African Pride Hair
Olive Miracle + Other Easy Ways To Help Grow 4C Hair
Let’s be real, there can be a ton of drama and politics that surround 4C hair. Everyone has a different opinion on how best to care for this hair type, whether it’s okay to use relaxers, and whether or not going natural should always be embraced. These issues become especially important when we consider how rarely we see 4C hair textures represented in mainstream media. Typically, celebrities with this hair type usually opt for wigs or chemically relaxed hair. This sends the message that tight coils shouldn’t be fully embraced or aren’t “beautiful.” We know this isn’t true. Yet when considering these complex issues, even talking about transforming 4C in any way becomes slightly contentious. At African Pride we always encourage people to embrace their natural hair. However, all hair types will require some maintenance and care to look their best. There is nothing wrong with wanting to grow out your coils and make them hydrated, shiny, and healthy. Thankfully, you don’t need to use chemicals, harsh products, or difficult methods in order to achieve lush, strong hair. Natural ingredients, like Olive oil, is a great alternative to harsh products for helping grow even the most stubborn of hair. So what’s the best way to help grow your type 4C hair? Our lush Olive Miracle collection combined with proper maintenance and hair care methods will help ensure your coils look and feel their best. Ready to add some healthy length to your locks? Let’s get to it. Understanding Type 4C Hair Part of caring for your unique hair type means knowing exactly what it needs, but more importantly, why. The better you understand why your hair acts the way it does, the better you can give it what it needs to look and feel its best, and help it grow! Type 4C hair has the tightest coil pattern of all curly hair types. This hair is characterized by springy ringlets in a tight zig-zag pattern that tend to clump together at the ends. Type 4C hair is the most fragile hair type and is usually very dry since moisture has a difficult time navigating down the hair shaft. The other key difference with Type 4C hair is shrinkage. In fact, 4C hair can shrink up to 75% of its length. What Is Olive Miracle? African Pride Olive Miracle is a lush line of nourishing natural hair products crafted from virgin Olive Oil and the finest African miracle herbs and natural ingredients. These unique ingredients help moisturize dry hair, repair damage, soothe irritated scalps, and stimulate hair growth. This best-selling collection has everything your type 4C hair needs to restore moisture, refresh dry or damaged strands, and grow lush, healthy hair. What Does Olive Oil Do? The benefits of using Olive Oil on natural hair are plentiful. In fact, humans have been producing and enjoying the benefits of Olive Oil since ancient times, so you know it’s good. There are many reasons for incorporating this fatty oil into your daily hair care regimen, ranging from its ability to condition hair to controlling frizz to helping your hair grow long and strong. Olive oil is rich in vital nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin E, and fatty acids, making it a super nourishing ingredient for dry or damaged strands. It’s also full of antioxidants and fats like oleic acid, which have been shown to slow the effects of hair loss. Similarly, a 2015 study done on mice showed significant hair growth when applied with Olive-tree ingredients. Olive oil is also known to help strengthen hair follicles, increasing the lifespan of each hair. What to know what else Olive Oil can do? Check out African Pride Olive Miracle: 4 Amazing Olive Oil Hair Benefits. How To Grow Type 4C Hair Growing natural hair encompasses so much more than just slathering on Black Castor Oil and hoping for the best. It requires regular cuts, proper wash day routines, and intense moisturization, for a start. It’s not just about adding some inches, but more so about ensuring hair is healthy and hydrated and that any new growth will maintain that health. It’s also important to remember that growing Type 4C hair is a process. It can take months (or even years) to get your hair to a place you want. You can’t expect an overnight miracle. For this reason, having patience is extremely important. Average natural hair grows at roughly ½ inch per month, however many factors can contribute to this like shrinkage, dryness, and even your genetics. Therefore it’s crucial to tailor your hair expectations and focus on creating healthy hair habits, rather than just doing anything for length. Armed with patience, proper hair care methods, and nourishing ingredients, you’ll see your dream hair soon enough. Let’s look at a few ways to make sure the growing process is as easy as possible. Upgrade Your Wash Day Routine Washing natural hair properly is a big contributor to your overall scalp and hair health. Products with sulfates, alcohol, or other harsh chemicals can dry out hair and can end up damaging the delicate follicles of the scalp. Make sure you’re using gentle cleansing formulas that don’t strip hair of it’s natural oils. Similarly, the order and methods you use to wash hair is vital to creating and maintaining healthy hair. To avoid breakage and damage during wash day be sure to use a pre-shampoo which will help detangle hair prior to washing and use fingers to gently comb through curls. Our 5-step #CoilyGirlMethod wash day routine works for all types of curls and coils, but is particularly great for Type 4 hair. You can read all about how to do the African Pride Curl Care Method here. For Type 4C hair we recommend our Olive Miracle 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner, a deeply moisturizing option that cleanses and hydrates strands. Using a unique recipe combining the finest African miracle herbs, oils, and natural ingredients this dual-action formula helps condition, repair, and rejuvenate dry hair. Help Combat Breakage There are many things you can do to combat breakage, like avoiding heat styling, sleeping on satin (or silk) and being as gentle on your coils as possible. Another great way to stimulate growth and avoid damage and breakage? A lush treatment of our Olive Miracle Anti-Breakage Oil. This nourishing blend of Olive Oil, Tea Tree Oil, and Avocado Oil hydrates, softens and conditions natural hair while effectively treating the scalp. It helps protect hair against damage and breakage while combating dryness. The best part? You can use this on hair, edges, and your scalp. It also works amazing as a hot oil treatment! Get A Scalp Massages A great way to stimulate hair growth is to give yourself a comforting scalp massage every 1-2 weeks. We recommend using our Moisture Miracle 5 Essential Oils blend as it can help reactivate hair follicles to support growth and prevent breakage. It also utilizes Vitamin E, a thickening agent, that repairs hair follicles to help reduce damage. Simply applying the oil will protect and strengthen hair, but actually massaging it into your scalp will stimulate blood circulation and encourage growth. The increased circulation also helps more nutrients reach the hair follicles on the hairline. Embrace Protective Styling Styling your hair without the use of weaves, wigs, chemical relaxers, or hot tools means there will be minimal damage to your natural hair. Protective hairstyles also tend to lock in moisture, length, and offer protection from the elements like sun, wind, and humidity. Not to mention they give you countless options for stylish looks. One of the best benefits your hair will get from protective styling is increased moisture retention which can help lead to hair growth. Protective styles help keep your hair hydrated by tucking your ends away and help you hang onto growth as you’re not pulling/yanking on strands which causes shedding. It’s super easy to leave type 4C hair in braids, puffs, or twists for a few weeks, but we recommend only leaving styles in for 4-8 weeks and taking a few breaks in between styles in order to let your hair breathe. This means it’s time to finally embrace that wash-and-go life! Get Regular Trims If your hair is already growing, getting trims won’t stop the growth, it will just make sure that you’re growing out hair that won’t be so damaged you need to chop it all off down the road. Split ends left untrimmed tend to divide into bigger split ends, causing more of your hair to weaken and thin. This means….it’s time to book that appointment girl! Trimming ¼ or ½ of an inch every 6-10 weeks will keep your ends healthy but ask your usual hair stylist what they would recommend based on your actual hair. We also recommend trimming slightly more in the winter months because cold, dry air tends to increase splitting. It might hurt today to see those locks get snipped off, but we promise it will do a lot for your hair health (and growth) in the long-term. The African Pride Guarantee Making positive, healthy choices for your curls and coils (and your overall well-being) may take slightly more time or effort but that’s why it’s important to use ingredients that work overtime. That’s why we’re committed to creating effective yet affordable natural hair products that make your life a little bit easier. Discover our extensive Olive Miracle natural hair care collection and get ready for healthy, fabulous hair!
