How to keep your natural hair lush and flourishing during COVID-19

With most of us used to salon dates and barber's tapered cuts, this pandemic has got us figuring what to do next with our natural hair. I can tell some of you have been wearing the last style they had longer than they ever did. Reason? No idea what to do next with their natural hair.

Take this quarantine period as an opportunity to tend, know, and bond with your natural hair. Yes, I said to bond with it. I mean bonds make everything easier, and so much fun, you'll eventually love and embrace your natural hair.

I know you haven't been a naturalista for some reason, and checking out info from blogs and YouTube can be overwhelming. That's why I am sharing the important stuff only.

Tools and products to have

You will need shampoo to wash your hair, deep conditioner, and for this, I recommend repairing and reconstructing conditioner as well as a moisturizing conditioner without forgetting a moisture boost and hydrating leave-in conditioner. Purchase oils too, and for oils, I recommend coconut oil, olive oil, castor oil, tea tree oil, and jojoba oil. For tools, get a spray bottle, wide-tooth comb, shower cap, hair clips, and I am sure you own a lot of bands, and Bobby pins because they mysteriously disappear.

Hair regimen and routine.

Just like you have a morning workout routine, you will need a hair routine, which is pretty simple. Hair regimen consists of wash day procedure; 

pre-poo/pre-shampoo, this is the first wash day step where you prep your hair for wash day by applying an oil or instant conditioner before wash day. I apply the night before wash day because it helps in detangling my hair and keeps my hair soft after wash day and doesn't strip my hair of natural oils.

Detangling and cleansing- detangle gently with your fingers, don't snap off the tangles and knots on hair. After you detangle, section your hair, hold it in with clips and watch each section a time.

Deep condition-apply deep condition from the roots, which are the oldest parts of the hair to the tips, wear a shower cap, and let the nutrients get into the hair strands.

Stretch and air dry- stretch your hair by wearing braids(matuta)and let it air dry, we have all the time for that. If you have to step out, you can use minimal heat to stretch your hair.

Protective styling

I know what you are thinking. You can wear a protective style without visiting your favorite hairdresser or having additional braids or extensions. During this quarantine period, learn to wear protective styles with your natural hair only and trust me they are easy to learn and master. The protective styles you ought to try are; two or three-strand twists, braids, cornrows, flat twists, Bantu knots, tuck, and pin.

Scalp massages.

Scalp massages are not only meant to feel good and relaxing, but they also stimulate growth. Personally, I massage my scalp at least twice or thrice a week using castor oil since it stimulates growth. Use an applicator bottle to apply oil on your scalp, and if you don't have just chill and use your fingers by dipping your finger balls in the oil and massage your scalp and if you are losing or have lost your edges, massages will definitely regrow them.

Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize!

Your hair isn't hard like steel wool hard; you just haven't figured how to moisturize. Dry hair is prone to breakage, so moisturizing is essential to retain length and have our hair lush, flourishing, and shiny.

Moisturize with water, add more moisture with your leave-in conditioner and seal with your favorite oil or butter. You can also use your spray bottle to moisturize by putting your moisturizing ingredients in it and just spritz on your hair and seal in the moisture with oil or butter.

Night protective routine.

Drop that pair of stockings that you've been using for the longest time and get your hair satin or silk scarf, bonnet, or pillowcases to protect your hair while sleeping. Don't hold the scarf too tight and avoid cotton scarves; they absorb moisture from your hair, drying it out.

All said, it's up to you to get it done. Embrace and show love to your natural hair and surprise them after this partial lockdown.