By Phetsile Mamba | 2018-12-16

Lusanda Dlamini, 18 years old, born and raised in the Kingdom. She’s currently in Cyprus studying in the faculty of economics and business.

For a really long time, black women and girls couldn’t rock their natural hair mainly because of the lack of products suitable for kinky hair and the general popularity of straight relaxed hair being considered more beautiful in a way.

 For years, black 4c hair was deemed to be untamable and difficult to maintain.

 Dlamini said, “I don’t know exactly when this happened, but more and more people began embracing their kinks and coils which has led to so many girls rocking their natural hair. To me, my natural hair has become a part of my identity almost. Not to say there’s anything with relaxed hair, but personally I feel more like myself with my natural hair.”

Growing natural hair tends to be a very slow process especially in the beginning stages. She has 4c type of hair which means her strands are coarse and they shrink.

That can be very deceiving because for a long time she didn’t realise how much her hair was growing because of the shrinkage.

 The best way to grow natural hair is first knowing what type of hair you have (4a, 4b, 4c, 2a and more). That allows you to know exactly what type of products you need to get and how to take care of your hair in the best way possible.

 Another way is keeping your hair under protective styles such as cornrows and box braids which are my favourite. It’s all about taking good care of your hair which then results in growth to be honest. Don’t expect it to grow overnight because it can take time.

 There are some people who want to have natural hair but are scared of cutting their relaxed hair. Besides going for the big chop, those people can do the normal transition which involves avoiding applying any type of chemicals to straighten your hair.

She once tried doing this for about two months and it seemed like forever so she went the big chop route and cut it all off.

Multiple

We have multiple ways to make hair thick nowadays. She personally has naturally thick, bushy hair so it wasn’t really an issue for her to grow her afro.

“I’ve heard people fish over Jamaican Castor Oil.

 It apparently helps thicken natural hair. Also, weekly protein treatments also help a lot. You don’t even need to buy expensive treatments, you can easily DIY it by using eggs, milk, olive oil and honey,” Dlamini said.

 It really didn’t take her that long to grow her hair.

Natural hair grows quickly when you take good care of it. She has only had her afro for about eight months. She uses all organic products.

That’s the best way to go honestly.

Lusanda’s favourite go to products are from Aunt Jackie’s Kinks and Coils collection, Afri-true  and The Pearl Thusi Range.

 

 

Tutorials

 

They’re available at any Clicks outlet. She also uses coconut oil and olive oil(ORS).

 

“Don’t watch YouTube tutorials by people who don’t have the same hair type as you. I made this mistake a lot when I was starting out.

 

 Invest in good quality natural hair products which are compatible with your hair type. Don’t rush the process of growing your hair, take your time.

 

And remember ‘Health over Length!” she said.

 

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