Embracing your natural hair is all about investing in a hair regimen that works for you and keeps your natural hair healthy and at its best. The trick to styling and maintaining 4C hair is a consistent routine using the correct products to keep your hair healthy and nourished. Hair influencer and YouTuber Katlego Tefu aka “The Gal With A Fro” rocks her 4C natural tresses in lush and gorgeous hair buns and ’fros, showing us that it can be done. Here’s how she cares for her crowning glory.
SEAL IN THE MOISTURE
The kinks and coils of 4C curls require constant hydration as it can dry up easily. Using a deep hydrating moisturiser and a good sealant that will penetrate your hair and scalp is ideal.
“I have 4C hair and after this winter my hair has been feeling much more dehydrated than before. The easiest way to keep my hair moisturized is by using water. Using a spray bottle, I constantly spritz water on my fro. I also apply a hair oil with essential ingredients or mix it in my water to make a mixture for an extra hydration boost”
Product To Use:
Cantu Shea Butter Tea Tree and Jojoba Hair and Scalp Oil R159,99 is made with pure shea butter, tea tree and jojoba oil to replace vital oils, revealing stronger, healthier hair with a natural shine while conditioning the scalp.
Cantu Shea Butter Tea Tree and Jojoba Hair and Scalp
WASH WITH CARE
Make sure to lengthen the time between washes to two to three weeks. Wash your hair in sections to prevent tangles.
“I love a wash day once a week. I use a shampoo that will leave my hair softer and more manageable. I don’t towel dry as it is harsh on my tresses, I use an old cotton t-shirt to pat my hair dry”
Product To Use:
Aunt Jackie’s Oh So Clean Moisturizing And Softening Shampoo R75,99 removes all kinds of build-up, while replenishing hair with essential oils and nutrients.
Aunt Jackie’s Oh So Clean Moisturizing And Softening Shampoo
DETANGLE
Detangling is extra important for 4C girls because the tight curl pattern of your hair can cause your hair to curl and coil around each other, causing tangles. Detangle regularly and gently, using a wide-toothed comb on damp hair.
“My hair is quite fragile so instead of detangling while it’s wet, I drench it with an olive oil or coconut infused hair mist followed by a creamy leave in conditioner then I detangle away!”
Product To Use:
TRESemme Botanic Moisture and Replenish Mist R139,99 moisturises and softens your hair to make it perfectly manageable.
TRESemme Botanic Moisture and Replenish Mist
DEEP CONDITION AND REPLENISH
To add lost moisture, do weekly deep conditioning treatments to help your hair thrive. This will keep your hair healthy, bouncy, and shiny, and will prevent snagging and tangles.
“I use a deep conditioner weekly or biweekly to keep my hair healthy, hydrated and manageable. The thicker and creamier the conditioner the better!”
Product To Use:
Shea Moisture Strength and Restore Leave In Conditioner R289,99 rejuvenates hair by injecting moisture straight into the shaft, while reducing the incidence of shedding and breakage.
Shea Moisture Strength and Restore Leave In Conditioner
AVOID OVERSTYLING
Touching and styling your hair excessively can lead to breakage. Explore styles that require less styling products, or alternate between high and low manipulation styles to give your hair a break.
“Knowing my hair porosity and what my products and hair techniques my hair loves has allowed me to truly embrace it. I don’t change up my hair style too often to avoid breakage but when I do style I keep it simple like up do’s and buns”.
Product To Use:
Dark and Lovely Au Naturale Anti-Breakage Hair Butter R79,99 is specially formulated with guarana root and honey to deeply nourish and condition your hair from root to tip. Your hair is left feeling softer and more resilient to styling damage.
Dark and Lovely Au Naturale Anti-Breakage Hair Butter
HANDLE SHRINKAGE
Shrinkage can be frustrating because you may feel like you aren’t seeing growth. Explore heat-free styles that stretch your hair, such as twist outs, braid outs, buns and bantu knots.
“Shrinkage used to traumatize me but I have learnt to love my 4C hair at any length and rather focus on my hair being healthy and nourished. I also encourage other women to not shame themselves or others for the length of their hair but to rather enjoy feeding their natural hair with hair goodness.
Product To Use:
Afrobotanics Asantewaa Super Hair Growth Crème R73,59 is a powerful hair treatment that helps to seal in moisture and improve hair growth. Also helps to thicken hair and leave it stronger and more resilient.
Afrobotanics Asantewaa Super Hair Growth Crème
Get to know more about caring for your 4C natural hair at this year’s ClicksCurls event, coming to Joburg this October. Explore products that rejuvenate and nourish your natural hair and get to know your hair more with this year’s natural hair products like Shea Moisture, Cantu, Aunt Jackie’s, Afrobotanics, TRESemmé and Dark & Lovely Au Naturale.
Products available on the Clicks website and stores nationwide.
