Human Hair Weaves Revival Session.

Howdy? Hope cool?

I must apologize for not publishing post frequently like I use to. I got a bit busy with my other business. There is more demand now for my handcraft that l barely have time left to write articles. I aint complaining. Thank God for everything. But I will do my best to make it up to you here. So lets get down to today's topic.

With all the rave about natural hair and crochet braids, one might think that the market for weaves will gradually close down. That would be a quick conclusion tho. Weaves sew-ins are not that celebrated in the natural hair community. I guess majority of us know that. But weaves are not for sew-ins only, they are for wigs too.

Now I am on a teeny weeny Afro which you would have noticed if you follow my Instagram page. I could not help desiring more of wigs to switch looks easily.

So I am turning all weaves into wigs. I searched for my old human hair weaves to revamp into wigs. Then I found a dirty old smelling one (Aww! I kept you enclosed in a mess for about 9 months. lt was not intentional).

 
Here's how I revived my old dirty weave to a clean curly hair :
First, I worked out the tangles with a wide tooth comb starting from the ends carefully not to pull forcefully. For large tangles, I used my fingers. Next I poured a reasonable amount of shampoo into a bowl of water enough to submerge the weaves. I placed the weaves into the shampoo water and left it for about 10 minutes to loosen up the dirt within.

Then I gently rub the dirty mold covered areas. To bring out the dirt from the weaves body I did the dip-redip motion in the shampoo water for very few minutes.

Then I rinse repeatedly, changing water until it all the suds disappear  and water is clear. I try not to squeeze during the process.

They say, I mean internet, that we should use a mild  shampoo but I used an ORS sulfate shampoo which might leave my weaves dry and consequently frizzy. So I had to condition it to prevent this and return its shine and luster.

 Hence, I dissolve a size-able amount of the conditioner in a small amount of water, worked it through the weaves in batches and left it to penetrate for about 1hour 30 min. Actually, that was a longer time than l planned.

Then I rinsed out the conditioner and wrapped it over a clean cloth to absorb excess water. 

Next I comb through with a wide tooth comb, rubbed oil between my palm and smeared it over the damp weaves in batches and re-combed them. Finally, I styled it with rollers and left it to dry completely.

Does it not look great? It smells good too.

Are you wondering why I did not use warm water?
In reality, warm water gives a quick thorough wash, dissolving the accumulated oils, dirt and product build ups easily. That is its advantage. But overtime human hair becomes dry and frizz when you frequently expose it to heat. I learnt that from experience. Tell me what you think.

I will love to know your views.

You might like
* The beauty of crochet braids and Tips for installation
*  Faux locs - A fab protective hair style.
* Coily crown baobab mousse and moisturizing shampoo
* Nature and Nuture hair clinic and barbing salon.

Read More

The Beauty of Crochet Braids $ Tips For Installation

Crochet braids is gaining much popularity in Nigeria now more than ever. Its a trend, but it looks like one of those that is here forever to stay because of its advantages over other braiding techniques.

To start with, crochet braid, as the name implies, is the use of special crochet hook (latch hook) to install braids on hair. The crochet hook is looped under the cornrows and secured.

The crochet braids used, can be already twisted hair, wavy, curly, kinky synthetic/human hair. In this post, more concentration will be given to already twisted crochet braids.


Advantages
* It is a super time-saver when compared to the time spent to make on box braids or twist. You can get a full head of braids/twists in 3hours or less. Isn't that amazing?

* It is gentle to your hair and protects it. The crochet braids are wrapped around the cornrows, placing little stress on your hair roots and scalp.

* It is DIY friendly. It is so easy to make at your convenience. For me, evenings and night times are free times to do my crochet. I can't imagine calling in a stylist at that time of the day.

*It can be styled immediately after installation unlike others that you will need to wait days to weeks to style.

* Uninstalling crochet braids is so easy. While I don't mind spending time to make braids, box braids,twists or faux locs, I always dread taking them down because I prefer to do it gently myself and that takes so much time and stress.
Additionally, you can remove and add braids to your hair easily after installation to suit the fullness you desire.

* Some say , it is budget friendly. But that depends on the brand, style, volume and hair type.

* It does not need glue or chemicals like some weave sew-in techniques do. It is safe.




