I learned the hard way the key to doing my hair right

Between a leaking pocket, a recovering ego and length retention, I had to understand my hair. When I say understand I mean, in depth. Knowing my hair does not retain blow-dry isn’t enough; I needed to know how dry my hair gets, what products work well with my hair, what hairstyles break my mane and set hair growth goals.

I had a big chop last year. A big chop is cutting your hair, all of it. One year and eight months later, my hair is long enough to touch the bottom of my nose. To double this length, I need a solid hair care routine. I need minimum (hair) manipulation, better techniques and better (read affordable) products.

Minimising hair manipulation means any hairstyle I choose should last at least a month. The hairstyle should also preserve my edges and length, that is, it can’t be too tight.

I have had to give up a lot of things: heat, in-style hairstyles, jumping from salon to salon and my chubby arms (detangling is a muscle-building workout).

Here is what I’m learning as I understand what it takes to grow and retain my hair.

UNDERSTANDING

I mentioned that to grow your hair, you need to understand your hair. From the texture, moisture retention to protein levels.

Those mini-twists look so good on everyone. I have the type of hair that looks good in them (if I do say so myself), but I messed up.

Mistake number one: I got thin cornrows on the side. Thin hairstyles often break my edges. If you look closely at the left side of my head, you’ll see the aftermath of this.

Mistake number two: handling dry hair. Never, I repeat, never take down or handle dry hair. When taking down the twists, I didn’t use any oil, water or conditioner. I paid with heaps of broken hair. I could easily make a mini afro wig with it. Which brings me to my other lesson.

PATIENCE

Learning your mane takes time — and patience. Detangling demands devotion. Washdays require time patience and strength. Finding a protective hairstyle requires patience, too. You cannot give up in the process. Installing the hairstyle requires patience, especially if you gave up heat. Heck, even hair growth requires patience.

PRODUCTS

On my last hair day, I bought a cheap conditioner. For Sh90, I expected better. Before you roll your eyes, hear me out. Before washing my hair, I used the conditioner to detangle, so I didn’t need the best the market has to offer. This particular one promised a tingly feeling, the label said it had mint and menthol. After having a hairstyle in for a month, a minty feeling is a need.

Alas, I neither got that tingly feeling nor did I get any slip with it. I have learnt or rather learned to splurge on things that make my work easier. You see, I don’t blow dry my hair, which means I have to detangle properly. Which means I need quality conditioner.

As my budget is limited, I am learning not to buy every product I see. Buy the products your hair needs and use them. And do not buy new products when you still have some at home. When you find products that work, stick with them.

PRACTICE

My first matutas were pathetic. I had to cover my head for a month. My first twist kept unravelling and I had to keep retwisting it. I have a friend who started doing their hair around 2019. They have since upgraded to offering hair braiding services. If you wish to learn how to cornrow, you have to get through the ugly contorted phase. Wearing a wig or a barret. But, keep at it.

Currently, I’m learning how to section my hair. With tonnes of YouTube tutorials and Instagram reels, I am getting better. And you know you’re getting good at it when your mum is not insistent on you going to the salon. So, what are your hair goals this year?