It may seem obvious but this is what you should be looking for in a good hair conditioner; it should:
If your hair conditioner isn't performing these functions well, keep looking or make your own using one of our homemade hair recipes!
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Dreadlocks are hair that's been matted together. There are several techniques for creating locs; one of the most common ones for natural black hair is palm rolling.
What products are used? Many people use a special cream or wax to roll/twist the hair. How long do dreads take to form? It takes a few months (as many as 18 months) for the dread to form and for hair to grow in a matted fashion. How do you maintain dreads? For the roots to look neatly bunched up as in the picture to the right monthly maintenance is required by re-twisting the hair. Some people can do this themselves but others prefer to see a specialised, loctician. 
SISTERLOCKS
Sisterlocks involve much smaller partitions than dreadlocks. The initial installation of sisterlocks takes 10 to 20 hours - two to three times longer than dreadlocks. However, sisterlocks mature into a locked look quicker than traditional dreadlocks. 
BROTHERLOCKS
Brotherlocks are similar to sisterlocks but tend to be a little larger. They remain smaller than traditional locs. Maintenance Sisterlocks and brotherlocks are easier to wash and moisturise because of the smaller sections of hair. Who can form locs? Dreadlocks form much easier on type 4 (kinky or curly hair). It is much more difficult to get dreadlocks on straight or wavy hair and the techniques available are different and limited. Straight or wavy hair cannot form sister/brotherlocks. Can you unlock dreadlocks, brotherlocks and sisterlocks? Some people claim it's possible but the reality is it is extremely difficult and leads to so much breakage that there is no point; most people just chop their locs off when they no longer want them. Benefits of dreads/locs
Disadvantage of dreads/locs Dealing with people's misconceptions, e.g. that they're dirty, can be a real headache!
Giveaway: Â Seaweed Oil, Aloe & Honey Hair Mist and a Brazilian Beauty Butter from Evelyn Products28/5/2013
COMPETITION NOW CLOSED Evelyn products will be giving away all three products below to one lucky winner and one of the below to two other winners.
Aloe & Honey Hair Mist
Preventing even the most fragile ends from breaking when combed. A non greasy comb-out mist formulated with aloe vera leaf juice, glycerin and Manuka honey for added moisture. Designed to detangle and reduce the breakage which occurs with combing. Our mist is fortified with wheat and natural keratin to seal the cuticles and strengthen the hair, allowing the comb to glide through the hair more easily. Over 96% natural ingredients. 
Seaweed Oil
African hair produces a reduced amount of sebum, a natural oil protecting, nourishing and preventing the hair from drying. Our light, luxury is designed to mimic natural sebum. Using actives harnessed from seaweed and horsetail extracts, to promote strength and elasticity, and only oils rich in fatty acids and bioactive compounds which promote healthy hair and a healthy scalp. A highly absorbent oil formulated with 3 bio-oils shown by scientists to help promote growth and prevent split ends. A highly absorbent oil that revitalizes even the driest of hair. Over 99% natural ingredients. 
Brazilian Beauty Butter
An highly effective all round butter contains a variety of Brazilian butters known to protect, nourish and provide moisture. A light mango fragrance keeps the hair smelling fresh while the berry conditioner provides all day conditioning for silky, soft shiny hair. Watch your hair transform overtime.
You can buy these products on the Evelyn Products website. To get them for free in the giveaway,
people answered this question: what is your ideal price for a conditioner? COMPETITION NOW CLOSED 
Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo Bar This is only the second shampoo bar that I've ever used. The first one foamed up really quickly. Mahogany Naturals Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo bar took longer to foam up but it softened my hair in a way no other shampoo or shampoo bar has ever done before. In addition, it loosened my curl pattern making it easier to handle my hair. I assume it's the apple cider vinegar that's doing that. Finally, it boosted shine. My hair glistened. I will definitely be using this shampoo bar again. 
Mahogany Natural's Restorative Hair Treatment
Next, I used the Mahogany Naturals Restorative Hair Treatment. If it were food it would be described as "rich". It's thick, luscious and smells delicious. My hair just soaked it up. At first, I was applying too much conditioner to a given section of hair and therefore using a lot more product than was actually necessary. I realised that the most efficient use of the conditioner would be to apply it all over my hands then dab at my hair. This cut down product used by a lot. By the time I finished conditioning my hair didn't look very white because most of Mahogany Naturals Restorative Hair Treatment had been soaked up. Given how much is left in the jar I think this should last 6 to 8 deep conditions. If your hair is thin or short it will last longer. The Restorative Hair Treatment itself can be used as a leave-in conditioner. The bottle says you only need to rinse half of the conditioner out of your hair but I rinsed it all out so I re-applied a finger-full afterwards. 