Here are some tips you need to know about crochet braids before installing them:


* Always prepare your hair before installation by properly detangling, washing, deep conditioning treatments and moisturizing with your leave-in-conditioner.

* Consider the condition of your hair. If you have chemically treated hair(relaxed hair) or thin hair, you will need to add braiding hair to your cornrows for a stronger base. If you just relaxed your hair, wait a few days before installation as your hair is in its weak state moments after relaxer use.

* Take care not to braid the cornrows tightly especially at the edges to avoid tension and tugging.

* During installation, the crochet braids at the front part of the of your hair and the likely visible parts during styling, should be done properly for a more realistic look.

* Use specific crochet braiding cornrow base patterns for specific crochet braid hair styles so as to have good coverage. If expertly installed, people will need to get too close to confirm you have crochet braids on your hair.

                  Image Courtesy of Strands by Sybil   Instagram & Facebook
 

What do you love about crochet braids? Please comment in the comment box below..

* Product review - Natur Vital Henna shampoo black highlights
* Onion juice -For fast and healthy hair growth
* Faux locs - A fab protective hair style.

Read More

FRONATION NATURAL HAIR SALON

Next on the feature of Portharcourt natural hair salons is FRONATION.

Fronation natural hair hangout is the premier natural hair business I got to know of in the garden city. That was sometimes last year at WOTR expo. I was excited at the display of many natural hair products, that I couldn't resist taking a picture which I saved till now.

                                            FRONATION STAND AT THE WOTR EXPO

Fronation hair salon is a one stop natural's paradise. It is located in a warm, tranquil and comfortable place in the heart of the town.

 From my few encounters with her and her online updates, I must say Fronation is very innovative and creative, keeping abreast with new hairdos and hair techniques. They assist their clients in choosing unique hairstyles that protect their natural hair and helps them grow healthy long hair.

Protective hair styles done by Fronation
Shakara cornrows, Ghana twists, Fro hawk, Finger coils, Bantu knots,  Ghana weaves, Braids, Crochet braids of all kinds, Faux locs, Yarn braids and many more..

Fronation offers various natural hair spa treatments, handmade, purely organic for clients targetting their special hair challenges. This comes as :
*Hot oil treatments
*Oil rinsing
*Rhassoul/Bentonite clay treatment
*Tea rinse
*Herbal rinse
*ACV rinse
*Full antiseptic scalp treatments
*Scalp detox treatments
*Moisturizing deep conditioning
*Protein deep conditioning
*All natural hair masks etc.

They stock a wide range of crochet hair extensions
+Mambo twists
+Aruba twists
+Marley hair
+Senegalese twists
+3strands twists
+Havana twists etc.

Fronation also organises hair boot camps too. So look out for her online adverts for any up coming ones.

She stocks a good number of both foreign and nigerian quality hair brands, you can not easily find in and around town except you order them on online beauty stores.

There is so much more to Fronation natural hair salon that you need to find out yourself.
You will be pleased to know that they are open for business on Sundays too.
Sundays: 1pm-6pm
Monday-Friday: morning -7pm

Fronation online
Facebook: fronationsalon
Instagram: fro.nation
                    & thehairbalist

Location:
#45 Evo road, GRA Phase 2, Portharcourt.
Call : 09099050450

If you run a business that offers natural hair services and products in Portharcourt and environs and will like to be features in this series, please to contact me, click here

You might also like
*Nature and Nuture Hair Clinic
*How to properly take care of your hair under braids.
*Faux Locs - A fab protective hair style.

Read More

How to properly take care of your hair under braids.

When tired of weaves and every day hairstyling, braids are next resort. Braids are great low manipulation protective styles that also help in hair length retention. But, you can feel regrets after taken them down, if you do not properly take care of your hair underneath your braids during the period you have them installed.

Your natural hair within the braids needs to be cleansed, conditioned, moisturised as you would when not in braids.

Cleansing
To cleanse your hair, you can use just water, liquid shampoo or dry shampoo. For easy application of the liquid shampoo, dilute and gently massage your scalp with your palm. Take care not to cut hair strands from the root with your nails or better still keep short nails, your hair will thank you for that. Cleanse your hair and scalp once every 5-10 days.

