My mane doesn’t stress me out as it once did years ago when I was transitioning. Or even when my hair was in that awkward grown out TWA (Tinnie Winnie Afro) phase.
You know…that length where you can make a pony tail but there is only 1/2 an inch of hair sticking out your scrunchie .
*Pure sadness*
*Pure sadness*
However, most of the stress came from testing out products trying to find that right combination of moisturizing goodness that left my twists frizz-free.
Plus I never desired the life of a product junkie. I always thought it was a bit ridiculous to have shelves upon shelves of half used or better yet never used products left to collect dust or expire. Once I find products I try to use them until the bottle or jar is finished unless my hair shows instant signs of dissatisfaction.
And honestly when you aspire to be a globe trekking natural, it’s just not beneficial to have a suitcase or backpack full of products that will ultimately take away from your allotted weight requirement.
Using as many natural products that are easily found in the local market is a really great option for any traveling natural. Though it can be fuel for jokes at times, being able to frolic around Santorini, Greece knowing that products like honey or olive oil are readily available in the local market, provides a stress free vacation or time away.
When I lived in South Korea, I purchased my apple cider vinegar (for clarifying) and grape seed oil from my local corner mart.
When I lived in South Korea, I purchased my apple cider vinegar (for clarifying) and grape seed oil from my local corner mart.
Let me share with you my current oils a.k.a. sealants and moisturizers of choice:
OK. Pictured you see:
- Vatika oil– which is a coconut oil based moisturizer infused with different Ayurvedic herbs like Aml and Neem.
- Coconut oil– It works great in my hair and on my skin. I use this as a pre-poo, moisturizer or sealant.
- Castor oil– Again another great sealant. I use all my oils on my hair after its been spritzed with water. I also use a truly organic castor oil from Jamaica. I say truly organic because it was cooked in someones house and arrived to me in a recycled Wray and Nephews rum bottle. It wasn’t cold pressed or processed so it smells AWFUL! And its really dark in color.
- Jojoba oil-My hair loves this stuff. I don’t know why I keep buying this tiny bottle because it is so expensive 🙁
- Avocado oil– I eat a ton of avocado and am completely obsessed with this natural fat. It works so well on my hair when its dry and crispy. My skin also loves this stuff. It doesn’t really have a scent either.
- Almond oil/Sweet almond oil-I tend to mix oil my oils together and use it on my hair and skin. I never really use my almond oil alone just in conjunction with my other oils. This one came from my local Indian store. As does my Vatika Oil (though I order it through Amazon if I am out the country and out of product).
- Water/Aloe Juice -I use this in combination and have been for years now. It was Kimmaytube videos who drove home to me the addition of aloe Vera or a citric acid to help with balancing pH in hair products. She changed the game with that one!
- Olive oil -not pictured but I use it frequently and it’s easily accessible in many parts of the world. I should know…I’ve looked 🙂
I like finding new oils too. Like when I was in Thailand Jasmin oil was in abundance there. They even sold it at the local Tesco in Phuket. Yes there is a Tesco in Thailand!
My hair enjoys heavy cream based moisturizers/conditioners too. So I make my own a Shea butter mixture. Currently I am out, so I am taking this opportunity to experiment with ready made products.
Take a look at this picture:
Pictured you see:
- Elasta QP– I discovered this when I first when natural 8 years ago. At that time it was just a “mango butter”. I purchased this jar in October I think (its empty) and since then they’ve changed the packaging. I like it but its not really something I would order online if I’m in …say… the Peace Corps somewhere in Africa or central America…and have run out.
- Shea Moisture– Now I’ve been trying to test out this product for years now. But every time I remember to look for it at Target, the shelves were empty. Actually I remember when Target started carrying naturalista inspired hair products a few years ago. The only product that I recognized and had used at the time was Miss Jessie’s products. I didn’t even want to try Shea Moisture or any of those other products(product junkie fear)…and look at them now 🙂 After using this product for 2 months now I noticed my hair looks kinda dry the next or a few days later. And I always use it on damp/wet hair. (*shrugs). Everything doesn’t work for everyone, remember. But it smells great. I am willing to try other products from their line. But again…the shelves are always empty 🙁
- Oyin Handmade– My friend gave me this promade since she was not using it. Do you remember those candies “Now-n-later” from your childhood which we called “nam-me-lay-tas” ha ha? Well it smells like that! Such a heavenly scent and my hair loves it. Now I don’t know if they ship world wide. But the ingredients in this product are really basic. You are really just paying for the scent.
- Aubrey Organics Conditioners– My hair loves these conditioners. I prefer the JoJoba & Aloe Vera to the Honey Suckle Rose but I’m out of that one. When I pre-poo I use some coconut oil and some of the GPB/Lavender scented conditioner and leave it overnight(if time permits). Then I co-wash with the 2nd conditioner. When I lived in Korea I ordered them through iHerb.com.
- Kinky Curly Knot today- My leave-in of choice. I’ve been using it for years now and it works well so no need to change. I have experimented with another leave in conditioner called Creations Garden. I will use it mainly for when I travel to really hot climates. I tested it out in Jamaica and my hair stayed moist and hydrated. I discovered it at Marshall’s and then checked out their website.
- Apple Cider Vinegar/or black soap– These two are my clarifying products of choice. You can find apple cider vinegar in abundance in Asia and Europe. Black soap you can order online or find in Europe or Africa. I never saw it in Korea. But there are African owned shops in Itaewon so its possible.
WOW! I didn’t plan on writing so much! But I hope this is helpful to those who read it. It’s just what has worked for me when taking care of my hair as a traveling natural.
It may not work for everyone!
What are some of your natural hair care staples?
Cool! I use some of the same oils. Olive, almond, jojoba, and coconut oil are my basic staples and all I really use to moisturize my hair. I fear becoming a product junkie too, so I keep it to a minimum. I like the Aubrey Organics J.A.Y. and Honeysuckle Rose Shampoos for their moisture. With baggage fees and weight requirements, I agree with keeping things light and finding products in the local markets of the countries you visit when possible.
Cool! I use some of the same oils. Olive, almond, jojoba, and coconut oil are my basic staples and all I really use to moisturize my hair. I fear becoming a product junkie too, so I keep it to a minimum. I like the Aubrey Organics J.A.Y. and Honeysuckle Rose Shampoos for their moisture. With baggage fees and weight requirements, I agree with keeping things light and finding products in the local markets of the countries you visit when possible.
Thanks for the comment AnaCeleste! I saw a packing light video and this guy used a regular backpack to travel. I am now even more inspired to try to get these products down to less! 🙂