Tag:

winter hair care

Trending Winter Protective Hairstyles

by Evenes Ruth Mafupa 12 June 2018

written by Evenes Ruth Mafupa

Winter is here and with it comes changes in the way we take care of our hair. For those of us in Gauteng, our winters are generally dry and moisture is top most needed aspect of our routines. We moisturise and moisturise. Because of the dryness and generally less time on our hands, waking up early is not that easy on cold winter mornings, most people, including myself, prefer to do a lot of protective styles. Several groups and bloggers also have protective hairstyles challenges round about this time. Kind of hibernating the hair a bit. Low manipulation hairstyles which are highly protective is what we are talking about today in case you are still struggling to decide on which hairstyles to choose from. I’m here to help you. I have noticed a number of trending hairstyles and those are the ones I want to share with you.

Marley twists or Senegalese twists are my favourite. Maybe because I know how to do these myself. They are the easiest when it comes to DIY and they are also trending this winter. Not so much the ones with Brazilian wool because these need the ends to be burnt and when not done well, the burnt ends will cause considerable damage to your jerseys this winter. Opt for the ones with Marley hair or Afro twist hair.

These Marley twists with invisible root are everything.

Box braids. These are always trending right? Box braids have been trending for a very long time and who doesn’t like box braids once in a while. I find that when I do box braids, my hair is not as tangled when I remove them unlike when I do twists. Box braids also stay neat for longer. You can also make box braids really jumbo, a medium thickness or everything in between depending on what you fancy.

Jumbo box braids from Nashe Hair Studio

Faux loc’s or fake locks. Not fox locks as some people always want to sound the ‘x’ in the faux. Let me educate you a little bit. A simple google search for the word will bring out the below. Click on the picture to go to google so you can hear how it sounds.

Now that we have that out of the way. Let’s talk about how faux locks are really great when it comes to winter protective styling. With faux locks, all the hair is covered. And for a protective style to be a good protective style, the ends need to be covered. Since the hair ends and the weakest part of the hair and prone to breakage, retaining length involves preserving the ends as much as possible. Faux locks offer such protection 100%. With the introduction of Brazilian wool which is much lighter than kanekalon fiber, many are now choosing to do faux locks with wool. However, the fiber ones are also a great option as I find they stay longer. Using Brazilian wool is cheaper, way cheaper than using fiber though. Goddess locks are also quite trending this winter and a good option if locks are your thing.

Brazilian wool locks with curled ends from Nashe Hair Studio

Faux loc’s using Brazilian wool

Flat twists, for those with fuller or longer hair can be worn as a protective style as well. Done with or without extension, can be kept in for a good two weeks. The greatest advantage of flat twists is the fact that the style does not pull too much on the hairline. It’s the most gentle style that I know and if receding hairline is one of your main worries, then give these a try this winter. You wont regret it.

Flat twist updo
Image source stayglam.com

Flat twists done on dense full and healthy natural hair @nashehair

Crochet braids or more like crochet hair is also trending this winter. There are a lot of options available as well to the hair that can be used. From soft dread, Marley hair, and other curlier and looser varieties. We are spoilt for choice. Crochet braids are so versatile and you can style them is so many different ways, allows for some access to the scalp whilst the style is on and is much quicker to do than braids and twists. Faux loc’s can also be crocheted in and that is really awesome. Takes way less time than wrapping the loc’s. Crochet is the thing right now.

Nothing can be as real as this

The good old wig is also trending this winter. With people who never considered themselves as wig girls have now fallen for the wig and wigging it big time. Personally, I think a wig is every girl’s must have for those rainy days and it is a very good protective style as well. With the advent of all types of wigs of late, you are spoiled for choice while protecting your hair for the harsh winter cold.

Wigging it. Smangele from Indalo Nubian Naturals. Follow this Legend on Instagram and you will not have a dull hair moment in your life. @smarty_misshair

Mansero wig

Are there any other protective styles for natural hair which are trending this winter or are generally very good protective styles? Please let us know about them in the comments below or post on Instagram, twitter or Facebook and tag me @evemafupa or Natural Sisters. I am sure you know many more.

I am staying away from any extensions this winter, mainly because I had to go through an antibiotic treatment sometime in May and that messed up my system so badly and I am fighting dandruff on my scalp right now. I’m having to wash my hair twice a week sometimes and a long term protective style wont work well. I have also cut my hair but that is a post for another day. A lot of people have been asking me about a step by step tutorial on how I do my wash n go’s. i just want to let you know that I will try my best to do that for you as soon as I can. But for now, I will be posting what I have already scheduled in the short term. Thank you so much for coming by and I will check you later. God bless you big time. Have an awesome day.

My hair now.

12 June 2018 0 comment

Take care of your mane this winter

by Evenes Ruth Mafupa 20 June 2016

written by Evenes Ruth Mafupa

I wrote this article for “Be Beautiful”, a supplement publication for Clicks and thought of sharing it with you. SO it’s in reported speech. I hope it will not be too difficult to get the sense of the whole thing. I have linked the actual document in pdf format at the end of the post if you want to read the actual article. Here I have just replaced the pictures with mine except the first one. Blessing!

1

Stick to a fuss -freeroutine
Ruth recommends washing hair at least
once a week, and using a deep conditioner each
time. She shares her own regime: “After washing,
I twist or braid my hair up in big sections to stretch
it while it air-dries. Each night I moisturise my hair
and lock in the moisture with Shea butter.I normally do
a pinned updo at night and then wrap it up in a satin scarf. In the
morning, I just tidy my edges and I am good to go.”

