How to Manage and Reduce Product Build-up in Natural Hair – Clarifying Shampoos

You shouldn't have to get rid of your favourite products that constantly give you good hair days because they cause product buildup. Product build-up is why clarifying shampoos were created. Good clarifying shampoos clean the hair without totally stripping it of its natural oils.

Top Clarifing Shampoos - Suave Naturals Daily Clarifying Shampoo and
Kinky Curly Come Clean

Use the products that create good results and follow up weekly with a clarifying shampoo like Suave Naturals Daily Clarifying Shampoo or the Kinky Curly Come Clean. Both are very effective in removing build-up but you may need 2-3 washes to get rid of significant build-up when using Kinky Curly Come Clean.

Keep the following in mind: 

1. You don't have to do a thorough wash every 2 days but focus on the scalp more than the hair if you do. Washing with a clarifying shampoo every 1-2 weeks is usually sufficient. If you need to clarify every 2 days, you may be using too much product but you can still wash frequently if you choose the right pH balanced shampoo.
2. Unless daily or frequent wash n' gos are a part of your regular routine, only wash your hair when it is dirty. Don't worry about how frequently you should wash. You'll know when you need a wash.
3. Focus on your scalp when washing if you wash frequently to avoid stripping the hair of its natural oils. 
4. Select shampoos that are pH balanced as they will help to maintain the strength and softness of your hair. This information is usually on the label.
5. Find the right moisturizing routine to restore moisture to your hair. After washing (on damp hair) add your moisturizer and seal in all the moist goodness with a light oil. This should keep your hair fairly soft if done regularly. Spritz with water and repeat the moisture sealing process to keep your hair moisturized.

How to Create a Fishtail Braid

Fishtails (sometimes called fishbone) braids don't only have to be ponytails. You can put a fishtail braid anywhere that you would put a traditional three-stand braid. Just look at the beautiful picture below.

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Fishtail braids are excellent, quick styles for women with longer natural hair, locs or even braids extensions. Check out the tutorial below to see how it is done.

Here is another way in which a fishtail or fishbone braid can be done. Get creative and create a style of your own.

Still confused? Try another tutorial below.

What are Box Braids and Box Braids Extensions?

What are Box Braids/Plaits?
Box braids, also known as plaits, are us the process of interweaving three sections of hair together at a time. They can be done at many different sizes pictured below. Click here to learn how to do box braids and plaits with and without extensions. Also check out the blog post on how to treat hair extensions to reduce having an itchy scalp.


Small/Micro-Braid Extensions

 

Medium Box Braids Extensions (Average & Most Common Size)

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Large Box Braids Extensions (Also known as Poetic Justice or Solange Braids)

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Chunky Box Braids Extensions 

Box Braids done on Natural Hair Without Extensions

Box Braids done on natural hair with no extensions

Click here to learn how to do plaits and box braids extensions. 

How to do Plait and Box Braids Extensions (Tutorial)

Box Braids can be done with or without extensions hair added. Commonly known as plaits, it uses three sections of hair and weaved them together to create a perfectly interlaced plait.

How to Three Strand Plait or Box Braid Hair Your Natural Hair

Watch the demonstration video below to see how plaiting/braiding can be done.

There are different ways of doing box braids extensions. Now that you have learned the foundation (plaiting)  in the video above, see two excellent tutorials below showing how they can be done using kanekalon extensions.


How to do Box Braids Extensions Yourself

*Method 1 (Easy for DIYers)

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Tip 1

Add less hair for a less bulky look. Remember, too, that using too much hair can make the braid heavy which can stress the roots, causing damage to your cutiicle and eventual hair loss. Be careful when using a lot of hair.
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Method 2 

Tips!

• Don't braid too tight to the root. Braids are usually heavy. Tight and heavy braids are a recipe for hair loss and cuticle damage.
• Remove braids after 6-8 weeks. The longer your hair remains braided is the more build-up and tension that is put on your scalp. Tight braiding, excessive build-up and lack of deep treatment are three of the most common causes of hair loss in braiding.
• Yes, you want the chunky look but don't use too much hair. This will make your hairstyle too heavy, causing tention on the scalp and neck.

What are Senegalese Twists? | How to Senegalese Twist

There are many different ways to add extensions to natural hair. One of the most common methods is the senegalese twists method.

Senegalese Twists – Source

What are Senegalese Twists?
Senegalese twists occur when two strands of hair are woven together using a double twisting method. They can be done on natural hair or with extensions. Senegalese twisting is a very popular method of twisting They can be done with or without the use of extensions hair. In Jamaica, senegalese twists are also called rope twists.