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5 Signs Your Hair Is Dehydrated & How Moisture Miracle Can Fix It
Oh the dry hair woes. While winter weather can certainly exacerbate dehydrated hair, unfortunately for many, managing dry hair is a year-round dilemma. No matter your hair type or texture, hydrating your hair is just as important as moisturizing your skin. Most people with natural hair understand the importance of proper hair hydration, however, some others tend to overdo it by applying too many oils, lotions, and creams, which weigh down hair and can even cause scalp issues. Proper hair hydration is incredibly specific and personal to your unique hair type, texture, porosity, curl pattern, and so much more. That’s why we usually recommend a trial and error process to find what works best for you and your hair. There are some universal truths,however, to maintaining healthy natural hair. Simply adding a few nourishing oils and good-for-you ingredients to your hair care routine, combined with proper techniques, will have your curls looking their best. Whether you’re suffering from brittle strands or dehydrated curls, give your hair some love with our best-selling African Pride Moisture Miracle collection and our pro tips for happy, hydrated curls. Why Is Natural Hair Dry? If you’ve heavily researched the science behind textured hair you likely understand how curl patterns impact the level of moisture in your hair. For those who haven’t, it’s actually quite simple. Your scalp has natural oils, called sebum, which help moisturize your hair. Curly and coily hair has more curves, zig-zags, and grooves to navigate and travel down, which makes it much more difficult for moisture to reach all the ins and outs of your curls. Similarly, coily hair tends to be higher in porosity, making it even more difficult for hair cuticles to hold on to the moisture they do receive. This can be frustrating as there’s absolutely nothing you can do to change your curl pattern/hair type, but it’s important to embrace your natural hair and not try to alter your hair. Chemical relaxers, straighteners, and the overapplication of hair products won’t change the structure of your hair, in fact it will likely make things much worse. Instead, work with your hair instead of against it. Once you nail down the right routine and products, you’ll never feel the need to tamper with your curls again. Dry Hair Should Be Taken Seriously Dry, dehydrated hair is more than just a nuisance. In addition to causing annoying frizz, static, and making your hair harder to style, it can lead to serious hair issues. One of the biggest consequences of dry hair is breakage. Many see the effects of breakage on their edges, but it frequently happens on the cuticles too. This kind of damage is very difficult to reverse, so it’s better to try and prevent it from happening in the first place. What Is Moisture Miracle? Created from the finest oils and ingredients, our Moisture Miracle collection was crafted specifically for dry, dehydrated natural hair. With products ranging from shampoo to mousse, this best-selling African Pride line combines lush all-natural ingredients to give you the healthiest, most hydrated hair yet. 5 Signs Your Hair Is Dehydrated & How To Fix It Tangling, knotting, frizz, dullness, breakage: these are all signs of very dehydrated hair. The good news? There are easy ways to treat and prevent not just the annoying symptoms of dryness, but the dry, dehydrated hair itself. You might think some of these dry hair symptoms are normal, but it’s important to be able to distinguish between the norms of natural hair and more dangerous warning signs and dry hair red flags. Below, discover some of the signs that your hair needs extra moisture, plus how to remedy it so your hair is healthy, hydrated, and happy. Excessive Frizz Frizz is a common trait of natural, textured hair. In fact, frizz is extremely normal for all hair types. It can be caused by static, humidity, or sleeping with your bonnet on. Excessive frizz on the other hand, is when your curls are more frizz than hair. Your curl pattern is difficult to see through the frizz, or the frizz feels very coarse and dry. Type 4C hair is uniquely susceptible to increased frizz as it tends to be one of the drier hair types. To combat excessive frizz you’ll want to follow a strict hair hair regimen that utilizes hydrating ingredients and a gentle touch. This includes using a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner without parabens or other harmful ingredients. The other key element is using a nourishing leave-in conditioner. Our Moisture Miracle Coconut Milk & Honey Leave-in Conditioner is packed with nourishing ingredients like African honey, Castor Oil, Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil, and so much more to nourish strands. You can use this lightweight formula on dry or wet hair as a way to refresh curls between wash days and add moisture back to strands. Simply shake the bottle and spritz all over curls while you gently smooth it through strands. In addition to Leave-in Conditioner, discover 7 Other Ways To Control Frizz On Natural Hair. Difficult To Manage Strands Unmanageable isn’t a word we like to use, after all, your hair is beautiful and caring for it should never be seen as a chore. We recognize, however, that curls and tighter textures can have days when combing, washing, or styling them can be especially frustrating. If you have tighter coils or type 4C hair you probably know the struggle of trying to keep your hair frizz-free and tangle-free. With tighter hair textures, sebum doesn’t travel as well down the hair shaft due to the curls/coils in the strands. This means moisture has a harder time fully penetrating your hair. Applying a rich conditioning cream will essentially lubricate hair with moisture, resulting in less breakage, tangles, or splitting. If a tangle arises (hey it happens!) it will be much easier to remove those knots without fearing irreversible damage. Instead, hair is healthier and stronger. Our Coconut Oil & Baobab Oil Leave-In Cream uses a nourishing blend of Coconut Oil, Baobab Oil, and Avocado Oil to give hair lasting moisture while helping to protect against future breakage. It’s great to use in the LOC method or on damp hair post-shower. Lots of Tangling Let’s make this clear, your hair will have tangles! It’s completely normal for curly and coily hair to experience tangles, especially when taking hair down from a protective style or when you’ve just washed it. Excessive tangling however, is something to look out for. This means seeing tangles during the course of a normal day, or tangles that get extremely knotted. One of the most important steps to combat tangles is a step you might underestimate. A moisturizing pre-wash treatment, like our Moisture Miracle Aloe & Coconut Water Pre-Shampoo, is the key to an easier wash day and consequently, tangle-free hair. Not only is the perfect way to detangle your strands but it also preps them for washing. Incorporating a pre-shampoo into your wash day regimen also helps to minimize breakage and better defines coils. A pre-shampoo works to gently detangle your curls while adding some much-needed moisture into strands to help protect hair during the washing process. This makes tighter textures, curls, and coils more manageable and less susceptible to breakage while wet. Got extra dry or tangled hair? Leave on for up to 30 minutes to allow hair to fully absorb all the moisturizing benefits before you rinse. Looking for more detangling ideas? Check out 5 Foolproof Ways To Detangle Your Curls & Coils. Flaky Scalp The scalp is the source of all your hair growth and moisture. This makes taking care of it one of the most important parts of your hair care routine. A dry scalp usually shows itself through dandruff or white flakes, an itchy scalp, or stalled hair growth. The solution to all this is actually quite simple: a relaxing scalp massage. It might surprise you but for almost immediate dry, itchy scalp relief nothing beats a nice massage. It delivers that much needed moisture quickly and increased hydration. To experience the benefits apply Moisture Miracle 5 Essential Oils to palms and then gently rub into the scalp with your fingertips in a gentle, circular motion. This is not only therapeutic, alleviating stress and giving you a moment of relaxation, but the massaging movement stimulates the production of your hair’s natural oils, kickstarting it so that it can continuously provide more moisture. The unique blend of 5 Essential Oils also gives natural strands a restorative boost that soothes irritation, calms itchiness, and replenishes lost nutrients. Want to know what else this miracle product can do? Check out 5 Hair-Changing Ways To Use Moisture Miracle 5 Essential Oils. Dullness Hair that is dry or damaged won’t have a shiny, supple look. Similarly if you find that even after using shine sprays or deep conditioning treatments your hair is still lackluster, brittle, and dull, this indicates that your hair shafts are no longer smooth or healthy. One of the best ways to boost the health, moisture, and appearance of your natural hair is through the LOC method. The basic idea behind the LOC method is to hydrate the hair with a liquid, hold the moisture in with an oil, and seal it in with a cream. Each step contributes to keeping the moisture in the hair strands. First the liquid opens up the hair cuticles, which readies the hair to receive moisture. With the cuticles open, the oil can properly penetrate the hair shafts so that they can hold in the moisture. The cream closes the hair cuticle back up, sealing everything in and preventing moisture loss. Keeping the hair moisturized with the LOC method not only makes hair softer and shiner, but it also prevents breakage, dryness, and frizz. The LOC method is not only meant to be a hair care routine, but also a style. All of our Moisture Miracle products are made to highlight the individual natural beauty of your curls to keep them cute, healthy, and bouncing until your next wash day. The African Pride Guarantee Making positive, healthy choices for your curls and coils (and your overall well-being) may take slightly more time or effort but that’s why it’s important to use ingredients that work overtime. That’s why we’re committed to creating effective yet affordable natural hair products that make your life a little bit easier. Discover our extensive Moisture Miracle natural hair care collection and get ready for healthy, fabulous hair!