Condition
Follow up cleansing with conditioner. Dilute your conditioner to prevent build up on scalp and for easy rinse off.

Moisturize
The first few days of braid installation, you need to massage your scalp and hair at the roots and edges once or twice daily. This strengthens the roots  to prevent uprootof the hair due to tightness. After which you can reduce the frequency.

Have your hairspray filled and handy for during the day moisturizing. This will prevent your hair from drying out and breaking . Just shake and spray on scalp and the entire length of your hair in the braids.

For my present faux locs,  I have water 80%, coconut oil+olive oil+ Nature and Nurture 10-in-1 growth trigger oil for daily use in my spray bottle. Even when on faux locks and the length of my hair is not exposed as its in braids, I spray along the length of my hair hoping water get in . Point :Our hair thrives on moisture. The first few days of faux locs installation, I massaged my scalp  and hair at the roots with Nature and Nurture 10-in-1 growth trigger oil which calmed the tension at the roots and hairline.

Protect hair at night
Use your satin scarf or satin pillowcase if your satin bonnet cannot contain the braids. You can also raise hair to an updo, if its too long and wrap you hair round.
Remember to massage and moisturize hair before covering it.

Donts
Choose braid styling that are not tight, painful and pull on the edges. No need to risk loosing your natural hair from the roots to a momentary gorgeous braid styling. Infact it took me more than a month to be able to style my faux locs. and still wasn't too comfortable restyling it.

Optional tip
After wash, you can seal up moisture in exposed hair not scalp (so as not to clog the pores on scalp) with melted Shea butter or any natural butter. Rub between your palm to melt and rub along the length of you natural hair.

Throughout the period of your braids are installed, your hair will look really clean, neat and smell good. You might be tempted to leave your braids on for so long b. A maximum of 8 weeks for braids and 12 weeks for faux locs is okay. If you do not take it down at a reasonable time, breakage from hair matting can occur and benefits of length retention and growth will be forfeited.

I know you got it!

I hope you enjoy your braids and keep slaying!


You might also like
*Faux Locs - A Fab Protective Hairstyle
*Onions - For healthy and fast hair growth - DIY
*DIY - How to make your own Aloe vera gel/juice
*Nature and Nuture Hair Clinic

Read More

NATURE AND NURTURE HAIR CLINIC AND BARBING SALON

I got interested in discovering and featuring natural hair salons because of the concerns and needs of our ever growing number of naturalistas in the western part of this continent. So if you follow along, you will get to know where and what to expect from your best natural hair salons. Portharcourt city will be my first. Come on , lets explore!

Nature and Nurture Hair Clinic and Barbing Salon
I first met Nature and Nature at their stand at the Natural Hair Expo in the Garden city of Portharcourt. The first thing that caught my attention was the natural hair of her two cuties. It was WOW! A Hairspiration!! 4C hair on fleek!

Right away, I knew Nature and Nuture had the secrets. Three days later, I paid a visit their salon to find out about their services. I am pleased to share with you what I got.

Nature and Nuture hair clinic and barbing salon is an ideal place to cater your natural hair needs. A comfortable top notch salon situated at a strategic location, easy to locate. It has experienced male and female natural hair stylists who are gentle when working with clients hair. They stock assorted foreign brand natural hair products and their own special natural brand products that have proven to be excellently efficient. Take note they also properly care for all hair types whether relaxed or transitioning.

The manager added that on weekends, you can be have freshly handmade organic treatments with no chemicals or preservatives to treat and pamper your natural hair. Her customers always speak well of their experience and are confident to return for more.

Natural hair products they stock
All Cantu hair products (cantu kids also available)
Ecostyler gel
Sunny Isle Jamaican black castor oil
Go Natural Jamaican Castor oil with tropical twist.
Cococure essential oils
Forever By Now essential oils
Forever living essential oils
Elasta QP- Olive oil and Mango butter
Mango and Lime Jamaican Black Castor oil
Mega growth hair products
Natur Vital Henna Shampoo
Tresemmé hair shampoo and Conditioner
Crème of Nature Hair products

Products on request
Shea moisture hair products
Texture my way hair products

Nature and Nature natural handmade products
Special whipped sheabutter with oils
10 - 1 Hair Growth trigger oil

Crochet hair extensions 
Mali Bob
Senegalese twists
Havana twists
X-pression collection crochet varieties
Freetress braids
Marley braid
Nubian braid
Kanekalon Noir Fro Twist Braid
Havana mambo twist
CRO-ARUBA-ROPE and more..