Senegalese Twists in a bun hairstyle

How to Senegalese Twist
There are two main ways of properly doing senegalese twists for them to look as natural as possible. Some people start them with plaits but this isn't quite the proper method. Twists are usually twisted from the root to the tip. See the two best ways of doing senegalese twists extensions at home below.


Method 1 (Best method for DIYers)

Method 2

The No Extensions Method
This method of doing twists is achieved without the use of extensions hair. A full head of It goes a lot faster as it isn't lengthened by the process of adding the extensions hair.

More Info
According to imageofafricala.com, senegalese twists originated in Senegal, West Africa. The senegalese twist extensions usually take about 4-8 hours depending on the thickness of your hair and the size of your parts.

How to Reduce Itching when Using Kanekalon Hair Extensions

Many women experience acute itching of the scalp after the application of kanekalon hair. Itching is even worse in styles like cornrows/canerows where the hair is closely touching the scalp.  Ever wondered why your hair itches less after several washes? The itching is often due to the alkaline base coating used in the preparations of Kanekalon hair and other hair fibres used for extensions.

Kanekalon Hair

As a result of the coating getting on your scalp, you could have adverse reactions to alkaline base in kanekalon extensions. Try to prepare the extensions hair by removing the alkaline base before it is applied to your hair. Here is how you can reduce the chance of an itchy scalp even before you apply extensions to your hair.

How to Remove the Alkaline Base in Extensions

You will Need

• Distilled White Vinegar
• Warm Water
• A Bowl or sink
• Towel
• Elastic Bands

Watch the video below to see how it is done of follow the steps listed below.

Step 1
Secure hair with hair band in at least three places to reduce the possibility of tangling.

Step 2
Add warm water and 1 cup of inexpensive vinegar to a very large bowl.

Step 3
Immerse hair (with bands secured) into water for 15 minutes. Hair should be fully immersed. You will see the film of alkaline base forming a film on the top of the water.

Step 4
Drain the water and keep rinsing the hair in the bowl until you believe that most of the vinegar is washed out.

Step 5
Lay the hair on a towel or better, hang to drip dry. Avoid using a blowdryer without a diffuser so that hair is not frayed out which would make it harder to be used post-treatment.

Now you can do your box braids or senegalese twists without wondering if you will be itching your scalp raw and having to wash before it's time.

10 Tips for Length Retention | How to Grow Longer Natural Hair

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If you want to grow your natural hair, it's not as hard as you think. Try these ten tips for 2012 and you'll be sure to experience increased hair growth if you haven't been doing these things before.

1. DETANGLE YOUR HAIR WHEN DAMP. Naturally curly hair is more elastic and less likely to break when damp. 
2. DETANGLE WITH A WIDE TOOTH COMB OR WITH FINGERS. Widely spaced teeth in combs facilitate less tension when used carefully and using fingers reduce breakage significantly. 
3. SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE USE OF HEAT. Heat is one of the main causes of dryness and split ends which weaken your hair. 
4. TRY PROTECTIVE STYLING. Styling your hair in ways that tuck away the ends causes less friction to the ends of your hair and exposes it to less potential damage. Also, the less you manipulate your hair, the less damage you are likely to cause. 
5. DEEP CONDITION YOUR HAIR REGULARLY. If your hair is brittle, try doing moisturising treatments. If your hair is tearing, try protein treatments. These help with the pH balance that your hair requires to be healthy. 
6. MOISTURISE YOUR HAIR REGULARLY. Natural hair tends to be dry and dry hair tends to be brittle. Brittle hair tends to break and not grow. Spritz your hair with water and seal in the moisture from the water with oil to help keep your hair moisturised. 
7. TRIM YOUR BAD ENDS AS NEEDED. Check your ends regularly but only trim when your ends are not responding to treatment or when they are split. Split ends continue to split up your hair shaft causing more damage. Do not trim your hair if it is healthy. 
8. PROTECT YOUR HAIR AT NIGHT. Cover your hair at night. Cotton pillows soak up moisture and rub against strands which cause breakage.  So, use a satin pillowcase or  a satin cap to protect your hair at nights. Ensure that your moisturised ends are tucked away safely to prevent any damage. 
9. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. Healthy bodies function well. Unhealthy bodies don't. Hair growth is a function of your body. 
10. AVOID TIGHT STYLES AND USE GOOD HAIR CLIPS. Avoid using items that snag or break your hair like rough brushes, broken metal clips, elastic bands etc. These cause damage and can alter the healthiness of your hair, causing it to be thin or broken. Styling your hair too tightly is a common cause of hair loss. Avoid tight styles to minimise scalp damage.

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Created for women who desire to maintain their natural hair at home, DIY Natural Hair Care is happy to receive your questions and suggestions at editor@keepitkinky.net.