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Not Using Avocado Oil For Your Hair? Here’s Why You Should
The internet is always buzzing about a cool new beauty trend or miracle ingredient. Remember when charcoal blew up all over your insta feed? Some of these ingredients are passing fads and some are tried-and-true favorites. But which is which? We want to give you peace of mind about what’s in our popular products and why they’re great for your natural hair. This is why we continue to be transparent about the ingredients we put in all of them. (Read up on other favorite ingredients like The Dos & Don’ts Of Using Coconut On Natural Hair, The Amazing Benefits Of Using Tea Tree Oil On Natural Hair, and Surprising Reasons Chocolate Is A Game-Changer For Natural Hair). Several of our products, for instance, contain Avocado Oil and we want you to know exactly what it is, where it comes from, and what it does for every natural hair type and texture. Avocado Oil for hair care has tons of benefits for natural textures, which is why we’ve made it a prime ingredient of our Olive Miracle Anti-Breakage Oil. Learn more about why we’ve included this often overlooked natural ingredient in our products and the incredible ways it can protect your natural hair type, promote growth, add hydration, and so much more. What Is Avocado Oil? We know you always get that extra side of guac, but did you know it can be just as delicious for your hair? Extracted from the pulp of the Avocado, this oil is very light compared to the creamy fruit it comes from. This flesh of this miracle fruit contains up to 30% oil, which is super rich in fat. It’s beloved as a beauty ingredient not just because of the health factor, but for its ability to rapidly absorb into the skin. In addition, it’s also one of the lightest oils. This means, unlike other oils or ingredients, Avocado Oil won’t just sit on top of pores, which potentially leads to build up, clogged pores, or weighed down hair. With a high monounsaturated fat and oleic acid content, it’s one of the healthiest cooking oils out there, so maybe add some to your kitchen cabinet too. Whether you’re using Avocado Oil for hair or to cook with, reach for a cold pressed virgin oil as only this kind will retain its valuable nutrients and vitamins. The Benefits of Avocado Oil Rich in fats, nutrients, vitamin A, D, E, and packed with protein like potassium, amino acids, iron, copper, and folic acid, Avocado oil is ideal for achieving healthier hair. These vitamins and nutrients promote healthy hair growth and a healthy scalp while the fatty acids and emollient properties help to make hair more moisturized, manageable, and shiny. Adding avocado oil into your natural hair care routine is perfect for those who want an effective sealant, increased hair protection, and overall healthy hair. Is Oil Right For Your Hair? With numerous benefits and tons of different types, hair oil should be a staple in everybody’s natural hair care routine. Hair oils have a multitude of benefits that help promote good hair and scalp health. Some of these benefits include increased shine, softness, and manageability, added hydration, growth and length retention, soothed scalps, and replenished hair. Another great thing about hair oils? They are extremely versatile and can be used as a pre-shampoo, deep conditioner, sealing agent, curling cream, and more. Plus, they feel great on your hair. Use an oil to give yourself a relaxing scalp massage that also stimulates hair growth and relives a dry, itchy scalp. Despite popular belief, when using a quality oil formula your hair won’t feel heavy or weighed down. Instead, it will almost instantly feel hydrated and healthy. Avocado Oil is great for almost every hair type due to its light, fast-absorbing nature, but this makes it especially effective for those with medium/low porosity and medium/low density hair. Why You Should Use Avocado Oil for Hair Care Integrating Avocado Oil into your natural hair care regimen is a must for all hair types and textures. We’ve already highlighted some of the incredible things it can do for your hair but let’s take a closer look at four key benefits of using this lightweight yet nourishing oil. Promotes Hair Growth Avocado oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, making it one of the best oils for natural hair. Essentially, hair grows when existing strands are protected from breakage and the scalp is healthy. You’ll notice, for example, you might have trouble growing your hair if it’s been through excessive heat styling, chemical relaxers, or simply lacks moisture. Applying Avocado Oil directly to the scalp will help moisturize and stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles, improving both the appearance and integrity of your strands. Adds Hydration Because Avocado oil is so lightweight, and rich in oleic acid, it’s one of the few natural ingredients that can actually penetrate the hair shaft. This means that instead of simply sitting on top of hair (which can lead to that greasy, weighed down feeling or worse, clogged pores) these nutrients repair strands from the inside out, strengthening them and preventing future breakage. The best way to utilize Avocado Oil in your natural hair care routine is through the LOC method. Avocado oil will help seal in hydration and protect damp hair. You can opt for a cream that contains Avocado oil or simply use the oil as the second step in your routine. Makes Hair More Manageable If you have tighter coils or type 4C hair you probably know the struggle of trying to keep your hair frizz-free and tangle-free. With tighter hair textures, sebum doesn’t travel as well down the hair shaft due to the curls/coils in the strands. This means moisture has a harder time fully penetrating your hair. Applying Avocado Oil essentially lubricates hair with moisture, resulting in less breakage, tangles, or splitting. If a tangle arises (hey it happens!) it will be much easier to remove those knots without fearing irreversible damage. Instead, hair is healthier and stronger. Fight Scalp Issues Scalp issues like flaking, dryness, or inflammation are extremely common, especially with tighter natural textures. There can be a variety of triggers, ranging from environmental factors to lack of moisture. Avocado Oil is a great resource for remedying these common issues. Its high oleic acid content, lutein, and vitamin E are scientifically proven to combat inflammation. It also contains antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, making it ideal for clearing up any irritation and protecting against future issues. Apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner or do a nourishing scalp massage with pure virgin Avocado Oil for best results. Looking for more ways to fight scalp issues? Learn about the 5 Natural Remedies For a Dry, Itchy Scalp. Our Favorite Products With Avocado Oil We couldn’t pick just one! Avocado oil is such a great natural ingredient and we’ve added it to some of our most popular products. Here are some of our very favorites. Olive Miracle Anti-Breakage Oil This nourishing blend of Olive Oil, Tea Tree Oil, and Avocado Oil hydrates, softens and conditions natural hair while effectively treating the scalp. It helps protect hair against damage and breakage while combating dryness. The best part? You can use this on hair, edges, and your scalp. Psst it also works amazing as a hot oil treatment! Moisture Miracle Coconut Oil & Baobab Oil Leave-In Cream This deep penetrating leave-in conditioning cream uses a nourishing blend of Coconut Oil, Baobab Oil, and Avocado Oil to give hair lasting moisture while helping to protect against future breakage. It’s great to use in the LOC method as it leaves coils and curls super manageable, hydrated, and strong. You can also use it on dry or damp hair. Moisture Miracle Coconut Milk & Honey Leave–In Conditioner This incredibly lightweight blend of hydrating Coconut Milk, Raw African Honey, and Avocado Oil replenishes moisture, adds shine, and softens strands. It helps to define curls and coils and can also be used to refresh strands in between wash days. Use it as part of the LOC method, after washing, or as a daily spritz of moisture. The African Pride Great Hair Guarantee Making positive, healthy choices for your curls and coils (and your overall well-being) may take slightly more time or effort but that’s why it’s important to use ingredients that work overtime. That’s why we’re committed to creating effective yet affordable natural hair products that make your life a little bit easier. Discover our extensive natural hair care collection and get ready for healthy, fabulous hair!
