Our Amina Deep Penetrating Moisturising Conditioner is the best deep conditioner for deeply moisturising, hydrating and softening the kinkiest, moist coily of 4c/z hair! It rewards your coils like no other. It is a thick, creamy conditioner, formulated with concentrated natural oils and natural conditioning agents that are extremely beneficial and responsive to kinky dry hair.
Why Deep Condition?
All hair types require deep conditioning or treatments or masks. But for African hair, deep conditioning or treating your hair is the most important thing you can do. It is a must to deep condition African hair, whether natural or relaxed, once a week. African hair is naturally dry and brittle and needs extra attention and assistance to thrive. Deep condition makes sure hair gets the moisture boost, nourishment and strengthening it needs to be soft and smooth. Deep conditioning is a process where a concentrated conditioner or treatment is applied to the hair and left on the hair for a period ranging from 20mins to 60mins. This is to ensure that the product gets into the hair. Most other products are applied and sit on the hair, not penetrate it. The length of time, plus heat ensure that deep conditioning happens.
How To Deep Condition Using Amina Deep Penetrating Moisturising Conditioner
There are several ways to deeply condition hair, but what is common amongst these methods is the stimulation heat. Heat encourages the hair cuticle to open up allowing the conditioner to PENETRATE each hair, ensuring silkier and hydrated hair strands.
Step 1: Cleanse Hair
The best way to use the Deep Penetrating Conditioner to deep condition is after you have washed your hair with a shampoo. Clarify your hair only when necessary or once a month, using raw and unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (mixed with water) or a clarifying shampoo. Washing removes product build up allowing for easier penetration of the conditioner into your hair.
Step 2: Apply Conditioner Generously
After washing and rinsing shampoo, apply a very generous amount of conditioner to dripping wet hair. Do not dry your hair after rinsing off your shampoo.
Note: For that extra WOW FACTOR, simply add a small amount of our AfroBotanics Mukaya African Oil Blend to your conditioner in your hand before applying to wet, it is a blend of Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, Marula Oil and Baobab Oil.
Step 3: Activate Conditioner Using Heat
Methods to Activate Heat:
- Heat Cap: the heat cap is an all-time favourite as it requires the least admin, and at R600.00 max, is worth the purchase. After applying the Deep Penetrating Conditioner put on a shower cap, and on top of the shower cap use a headscarf to protect the shower cap from melting from the heat of the heat cap. Put the heat on the highest level, bringing it down as time passes. Sit for 20 minutes, cool-off and rinse off the conditioner.
- Steamer: highly effective and worth the once off purchase of about R1200.00. We love the steamer because it really opens up the hair cuticles allowing for maximum moisture penetration. After applying the Deep Penetrating Conditioner, sit under the steamer for approximately 20-25 minutes, do not cover hair. Ensure to have a towel, as water will drop from the steamer. Cool-off then rinse off the conditioner.
- Hooded Dryer: So there are two kinds. There’s the one which we are familiar with and have probably used a few times, the one available at the salons – more professional. Then there’s the smaller portable one with a hair bonnet that needs you to connect your blow dryer to it. However they work similarly. After applying the Deep Penetrating Conditioner, put on shower cap and sit under the professional dryer, or connect your blow dryer to the end of the hair bonnet hooded dryer for 20 – 25 minutes. Cool-off then rinse off the conditioner.
Moisturizing Low Porosity Hair Using the Baggy Method
There is probably one word that we keep hearing as naturals; in fact we could probably start a petition to have it be our official ‘natural’ word, “moisture”. If you don’t already, you should learn how to love this word, because you will hear it a lot, and besides you should know by now that moisture is key to growing hair. But many of us struggle with retaining moisture and frequently ask ‘how or where can I get moisture’, ‘what products can I use to acquire moisture’, or ‘what’s the secret ingredient for moisture’.
Today we are going deep into the Baggy Method, which is a highly recommended moisture infusion method for low porosity hair. Low porosity simply means that your hair struggles to absorb any moisture, even from water-based products, products just sit on the hair and does not saturate or penetrate into the hair shaft, it’s hair that is prone to dryness. Although it struggles to absorb water and let water into the cuticle, this hair type retains water the longest once water gets through. High porosity hair has cuticles that are open that let water in and out easily, it is also prone to dryness. Normal porosity hair has cuticles that are open just enough to let water in and keep in for a certain period.
The Baggy method, which may not work for all, but is worth the experiment, is one-way to maintaining luscious and hydrated low porosity coils. It combines extremely simple steps and is only a plus to your already existing hair regimen. Okay, so it’s similar to deep conditioning and doesn’t require any extra effort, but it does deliver the much-needed nutrients your hair needs. It is advised that you add this method as part of your washday routine. Start on the day you wash your hair as your hair will be clean.
For best results, do it twice a week for 4 weeks at a time. Or do it daily for a week and you will see a different in the moisture content of your low porosity hair.
