Timi's Journey to Natural Hair

Hi there!

Most people that know me think I’ve had natural hair all my life. False. A long time ago, there was a little girl who had very difficult-to-manage hair. To solve this problem, she was introduced to the creamy crack. Tbh my hair was in great condition while relaxed. It was always glowing, never had dead ends and was full of volume. At least this was what people had to say about my hair whenever they were to comment on it.

One day an elderly lady walked past me, with a silver crown of long, luscious and (you guessed it) natural hair! That was the moment. The light bulb suddenly switched on. I longed to grow old with precious silver locks just like hers and there was no way I could do it if I continued my relationship with the creamy crack.

So it was over. It wasn't the relaxer, it was me! I had decided, right then at the tender age of 13, that I would no longer be a member of the CCC (creamy crack club). I stopped relaxing my hair. Kept it in cornrows to make it easier to manage, and slowly but surely my locks began to emerge. It was something like 8 - 10 months later when I had a head full of natural hair and my CCC days were over!

Protective Style - One Big Juicy Cornrow

Protective Style - Flat Twists

How I Care For my Hair

SHAMPOO

I've almost always used Pantene (love the smell!!!) as my shampoo. It leaves my hair feeling soft and tangle free and not too dry (most shampoos have that effect of drying out your hair and you never wanna have dry hair, dry hair = hair loss).

Protective Style - Mini Twists

DEEP CONDITIONING

I deep condition my hair with a homemade concoction of the softest avocado I can find in the market (or anywhere) smashed up with a spoon and adding olive oil liberally to make a smooth paste. I always apply the paste into my hair from root to tips. I then proceed to massage, concentrating on the tips. I cover my head with two plastic bags and leave my hair like this for minimum 1 hour (I've found that the longer you leave it the softer your hair is afterwards!).

Glam Protective Style

CONDITIONING

I have the QP Elasta range on conditioners: Intense (wash-out) and Recovery (leave-in). I personally love the QP Elasta range as it smells like you're in the salon getting a salon treatment for yourself.

I also discovered what I could only describe as a Godsend. Its name: Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Conditioner. It was given to me by a friend, who was simply trying to get rid of the many "things" she has. Not knowing what effect this would have on my hair, I tried it out one day. It's a really small tube so I didn't do what I usually do with conditioners - I only applied just a tiny bit of this to my hair and BY GOLLY my hair became the softest it’s ever been in my whole entire life (no exaggeration, I promise). I’ve been looking for somewhere to buy some more of this miraculous conditioner.... but to no avail :(

Protective Style - Cornrows

MOISTURISING

Carrot Oil, Coconut Oil, Soy Oil, Hair Fertilizer and Jojoba Oil - all from the Organic Root Stimulator range. I use the Carrot Oil (on my roots) before blow-drying to add moisture and protection from the heat. I use Olive Oil directly onto my hair strands after the blow dry, and this gives my hair a glow and radiance that can compete with the sun ;)

Oooh la la

Blown Out and Curled for New Years

SECTIONS

To achieve the best results, do everything in sections. This means that you are not neglecting some areas whilst drowning others. Every part of your hair needs moisture, conditioning and oiling. If you don't do it by sections you run the risk of achieving a look somewhat similar to that of a wet cat who has been run over by a lorry (and nobody likes that look).

And that’s a wrap! :D

Timi T.K.O