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Winter Hair Care: 7 Ways To Keep Natural Hair Moisturized
Cold weather somehow always seems more tolerable during the holiday season. We all love a fresh blanket of white snow and strolling through markets with hot cocoa, but by the time February rolls around, we’re so over it. Winter has its benefits sure, but the shorter days and lower temps certainly impact our moods, and our hair. Winter weather, even if you live in a warmer climate, usually means flaky skin, brittle nails, and dry hair. Not the cutest. Natural hair is especially susceptible to these impacts of cooler weather. Coily hair and tighter textures are naturally dry to begin with, making the effects of winter even more severe. Just as you need to adjust your skin care routine for winter, your natural hair care regimen needs to be tweaked to ensure you’re giving your delicate curls and coils everything they need to thrive. Simply adding a few nourishing oils and healthy ingredients to your hair care routine, combined with proper maintenance and a few of our African Pride deep conditioners, your natural hair will look and feel its best. Ready to give your hair some love? Here are a few expert tips on keeping natural hair moisturized during even the coldest of winters. Why is Winter so Hard on Hair? Winter: you either love it or you hate it. Unfortunately, depending on where you live, you’ll have to deal with at least a few cold weeks, or months. Even if you mostly hibernate, you will still need to alter your hair care routine to ensure your natural curls are hydrated and healthy. This is because of the fundamental atmospheric changes that occur during the winter months. In winter, the air is much drier and there is little to no humidity, which means harsh air and wind from outside will suck all the moisture from your hair. You might think this ends when you go indoors, unfortunately indoor heating systems are typically very dry, meaning your apartment or office air is just as damaging as harsh cool wind outside. All of this dry air impacts your hair the same way excessive heat styling does, it causes dryness, frizz, breakage, tangles, and split ends. Not to mention, cooler weather usually calls for thick sweaters, hats, and scarves. While super cozy, these harsh wool or acrylic products can cause even more frizz and static, plus, tug on your delicate strands causing them to break. Okay, that’s the bad news. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to combat these extreme hair conditions. When wintertime rolls around it just means that it’s time to give your hair some extra TLC. In fact, you should be switching up your hair care routine depending on the seasons in order to maintain healthy natural hair. 7 Ways to Keep Natural Hair Moisturized To combat dry, dull hair, adding moisture is key. However, it’s not just about adding moisture, but maintaining that moisture throughout the cold winter months. Almost everyone’s hair and skin suffers from dryness in the cold, so it’s nothing to worry about or feel ashamed of. Whether you have visible flakes or frizzy coils, simply follow these top tips to help keep your natural hair shiny, healthy, and moisturized. Use A Pre-Shampoo A moisturizing pre-wash treatment, like our Moisture Miracle Aloe & Coconut Water Pre-Shampoo, is the key to an easier wash day and consequently, healthier, hydrated hair. A pre-shampoo works to gently detangle your curls while adding some much-needed moisture into strands to help protect hair during the washing process. This makes tighter textures, curls, and coils more manageable and less susceptible to breakage while wet. For best results, apply all over dry hair before cleansing. Use your fingers to gently detangle and comb through hair. Got extra dry or tangled hair? Leave on for up to 30 minutes to allow hair to fully absorb all the moisturizing benefits before you rinse. Steam Your Hair You heard right! If you’re not already steaming your hair it’s time to get on board. Think of steaming your hair like a humidifier for your curls, which is essentially what it is. Adding steam to hair adds tons of moisture and elasticity back into your dry strands. You can do this in the shower, benefiting from the moist heat, or put on a shower cap and use a traditional clothing steamer. Bonus points? Moisturizing your hair while removing any wrinkles from your favorite top. Deep Condition There is no limit to how often you can deep condition your hair! We encourage you to add a deep conditioner or moisturizing hair mask to every wash day. Deep conditioning not only ensures your natural hair stays moisturized, but it will prevent damage, soften strands, and restore shine. Deep conditioning treatments are packed with vital nutrients and special ingredients to give your hair a serious boost of moisture. Our Black Castor Miracle Deep Penetrating Conditioner Moisture Restore Treatment, for example, uses Coconut Milk, Shea Butter, and Black Castor Oil to deeply infuse strands with moisture. You can apply our African Pride deep conditioner to wet or dry hair but regardless, we recommend covering hair with a shower cap for 30 minutes to get the full benefits. To amp up the treatment you can apply a low heat (like a blow dryer on low) or steam hair using the methods outlined above. Protect Hair at Night For most of us, protecting your natural hair at night might seem like a no-brainer. While you’ve likely heard this before a million times but it can’t be stressed enough. Always. always wear a bonnet to bed and use a silk or satin pillowcase. The friction caused by your hair rubbing against cotton can cause breakage and frizz. Cotton also absorbs moisture, leaving your curls dried out by the time you wake up.Using a satin pillowcase and/or bonnet helps to keep your strands full of moisture as satin won’t damage your natural hair, cause tangling, frizz, or split ends. Bonus points, satin is also known to help your skin breathe. It’s one of the easiest ways to ensure you wake up flawless. Looking for other ways to protect your hair while you sleep? Discover 8 Ways to Protect Your Natural Hair at Night. Lay Off Heat Styling Your hair is already getting plenty of harsh, dry heat during this winter. Additional heat styling, like the use of blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons, will only exacerbate any hair-related problems you’re already experiencing. Opt to air-dry hair, put strands into a protective style instead of flat ironing it, and reach for soft roller sets to get effective curl definition. Can’t part with your beloved blow dryer? Learn How To Safely Blow Dry Natural Hair Without Damage. Make Oil Your BFF After spending so much time adding moisture back to your hair, the last thing you want to have happen is for your curls and coils to dry out again. This is why sealing in moisture is a key step to caring for your hair in winter. Plus, the more you seal in moisture, the easier wash days will become (and the better your hair will look in-between). Replace the moisture your scalp produces (and loses in between wash day) by massaging your scalp and strands with a nourishing blend of 5 Essential Oils or our Hair & Scalp Sealing Oil. This promotes hair growth and restores the natural nutrients your hair needs. Embrace Protective Styling The one benefit to winter? It means you shouldn’t have to wash your hair as often as you do during the summer. Without the greasy, oily feeling that comes from being out in the sun, you can extend time in between wash days, using this time to protect your natural strands. This winter, pick a low-maintenance protective style, like buns or twists, that keeps your curls and ends secure. Our Favorite Moisturizing Hair Products It’s hard to narrow down the list of favorite moisturizing products since we have developed so many of ours to treat dryness and dehydration in natural hair. We only use nourishing ingredients and natural oils that help infuse thirsty strands with much-needed moisture. Here are just a few of our favorite products for natural hair, no matter the type or texture. African Pride Leave-In Conditioner: This lightweight blend of hydrating Coconut Milk, Avocado Oil, African Honey, Grapeseed Oil, and Vitamin E replenishes moisture, adds shine and softens; leaving hair manageable and naturally defined. Use on damp hair after washing or to refresh curls and coils in-between wash day. Moisture Miracle Honey, Chocolate & Coconut Oil Conditioner: This creamy conditioner is formulated specifically with hydration in mind. Using nourishing all-natural ingredients like Grapeseed Oil, Honey, Coconut Oil, and Cacao, hair is deeply conditioned, restored, and hydrated. Olive Miracle 2-in-1: Short on time? Our dual Shampoo & Conditioner is a deeply moisturizing option that cleanses and hydrates strands. Using a unique recipe combining the finest African miracle herbs, oils, and natural ingredients this dual-action formula helps condition, repair, and rejuvenate dry hair. The African Pride Guarantee Making positive, healthy choices for your curls and coils (and your overall well-being) may take slightly more time or effort but that’s why it’s important to use ingredients that work overtime. That’s why we’re committed to creating effective yet affordable natural hair products that make your life a little bit easier. Discover our extensive natural hair care collection and get ready for healthy, fabulous hair!
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5 Hair-Changing Ways To Use Moisture Miracle 5 Essential Oils
Every so often it’s a good idea to take stock of your beauty cabinet. We all have that tendency to hoard beauty products both new and old while continuing to purchase trendy products without really considering what we already have on our shelves. While a natural hair care regimen might require several different products, we believe in simplifying your routine and keeping things as easy as possible. For instance, instead of using three separate products to achieve a desired look why not find a formula that does all those three things in one? We love a multi-use formula that can save you time, money, and space on your bathroom shelf. One of our favorites for beautiful natural hair is African Pride 5 Essential Oils. This unique blend of vitamins and nourishing oils strengthens and protects your unique curls and coils, restores your hair’s natural oils, fights breakage and damage, promotes natural growth, and so much more. Not sure where to begin using this multi-faceted product? There are so many ways to reap its benefits and today we’re highlighting five hair-changing ways to use this versatile oil. From healing a dry scalp to perfecting your LOC method, let’s explore our top tips to get the most out of your Moisture Miracle 5 Essential Oils. Why You Should Use Oil On Your Hair Of the many natural hair care products on shelves, hair oils are possibly one of the best tools for achieving healthy scalps and happy hair. With numerous benefits and tons of different types, hair oil is a staple in our natural hair care routine. Hair oils have a multitude of benefits that help promote good hair and scalp health. Some of these benefits include increased shine, softness, and manageability, added hydration, locked in moisture, growth and length retention, soothed scalps, and replenished hair. Another great thing about hair oils? They are extremely versatile and can be used as a pre-shampoo, deep conditioner, sealing agent, curling cream, and more. Plus, they can be used on wet or dry hair, making them super easy to use. What Oil Is Right For My Hair Type? Despite popular belief, when using a quality oil formula your hair won’t feel heavy or weighed down. Instead, it will