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Afro Hair Care
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jmk
May 20, 2012 13:32
Hi,I thought I''d start a thread for caring for Afro hair that others can add their ideas/recomendations to. As a white Mum to two mixed race DD''s with very different hair types I am constantly experimenting with various products to find what works and what doesn''t. EDD has wavy western type hair which is very easy to style, whereas YDD has very fine, brittle afro hair.www.britishcurlies.co.uk is a fab site with loads of advice on hair care for all types of curly hair. Cannot recommend it highly enough. We use the no shampoo, and only wash with conditioner and it has made a huge difference to DD''s hair. I used the caramel conditioning treatment on her hair every couple of months and the condition of her hair has improved so much. Willpost the recepie below.Looking forward to reading others recomendations. Caramel Hair TreatmentHoney - 6 tablespoons - Honey is a versatile multi-purpose ingredient - itââ¬â¢s antiseptic, astringent and also very moisturising. Extra Virgin Olive Oil ( cold pressed) - 6 tablespoons - Deeply nourishing for your hair. Bananas - 2-3 overripe and very soft - Bananas contain considerable amounts of vitamin B6, vitamin C, and potassium. Also contains some protein. Or you may opt to use 2-3 jars of baby food Pureed Bananas. Saves time and sieving the mixture.If you don''t have a sieve you can use muslin cloth to strain the mixture. This prevents bits of banana from ending up on your hair after the treatment.Molasses (Treacle) - 3 tablespoons - The process by which it is extracted and treated with sulphur results in fortification of iron, calcium and magnesium. Water - 6 tablespoons - Natures finest moisturizer. Apple Cider Vinegar - 1 Teaspoon- Made by fermenting natural apple juice this is packed with minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron and phosphorous. 1no.4oz can of Full Fat Coconut Milk - Coconut milk is considered very healthy in Ayurveda and is great for helping to soften dry, coarse hair. 1-2 Teaspoons Corn Flour - For thickening purposes. This is made from powdered maize kernels. You may choose not to include this depending on the outcome of your mixture.You can also choose to add your favourite oil. 1 Teaspoon of Jojoba Oil, Argan Oil, Almond Oil, or Coconut Oil which ever you prefer or none at all. Please note if you are allergic to nuts avoid using oils from nuts.Blend all the ingredients in a bowl (except the cornstarch) then pour into a saucepan and heat gently then add the cornstarch to thicken the mixture to a creamy toffee like mixture.If you chose to use Baby Food Bananas you can skip the blender and just combine the ingredients in a saucepan. Stir the mixture constantly and add cornstarch to thicken the mixture if needed. Try not to eat it - itââ¬â¢s delicious!Once sufficiently cooled apply to dry hair. Always best to section hair to ensure even coverage. Put on a plastic shower cap and let it sit in your hair for 1 hour.Rinse out completely and follow with your normal cleanse and condition routine.Some benefits reported with the caramel treatment is incredible moisture, a slight elongation to the curl pattern( this is temporary and will not last) also for those transitioning from relaxed hair this is an excellent way to soften and smooth your new hair growth.You can freeze any remaining mixture for your next treatment too!This treatment can be used once every 4 months or so to keep your hair in top condition.
efo
May 20, 2012 16:38
Thanks for this jmk.I too am a white mum with dual heritage DDs. Eldest wavy western hair, younger two afro hair but v different types, one much dryer than the other.Don't have any ideas, but eagerly looking forward to trying out suggestions from others.Fortunately have good shop for afro hair supplies in neighbouring town so keep trying out different brands.
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Osprey
June 8, 2012 12:27
So pleased to have found this thread. We are approved white adopters and are currently being considered for two separate sets of mixed race children. When we told our VA we wanted to be considered for mixed race children (we already have one by a previous marriage, but not with afro hair), the thing they went on about most was we would have to know where to buy hair products! We found this slightly ridiculous and so did our black friends, as everyone starts with an internet search for everything nowadays.However, it's good to know such things are being discussed on this forum, and I will include this in our supporting evidence when we speak to the children's SWs.
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jmk
June 10, 2012 12:36
Glad to see you are looking into hair care before adopting Osprey as looking after afro hair is soooo different to looking after your own western hair. It is important to try and educate yourself on how to care for it as a lot of black/mixed children tend to hate their curly hair and it helps their self esteem if they have nicely conditioned and styled hair. Too many teenage girls are using relaxers or and harsh chemicals to straighten their hair and it is up to us to try and make them proud of their heritage and hair/skin/colour. It is hard for us white Mums to learn to style afro hair especially if we don't have a Grandma or Auntie to teach us, so we have to rely on the internet and dvd's to show us what to do as we don't always have the finances to take our LO's to afro carribean hairdressers.I'd forgotten I started this thread and will post on links to useful sites I have found later on when I get a chance. Hopefully others will do so too.The best one I have found is www.britishcurlies.co.uk which I posted above.Will add more later.
