Nappy hair doesn’t have to be so tough!

Dreadlocks originated with the Mau Mau. It was an act of rebellion devised by the freedom fighters from Kenya’s near past, who wanted to stop the white man from taking their land. The dreadlocks were meant to repel them and at the same time, show defiance.

A few years later, it was picked up by musicians in Jamaica, who often sang songs about freedom and could plead solidarity with the plight of the heroic Dedan Kimathi, most especially.

I did not get that information from Wikipedia. It was actually narrated very deftly on Facebook and even though I haven’t as yet been able to verify it, it sounds very romantic, yeah?

Whether Mau Mau or Jamaican, Dreadlocks are hard core. It takes about 3 months of twisting before your hair locks properly and another year before you actually notice the growth. It is therefore reserved for those who really, really want it.

There is a similar experience however, that acts as an in-between – and this is better known as nappy hair.

This is when you leave your (afro) hair to its natural curly devises and sell all your combs, because you may never use one again.

Dreadlocks are tough and gutsy, but afro hair can be altered to feel as soft as possible, and still have the desired rough effect.

Here’s a few tips on how to keep your nappy hair looking as fit as possible…

Choose a colour. Black nappy hair usually looks a bit untidy, and adding a healthy serving of colour to it will definitely add a lot more spunk to you. It can be as moderate or as bold as your career would define.

Get good quality shampoo and conditioner. Since you will be shampooing your hair ( MUST) at least once a week, it is essential to get a shampoo and conditioner that will not make your hair taut. The chemicals must have some kind of nutrients that can keep dandruff at bay, strengthen your roots and give you a natural sheen.

Treatment. Unkempt hair can get stressed as well. Every month, you must treat it just once to keep it strong, healthy and vibrant. Treating will also help to reduce that irritating breakage.

Daily moisturising. You don’t have to comb it but to keep it soft…applying hair moisturiser on a daily is your best bet. When you wake up every morning, wet your hair and dry it with a towel using gentle circular motions. Apply some moisturiser in your hands and dissolve it into your hair. It will not dry up in the sun.

Trimming. Most hair grows unevenly, so getting hair trimmed by your favourite hair dresser will keep your hair in tip-top shape.

So no need to stress out, most of the tools you need can be locally sourced. All you need to do is put them together so that your hair is looking good.

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