almost instantly feel hydrated and healthy. Many people shy away from using oils on their natural hair based on this fear but we promise, if you use oil the right way your hair will thank you. That said, you may need to adjust the method, amount, or frequency you use hair oil based on your unique hair type and texture. For example, coily type 4 girls will likely need more moisturizing effects as coils tend to dry out more than type 3 hair. This means coily hair would benefit greatly from deep conditioning hot oil treatments while type 3 hair might benefit more from oil styling and sealing. Not sure which oil and method is right for your hair type and goals? Learn more about Choosing The Right Oil For Your Hair Type. About African Pride Moisture Miracle 5 Essential Oils Our entire Moisture Miracle collection was formulated with hydration in mind. We only use effective natural ingredients in our products and never include harsh chemicals, parabens, silicones, or sulfates. Our 5 Essential Oils is one of our favorite products for its versatility and incredible hair-changing properties. In addition to being packed with vitamin E, let’s take a closer look at each of the essential oils that make up this miracle product. Argan oil: Extracted from the kernels of Argan fruit, Argan oil fights frizz and adds a boost of shine to dry, tangled, or damaged natural hair. Argan oil contains natural antioxidants and Vitamin E which makes it great at restoring and renewing damage caused by chemicals, heat, or over styling. Also find it in our Argan Oil Curl Mousse. Castor oil Black Castor oil comes from the seeds of the tropical Ricinus communis called castor beans. The beans are harvested and pressed, sometimes with chemicals depending on the manufacturer, creating a thick oil rich in Vitamin E and fatty acids. These fatty acids help stimulate circulation in the scalp which leads to increased hair growth. Castor oil is also an effective humectant, as it moisturizes and conditions naturally. It locks in moisture and shields strands from dust and dry air, making it ideal for keeping your wash-and-go hair hydrated in warm temperatures. Also find it in our Black Castor Miracle collection. Coconut oil You are likely familiar with this ingredient. Coconut oil is so popular due to its ability to protect the hair and reduce protein loss. The fats that make up Coconut oil are mostly lauric acid, a fatty acid which gives coconut oil the ability to penetrate the hair shaft, allowing its many nutrients to be easily absorbed into the hair. It moisturizes, adds shine, encourages growth, and its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties are incredibly nourishing, especially for drier scalps and tighter hair textures. The unique structure of coconut oil allows it to deeply penetrate hair strands, allowing intense moisture to hydrate curls and coils better than most other oils. Also find it in our Coconut Oil Shampoo and Coconut Oil Condition Grapeseed oil Extracted from the seeds of grapes, this oil contains powerful antioxidants that have deep moisturizing properties and help prevent premature aging. With a silky feel, this oil provides shine, softness, and moisture. Plus, dandruff sufferers may find relief from regular grapeseed oil scalp massages. Olive oil This common kitchen staple originated in ancient Egypt who discovered the power it possessed in beauty and hair care. Rich in nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin E, and fatty acids, Extra Virgin Olive Oil nourishes dry scalps, seals in moisture, and helps prevent breakage. Also find it in our Olive Miracle collection. 5 Hair-Changing Ways To Use It The LOC Method This easy 3-step process of applying leave-in conditioner, oil, and cream, is one of the best ways to give dehydrated hair of all textures and types a lust boost of moisture and shine. When it comes to the ‘O’ step in the LOC method you want an oil that won’t just sit on top of your hair but will penetrate the hair follicles. This helps natural hair maintain much needed moisture. The coconut oil and olive oil found in our Moisture Miracle 5 Essential Oils are great at binding with internal hair proteins to fully nourish your natural curls and coils. Plus, the coconut oil will also help to reduce protein loss during your next shampoo. To get the best results apply a thin layer of the oil blend to each section of your hair until you coat your whole head. Scalp Massage Suffering from dandruff, an itchy scalp, or stalled hair growth? The answer is simple: a relaxing scalp massage. It might surprise you but for almost immediate dry, itchy scalp relief nothing beats a nice massage. It delivers that much needed moisture quickly and increased hydration. To experience the benefits apply Moisture Miracle 5 Essential Oils to palms and then gently rub into the scalp with your fingertips in a gentle, circular motion. This is not only therapeutic, alleviating stress and giving you a moment of relaxation, but the massaging movement stimulates the production of your hair’s natural oils, kickstarting it so that it can continuously provide more moisture. The unique blend of 5 Essential Oils also gives natural strands a restorative boost that soothes irritation, calms itchiness, and replenishes lost nutrients. Hot Oil Treatments Is there anything better for natural hair than a nourishing deep conditioning hot oil treatment? (Answer: no!) It’s one of our favorite ways to nourish dry, damaged hair, fight frizz, and give curls and coils a little TLC. Consistent deep conditioning treatments will pack an extra punch of moisture that is key in the continuous prevention of dry scalp in the future. You can do this two ways. One, apply the oil using the bottle tip applicator to the entire head, cover with a cap and sit under a hooded dryer (or use a regular hair dryer on low heat). Two, put a generous amount of oil in a microwave-safe bowl or bottle, apply to your entire head and let sit for 15-20 minutes. Rinse out. Finishing Touches It’s wash day! You’ve shampooed, conditioned, and detangled and your natural hair is looking and feeling healthy. The next step after your hair is either damp or completely dry is to put it into a protective style. To lock in all that good moisture and shine lightly apply a few drops of oil to strands before manipulating hair into your favorite style. Over the next few days (or weeks) until the next wash day your scalp and strands are going to dry out. You can repeat this step as needed to maintain your curls bounce, shine, and moisture. Edge Care Whether you’re looking to maintain soft edges or trying desperately to bring them back to life, a nourishing oil blend can help in multiple ways. For instance, anything you might do to help your hair grow or stay moisturized will apply to your edges too. Giving your hair a comforting oil massage (like we mentioned above) is a great way to care for your scalp and stimulate growth. Our Moisture Miracle 5 Essential Oils blend is perfect for this as it helps reactivate hair follicles to support growth and prevent breakage. It also utilizes Vitamin E, a thickening agent, to repair hair follicles. Simply applying the oil will protect and strengthen hair, but actually massaging it into your edges will stimulate blood circulation and encourage growth. The increased circulation also helps more nutrients reach the hair follicles on the hairline. This is also a great way to help condition your edges when making the transition to going natural. Whether you want increased hair growth, extra hydration, or an easy way to keep hair shiny and fresh in between wash days, there is a life-changing way to utilize hair oils. With such versatility it doesn’t necessarily matter whether you have tighter coils or fine curls, hair oil will make every type and texture of natural hair look and feel its best.
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African Pride Olive Miracle: 4 Amazing Olive Oil Hair Benefits
Sometimes miracle ingredients can be found in the most unusual of places. For example, think about your kitchen cabinet. Most people overlook the multi-faceted uses of common pantry staples like Cocoa, Avocado oil, or Coconut oil. Yet many natural hair aficionados know the true benefits to using these types of ingredients. At African Pride, we’ve looked to household staples like these as the building blocks for some of our most popular products and formulas. One of the most versatile natural ingredients that’s guaranteed to be sitting in your pantry right now is Olive oil. Olive oil hair benefits run the gamut from replenishing moisture to preventing breakage. It’s also known for its smoothing properties and ability to seal in hydration. It’s no wonder our aunties have been slathering this lush oil on our heads for decades. Of the many natural hair care oils or products sitting on shelves, Olive oil is possibly one of the best tools for a healthy scalp and happy hair. However, this doesn’t mean microwaving a bowl of Olive oil is your best route to great hair. In fact, you might have already tried using this popular oil and been less than impressed with its results. The reason is due to the type of Olive oil found in kitchens and the type that is used in natural hair products. The oil percentage, type, and formula vary greatly and it’s best to use a product that’s been expertly created for textured hair, like our Olive Miracle collection. No matter what type of curl or coils you might have, Olive oil is the perfect natural ingredient for hydrated, nourished hair. Curious about giving it a try? We’re breaking down some of the best Olive oil hair benefits, plus, our top tips and tricks for using Olive oil and actually seeing results. What To Know About Olive Oil Humans have been producing and enjoying the benefits of Olive oil since ancient times. In fact, the Olive tree has been a staple of the Mediterranean since around the third millennium B.C. Growing tall for centuries, these magnificent trees have been utilized for multiple purposes, including the cultivation of olives and Olive oil. Olive oil derives from the olives, or the fruit, of the Olive tree which get ground into a paste. The primary fat (or oil) is then extracted which creates Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) which maintains the color and nutritional value of the olives. There are various methods for extracting oil which determines the overall grade of Olive Oil. The best Olive oil for your hair (and for cooking) is EVOO which is the purest, lightest type of oil. This type will not be overly refined or have added chemicals which means it maintains its nutrients and fatty acid contents, aka what your hair needs to look and feel its best. How To Know If Olive Oil Is Right For Your Hair When it comes to natural hair care products or ingredients, your unique hair texture, pattern, and type will determine which formula is best for your hair. When it comes to oils, hair texture certainly plays a part in that choice, but ultimately, it comes down to identifying your hair goals. Do you need lots of moisture? Does your hair lack shine? Do you want to kickstart hair growth or prevent future hair damage and breakage? If you said yes to this, Olive oil is definitely a great ingredient to help you achieve lush and beautiful strands. Typically, coily, type 4 girls will need more moisturize as coils tend to dry out much more than type 3 hair. However, looser curls will benefit from using Olive oil just as much as tighter textures, perhaps just in lower concentrations. There are certainly some skeptics out there who’ve found Olive oil to be too rich and left their strands greasy or weighed down. This is a possible side effect from using your kitchen Olive oil as a hot oil treatment, using straight oil will likely have this impact. It’s recommended to use Olive oil in smaller doses and mixed with other active ingredients. We recommend Olive oil for most natural hair but it’s especially great for coarse hair, damaged hair, high porosity hair, hair that’s been overly processed, and those with tighter coils. 