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moonstar
June 10, 2012 20:14
HIyaI too have been researching a lot as my AD is mixed race (I am white, my DH black caribbean). We have two BC boys with soft, easy to manage hair but AD's hair is very coarse. I do plait her hair and condition it to within an inch of it's life but my main issue is that at 3.5 years AD is so busy, usually rolling about on the floor/ground, up trees and in bushes that keeping debris out of it. It takes just one bit of fluff to start the downward spiral into chaos hair. Wish she would wear a doo-rag at night to keep the fluff out!Thanks for the recipe jmk! I might have the leftovers for breakfast! I'm definitely going to try it as so many other hair products have chemicals in and we are a paraben/chemical free household. I find coconut oil good and Aubrey Organics do some good moisturising conditioners. Its the 'leave-in' stuff I am still searching for. ADs hair always looks amazing after her bath. 15 mins later and its bonkers again, but most leave in stuff is too sticky for her head-stands, roly-polys and lolling about on the floor (She makes a good duster though.) Will check out britishcurlies.XX
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jmk
June 10, 2012 20:31
Know the feeling Moonstar. My DD's hair looks stunning after it's just been washed, but like your DD, she loves doing headstands and often comes home with loads of grass embedded in her hair which I have to pick out.Will go and look up my favourite sites as I've lost my list on my old computer when it died.
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jmk
June 10, 2012 23:06
Hair sitesNo.1 must have product for all types of curly hair, not just afro hair, - "Tangle Teezer Brush" as seen on Dragons Den program. This brush will save your life and your relationship with your child as it makes combing/brushing hair a pleasure, I kid you not! Until I got one, my DD hated me combing her hair free of knots and it was always an ordeal, but with the Tangle Teezer she actually looks forward to me brushing her hair as she says it feels nice! NB. works best on just washed hair before it dries. Still works on dry hair, but not as well and can cause a few pulls. At less than ã10 it is an absolute must and can be found in most good chemist shops or failing that you can always buy one from Amazon.www.girlsloveyourcurls.com - My favourite site for showing you how to style your DD's hair. Nadine is just lovely and so helpful, and I love her sketches where she pretends to be her Mother/Aunties back home in Ghana - Just brilliant watch and you'll be hooked.www.braidsbybreslin.com - Brilliant DVD's from America. Have bought some and they show you in close up how to do cornrows etc. Designed to teach hairdressers new styles. Best thing about DVD's is you can freeze or play back as many times as you like until you know what you are doing and they are filmed really close up. Some of them are on youtube if you want to have a look first. www.happygirlhair.com - Katie, a white lady who adopted two girls from Ethiopia, created Happy Girl Hair to show other Mums how to care for their DD's hair and it is indeed a great resource for natural hair care for girls.Some great ideas on hairstyles and haircare. www.chocolatehairvanillacare.com - Have just discovered this one by white mum of black LO. Looks really good with nice clear explanations for people like me who get muddled with all the information out there. Must read more.www.beadsbraidsbeyond.com - Great for ideas of new hairstyles to try with loads of photo's. www.ournaturalkids.comwww.ebonysbraidery.webs.com Will add more as and when I find them.
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moonstar
June 13, 2012 16:45
HiyaThanks for all the links!! Will get browsing...I await the day when DD starts to 'want' me to do her hair and try new things - I have a bag of bobbles, bands, clips and things - she's just not interested yet - maybe these links will help!Thanks again.M x
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selg
June 16, 2012 21:27
I definitely agree with jmk about the british curlies website, my 2 year old son has got the softest afro hair due to co-washing and other advice on there, his FC always remarks on it and she's black. He doesn't get many tangles either as I only ever comb it when it's wet with conditioner.
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Jet
June 17, 2012 20:16
thanks for recipe I gave it to my adult daughters tonightI am a white women with 3 adopted children ( now adults) of dual heritage and cannot count the hours and money i have spent on their hairbut I was pleased with many of the results and the youngest is now a hairdresser who can do amazing things with her hair cheers Jet
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galapagos
June 17, 2012 20:45
ooh brilliant thread. i have exprimented too. i am using argon oil and olive oil. i am washing floreanas hair with a shampoo conditioner but it is better with just conditioner. The preparpared products seem to dry her hair wheras the oil leaves it silky. I think french plaits are best as these lengthn her hair nto waves wheras the multiple braids gav hr tight curls... a nightmare. i confess to cutting her hair as the condition was so bad from the fc..... any advice on trimming dual heritage carribean english hair would be goodgx
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galapagos
June 17, 2012 20:53
any advice on hair care and swimming????