2

Nourish, nourish, nourish
Using a deep conditioner with every wash increases the
hair’s moisture retention. For excessively dry hair, Ruth
suggests sealing the hair with an oil, cream or butter – this will help
the hair to stay moisturised for longer.

3

Prevent breakage
“To keep a balance between
moisture and protein, alternate deep conditioning
with a moisture hair mask and
use a protein treatment as often as is needed,”
says Ruth. Also, excessive manipulation and
combing or brushing only causes unnecessary
breakage. “Protective styling is a good way to
prevent breakage, but if long-term protective
styling is not an option, low-manipulation
hairstyles like twist-outs, braid-outs and
wash and goes are also good options.”

4

Choose quality ingredients
“I am a sucker for hair
conditioners that leave my hair soft
and tangle free,” says Ruth. “I love
Shea butter because it makes my hair
very manageable.” She also opts for
ingredients like coconut and olive
oil when it comes to treatments
and detangling products as they
give the hair a healthy sheen.

5

Protect and wrap
When it comes to protective styles,
Ruth sometimes chooses braids and
twists. “These styles help my hair to grow
healthily because of the low manipulation,”
she explains. She also religiously wraps her
hair before bed as it helps to keep her hair
moisturised and prevents it rubbing on linen.
“Wrapping also helps to keep my hair intact
over night as I normally do my
styling in the evening to reduce the
things I have to do in the morning
before hitting the office,” she says.

6

Love your locks
Ruth urges everyone to remember
that everyone’s hair is different.
“Do what works for your hair and own the
beauty that is on your head. Good hair is
loved hair. If you take the time to take care
of your hair, it will flourish.”

02_05BBContents

32_BBHairGuide

20 June 2016 3 comments

Hair Hair care

My winter routine: 2015

by Evenes Ruth Mafupa 13 May 2015

written by Evenes Ruth Mafupa

Hey folks. So winter is fast approaching this side of the world and as much as I was born in winter, I do not like winter at all. And my hair does not like it as well and as the days become shorter and the nights longer and colder, I know I have to brace my hair to survive the forthcoming harsh, dry Johannesburg winter. Johannesburg winter is not a joke you all. Johannesburg knows how to be stinging cold in winter. With the mostly clear skies, it becomes so nippy cold I just want to fast track the months to spring already. Okay. We are not talking about how cold Johannesburg can be though, but how to make sure your hair survives the cold winter months as I share how I am going to go about it so you can get some tips to help you come up with your winter hair routine. Let’s admit it. Our hair and lifestyles are different so you will have to come up with a routine that suits you and your hair. There is no copy and paste here. I am sorry.

My Winter Hair Regimen/Routine

Wash my hair once a week as usual unless time does not allow then I will stretch the wash day to after 10 to 14 days
Deep condition every time I wash my hair. Either do a pre-poo with castor oil or do a deep condition with normal conditioner spiced up with some oils. In winter, my hair is very dry so I need as much moisture as possible. Deep conditioning helps with better moisture retention.
Do the Green House Effect (GHE) every two weeks such that my hair will be in twists or braids most of the time. I will do the GHE for 4 nights in a row then break for the rest of the week and the next week before repeating the cycle. I will try and use wigs, hats and scarfs as much as possible during the day as the GHE can make my lovely twists look so unsightly after only 3 days in.
A protein treatment once a month to keep my hair strong. So often I have to remind myself of the need to do a protein treatment on my hair. I hope to keep at it this winter though.
Always wear a satin bonnet or scarf to bed. This I have always done no matter how tired I am even though I also use a satin pillowcase. I’m just like that.
Finger detangle more than using any comb or brush. I will not be needing super defined twist outs most of winter and so there is no need to use a comb to detangle my hair. My fingers should be able to do it. I lose way less hair this way and also reduce the cumulative stress that my hair has to go through.
Wear my hair more in a protective style than out. As I don’t have time for defined twist outs in winter. I am busy making myself warm to be bothered about wearing my hair out. Besides, the damage the dry windy weather can cause to my ends is not worth it. So I will be doing a lot of protective styling this winter. From Kinky twists to wigs, scarfs and beanies. I just need to line my beanies with satin fabric for extra comfort and wellness of my hair. And the wigs, still trying out if it will work for me. I am more accustomed to twists and braids.
Seal my ends and massage my scalp as often as necessary. This is one of the reasons why I love twists/braids without extensions as a protective style. I have access to my scalp and I can also moisturise and seal my ends quite often. This will be part of my GHE nights.

Products I will be using.

I alternate between black soap and apple cider vinegar to wash my hair unless I am trying out a sample from the formulators I am working with to make a shampoo for me.
Organics conditioner has become my new favorite when it comes to co-washing and deep conditioning. I upgrade it of course with some Argan oil and Olive Hair Oil when I use it as a deep conditioner.
Auntie Jackie’s knot on my watch Instant detangling therapy is what I am using as a leave in conditioner. This conditioner has some serious slip I tell you. Think I should review it soon for you ladies.
Jamaican Black Castor oil is close to me these days. It is think enough to really seal moisture for longer. My hair indeed feels moisturised for much longer and I also use castor oil for my scalp massages when doing the GHE. Works well for me and my hair is happy.
My spritzer has is my staple and I will share what’s in it in another post.
I seal with Twist & Shine Hair butter. This one here is my staple. I may try other products or my own formulations for a while but will always come back to my Twist & Shine.

That’s basically what will be happening with my hair this winter. Oh and I will also indulge in the yogurt and honey hair mask once in a while although honey is a humectant. It just makes my hair feel so good. I will also be staying away from other common humectants like glycerin.

Do you have any special plans for your hair this winter?

(Some of the products mentioned in this post are available in our online shop at www.natmoisture.co.za )

13 May 2015 4 comments