Styling tools/products
Perm rods
Roller sets
Satin bonnets
Hair accessories etc.

They restock new brands .. So you can check them out

Natural hair styles
Crochet braids of all kinds.
Twists
Braids
Buns
Up-dos
Weaves and more..

Additional Services
Hair barbing
Pedicure
Makeup
Reflexology-foot massage

Special services by the salon owner
Assistance in creating a proper hair care regime.
Advice on food supplements for healthy body for healthy hair.
Coaching on body weight management.

I love her calm beautiful spirit. A plus

Location: 106B, NTA Road beside Sizzlers Fast food, Location Junction, Mbguoba . Portharcourt.

Give a call/ chat: 08025013646

Follow her online
Facebook :Nature &Nurture Hair Clinic and Barbing Salon
Instagram:  natureandnurturehair


I will be doing features on Port Harcourt (Nigeria) based natural hair salons and beauty stores that stock natural hair products. If you have any of them to recommend, please let me know.

You might also like
*Faux Locs - A fab protective hair style
*My overnight heatless curls
*DIY - These hair masks came to my rescue

Read More

Acronyms/Abbreviations & Terminologies Common In The Natural Hair Community

Natural hair blogs, vlogs and chat forums have their peculiar acronyms/abbreviations and terminologies, the same way any field of study does. Most of us, in one time or the other misunderstood them. I could remember as a newbie, I mistook Jbco for jojoba oil. Only God knew where I kept the C in the Jbco, lol. So whether a newbie or a senior naturalista, a reminder can be helpful.

So, i made a compilation of acronyms/abbreviations and terminologies in alphabetical order. You can save it for reference purposes.


2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c - hair curl types
3a - loose curls
3b - Tight curls
4a - loose kinks
4b - Tight kinks


A
ACG - Aloe Vera Gel
ACV - Apple Cider Vinegar
AD - Afro Detangler
APL - Armpit Length
ASL - Ammonium lauryl sulfate
AVJ - Aloe vera juice

B
BAA - Big Ass Afro
B.A.L.D. - Baldness After Lye Devastation
BB - Blended Beauty
BC - Big Chop
B.I.B.S. - Beware It Burns Scalp
BNC - Braid-n-Curl
BS - Bra Strap

C
CBC - Collar bone length
CGM - Curly girl method
CHS - Curly Hair Solutions
CJ - Curly junkie
CL - Chin length
CO - Coconut Oil
Co - Conditioner only
CON - Creme of nature
Cones - Silicones
CW - Co-wash
CWC - Conditioner wash conditioner


D
DC - Deep conditioning
DH - Darling Husband
DIY - Do it yourself
DT - Deep treatment

E
EL - Ear length
E.N.H.C. - Encourage Natural Hair Care
EO - Essential Oil
ETA - Edited to Add
EVCO - Extra virgin coconut oil
EVOO - Extra virgin olive oil

F
F - Fine texture
FSG - Flaxseed gel
FYI - For your information
F2F - face to face

H
HE - Herbal essences
HG - Holy grail
HH - Human hair
HHG - Happy hair growing
HHJ - Happy hair journey
HLH - Hip length hair
HO - Humble opinion
HOTD - Hair of the day
HTH - Hope that helps


I
IA - I agree
IIRC - If I recall correctly
IMO - In my opinion
ISO - In search of
ITA - I totally agree
IRL - In real life

J
JBCO - Jamaican black castor oil
JIC - Just in case
JK - Just kidding

K
KCCC - Kinky curly curly custard
KCKT  - Kinky curly Knot today Leave-in
KISS - Keep it simple sister

L
LF - lace front weave
LOCC - Liberating ourselves from caustic chemicals.
LUSH - Loving unprocessed spectacular hair.
L4L - Longing 4 length


M
M - medium texture
MBL - Mid back length
M&H - Milk & Honey
M&S - moisture and seal