4 Amazing Olive Oil Hair Benefits Olive oil is a dream ingredient when it comes to caring for natural curls and coils. There are several benefits to incorporating this oil into your daily hair care regimen, ranging from its ability to condition hair to controlling frizz. Rich in vital nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin E, and fatty acids, Olive oil is a great ingredient to reach for year-round, but is especially helpful during the winter months as its nourishing acids and vitamins elements function as softening and soothing emollients. Still not sure how Olive oil will help your natural hair? Let’s take a closer look at 4 of the best Olive oil hair benefits. Infuses Much Needed Moisture Whether your natural hair suffers from constant dryness, seasonal dryness, or damage, Olive oil is the perfect moisturizing agent. There are a wide variety of ingredients out there that claim to deeply moisturize natural hair, but many only sit on top of the hair whereas Olive oil actually penetrates the hair follicles. Penetrating oils are key as they help hair to maintain moisture by sealing it into the hair follicles. To give your coils maximum moisture start your hair care routine with a moisturizing Shampoo & Conditioner like our Olive Miracle 2-in-1 formula. This unique recipe combines the finest African herbs with Olive oil to help gently cleanse, repair, condition, and rejuvenate dry, damaged hair. Stimulates Hair Growth Packed with valuable vitamins and nutrients, Olive oil is full of antioxidants and fats like oleic acid, which have been shown to slow the effects of hair loss. Similarly, a 2015 study done on Mice showed significant hair growth when applied with Olive-tree ingredients. Olive oil is also known to help strengthen hair follicles, increasing the lifespan of each hair. In order to enjoy the hair growth benefits of Olive oil, massage a lush oil blend, like our African Pride 5 Essential Oils, into your scalp and edges. The act of massaging helps stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles, meaning you’ll get double the chances of great hair growth. Soothes a Dry, Damaged Scalp The scalp is the key to healthy hair and should therefore, never be ignored. Yet many of us have a tendency to ignore our scalp when it comes to hair care, resulting in dullness, and lack of growth. Not to mention the excessive dryness, itchiness, and flakes that you’re also likely to experience. Unfortunately, natural hair is already prone to increased brittleness and dryness since it’s more difficult for moisture to travel down coily and curly hair strands. A dry scalp on textured hair types tends to occur because the follicles are lacking moisture. When the dryness gets to a certain level the scalp may get itchy and eventually the skin begins to flake off. The good news? Olive oil is filled with antibacterial properties that promote a moisturized and soothed scalp. Similarly, it helps fight infections and inflammation while improving the blood flow at the root of the hair, where it matters most. Incorporating Olive oil formulas into your natural hair care routine will help common issues like dry scalp, itchiness, and dandruff. Gives Hair Healthy Shine Talking about damage and dryness, this doesn’t only impact your roots. In fact, it goes all the way down to your hair shaft. Dryness and damage are the leading causes of frizz and split ends. When treating common hair issues like dryness or damage, it’s important to take a two-pronged approach. First, care for the scalp (as we discussed above) and second, help smooth hair from mid-shaft to ends. While true hair repair will come from the scalp, adding a few drops of Olive oil into your hair will help add shine, retain moisture, fight frizz, and make strands much more manageable. On dry or damp hair, work in our lightweight and fast-absorbing Olive Miracle Leave-In Conditioner to help strengthen strands from the inside out. Rocking braids? Opt for our Braid Sheen Spray to boost shine and condition in-between wash days. All About African Pride Olive Miracle In case you couldn’t tell, we’re a little bit obsessed with Olive oil. We believe in its ability to help moisturize dry hair, repair damage, soothe irritated scalps, and stimulate hair growth. No matter what type of natural hair you have there is an olive hair hair benefit for you. African Pride products are specifically formulated for every type of natural hair. Our ultimate goal is to keep your curls and coils hydrated so you can spend less time worrying about how your hair looks or feels and more time enjoying life. Our best-selling Olive Miracle collection has everything your hair type needs to restore moisture, refresh dry or damaged strands, and maintain lush, healthy hair.
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The Ultimate Under-Weave & Wig Natural Hair Care Guide
We love serving looks in some silky inches, whether that’s with a weave or colorful wig. Wigs and weaves are such a great way to experiment with your hairstyles (without damaging your natural strands) and are a much healthier alternative to dyeing or chemically relaxing your hair. If you’re anything like us, when you’ve got a fly new look you take every precaution you can to ensure your new locks stay shiny, clean, and tangle-free. You obsessively brush them and gently wrap your hair in silk every night. However, when it comes to the natural hair that lies underneath, it can be dangerously easy to slack off or simply prioritize caring for your new strands instead of your natural ones. After all, that’s what you and everyone else will be seeing. Wearing wigs and weaves, as great as they might be, are not an excuse to ignore your natural hair care routine. We all know that slippery slope, how easy it is to get stuck in a vicious cycle of wearing weaves. The more you wear them and neglect your curls and coils, the more you’ll want to wear them in order to cover up or make your natural hair look healthier. Weaves and wigs are super versatile and a great option for protective styling, but they’re not an excuse to neglect your natural locks. Instead, there are a few easy ways to care for your natural hair so that when you remove a sew-in you can reveal strong, moisturized, and healthy hair. Armed with a few expert tips and tricks and nourishing formulas like our Black Castor Miracle Hair & Scalp Sealing Oil, get ready to have curls and coils poppin’ no matter what protective style they’ve been in. The Benefit Of Weaves & Wigs While we always advocate for embracing your natural curls and coils, we also recognize the incredible benefits of wearing wigs and weaves. In fact, we always recommend going this route in order to protect your natural hair. But protective styling is just that, it’s meant to protect the natural strands and give them the time and space they need to breathe. If you neglect caring for your natural strands then what’s even the point of wearing a protective style? We don’t mean to make wearing weaves or wigs sound like a chore. Wigs especially allow you to completely switch up your current hairstyle. Whether you want to sport trendy braids, go for a dramatic new color, or rock a new length, wigs give you the freedom to transform your look without damaging your natural hair. Weaves and wigs alike give your strands a much-needed break from being constantly styled. This gives you the opportunity to nourish your natural locks, resulting in healthier and stronger hair. How To Care For Natural Hair Under A Wig Whatever chic wig you’re rocking, there are some essential hair care tips to follow in order to ensure your natural hair gets the most out of this much-needed time out. Don’t Neglect The Pre-Wig Process Okay, you’ve got your fabulous new wig and you can’t wait to put it on. We get it. But slow down! Your natural hair will thank you if you follow a few simple steps before slapping on a wig. First, be sure to wash your natural strands with a hydrating shampoo. Next, deep condition your locks. Reach for a nourishing formula that moisturizes dry hair and leaves it soft and smooth, like our Deep Penetrating Conditioner Moisture Restore Treatment. This step is especially important since you won’t be able to properly condition your strands for a few weeks. Plus, hydrated hair will ensure strands remain healthy and strong in a protective style. With clean, dry hair you can begin braiding strands into tight cornrows. Now, you might think this is when it’s time to wig up, but don’t forget that cap! Putting a wig on top of your protective style can result in pulling, breaking, and damage to your natural hair, which hello…defeats the purpose of a protective style. Instead, opt for a satin lined cap to give your natural hair the ultimate protection. Embrace Wash Day Just as you shouldn’t neglect pre-wig hair care, don’t completely forget about caring for your natural hair while rocking a protective style! It’s easy (especially with wigs) to skip wash day. After all, nobody is really seeing your natural hair. However, washing your natural hair is about so much more than looks. This might seem obvious, but washing your natural hair (especially while wearing a wig) is one of the most important things you can do to ensure a healthy scalp and beautiful strands. With all that heat and moisture being trapped under a cap and wig, sweat, dirt, product residue and more gross stuff can build up in the scalp stunting hair growth. This can also increase the risk of dandruff, acne, inflammation, and infection. So how often should you be washing? Experts recommend every 1-2 weeks depending on your unique hair type and texture. For tips on how to properly wash braids without frizz read some of the best Braid Cleanser Hacks. Never Take Your Wig to Bed After a long day we completely get the urge to sleep in your wig. Like washing your face before bed, taking your wig off is a must. Sleeping in your wig will not only cause issues on the wig itself, like knots, tangles, or frizz, but all that tossing and turning will pull at your natural hair underneath. Nourish Your Edges With all this talk about natural hair it’s easy to forget about the most delicate part, those beautiful edges! Constant brushing, combing, rubbing, and pulling your edges will cause excessive and possible irreparable damage to your hairline. Before you style your edges or put your natural hair into a protective hairstyle, make sure you’ve given hair the proper time to care and recover. When putting hair into a protective style it’s best to leave your edges out and nourish them with a hair growth oil, like our Black Castor Miracle Hair & Scalp Sealing Oil. Similarly, to lay your edges be sure to use a moisturizing smooth edge hair gel. For instance, maintain your hairline’s strength and moisture with our Shea Miracle Silky Edges Anti-Frizz Conditioning Gel and Olive Miracle Super Hold & Smooth Edges pomade. These are each made with the best natural oils and extracts that will nourish the hair while keeping it shiny and smooth. How To Care For Natural Hair Under A Weave While similar to caring for your hair while wearing a wig, there are a few different approaches and techniques to caring for your natural hair while rocking a weave. Whether it’s a sleek bob or Naomi level inches, here are some hair care rules to follow. Use a Hydrating Shampoo Just as we recommended while wearing a wig, washing your natural hair in a weave is a simple