Requested By A Reader/ Products to Use When Transitioning

Before thinking of Transitioning, click here to read what you should know when transitioning.

The products to use when transitioning does not entirely alter your normal hair care routine but your hair will need an extra care because you will be dealing with two different textures hence you might have to use different products.

You will soon discover that the products you use to maintain you relaxed hair are not going to give you good result when used on your natural hair. There are some basic products you'll need to start off but you can still add more along the way as you begin to understand more about your hair type and porosity.

Here is a list of product to start off with.

A SULPHATE-FREE SHAMPOO - sulphate free shampoos are by far more preferable to sulphate shampoo. Sulphate shampoos are drying. It was found to cause frizz in curly hair and harmful to colour treated hair. Sulphate free shampoo are mild and do not dry out the hair. Shampoo your hair every one to two weeks. A good sulphate free shampoo is ORS hairepair invigorating shampoo.

DEEP CONDITIONING TREATMENT - A deep conditioning treatment is essential for natural hair. If you want to get more benefit, after apply a deep conditioner of choice, cover hair with a heat cap and stay under a steamer for 15 minutes. A deep conditioner should be used after every wash day.

Deep conditioners to buy are

● Crème of nature intensive conditioning treatment

● Cantu shea butter deep treatment masque

● Eden Body works Jojoba Monoi deep conditioner

PROTEIN TREATMENT -  You cannot avoid breakage when dealing with two textures but you can keep your texlaxed/relaxed hair strong by treating with a good protein conditioner. Always cut off split ends. Split ends makes the hair uneven and unhealthy. Keep cutting off split ends and relaxed ends until you eventually get rid of the unhealthy ends. Always treat your relaxed ends with a protein conditioner every wash day and deep condition with a moisturising deep conditioner. For the new growth, use only deep moisturising conditioner. You can use a protein conditioner every 2 months on the natural hair.

Good protein conditioners are;

● ApHogee 2 step protein treatment

● ApHogee 2 minute reconstructor

LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER - Leave-ins provide moisture, helps with hair manageability. Leave-in conditioners are  a staple for every naturals. After conditioning, a good leave-in should be applied when your hair is damp or dry (read the instructions on the purchased product on how to apply).

Good leave-in conditioners;

● Elasta QP olive oil and mango butter leave in conditioner

● Cantu shea butter leave-in conditioner.

DAILY MOISTURISER - Daily moisturising your hair will be an added benefit to maintain a healthy hair. You can mix up your moisturiser by added a good leave-in, oil and water in a spray bottle or using only water to spray on your hair or using a product such as Elasta QP olive oil and mango butter moisturiser. Healthy hair doesn't just have to be what you put on the outside because what you put inside can also keep your tresses healthy. Drink at least 3 liters of water every day to keep your hair and body moisturised.

OILS - Oil is used for different purpose. Click here to read on the oils I use, how I use them and how I make them work for me.

Other oils to purchase include

● Almond oil

● Castor oil

● Avocado oil

● Grapeseed oil

● jojoba oil

HEAT PROTECTANT - Heat protectant should be used before blow drying, flat ironing and roller setting. Apply heat protectant to wet hair with a setting lotion or foam before using any form of heat. Heat protectant helps to prevent the  hair from any further damage that can result from using heat tools. Exposure to too much heat without proper protection can loosen your curl pattern and damage your hair.

A good heat protectant you can find in Nigeria is African's best Organics olive oil smooth and polish serum. The ingredients are awesome.

COMBS

Always try to detangle your hair with your fingers first, try as much as possible to remove knots and when detangling your hair, try to work your hair in sections. Part your hair into four and work on one section at a time. Divide a parted section into two, comb with a wide tooth comb first before using a fine tooth comb then twist the detangled section. This helps to remove all Sheded hair.

SATIN SCARF/SATIN BONNET - Invest on a good satin scarf/bonnet. Do not sleep on a cotton pillow case after applying all these goodies on hair because a cotton pillow case will dry up your hair and this can lead to breakage. Cover your hair nightly with a satin bonnet before bed.

CO-WASHING -Wash your hair with a conditioner when your hair feels dry. Instead of using a shampoo, try using a conditioner. This can help infuse moisture into your hair.

Good conditioner include;

● Dove Intensive conditioner

● Inecto Pure Coconut Infusion Conditioner

● Salon tech conditioner

● Herbal essence hello hydration conditioner

Advice- There are so many good products out there. When you get a product that works for you, stick to it and don't let the product junkee habit get into you.

Thanks For Reading.

Love always, Martyna.