N
N.A.P.PS - National Association of Perm Protestors.
Nappyversary - Anniversary of natural hair
NG - New growth
NL - Neck length
N/M - Never mind
No poo - No shampoo


O
ORS - Organic Root Stimulator

P
PHHB - Panty hose headband
PJ - Product junkie
PM - Private message
Poo - Shampoo
Prepoo - Any hair treatment before shampoo
PS - Protective style
PVP - A polymer found in most gels


R
RS - Rod set, Roller set


S
SAA - Silky Amino acid
SAO - Sweet almond oil
SD - Search and destroy
SL - Shoulder length
Slip - Comb slide through hair
SLS - Sodium lauryl sulfate
S.O.S - Save Our Scalps
SSK - Single strands knots


T
TBL - Tail bone length
TIA - Thanks in advance
TL - Terminal length
TWA - Teeny weeny afro
TMW - Terressential mud wash
TNS - Twist and curl
TR - Thermal reconditioning
TTO - Tea trea oil
T.R.U.T.H. - Terminate Relaxing and Unleash your True Hair


W
WDT - Weekly deep treatment
WF - Whole foods
W&G - Wash and go
WIN - Wear it natural
WO - Water only
WSP - Water set pudding


Y
YT - YouTube


Terminologies and their meaning

Baggy - A method of sealing in moisture in the hair by usding plastic caps or shower caps.

Braid out - A protective style that deals with braiding the hair a night before and take out the braids in the morning.

Breakage - Strands of hair that breaks midway or completely.

Carrier oil - base oil used to dilute essential oil.

Clarify - To remove buildup in hair using a clarifying product. Eg. Clarifying shampoo.

Clumping - Strands of hair adhering together to form bigger chunkier curls.

Cuticle - The thinnest outer layer protecting the inner cortex of a hair strand.

GHE- Greenhouse effect- A method of using the baggy method except with water and leave-in-conditioner, a plastic cap and two scarves, so that the body can generate heat to keep the hair moisturized.

Humectant - Attract and retain moisture from air.

Line of demarcation - Where the natural hair and relaxed hair meets as hair grows.

LOL/LCO - A simple hair regimen. A method of L - Leave-in-condition or water , O - Oils, C - Butter or creamy/lotion moisturizer to seal in moisture.

Moisturizer - Applying a moisture based product to hair without washing it out.

Pineapple - Gather hair on top of hair using a scrunch , that is to preserve curls to a 2nd day style.

Plop - A method of wrapping wet hair in T-shirt.

Shedding - Falling out of strands of hair with white bulbs on the root. On average, hair shreds 150 strands per day.

Scrunch - Gently squeezing/pushing hair from end to root.

Shrinkage - Shortening of hair length.

Texlaxed - Purposefully not allowing relaxer to completely straighten hair. Intentionally under processing hair.


If there are omissions and corrections, you can help out in the comment box below.

Thanks lovelies!


Read also
*The worries and fears of going on a natural hair journey
*Raw African Black Soap
*Make your own aloe vera gel/juice
Faux Locs - A Fab Protective Hair Style

Read More

FAUX LOCS - A FAB PROTECTIVE HAIR STYLE.

Hey Ladies!!!  Do you need a break from the regular braids and weaves? Need a fabulous new protective hair style? Then this post could be helpful. I've got this for you: FAUX LOCS.

Faux Locs is a fabulous protective hair style that resembles permanent locs (dreadlocks). No wonder it is called faux locs. Faux is a French word for wrong or fake. So I call it 'fake locs'.

It's a trendy hair style. Right now, Its almost taking over lagos, but so many are yet to know about it. I know, my west african ladies wont let it rest until they are done slaying and that won't be anytime soon. I  just did mine *smiles* . If you will be trying faux locs, then first, you need to know all that is takes. So gurls, let talk about it.

What to do before
To make faux locs, you need to prepare your  hair by detangling, washing, conditioning, deep conditioning, and moisturizing. You can also use a leave-in conditioner. All of this is necessary because your hair will be hidden in the locs for a while.


What hair to use
You can use different hair types like kanekalon, Marley hair and kinky hair. I also read about using Xpression Ultra braid, so I went for it since it is one I can get very easy at any local store around me. Not like those others are difficult to find. Major online stores do have them. The final looks for each of them are different. I used 5 packs and half. The quantity to use also differs for the different hair types.