Daily Moisturising Leave-in Treatment
The leave-in treatment has a water-like consistency so I'm going to use it for spritzing my hair when it's dry instead of using plain water to benefit from all the stuff that's in it like glycerin. Hair and Body Butter The hair and body butter is a good consistency and smells just like the rest of the range, that is, delicious. I like to wear my hair in updos (as below) rather than loosely so I made large twists and I didn't apply anything like gel to enable a twist out. My hair feels soft and strong. Overall, my favourite part of the set is the conditioning treatment which I plan on making a staple. You'll understand exactly why when you use it. Get it on the Mahogany Naturals website. 
Beware that this recipe will confer all the benefits mentioned in the 5 Benefits of Bananas for Natural Hair article but if the banana is not blended to a pulp you will have gunk in your hair that is sooooo hard to remove. That's what happened to me the first time but the formula was so good that I still tried it again! This homemade hair recipe will help to improve your hair's manageability by loosening and softening your curls. 
Ingredients
Method Blend the ingredients together in a bowl. Application Work through hair. Cover head in a shower cap for 30-45 minutes. Rinse out with your regular conditioner. Storage It’s better to use this all in one go but if you must store use within 3 days. You might also like: 5 Benefits of Bananas for Natural Hair
Bananas are packed with vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B, C and E; potassium and tryptophan (a rich amino acid).
Bananas help to:
You might also like: Nourishing Banana Conditioner for Dry or Damaged Hair 
If you want to boost shine, reduce frizz, treat hair loss and/or dandruff then rinsing hair in diluted lemon is the way forward.
Ingredients: 1 lemon and 2 litres cold water Method
You might also like: 5 benefits of lemon for natural hair 
Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair. Ref. lemon rinse defines curls dramatically and fights frizz 
Whenever you use lemons for hair use real, fresh lemons, not lemon juice from a bottle!
Lemon juice has a pH of 2. It is very acidic. Adding lemon juice to a hair recipe such as an Egg and Lemon Shampoo (recipe below) or rinsing your hair with lemon juice that has been diluted in water has the following benefits:
Lemons also contain limonene, a compound that helps hair lighten faster in the sunshine. Try: Egg and Lemon Shampoo - DIY Homemade Hair Recipe 
Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair. Ref: eHow. Lemon Benefits for Hair Growth. LiveStrong. Lemon Juice for a Hair Rinse. 
At some point you just let greying hair be but if you feel you're greying prematurely you may want to cover the grey hairs up.
The older one gets the less melanin hair produces. Grey or colorless hair is the result of age. As we get older hair also gets more dry and wiry, it's less malleable and supple than the hair you grow in your youth. Below are a few options for solving "The Grey Problem". You can purchase ingredients using the Amazon links at the end of the blog. 1. Dye hair with Henna and Amla Handling henna is very messy. So make sure to have plenty of paper towels around. In addition, to avoid dying your skin, paste vaseline around the outer edge of your hairline like you would if you were going to relax your hair.
2. The Black Tea Remedy
Black tea is a quick and dirty remedy for covering grey hairs.
3. Sage Water Rinse
Sage restores hair's natural color and prevents premature greying.
If you make your own hair products you can use sage water instead of plain water in all your recipes as an anti-grey antidote. Rosemary essential oil is the best essential oil for reducing the rate at which hair grey. You can add a few drops in your products, e.g. your regular shampoo and conditioner; it is also one of the key ingredients in Neno Natural's Hair Growth Stimulator.
This is gentle, moisturising cleanser will make your hair glow!
Ingredients
Method
Application Shampoo as normal. Rinse with slightly warm/cool water otherwise the egg may start to cook and you'll end up with white bits in your hair. Your hair will feel stronger but rather compact. The conditioning process will loosen it up so don't worry. 
Storage
Can be kept for up to a week. Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair. |
I now blog about wealth creation - so if you have any money questions meet me there, you can do all sorts of cool things like leave me a voicemail.
By Heather Katsonga-Woodward
I was a natural hair blogger and mixtress living between London & Chicago from 2012 to 2017. I always thought I was 4C but some say 4B; images below - you decide! Heather xx
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