About Hair Care

Image features hairstyles including Bantu knots, box braids, Afro, and cornrows.

Image features hairstyles including Bantu knots, box braids, Afro, and cornrows.

Natalee Lindo

Box braids, Afro, cornrows, and Bantu Knots are all examples of the different hairstyles people like me do with my coily hair.  

As a person with Afro hair, I have heard interesting questions regarding my hair. People with Afro hair, including me, will not go a day without being asked questions like “Can I touch your hair?” “How do you manage it?” Afro hair is not the common straight or wavy hair we see always presented in the media. With that in mind, there are a lot of amusing questions. 

A question I repeatedly get asked by individuals is “How do you manage it?” My hair is type four. There are multiple hair types and textures and knowing your own can help you find what works best for your specific type. Caring for my hair can be time consuming, but I did a lot of research because I too was once oblivious. I find products that work best for me and I have a schedule and weekly routine  to keep up with my hair. All of these “techniques” help to make managing my hair easier.  

In addition, another question I get asked is “What do you do with your hair at night and how much time does it take?” At night, I put some hair oil on my ends to keep my hair moisturized overnight because my hair is prone to dryness. The specific oil I use is Jamaican black castor oil or a hair oil from the brand “Aussie,” which has multiple uses – it helps protect the ends of your hair, helps with hair growth, and is a hair moisturizer. Then, I put my hair into a satin wrap because satin is proven to reduce frizz, keep hair moisturized, and protect hair from splitting ends.  

Furthermore, doing my hair at times can be time consuming. I use a wide tooth comb because it is more gentle on my hair and prevents my hair from breaking and becoming brittle. Likewise, I have to section my hair because I have a lot of hair and it is easier to comb it that way. Then, I spritz it with a spray bottle full of water and apply a leave-in conditioner or other product. Then, I start at the ends of my hair, and I comb through each section. The entire process takes about a half hour. 

To conclude, Afro hair is high maintenance, time consuming, and at times expensive —nevertheless, it is beautiful and unique, and I love my Afro hair!