Find out how its done
Next, you need to know how it is done, whether you are doing it yourself or your stylist will be doing it for you. Stylists around here are familiar with the use of yarn/wool and currently Brazilian wool for hair styling, so you need to tell them what you want and how want it. It might sound knew to some... So what I asked my stylist to try it out with one small section on my hair. I was okay with it, so I gave her a go ahead.

How my hair stylist made my faux locs with Xpression Ultra Braid

First, she braided my natural hair with the Xpression individually. After which she wrapped taut each braid  from root to tip with another expression so that it does not unravel easily but not so much as to cause hair breakage and severe headaches. In order to have a smoother finish, she did not give a feathered end to the one she used to wrap. Instead of burning the ends like I read some bloggers do, she tied knots close to the end, and twisted the remains. After wrapping, she made the ends such that it left curls when dipped into hot water. The hair felt stiff until it was dipped into hot water to loosen up a bit. Though water made it temporarily heavy.

How long it takes to make
Generally, it does take about 8-10hrs. Mine took 11 hours. It might have been even more than that if not for two others that helped to finish the wrapping. This was actually due to the length of the hair. The longer the locks, the more time spent. Then, also, the longer the locs, the heavier. Pros: you have more styling options later. But the thicker the individual braids, the less styling options.

How long does it last
This protective hair style could last 2 months and more. It all depends on you, shaa...

Whats next
During the period you have your locs on, your scalp and undergrown hair need to be taken care just like you will do for any protective hair style. Massage scalp twice daily, condition hair once a week and deep condition once a month to keep your natural hair at its best.

After about two weeks or more,  when there is an undergrowth, you can now style  and ROCK. Am I missing out something? Hehehe... I didn't talk about the pain and the sleepless nights few days following the installation. Pain relief drugs can help if you can't endure. For me, that's not a deterrent....... I love faux locs!! I'm gonna try it again and again.

If you rock faux locs too, you can tag  your gorgeous pics on my instagram page  or use hashtag #fauxlocsdiva to be featured on the blog.



You might also like

#Bits of what happened at the Hair Expo in Portharcourt
#The worries and fears of going on a natural hair journey.

Read More

My Overnight Heatless Curls

With all these questions coming my way each day, 'Is that your hair?', 'What kind of weavon or hair extension did you use?', 'Can I touch your hair to confirm?' , I guess, I will soon make a T-shirt with the write up, 'Yes, Its My Hair'. Lol..... That will answer the question before it is asked.

Anyway I ain't complaining. I appreciate all commendations about my hair. I have come to realize that people appreciate clean, healthy well kept natural hair whether it permed/relaxed, fully natural or transitioned hair.

I quit heat styling on my natural hair a very longtime after I learnt that heat styling makes the hair brittle and damages it especially for a relaxed hair that is already fragile. To achieve my gorgeous hair curls I go for the overnight heatless curls.

The uphair do is my favorite easy DIY hair style and it gives my hair that fuller look. That will be the finished look  for the 3 methods in the tutorial on how i get my heatless curls below.

First, start with a damp hair. For me, after washing my hair with shampoo, I use my homemade leave-in-conditioner(Olive oil and coconut oil) on my damp hair not wet hair and then style.

1. Bantu knot
Make Bantu knots in small sections and unravel it the next day

2.a. Use Perm rods / Flexi rods
For more defined curls, use smaller rods/rollers. Twist and roll the hair in small sections from the ends of the hair .

b. Twist two small sections of the hair and roll onto the rods/rollers.

Next, let it air dry overnight while you sleep.

With the bobby pins and a small comb, dress the hair carefully from the back up and hold with the pins to make an uphair do. Be careful not to in ravel the curls to the end with the comb in the process.
Now you can separate the curls with your fingers, fluff , tuck and pin where necessary.

This hair style can stay up a whole week. During the week , you might just need to redress the back of the hair and repin, add shine to it with your hairspray and finger comb a bit, tuck and repin.

How do you make your own gorgeous hair curls? Tell us about it.


You might also be interested in
#Natural Hair Expo in the Garden City, Port harcourt
#DIY-These hair masks came to may rescue

Read More