looking at these two oils together is to compare the values of each, and the possibilities of considering them in a regimen. Both are natural remedies with respect to hair growth and maintenance, and both vary in their qualities as well as the effect that they have for hair:

  • Castor Oil is highly effective for treating issues like hair loss, hair fall and hair thinning. It is best for hair growth, whether edges, eyebrows or filling the gaps of weakened hair.
  • 100% Extra Virgin Coconut Oil contains properties which protect from environmental conditions. It can be used for regular hair maintenance to keep hair moisturised for long, working to strengthen hair and helping to prevent breakage.

A swarm of theories are passed around to help us understand which products (oils, butters, treatments) are more suited for different hair care needs over others and why. There are strict rules of perfection that cause many of us to miss out on the simplicity of caring for, and maintaining our natural hair, creating stigmas around what beautiful afros look like. When it’s all said and done, this all speaks to us about better hair care, where we’re able decipher the benefits of using some products over others (or all) which are good to know. The characteristics of our natural hair vary and appreciating them is a good start which can help us understand how we can take better care of it in its different stages. If you’ve missed our previous posts about how our Hafro Natural Cosmetics range is well defined by nature, please catch up on https://hafronatural.com/its-a-win-win-situation/

A Zig-Zag Life: Using Hair Texture To Decode Your Hair Care

Through years of myth-making and standard sowing, the cosmetic industry meta-morphosed beauty into stereotypes based on shape and colour. In terms of hair and hair care, the agenda that straight hair (only) is beautiful reigned supreme. When it came to skin and hair, the concept of beauty used to control people as much as the boogey man (or the tooth fairy) was used to regulate children’s behaviour. For generations, consumers (black) have resorted to personal care choices (products and services) that dismissed the fact that one size does not fit all, neglecting the uniqueness of diversity. As a result, deeper issues pertaining to personal care were not considered when designing products and services for different individuals. There will never be enough time to get into all the history behind black (natural) hair, but in this post, we want to explore two almost similar hair types (4B & 4C) as this can be helpful in choosing the right products, styles, and services for the type of hair we might have. As we switch over to new realities, transforming the ways in which we look at our hair, the way we take care of it and even make decisions on our individual preferences: is it a secret why the beauty industry is booming?

 Many of us are newly natural, still having an on and off relationship with our hair and remain confused about why it even matters to know certain things (even if it is just to know). For example, someone who struggles with dry hair (dryness/dehydration) may have thought that the key is to use more hydrating products. However (and backed by science), there are highly specific formulations meant to be applied to hair that is of a certain type. You may not be aware that it might be because of the hair texture that certain products do not seem to get the job done (well). I used to notice how different my hair was from other people, scaring me completely off being natural. Notably, after transitioning (17 months ago), I have seen how one person’s holy grail can be my disappointment (and that is okay).  This notion can be applied to a host of hair challenges depending on individual hair texture, density, and porosity (and maybe even hair goals). But what is a hair type?

Hair texture is something that you are born with, but it can change throughout life depending on a variety of factors such as chemical treatments and processing plus other exposures. Before we continue, we would like you to note that it was also no coincidence that Hafro Natural products were made to nourish coily and kinky hair. It all started as a personal journey to caring for previously chemically treated and damaged 4C hair. I know some of us who still (at times) feel that natural hair is just too much, put coily and kinky in the mix and you have a prevailing stereotype that it is difficult to maintain. As different types of hair will require unique kinds of care, there are also different hair typing systems (The Andre Walker, LOIS, FIA’s hair type systems). These hair typing systems were created to help decode the different curl patterns/textures commonly found among women with wavy and curly/coily hair. The most common used system is adopted from the system created by Andre Walker, but remember that the same way you are in your lane, your hair is in its own lane too, and it is totally up to you which guide to follow in order to create your own user manual (if you wish).

It is said that there are 4 types of hair, straight, wavy curly and coily. Recurrently, the amount of curl, wave definition (or lack thereof) can tell a lot about the type of hair you have and the type of bond you can have with it. Generally speaking, Afro hair is type 4 hair, with different variations. If you have Coily hair (4B & 4C) and feel like your hair is not growing, you might be looking in the wrong direction. The natural state of coily hair is an Afro that grows out and up (not down your shoulders-unless it is straightened). It is hearty, and delightfully full. Because of the structure of the cuticle and pattern (Zigzag), it is the driest type and requires the most care to avoid breakage. When it comes to caring for this type of hair, here are a few pointers you can look into in order to start a detailed research routine:

  • Wash Days:

First, look out for ingredients that dry out your hair, and avoid them at all cost. Remember that your hair is dry in its natural state (and there is nothing inherently wrong with that). Invest in moisturizing cleansing treatments free from sulphates and parabens.

  • Moisturizing:

With coily hair, detangling might be something that you think twice about-but it is the first step in your moisture routine. Here is a tip: there are no days off when it comes to moisturizing. However, depending on your preferred style, you do not have to detangle everyday (but do not wait too long between routine). Similar to product build up, knots build up too. Again, look out for products that help with elasticity to help stretch out the knots, these can include conditioners and detangling specific products. Moisturize daily with your choice of butters for rehydration and, use oils to seal in the moisture. You can also take advantage of the L.O.C method as a consistent way to seal in moisture (for several days at a time). Remember, detangling without some sort of moisture gets you on the highway to breakage (not to mention an unpleasant experience)- moisturized hair minimizes breakage and do not forget to give attention to both roots and strands.