way to ensure the integrity of your hair. It can be easy when your natural locks are in a protective style to skip wash day. But washing your natural hair is about so much more than how it looks. Not properly cleansing your natural hair can lead to product residue, trapped dirt and sweat which in turn leads to inflammation, dryness, and stunted hair growth. It’s almost important to give your hair as much moisture as possible, which is why we recommend using a nourishing and restorative formula to help eliminate dryness. Our Moisture Miracle Honey & Coconut Oil Shampoo for example, gently cleanses strands while removing dirt and buildup from hair without stripping it of its natural oils. Double Up on Conditioner While it’s recommended to do a penetrating deep conditioning treatment before braiding hair, you can never have enough moisture! While you’re putting your hair into a protective style spritz strands with a lightweight leave-in conditioner to smooth strands and add an extra dose of hydration. Once hair your weave is installed you can spritz hair with a leave-in conditioner (or a mixture of water and leave-in conditioner) daily. This will not only help tame flyaways and frizz, but helps keep both your natural hair and your weave soft and moisturized. Detangle Gently Natural textured hair is super vulnerable to knots and tangles. And as much as we love those lengthy weaves, longer hair results in even more tangles. There are a few specific times when your hair should be detangled, before bed, in the morning, and on wash day. The best approach is to take your time. Using a wide toothed comb gently work your way from ends to roots. Before washing your hair it can be helpful to use a pre-shampoo treatment in order to remove any knots and tangles (plus it gives your hair an extra dose of moisture!) Seal Hair With Black Castor Miracle Sealing Oil Hair oils are our favorite way to add moisture, combat dandruff, stimulate hair growth, and seal in moisture. One of the number one products we recommend for sealing in moisture while wearing weaves is our African Pride Black Castor Miracle Hair & Scalp Sealing Oil. Its nozzle tip ensures application is seamless and helps direct the oil exactly where you want it to go and it’s lightweight blend of oils work for almost every hair type and texture. There are tons of benefits to using Black Castor Oil. This amazing ingredient is packed full of Vitamin E and fatty acids which help stimulate circulation in the scalp, leading to increased hair growth. Castor oil is also an effective humectant, as it moisturizes and conditions naturally. It locks in moisture and shields strands from dust and dry air, making it ideal for keeping your natural hair and your weave hydrated. The African Pride Great Hair Guarantee Making positive, healthy choices for your curls and coils (and your overall well-being) may take slightly more time or effort but that’s why it’s important to use ingredients that work overtime. That’s why we’re committed to creating effective yet affordable natural hair products that make your life a little bit easier. Discover our extensive natural hair care collection and get ready for healthy, fabulous hair!
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How To Get Kamala Harris’ Signature Polished Hair
She’s here! The first female Vice President of The United States, Kamala Harris. It’s a joyous occasion. The fact that she is a person of color is even more reason to celebrate. It’s about time that a BIPOC woman held one of the highest offices in the country and it’s thrilling to see somebody that represents what modern America is all about. Naturally, as her political power rose, so too did the fascination and interest in Kamala’s style. Whether she’s on the campaign trail or the cover of Vogue magazine, Kamala embraces an effortless, on-the-go attitude. She’s known for her tailored pant suits, practical sneakers, and of course, that signature polished ‘do. As a POC, there is always talk about Kamala Harris’ hair. Things like whether or not she should be wearing it natural or if she wears a wig. The fact of the matter is, it’s her hair and she can wear it anyway she wants. Whether she wants to go the au natural route like Tracee Ellis Ross or rock some cool Meagan Good locs, textured hair is beautifully versatile and shouldn’t be politicized. Looking to get Kamala Harris’ hair? Those glossy, polished waves are perfect for people with looser hair textures or those willing to heat style or relax their tighter curl types. Worried about damage? Not to worry, we’ll show you exactly how to achieve Kamala Harris’ hairstyle without causing damage to your natural hair. Why We Love Kamala Harris Photo via IG // @Kamalaharris When Kamala Harris came on the Presidential scene we were so excited. It was refreshing and incredibly meaningful to finally feel represented and seen. As people of color, we experience great joy at seeing people that look like us in the White House. Born in California, Vice President Kamala Harris is the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica. There’s so much to love and respect about Kamala Harris, but her work ethic is incredibly inspiring. After passing the bar she became a junior United States senator served as the attorney general of California. We are most excited about what Harris will do for underrepresented communities. We have confidence that she will use her voice as a POC to help speak up for BIPOC people around the country. How to Get Kamala Harris Hair When it comes to any natural hair care styling, your unique hair texture and type will determine which formulas and processes are best for your hair. So, before we dive into how to achieve the VP’s polished ‘do, let’s consider how this hairstyle will work best. Kamala Harris’ hair looks to be around Type 2 or 3. It’s thick and shiny, but has loose waves towards the ends. As such, it will be much more involved for those with Type 4 hair to achieve this kind of look. It’s still possible, of course, but you will need to be more cautious about avoiding damage and adding extra moisture to your curls. Similarly, those with tighter textures will need to use a hair straightener or chemical relaxer to achieve this look. Whenever attempting a new hairstyle, the priority should always be keeping your natural hair as healthy and happy as possible. That’s why we always approach hairstyling armed with patience and nourishing formulas. Ready to get started? Put on your sleekest pantsuit and get ready to channel your inner powerhouse. Start With Clean Hair The best way to achieve your dream hair? Start with a clean slate…literally. How often you wash your strands will depend upon your hair type and texture, but typically every 2 weeks is ideal for most people. It’s important to wash your hair with a nourishing, sulfate-free shampoo that will effectively rid your scalp of buildup, oil, and dirt without stripping it of its natural oils. Our Moisture Miracle Honey & Coconut Oil Shampoo is a gentle formula that ticks all these boxes. The unique blend of natural ingredients deeply penetrate and hydrate natural coils and curls, leaving it soft, nourished, and shiny. Follow up with our Moisture Miracle Honey, Chocolate & Coconut Oil Conditioner which utilizes a moisturizing and restorative blend of ingredients to transform dry coils and curls, leaving them clean, hydrated and nourished. More Moisture! So you used a conditioner? Great. Now follow that up with even more intense moisture. No matter how careful you are, flat ironing natural hair will strip it of moisture and cause potential damage. To help combat this, double up the moisture, especially if you have a tighter texture like type 4 hair. Opt for a deep conditioning treatment like our Black Castor Miracle Moisture Restore Treatment, which hydrates and repairs extremely dry, damaged hair using a specialized blend of Castor Oil, Coconut Milk, and Shea Butter. Next, always spray a nourishing leave-in conditioner onto damp strands. Our Olive Miracle lightweight formula helps protect hair from damage while strengthening hair deep inside for a stronger, healthier look. This hair and scalp strengthening tonic is a unique recipe combining the finest African Miracle herbs and natural ingredients to condition, moisturize, repair, and strengthen hair. It’s also a great pre-blow dry treatment. Use A Heat Protective Spray Whether you’re blow drying or straightening hair, always spray damp strands with a heat protectant. Our Black Castor Miracle Anti-Humidity Heat Protectant provides 400°F heat protection and guards against future heat damage. Specially crafted with a keratin complex, this lightweight formula blocks humidity, seals in shine, and keeps hair straight for 2 weeks or until the next wash day. Flat Iron On Low Heat While our heat protectant provides protection to 400°F, we don’t recommend going above 350°F. Using a straightener on a lower setting will ensure strands don’t get completely stripped of moisture. Working in small sections, 1 inch or less, spray dry (never attempt to flat iron wet or damp hair) hair with a protectant, then slowly begin to straighten with controlled movements. Start as close to the roots as possible and remember to be patient! This process can take some time so it’s important not to rush it. To achieve Kamala’s polished waves, slightly angle the flat iron outwards once you’re a few inches from the ends of your hair. Slowly wrap hair around the straightener before letting go, this will give your ends a slight bend or wave. Alternative – Relax Your Curls: If you have a tighter hair texture, flat ironing might not be the ideal way to achieve smoother strands. Instead, reach for a conditioning relaxer treatment with no lye. Our Olive Miracle Super Relaxer Kit for example, is formulated to help strengthen and protect hair during the entire relaxer application process. Packet with a vitamin-rich post-relaxer Aloe Vera Deep Treatment Conditioner packet infused with Aloe, Castor & Biotin, hair is left smoother, softer, and protected. Apply A Shine-Enhancing Oil Boost shine and infuse strands with much-needed moisture using a hydrating oil. It’s important that this step comes after flat ironing your hair. Applying oil pre-straightening will cause the oil to heat up, essentially frying your hair and leaving it damaged and looking weighed down. Instead, once hair has been completely ironed, apply a moisturizing lotion with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, like our Olive Miracle Moisturizing Lotion. Its nourishing formula helps to stop breakage, split-ends, and dryness. Feel free to comb this through strands daily to enhance shine and moisture. Protect Your New ‘Do Voila! Your hair looks amazing. Let’s not forget though, that upkeep is half the battle. After all that work achieving smooth hair don’t neglect proper care. This can extend your hairstyle’s life while also making sure it’s free from damage. Always wrap hair in a silk bonnet overnight to avoid waking up with frizz. Similarly, give your scalp some extra love by massaging 5 Essential Oils into your scalp and strands. This adds hydration while boosting shine and combating any dryness, flakes or other scalp issues. Need more help? Read up on 8 Ways To Protect Your Natural Hair At Night. The African Pride Great Hair Guarantee Making positive, healthy choices for your curls and coils (and your overall well-being) may take slightly more time or effort but that’s why it’s important to use ingredients that work overtime. That’s why we’re committed to creating effective yet affordable natural hair products that make your life a little bit easier. Discover our extensive natural hair care collection and get ready for healthy, fabulous hair!
