Hair Styling Tips For Women Of Colour
Jamaica comes alive in the spring and summer, with statistics indicating that last year, a record 4.3 million visitors from all over the world made this their chosen destination.
The beautiful beaches, party atmosphere and plethora of dining havens mean that you can make the most of life in the Great Outdoors. In fact, the one ‘challenging’ thing about the beach-life and being outside all day is that hair can suffer from increased dryness, owing in no small part to the humidity and amount of salt in the air.
Moisturising Hair a Priority for Women in Jamaica
Most Jamaicans have curly hair that grows in a tiny, spring-like helix shape. While this makes for beautiful bounce and volume, beautiful Jamaican hair requires extra moisture. To lock it into your hair, start by shampooing only twice a week at most, using a deeply hydrating shampoo which is preferably free of sulfates, fragrance, parabens, and other chemicals that can harm the health of your hair.
Afterwards, use a moisture repair conditioner containing a quality oil such as argan, which will leave your hair baby soft all day. While your hair is wet, comb through with a wide-toothed comb, which should glide through your strands at this stage. With your hair still wet, apply a leave-in conditioner once again containing natural moisturizing products such as aloe, shea, or argan; you can also use these oils directly instead of opting for a blended product.
Coconut Magic
Many women of colour swear by coconut oil, which works fantastically on some hair types. Coconut oil can be used as a leave-in conditioner. Just dab a small amount between your hands, warming it by rubbing your hands together. As you apply it to your locks, gently massage strands with your thumb, pointer finger and middle finger, removing any tangled areas with the help of the oil.
The key to deciding whether coconut oil is right for you or not, is to work out whether your hair is high- or low-porosity.Women of colour have a variety of curl intensities. That is, hair can vary from curly to kinky. Different hair types have different porosities, which means they absorb water and moisture to a greater or lesser extent. For some people, coconut oil can make hair dryer because it takes up space within the strands, enabling less water to be absorbed when you wet your hair. For those with high-porosity hair, this isn’t a problem because hair has more open cuticles. Low porosity hair, on the other hand, has tight cuticles that repel water; adding coconut oil to the equation will make the matter worse, resulting in dryer hair in the long run.
Styling Tips
For perfect hair while you are on the beach or out and about shopping and meeting friends, simple styles can work wonderfully. Once you have combed out your hair and dried it gently or allowed it to air dry, comb it into a high puff, or create an elegant halo braid. Wash ‘n go works well as well, creating an excellent frame for your face and showing off the beauty and volume of healthy curls. For super defined curls, use a hair diffuser, which will distribute heat more gently than a normal dryer. After drying your hair all over, bend your head forward and push the diffuser cap into your scalp, working on a quarter of your head at a time and on specific areas for greater volume.
Gorgeous Jamaican Bounce Crochet Braids
One cute style that is perfect in the summer involves jumping on the Jamaican Bounce bandwagon. This company sells crocheted curls that look and feel like real hair. To use them, you will first need to braid your hair into cornrows, pinning hair down to your head near the nape. The next step is to hook the crocheted ringlets through your hair with the help of a crochet needle. The key is to pull the ringlets through your own then tie a knot close to the scalp, so the knot is completely invisible. This look can take hours to perfect the first time, but it adds a gorgeous bounce and perfect curls to your look.
To look your best in Jamaica’s humid weather, give your curls a fighting chance with your favorite natural oil, gentle hair products, and styles that don’t require harsh products or heat. If you can, use tried-and-tested products specifically made for multi-ethnic hair, but also rely on simple oils that are 100% free of chemicals and preservatives.
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