The salons are all closed, and your favourite hairstylist can’t make house calls. Worse, you are about a week overdue on removing that sew-in weave, retouching that relaxer or trimming your hair. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! You can actually style and maintain your own hair. Use this time to embrace that new growth, let your hair breathe, and try out different styles.
NATURAL HAIR
Learn how to nurture and feed your hair. Before styling, wash with a shampoo, and then apply a deep treatment. Put on a plastic cap for a few minutes to seal in the moisture and essential ingredients. Detangle your hair with a detangling comb, rinse out the conditioner, and then air or towel-dry. Apply a moisturiser with essential oils like olive and coconut to maintain the good health of your tresses.
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A high bun – like influencer Sinovuyo’s – is a great style to keep your face free from hair. Sweep your hair up and tie into a ponytail. Have some fun by tying your locks with wool for an edgy style. Treat your hairline with a hair food to prevent any breakage from all the pulling.
Sometimes, you might want to let your ’fro free. This fun hairstyle – by influencer Mpoomy Ledwaba – will let your hair breathe. Create blocks, and connect them in a cornrow formation in the front part of your hair. If you have hair accessories, then add them for a fun touch. Leave the back of your hair loose.
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Use honey, eggs and avocado to make a moisturising home-made mask. If you run out of shampoo, you can use apple cider vinegar as a rinse. Mix five tablespoons of the vinegar with water, and pour the mixture over your hair evenly, working it into your scalp. Let it sit for three to five minutes, and then rinse out. For long and short natural hair, make sure you keep your hair hydrated each day. Fill a spray bottle with water and anoint your crown once a day.
RELAXED HAIR
Relaxed hair can break and become brittle without the right care. Since you won’t be retouching yours, feed it with enough moisture. Base your scalp regularly to ensure that it stays healthy, and avoid dandruff. Additionally, avoid hairstyles that require you to comb your hair often so that it doesn’t break.
The perfect hairstyle is a low ponytail that will keep your hair swept away from your face. Create a middle parting, and tie your hair in a low ponytail, like media personality K Naomi. However, constantly keeping your hair in a ponytail will pull at your hairline and lead to thinning. Let your hair loose, but use an accessory like a hairband to channel TV presenter Ayanda Thabethe.
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Extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil are good natural moisturisers. A peppermint and tea tree oil mixture is a great anti-inflammatory if you have an itchy scalp and want to avoid flaking.
SHORT HAIR
You may be due for a trim and colour, but fear not. While your hair grows out, you can take steps to care and maintain its colour for longer. Colour-treated hair demands extra attention. Commit to regular deep-conditioning. Do it on a weekly basis and use quality hair oil, a hair mask or an intensive moisture or conditioning treatment. Be gentle when styling, and reduce or avoid using heat to help protect the integrity of your hair. An anti-breakage leave-in treatment or conditioner will also protect colour-treated hair from damage. If you want to switch up your style after every wash, then use a foaming or wrap mouse to style or slick it back. A mousse will moisturise and nourish your hair. Keep your hairstyle for longer by sleeping with a silk or satin headwrap that will retain moisture in your hair.
