Moisturize Kinky Hair Like a Boss with Tips from Lupita Nyong'o

Posted by Alisha Lawson on February 28, 2018

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If you’ve watched the record-breaking Black Panther, then you’ve probably fawned over the gorgeous hairstyles of the cast. Wakanda presents a visual power of women and men rocking African hairstyles. Dreadlocks, Bantu-style knots, twist outs – all these hairstyles are an ode to natural kinky hair.

Growing out your natural hair is never an easy task, but the pride and confidence that it gives you are unmeasurable. More and more women are appreciating the beauty of having kinky hair – from its gravity-defying volume to the curls and kinks that make it unique. If you have natural hair that tends to get dry and frizzy, Lupita Nyong’o, Black Panther’s Nakia, has some tips to share.

Lupita Nyong'o with friend

5 Products to Maintain Natural Kinky Hair

Natural kinky hair is prone to drying, which makes it rough to the touch. To prevent breakage and split ends, you need to use the right products that provide hydration and moisture. Here are 5 products you need to include in your hair care routine:

1. Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Sulfate is the enemy of kinky hair. Shampoos that have sulfate cleanse hair effectively but tend to remove the necessary moisture that keeps it soft. When cleansing kinky hair, it’s important to preserve the natural oils of hair. When you’re looking for shampoos to use, look for products that do not contain sulfate. Cowashing is another method recommended for kinky hair. It is the practice of using conditioners to wash hair. Since conditioner contains a small amount of surfactant, it helps remove the dirt from hair while providing moisture.

2. Hydrating Conditioner

A hydrating conditioner does more than seal in the moisture on hair. It strengthens hair by treating hair damage. Hydrating conditioners ensure that moisture reaches into the shaft to improve its volume.

3. Essential Oils

Essential oils are great for kinky hair. They are rich in essential fatty acids and nutrients that make hair shiny, soft, and smooth. They improve hair strength to prevent breakage and split ends. Essential oils work as conditioners, styling agents, and deep conditioning treatments that make kinky hair more fluffy.

Rosemary essential oil

4. Heavy Moisturizers

When you go outside and expose your hair to sun, it tends to get dry and rough. The same thing happens during winter where moisture evaporates fast. To prevent dry and rough hair, use heavy moisturizers that you can apply all throughout the day. Look for creams that absorb fast into the strands without leaving an oily residue. You can use moisturizers that work as heat protectant products when using a hair dryer as well.

5. Mousse

If you’re going to style your hair, skip the gels and hairsprays. Instead, use a mouse that moisturizes hair while giving it volume. It holds the shape of hair and gives it definition. Other styling products can dry hair or make it feel oily. Mousse has a light yet highly moisturizing formula that is perfect for kinky hair.

When choosing which type of product to use, make sure to know every ingredient in the formulas. Look for nourishing oils, natural butter, and hydrating agents that deliver moisture where hair needs it most.

L.O.C Method is the Key to Soften Natural Hair

Liquid Oil Cream Method or the L.O.C method is a practice where you keep hair soft and moisturized. Lupita Nyong’o promises that this method kept her hair looking elegant and neat even when it got long. This method consists of three products; a water-based product, hydrating oil, and a cream. This is how to do the L.O.C method:

A laughing woman with kinky hair

1. Apply Water-Based Liquid

The L in L.O.C method stands for liquid, which should be a product that is very hydrating on hair. You can also just use water. After cleansing hair, the liquid or the water-based product is sprayed on hair. Massage it from roots to tips without disturbing the natural kinks of the hair.

2. Seal in Moisture with Oil

The oil that you apply to hair seals in the moisture that prevents the water content from evaporating. It improves the ability of the hair to retain moisture as well. Since water and oil don’t mix, using the heavier product after the liquid stops the moisture from escaping. Light oils that absorb quickly through hair strands are olive oil, coconut oil, and Argan oil.

3. Fortifying Hair Cuticles with Cream

Creams strengthen the hold of hair on moisture. It helps lock the moisture on hair shaft while gluing the cuticles together. This protects hair from getting brittle and developing split ends. Creams give definition to the curls of kinky hair too. It holds the shape and makes it more manageable. Use styling creams to handle your kinky hair easier.

Using this method daily helps you avoid issues such as overly dry and static hair. These methods are enough to transform hair into its natural, beautiful shape.

Applying the oil directly to hair

Natural Butters for Shiny Kinky Hair

Sometimes, moisturizers don’t seem enough to prevent dry and rough kinky hair. For Lupita, Shea butter holds the promise of shiny and stylish kinky hair. Shea butter is one of the heaviest products that work to prevent moisture from escaping hair. While applying pure shea butter on hair doesn’t seem like a good idea for straight hair, it’s a trick that makes kinky hair soft yet resilient against damage.

The secret lies in the butter’s ability to work as a barrier that locks in the water on hair. When you use it on the scalp, it prevents and treats concerns such as dandruff. It reduces issues of flaking and itchiness as well. Shea butter is highly moisturizing but does not weigh heavily on hair. This helps kinky hair keep its volumized and fluffy texture. Other types of natural butter include coconut oil, sweet almond butter, mango butter, and cocoa butter.

Bring out the best in your hair with these methods that ensure your hair looks fabulous all day long. Growing natural hair will make you feel proud and confident in its unique style. Free your hair from products that restrain its natural and beautiful form!

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