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Amazing Ways African Pride Pre-Shampoo Benefits Natural Hair
Raise your hand if you love wash day. Anyone? Well you should! There tends to be many negative associations with the act of washing textured hair, but it’s actually quite a positive thing. Not only does wash day lead to clean, healthy, and beautiful hair, but it should be seen as an act of self-care. We understand that sometimes, even with the most positive attitude, wash day can feel like a chore. It certainly requires patience and skill to ensure you’re being as gentle and effective as possible. But try to reframe your detangling sessions and wash days as a time to treat yo’self! While detangling your curls and coils put on a guilty-pleasure TV show, listen to that podcast you downloaded weeks ago, or indulge in a sweet treat. Washing natural hair, regardless of your texture or type, is an essential part of the natural hair care process. It’s one of the most important things you can do to ensure a healthy scalp and beautiful strands. With that being said we’re always looking for ways to make the process easier on both you and your hair. That’s why we created our fan favorite Moisture Miracle African Pride Pre-Shampoo. Packed with nourishing natural ingredients, this versatile formula is the key to a smoother wash day and healthier hair. Curious what a pre-shampoo can do for your unique hair? Let’s take a closer look. What Is A Pre-Shampoo? First and foremost, pre-shampoo is (most obviously) a treatment you use before shampooing or conditioning your hair. It’s usually the first step on wash day. With more and more women embracing their natural curls and coils there is interest in finding formulas and methods that help make natural hair look and feel its best. But while pre-shampoo products are gaining mainstream popularity, women have been pre-pooing for centuries using a combination of hair oils like Coconut and Olive. Who Needs Pre-Shampoo? All natural hair requires some extra lovin to look it’s best. Since natural, textured hair tends to be curly and dry, it doesn’t take much for it to develop knots and tangles. Therefore almost all hair types regardless of curl pattern or type will benefit from using a pre-shampoo. What To Look For In A Pre-Poo The biggest things to consider when shopping for a pre-shampoo are the types of ingredients used to create the formula. You want your pre-shampoo to be nourishing, moisturizing, and gentle, therefore it’s best to avoid any damaging ingredients. Harmful chemicals and alcohols will strip your hair of its natural oils that help protect strands. It’s best to avoid any products with sulfates, silicones, or parabens as these can cause dryness, frizz, and damage. Instead, look for all-natural ingredients that are full of proteins, vitamins, and fatty-acids. Similarly, since hydration is so important, make sure water/aqua is the first ingredient on the list and it’s not a gel or alcohol based formula. Our African Pride pre-shampoo for example, is a water-based formula made from Aloe Vera, Castor Oil, and Coconut Water. The Coconut Water helps strengthen hair and restore moisture while the Aloe Vera’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties keep the scalp healthy. Packed with vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as many minerals and fatty acids, Aloe Vera’s chemical makeup is made to nourish and replenish moisture. Read more here about the amazing Aloe Vera hair benefits. The Benefits of African Pride Pre-Shampoo Think about pre-poo like a primer or base coat. Whether it’s before you apply foundation or nail polish, having that first layer to nourish and protect your skin or nails ensures smooth application, nourishment, and longer-lasting products. We could write a whole novel on why using a pre-shampoo on natural hair is so important. In addition to helping detangle hair and prep it for protective styling, it helps restore moisture, reduce frizz, reduce fading on color treated hair, minimize breakage, remove excess buildup, and increase elasticity. While there are endless benefits to using a pre-poo let’s look at some of the most important ones below and how they work to transform your natural strands. Gently Detangles Hair One of the main reasons wash day gets a bad rap is because of the dreaded detangling process. The tighter our coils are, the more they tend to get tangled. Adding a pre-poo treatment however, softens hair and gives it the slip needed to remove knots and tangles before even getting your hair wet. This is especially useful when taking down a protective style. Not only does this help make shampooing easier, but incorporating a pre-shampoo into your natural hair care regimen also helps minimize breakage and define coils. Simply comb this lightweight cream through hair and let it sink into strands for a few minutes before rinsing. Hydrates Dry Strands Coconut Milk’s gentle hydrating properties make it an ideal pre-shampoo or detangling treatment. This moisturizing ingredient infuses much-needed moisture into strands while simultaneously preparing both scalp and hair for any moisture-loss during the wash process. Got extra dry hair? Leave on for up to 30 minutes to allow hair to fully absorb all the moisturizing benefits before you rinse. Nourishes Your Scalp Those with curls, coils, and textured hair tend to have more sensitive scalps that need extra nourishment, so Aloe Vera is a must-have for scalp care. Along with deeply moisturizing the hair, Aloe Vera keeps moisture locked in to prevent dryness, itchiness, and dandruff. The same proteolytic enzymes also help to break down the scalp’s dead skin cells and repair them, which helps to keep the hair follicles active. Give yourself an extra treat by massaging a pre-poo gently into your scalp and let sit a few minutes before rinsing. Cleans Natural Hair Unlike a lot of other ingredients found in hair care products, Aloe is gentle enough to be applied directly to the skin. This makes it an amazing cleanser for delicate curls because it is strong enough to deep clean their delicate hair follicles yet gentle enough not to damage them. Cleansing the hair with Aloe Vera keeps hair healthy and soft with the integrity of your unique curls intact while the Coconut Water gently conditions strands. Preps Hair For Weaves & Wigs So you’ve got a fabulous new wig and can’t wait to put it on. We get it, but slow down! Your natural hair will thank you if you follow a few simple steps before slapping on a wig. Your hair should be freshly washed and a pre-shampoo helps moisturize, condition, and protect hair from any potential breakage. Similarly, the Aloe Vera helps rid the scalp of any potential inflammation. This step is important since you won’t be able to properly wash your strands for a few weeks. Plus, hydrated hair will ensure strands remain healthy and strong in a protective style. The African Pride Great Hair Guarantee Making positive, healthy choices for your curls and coils (and your overall well-being) may take slightly more time or effort but that’s why it’s important to use ingredients that work overtime. That’s why we’re committed to creating effective yet affordable natural hair products that make your life a little bit easier. Discover our extensive natural hair care collection and get ready for healthy, fabulous hair!
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