  • Treatments:

Deep treatments and deep conditioners are superfoods that work to keep hair follicles strong and rehydrate strands after washes. They help to soften and strengthen hair follicles and strands to avoid breakage. Remember how hard you work to put the step (moisture) back into your hair? Do not forget to silk up when all is said and done.

  • Styling:

Density (and shrinkage) is the way of the afro (4B&4C) so any protective styling that helps to stretch out the hair is welcome. These can include any styles as long as you do not forget that pulling on your hair hurts your scalp more than you may think it can help your hair strands grow. This can contribute to your 4C hair being more fragile than it already is. If you use heat, invest in heat protectants.

At the end of the day, you have choices when it comes to defining your hair texture, type, pattern and when it comes to addressing your hair concerns. That said, it is worth noting why many naturalists are against determining their curl/coil type. It can be demoralizing to find an arsenal of information but no hard and fast rules regarding the tricks, methods and a million tips available anywhere you want to look. As far as the hair typing systems are concerned, they are not the gospel, and when it comes to boasting the volume of your 4C hair, we’re only concerned with protection against dryness, maintaining moisture, avoiding tangles and living with shrinkage. Until next time, find more of this and other tips on our YouTube Channel @HAFRONATURAL to help care for your 4C natural hair.

 

An Ode To The Times

We have fully transitioned from the tradition of women’s month as well as the observance of black business month. Spring is in full swing with all its greens, was there a better way to celebrate Heritage month? August of every year celebrates women for their existence, their evolving roles, as well as their works in societies. Apart from traditional roles, women are pioneering great developments and taking big steps in the workforce, in business, in politics. The world is notorious for being a male dominated one. However, have women let this notion stop them? Have they not broken barriers to achieve some of the most significant accomplishments in the world? While August marked the observance of women, it is also worth observing on just how black businesses have emerged with entrepreneurial ideas and spirits in every field of the world. This acknowledgment of black business month highlights the importance of both women and women in business in all communities and industries for their contributions, innovations and overcoming backgrounds. Talk about killing two birds with one stone, naturally.

John Henrik Clarke said that if we are going to be masters of our own destiny, we must be masters of ideas that influence that destiny. John was right, and this Heritage month, on top of our ongoing entrepreneur appreciation, we also celebrate the expansion of our roots. Original Hafro joins forces with an all new Shea Butter range. Having realized the long-term commitment that natural hair requires, it is a Shea pleasure to announce this new range. The all Shea Butter range draws on traditional Shea Butter uses to achieve healthy hair and skin. Natural options such as Shea Butter have long been available (with little knowledge of them). Now that personal care is experiencing a growing devotion to non-invasive and caring alternatives, the black hair care market needs to be represented well.

As a back story, Hafro Natural was born out of the ruins of bad hair experiences. In an effort to recover her own edges, Dr Hajo, Founder of Hafro Natural Cosmetics found the virtues of Shea Butter to be extraordinary cures for her naturally coily 4C hair. It was at a point of crisis because there were no alternatives available to care for her chemically processed (and damaged by chemical texturizers that used to be a criterion for beauty standards) hair which she wanted to recuperate. Fast forward to today, after serving satisfied queens who are looking give their natural crowns optimal care, the new all Shea Butter hair care kit compliments our original Hafro Natural range (infused with nature’s other powerful contenders). It is no secret that we are impressed with Shea Butter. Every natural (hair and skin) enthusiast has at least heard about Shea Butter, one of the moisture marvels of the beauty world that moisturizes, protects, and rehabilitates hair and skin. It has replaced a lot in some of our beauty routines. That being said, when an ingredient like this comes along and proves its effectiveness, we are extremely impressed

With another public example of thorough misrepresentation surrounding the Clicks (Retailer) & TRESemme circumstance, our ethnic hair market is completely switching loyalties and shifting their beauty priorities. When the people with the responsibility for setting priorities do not fully understand market conditions, there will be a lesson in context. More people, particularly women have transitioned their love of personal care into business and carving spaces where natural hair is adequately represented. A good relationship with ourselves will set us on the path to cultural prosperity, and the growing natural hair love movement is one of the things that brings us a step closer to that with the freedom to tell our own stories. There is an old proverb- that until the lion tells his side of the story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. This heritage, we proudly reserve the right to tell own stories, and we also continue to salute women who are purposefully rooted in being masters of their own destinies. Every entrepreneur faces challenges that are unique to them, which comes with struggle and sacrifice. But as we conclude this heritage month, let us not forget all of the women who continue to be women in this world despite their barriers. Despite policies of diversity and inclusion, other women in every corner of the world (some more than others) still face several challenges. The good news is that women in other corners of the world are not only pioneering their own industries, but they also continue to support, lend a hand, and motivate each other. Let us acknowledge all of these women (yourself included) and give them (and yourself) gratitude for all that they do. Let us continue to go forth and pave the way with confidence. Happy Heritage Month!