Be Whole

Don’t you just love the feeling of having your hair treated by a professional?

Once a year, the mane takes a break and my sleeker-haired alter-ego gets to shine.

This usually lasts for about three days, depending on what the weather’s like, how quickly droplets of water catch my strands in the shower, or how sensitive my eyes are to the look of reduced volume.

Water plays a huge role in how long I’m able to sport this style. But whether you’re opting to straighten your hair for length retention or wanting to switch up your style, I’d recommend getting professional advice and doing research to find the best products to use before and after using heat on your hair.

I’ve never felt more beautiful since embracing my own hair texture, and I feel confident in trying different hairstyles with on-point products by my side. The damage that could arise from using too much heat or the wrong products, could lead to an unwanted big-chop.

Dramatic but true, sis.

There’s no way to salvage hair cuticles that have already been stripped of their natural qualities.

Learn from the best

Pro hair stylist, King Nkosi, from the African Hair Kingdom in Parklands, took the task of giving me my best straight blow dry yet. He managed to help me retain length with a sleek style while maintaining the natural volume of my hair.

I walked into the African Hair Kingdom to find a diverse group of women sitting side-by-side in salon chairs. Some were having their hair braided, while others were getting treatments.  One woman shut her eyes as a hairstylist massaged the product into her hair at the wash basin – the massage motion looked so soothing that I couldn’t wait until it was my turn.

It was lovely stepping into a place that not only specialises in afro hair but gets creative with braid patterns and has pro-African hair styling products on hand.

Choose the right products

Always cleanse your hair and scalp before blow drying. There’s nothing worse than drying your hair and getting a whiff of something burning in the air. King used the following Ladine haircare products on my hair for the blowout:

Cleanser: Ladine Deep Conditioning Shampoo

Protectant: Ladine Conditioning Blow-Dry Lotion

Choose the right brushes 

Did you know that you can increase the blow-drying time by using a specific brush? King used a round metal brush to increase drying time and separated my hair into small sections to carefully attend to all hair strands. He also used a paddle brush to further detangle my hair after applying the conditioning blow dry lotion.

Stick to a medium drying temperature

There’s no need to dry your hair on high heat if you’re using the right technique. While high heat improves straightening, it’s also the level that contributes to damage. Since hairstylists are trained in this regard, they know exactly how far to hold the dryer from your hair when using high heat.

It’s also essential that you use a heat protectant to minimise the risk of heat damage. The Ladine Condition Blow-dry Lotion is both a hydrating leave-in conditioner and an anti-frizz treatment. You can find Ladine products online at takealot.com or in-store at New Look Cosmetics, as well as the African Hair Kingdom in Cape Town.

Planning to straighten your hair soon? I’d love to see your results. Tag me in your posts on Instagram @RobynRuthThomas, or mail me directly to robyn@bewhole.co.za