Happy 2017!!! 
I had taken a break from blogging and now I am back with a detailed update of my healthy hair journey in 2016.

1. Pre shampoo treatment (tropical coconut oil brand Alison)  
2. Shampoo once a week (herbal essences hello hydration shampoo I recently incorporated African black soap to my routine).
3. Condition with a moisturizing conditioner once a week and a protein based (has hydrolyzed proteins) conditioner once a months (I am yet to settle on any particular brands). I do not use any deep conditioners.
4. Stretch hair using twists and bantu knots(Check tutorial on my YouTube channel)
5. Moisturize and seal with an oil or butter every other day.
6. Wear one hairstyle per week to reduce manipulation.
7. Always wear a scarf to bed.

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   When it comes to retaining length and maintaining the ends of my hair, protective styling comes in handy. If you are reading this and you have always thought that hair had to be braided or in a weave to be protected I hope to convince you otherwise. A protective hairstyle is any hairstyle that keeps your ends off your clothes and ideally hidden to avoid damage. Buns are a great way to protect your hair and still have access to it at all times. To protect my hairline I create a loose pompadour or loose mini buns at the front to reduce the pressure applied on my hairline.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   braid out pompadour

   
   
   
    braids are the most common protective hairstyle in Kenya and in Africa as a whole. They are also one of the main causes for hair damage and more so hairline damage. The last time I had braids done was about a year ago and I loved the braids. But unfortunately I suffered so much damage that I promised myself that I wont ever braid my hair again.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Mini twists are a life saver for those weeks when the last thing on my mind is my hair, they are not only versatile but also easy to wash and care for.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   All buns and no afro makes me a dull girl so 2016 was also full of afros and some variation of the afro, remember my goal was to have fun but not damage my hair at the same time. to achieve this I made sure that these kinds of hairstyles would only last upto three days to avoid knots and tangles. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    
   
   
   
   
   
   I like to stretch my hair out because my curls are so tight which makes tangling and knotting very easy and my go to ways of stretching is either blow drying on cool to medium air using the tension method or using bantu knots. Please check for the link below for a tutorial on this method.

This post is long overdue since I actually have had my braids undone for about three weeks now. Thank you so much for your patience. Please click on the video to watch how I undo my braids.

wash and go on natural type 4 hair

Bun on stretched natural hair

  If you watched enough YouTube videos about natural hair journeys, you probably know how psyched you get right after seeing the natural hair beautys looking good with curly hair and perfect twist outs.
     That being said, I have to admit that I have been having some issues with my hair ever since I  reached the "in between, in between stage".​ The what?? - Yes, the in between in between.
    This is a stage where your hair is not short enough to be a TWA* anymore , not medium enough to be in the real "in between ​stage" and  far from being "hairbandable"*
   The thing with stage is that, a lot of times, it costs  patience and nerves, so if you aren't there yet, let me alert you on some of the problems I have been having recently and probably some solutions too.

1. Minimal style alternatives: Because with this kind of length there is just not much that can be done. Wash an Go's are perfect if you live in areas with the kind of humidity that favors you hair. Solution,Twist outs are also great if you have the time for it. If you don't have the above mentioned time and climate like I, protective styles like cornrows and braids can come in handy.
   
2.  Desperate moments: I'm learning the hard way that it is actually wise to always have a nice quality wig somewhere nicely stored because now that it's obvious that this stage needs time and commitment, which maybe most people like me don't really have, there will be moments where desperation will then kick in. This will be pushed up a notch if braids and cornrows are your saviors but then you hair stylists cancels on you and you only have one day of the week off! (True story). Solution, Hair accessories could come in handy here  in the absence of a wig.
   
3. Regrets: Remember how I mentioned that excitement and psyche you get after watching natural hair inspiration videos and pictures, so then you get all motivated and do the BC. Yeah, chances are, you just might actually have some moments of regrets here and there, especially if you have pictures of your previous hair around or cannot do that style you loved so much. Solution, Just remember the main reason why you BC, it might have been symbolic for something important in your life, new beginnings, fresh start e.t.c Take yourself back to that place and remember that it's hair and it will grow.
4. Impatience: Hair has it's natural way of growth and in this stage, that might be too slow for you. Remember, it will grow at it's own pace. Solution, do is your part, eat right, get some sleep, work out, drink plenty of water because the inner body regime is just as important for hair growth.
   
5. Revelation: After all is said done, it is at this stage that I feel most people really get to know just how ready they are to commit to a hair journey. As much as it is annoying, it can be a learning process to experiment on what works for you and what fits your personal lifestyle and character. Whatever decision made at this stage should be sorely personal because now you have had the revelation that everyones hair is different even if the texture matches. What you watch, read and see on social medias and blogs are mere ideas and guidelines but every journey is different and you should make yours one that works for just you and only you.

                                                               It's always a Pleasure,
                                                                            Zipporah.​​


*TWA= teeny weeny Afro
*Hairbandable= a word Joanne and I came up with for hair long enough to be tied with a hairband.​​

wet texture shot before heat

1. Clarify your hair with a shampoo and deep condition your hair with a protein conditioner as well as a moisturising conditioner. A conditioner that contains hydrolyzed protein is more preferable than using kitchen remedies like eggs, coconut milk or mayonnaise. This is because hydrolyzed protein can actually penetrate the hair and temporarily repair your hair shaft. The kitchen remedies are protein rich but the proteins are too large to penetrate the hair and only coat the surface of the hair.
2. Use a silicone based conditioner and/ or a silicone based heat protector. Silicones have a very high burning point and they keep extra moisture out which helps with reversion especially on natural hair. Using a silicone based product will apply a thin layer of a heat resistant film that will keep your hair from too much heat exposure.
3. Use a good flat iron. Hair starts burning at a temperature of about 450F/ 232.2C. Using a flat iron and blow drier that can be regulated is vital if you want to keep your hair from damage.
4. Detangle and stretch your hair before flat ironing it.
5. Use a flat iron with ceramic plates as these distribute heat equally along the hair shaft.
6. Keep product use to a minimal if your aim is too achieve smooth silky hair. Too much product will only cause your hair to be weighed down and the strands will clamp to each other instead of flowing freely.

This is my first product review in a very long time!
I would like to review the Enliven hair gel wet hold (2). I am guessing that the higher up the scheme you go, the firmer the gel holds. Therefore number 5 would probably leave my hair hard when it dries up.
I have used this gel on my hair for about a month now and I cannot help but tell you all how much I like it. Let me list what I like about this gel.

Enliven Hair gel wet hold

• It gives my hair a very smooth finish.
• It keeps my hair and edges flat and neat. 
• It has a very mild scent.
• It does not harden on the hair. How awesome is that! my hair still remains soft even after the gel dries up.
• It also does not flake, which means that I don´t have to worry about white residue being left on my hair after the gel has dried up.
• The price is very pocket friendly !!!!

second day hair courtesy of enliven hair gel

Where to get Enliven hair gels in general:

I got my jar from Tuskys branch greenspan mall in Nairobi, Kenya but I am guessing that any tuskys supermarket has it in stock. If you know any other supermarket that stocks this gel please comment below. If you don´t live in Kenya and have seen this product stocked in shops in your country, please share by commenting below.
Price: a jar of 250 mL goes for 90 KES which is about 1.02 USD or 0.78 Euro

Picture taken at TUSKYS Greenspan mall Nairobi, Kenya

Have you tried out this product or any other gel that you really liked using on your hair? please share your experience with gels on the comment box below.


May God bless you abundantly!