HARMattan! Guard Your HAIR against The AIR

Who’s with me in this harmattan!..

Can I see your hand in the air like 🙋 …Oh yea, I see you people…Sombori say ‘d-d-r-y-y-y and brittle’. 

Let me just be honest ehn, aside my washed clothes getting dry real quick, I dread every other thing this harmattan has to offer.

So FAM, let’s look at a few hair rules to abide by while the harmattan lasts.

What is Harmattan?

A cold, dry and dusty wind blowing over the West African subcontinent from the Sahara Desert into the Gulf of Guinea between the end of November and the middle of March.

Effects of Harmattan on Hair & Tips on How To Cushion These Effects.

• Dry Hair & Scalp: dryness is something us naturals have to combat on a daily basis and this harmattan can only heighten the struggle.

Tip: shampoo less and if it becomes necessary to shampoo more often, opt for mild sulfate free shampoos, clays, ACV rinse or shampoo bars and don’t forget to moisturise with penetrating oils (coconut, avocado or jojoba oil) and follow with a sealant (I seal in moisture with my leave in conditioner), butters are a good pick too.

• Dust: with the harmattan in the air and the oils in our hair, attracting dust to one’s hair is inevitable but here’s what you can do.

Tip: when outside and exposed to the weather, protect your hair with scarves, beanies, hats or turbans (preferably ones lined with satin or silk).

• Breakage & Split ends: a lot of our daily moisturising products contain humectants and these humectants can draw the dry air from the atmosphere this harmattan and trap it in our hair. This is why ‘just moisturizing’ may not be enough in this dry season.

Tip: go in for protective styles like faux locks, chunky twists, chunky braids or sew-ins. These styles would ensure your ends are safely tucked away from the harshness of the weather and apart from the sew-ins, the other styles don’t stand in the way of your normal hair routine (washing, deep conditioning and moisturising).

Protective Styles/Stunts For The Weather

How cute is Sifon in these protective medium braids

 

Red dancer Alex added a streak of white for some accents

 

Linda mixed hers quite uniquely and we think the style pattern is very beautiful

 

Sandra’s corn rows are just gorg, chic n classy ❤

 

Olaedo in red and black faux yarn locs

 

Say Hello to Barbra’s waist length medium twists

 

Pro Makeup Artist Amarachi, double protects with a fedora hat and an already existing sew-in ❤

 

Uche’s hat protects her edges in front while her hair extension takes care of the brethren along the nape region

 

Don’t you just love Saraphina ❤

No one can go wrong with a head wrap

 

 

Yasmeen, the finesse Queen is all wrapped up and super protected (hair, edges, upper body) and still remains effortlessly beautiful

 

Ifeoma looks super cute and elegant in her chic sew-in ❤

 

Beautiful Barbra got a sew-in and still looks like a naturalista

 

If you couldn’t make a choice from the above pictures, well..this ‘agbomma’ style is definitely for you..😀

Not leaving our brothers behind,

Caesar’s hair and eyes are mega protected

 

The handsome Ceejay is proof that Lé boyz are not to let their guards down in this weather ❤

 

The air conditioners at work can only add to the dryness in the air, so my darling Somto makes do with little air from his window while his protective hat remains in tact

Other Things You May Want To Consider

• A lip balm with natural ingredients as its constituents.
• Keep your moisturizers within reach.
• Laugh with caution so you don’t end up crying in the end.
• Avoid sustaining injuries.
• Drink tons of water to moisturise you from the inside.
• Protect your eyes and nose from the dust.
• Wear thigh high stockings to keep dryness at bay while you sleep.

Got something to add? Please share with the house by leaving us a comment.

Stay moisturised luvs

💞✌

Olaedo.