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jmk
June 18, 2012 09:34
Galapagos, If you go on to www.chocolatehairvanillacare.com you'll see a whole section on swimming hair care. It's on the front page and has quite a few ideas.HTH
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jmk
June 18, 2012 09:50
Hi,I'm at risk of becoming a haircare bore as I experiment to improve my DD's hair condition.I read about putting coconut oil in her hair the night before washing her hair and I tried it to great success. You can buy coconut oil at any ethnic food store, it's really quite cheap about ã2.00 for a large pot, so you can afford to be generous with it. Is also great for moisturising skin and I believe you can cook with it although I've never tried. I melted some gently in a bowl in the microwave (20 secs) and worked it through DD's hair using my Tangle Teezer brush to distribute it evenly. Then I put a showercap on her head overnight, which actually stayed on, and kept the oil off her pillowcase.The next morning I washed her hair as normal. I then added more melted coconut oil to her hair and styled it in two large plaits.Her hair colour darkened considerable which showed me how dry it had been . It looked lovely and well fed and even had a bit of shine to it and it is certainly a lot healthier looking.I think I am going to do this once a week at the w/e to see if it improves her hair and makes it less brittle. The beauty is, it is so quick to do and leaving it overnight means it has plenty of time to soak in.Really pleased with the result - Will keep you posted on my experiment.
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barbamama
June 18, 2012 19:25
Ha ha I am a hair care bore too!!! Have spent 11 yrs researching and experimenting!! But people often comment on my DDs hair too... On the good condition. Even black hairdressers... The ultimate compliment!!! I'm a big fan of coconut oil too jmk. Do the pre wash night soak thing too plus is her hair is looking a little dry and frizzy just rub a small amount in my hands and smooth through hair. Another really fab over night pre wash treatment is olive oil. I heat a little in microwave then smother hair, cover with shower cap and wash out next day. Is a great one to do if hair is feeling particularly dry... E.g after lots of a swimming. Do have to rinse out well tho as can leave a little greasy. BM x x x
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moonstar
June 26, 2012 14:33
Ok Tangle Teezer on order, and planning a moisturising marathon at the weekend. I already use coconut oil, condition wash and all, but I'm just not getting the results I want. I know, beyond the madness LO has beautiful hair - I catch a glimpse of it every now and then, then she goes and does a headstand in a pile of leaves and hey, we're back where we started.But you guys are giving me fresh hope!!Keep it coming..
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jmk
June 26, 2012 14:49
Read a tip on a website about removing sand from LO's hair Moonstar. The lady uses the nozzle of her vaccum cleaner to get the sand out of her DD's hair. She says it really works well. Haven't tried it myself, but thought it might work for leaves & grass as long as hair isn't loose it should work.
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selg
June 28, 2012 13:31
Brilliant!!! - LO came out of the sandpit at my parents with ginger hair rather than dark brown as he had covered himself with sand! I ended up in the wet room (dog washing room really!) under the shower with him, it was like a mutual exfoliation as he clung to me - he hates showers, loves baths, pools, splashing etc but hates showers! Should have tried the vacuum first.
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jmk
July 4, 2012 14:09
Have been experimenting and making my own hair conditioners for DD's hair and I am so chufferd with the results and difference it is making to her hair. She has gone off for her induction day in her new school wearing her hair out in an afro complete with a wide hairband and it looked fab!! This is a first for DD. I have always loved her hair out, but she has never worn it like that to school and has only left it out on holidays where none of her friends would see it. She was so pleased with her hair last night after doing the conditioning treatment that she asked if she could leave it to wear to school today to her new school. I am so pleased, because she is becoming proud of her natural hair and it is a huge confidence boost for her to want to wear it out. Just hope her friends like it as much as we do as she looks very different then when she wears her usual plaits/braids.Deep Hair Conditioner4oz 100% Shea Butter2oz 100% Coconut Oil (solid at room temp)2 tablespoons extra virgin Olive Oil1 teaspoon of Vitamin E Oil5 drops of lavender oil, if desired to mask the woody smell of the Shea butter.Place ingredients in a deep bowl and blend together using a hand blender or whisk. Leave to set in the fridge until semi solid, about 15 mins. Blend again until thick and creamy and spoon into a lidded jar or container. Leave to set in the fridge until it reaches your preferred consistancy. Does not need to be kept in the fridge as coconut oil acts as a preservative and has antibacterial qualities as does the lavender oil.Conditioner can be combed into hair after washing and left to air dry.Can also be used as a body moisturiser, great on dry feet heels and elbows. Lighter Every Day Mix3 tablespoons of Coconut Oil1 teaspoon of Argon Oil1 teaspoon of Jojoba Oil1 teaspoon of Castor OilFew drops of whatever essential oil you like the smell of. Vanilla is nice.Blend as above. Mixture is runnier than deep conditioner and is suitable for using in hair every day.
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moonstar
July 4, 2012 20:35
You should open a salon JMK!!Great tip about the hoover Can't wait to try it - what a laugh...Don't want to squash LO's exuberance and love of roly-polies, now I can just give her a quick hoover afterwardsM x
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