There are two ways to go about it, depending on what is suffering the most. 1. Ends or 2. All-over. If you spot that your ends are splitting, dry or brittle, then the emphasis should be on your ends. However, your whole head could benefit from it.
Dos:
- Use Apple Cider Vinegar, mixed with water to clarify and to remove any product build-up.
- Apply and rinse out conditioner like our Black Pearl Hydrating Conditioner. Or Amina Deep Penetrating Moisturising Conditioner
Side note: you can do this method on damp hair, however, you are likely to sweat and your hair might not dry. If your hair is not fully dry by the end of the method, you have probably lost some moisture.
- After leaving your hair to dry naturally but damp, section hair, and apply EITHER a dab of the Afrobotanics Nehanda Leave-In Conditioner or Black Pearl Hair Juice
- Seal the moisturizer in with a blend of oils (Afrobotanics Mukaya Oil Blend).
- You can do a braid out, twist out or whichever protective style to your liking. You can also tie the ends together, using hair ties (but not too tightly).
- Apply a plastic cap
- Apply head scarf for security
- Leave products on hair for 3-4 hours, or over night. But not longer than this because it is important that your hair gets to breathe!
- Undo protective style and style your hair as your like.
If this method is not a success with you, don’t worry; we will be posting about other methods that can help your hair retain moisture and ultimate growth, just stay tuned!
Have you tried the Baggy Method? If so, please let us know how did it go in the comments section below.
Lately protective hairstyles trends are just booming, and even when you already have a protective style you just can’t wait to have the next one done.
Protective styles are a great way to shield your hair from damage, especially the ends. A protective style is a style that keeps you from touching your hair daily and keeps the ends of your hair tucked away. The ends are the oldest parts of our hair therefore constantly manipulating hair without giving it a break can cause hair ends and the rest of your hair to weaken.
Damage to our hair can happen easily, by combing and styling it daily, we compromise our hair. So if you want healthier and longer hair, you have to put your hair in a protective style for 1 week to 6 weeks depending on the style.
Protective styles are necessary and applicable to those who wear their hair natural and those that relax their hair.
Examples of stylish and trendy protective styles:
- Box braid (can last for 4 – 6 weeks)
- Wigs (protective style under the wig)
- Cornrows
- Bantu Knots
- Crotchet Braids
- Weaves
- Twists with own hair
- Pigtails that tuck away the ends
- Up-dos like buns
However, it’s imperative that we follow the right regimen before we put our hair into a protective style. When our hair is ‘protected’ it is not easy to get the much-needed moisture to the hair and could end up drying out. Dry hair is susceptible to split ends and breakage, defeating the whole purpose of putting our hair in a protective style. That’s why we have put together this guide of what you can do before a protective style in order to ensure your hair emerges healthier and longer after the protective style.
- Pre-Poo
Wet your hair. Apply the AfroBotanics Amina Deep Penetrating Conditioner/Black Pearl Hydrating Conditioner before you shampoo your hair, cover with a plastic shower cap and leave for 20 -30 minutes. An alternative is to apply the Mukaya 5-in-1 Oil Blend, cover with a plastic shower cap and leave for 20 – 30 minutes before shampooing. These methods infuse extra moisture before you strip some moisture from your hair by shampooing, leaving it less dryer.
- Cleanse Hair
Wash your hair using the Black Pearl Sulfate – Free Shampoo to remove all product build up and dirt. Leaving you with a head of fresh hair that is ready to absorb moisture.
- Deep Condition
Deep Conditioning is one of the most efficient ways to get the most out of your conditioner. It is extremely hydrating and leaves your hair softer, shinier and with added elasticity, making your hair less prone to breakage. Rinse out.
- Moisturize
The L.O.C Method will leave you with the most satisfying results. What is this? Apply our Nehanda Leave-In Conditioner to damp hair to moisturize hair, followed by the Mukaya 5-in-1 Oil Blend to seal in the moisture while providing your hair with nutrients. End this method off with our Asantewaa African Triple Butter to ensure that your hair is protected and does not lose any moisture. Then detangle or comb hair and partition braid hair in twists or pondos until it dries or overnight.
If you have HIGH POROSITY HAIR, that is hair that loses moisture quickly, then consider doing this step twice before braiding, so do the first L.O.C. two days before going to braid, and then L.O.C. again the night before you go braid.
- Stretch
Stretch your hair without any heat by braiding it or doing twists the night before you have your hair braided. Doing braid out is the most successful method to stretch our hair. It will make it simpler for you when you comb-out your hair before the protective style. Your hair needs to be stretched to ensure that it all gets tucked in, which is essential to it being protected.
NB: Don’t forget to hydrate your hair during the protective style using our AfroBotanics Modjadji Braid Spray or Black Pearl Hair Juice. This will you’re your hair moisturized and nourished and will also minimize breakage when unbraiding and keep your style looking fresher and desirable for longer. Also remember to apply our Asantewaa African Triple Butter to your scalp every few days to maintain a healthy and clean scalp.
What are your current favorite and most successful protective styles? Drop us a picture in the comments section below, to give others some ideas.