Caring for Afro Kids Hair



There is surprisingly little information online when you start to look out for tips on caring for afro hair for babies, but this isn’t due to lack of demand! Mummies (and daddies) everywhere are looking for the best way to look after little ones locs, so find out below what we’d recommend!

Lack of moisture is the number one killer of black hair, so getting your hands on a good all-natural conditioner early on is essential. It’s difficult to suggest one product  without knowing a baby’s specific hair type, but extra dry hair could get a lot from a moisture-rich conditioner, whereas as hair which is more oily would benefit from one that’s more water-based.

Secondly, just as you do with your own, remember that you don’t need to wash your child’s hair every day! Whilst oil can weigh finer hair types down and make it greasy looking, black hair is much more susceptible to being dry, so to try and prevent damage and breakage you want to hold on to those build-ups of natural oils. How often you wash your child’s hair is up to you; some people go for fortnightly, others weekly, just not daily.

Finally, bows and clips are going to soon be your best friend! It’s really in your child’s best interest that you keep their hair tucked away safe and sound, whether this be in braids, twists or something else, because it’s then protected from the damaging wind and sun. For boys, you really shouldn’t cut hair against the growth pattern, so a trip to a black barber is advisable. 


The best thing you can remember is that your child’s hair won’t automatically be like yours, so whilst you may already have a basis in how to look after black hair, don’t assume what works for you will work for them!




Want more check out these posts: 


Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity
Geraldine Scott
AfroDeity Blogger

Three Festive Up Do's for the Christmas Party

We don’t know about you, but we usually spend so long worrying about what we’re going to wear to the work Christmas bash that we completely forget about our hair! Then we have a last minute panic, which isn’t good for anyone, especially when you’re supposed to be enjoying yourself. We looked up some awesome Up Do How Tos and brought you the best. Look at these beautiful up dos for natural hair inspiration this season.  


The Post-Twist Out Scarf Up-do  

1. Part a small section in front for your fringe, and pin it up.
2. Put the rest of your hair in a high ponytail.
3. Take down your bangs, and roll any excess hair under and pin.
4. For an everyday look, finish with a scarf, but because it’s Christmas why not add some sparkle and glitz?
  
This one by Loxa Beauty is just divine:




Rope Pompadour
  1. Start by flicking all your hair over to the front, dividing into two sections then twisting all the way down. 
  2. Then, twist the two twisted sections together to make the rope twist - all the twisting! 
  3. Secure it with a band at the bottom.
  4. Pull the whole twist around itself and secure by tucking the end under the base of the twist.
  5. Secure the whole thing - plus any flyaway - with a pin  and ta-da! 

 Here is a video by the gorgeous Checalocs showing you how it is done



Heatless Curls

We took the advice of Kelsey from life with Cocoa and tried Heatless Curls her way!


  1. Start out with dry, stretched hair and part your hair however you like it to fall.
  2. Part your hair into four sections so that you can apply the roads section by section. 
  3. Divide about an inch of hair and spray with water, make sure your hair is just damp and not soaking!
  4. Smooth your hair out using a bristle brush then, starting at the end of your section, roll a flexi rod from the end of your hair to your scalp. Bend the two ends of the rod together to secure  then repeat for the rest of your hair. 
  5. Once you’ve secured all the rods, you can sit under a hooded dryer or sleep with the rods in overnight - just make sure that your hair is 100% dry before you take the roads out!

Take out the rods and then begin to separate the curls, shake and fluff the curls to your liking and voila! 

Enjoy.

Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity
Geraldine Scott
AfroDeity Blogger

Luxury Shopping Experience at the Athenaeum Hotel MayFair!

A chance to get hold of your luxury Joliette Hampers at 20% off this Christmas season and right in the heart of London, An event that is not to be missed!

With your ticket you'll get access into late night luxury shopping experience in the stunning Hyde Park Suite of the 5 star Athenaeum Hotel in Mayfair. Enjoy complimentary wines, rum punch, canapes and hot mince pies, chocolate fountain and gift bags. Secret Santa, flash raffles and celebrity appearances. Come one, come all and enjoy Christmas cheer.

Buy your tickets Here

Only a few tickets available so get them soon , so you don't mis out!



First 20 ladies get 2 for 1 entries Click Here


COMPLIMENTARY canapes, mince pies, chocolate fountain and wine. GREAT GIFT IDEAS from AfroDeity Ltd, De DoubleYou Designs, Jewel Isle Rum Punch, Alison Salzman Jewellery, Unique Footwear Uhssi Ethical Fashion, Forever Living Health Products, Awele's Jewels & Pearls, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Adelaide Damoah Arts, First Fruit, Sunbeam Fostering, Ziuzo Hair Care and many more

This is only one of two events AfroDeity will be at this December. Keep your ear out for more on the United Kurls Pop Up Shop on Decmber14th!

Embrace Your Innner AfroDEity 
Leilu



Started from the bottom now we’re Hair



Hi All, 

Non-funny Drake puns aside, you really do need to start from the bottom when you’re on a journey for happy, healthy hair. The key to gorgeous locks goes deeper than your roots, and it’s at your scalp where the real secret to luxurious locks lies. Stick to the following rules and you’ll be on your way to a healthier scalp. 

The first step is knowing what kind of condition your scalp is already in. The four most common scalp conditions are dandruff, psoriasis, eczema  and seborrheic dermatitis, and since some people experience at least one during their lifetime, there’s no need to be embarrassed, but do get your hands on one of the many effective products that can help.

If we had to choose one simple thing to do to ensure your scalp is kept in tip-top condition, it’s simply to cleanse regularly with a Cleanser or SLS free shampoo. Seems too easy, right? Follow with a conditioner chosen for your hair type and you’ll be off to a running start. Make sure you get right  down to the scalp when washing, as a clean scalp encourages healthy hair growth. Cleanse Roots, Condition Strands.

Surely you’ve heard about how straighteners can ruin your hair, but have you considered your scalp? Be careful because having straighteners too close to your scalp can burn the delicate  tissue and even cause infection and scarring! 

Trying to stay on-trend can also be bad for your scalp, as too-tight ponytails and braids can pull on your scalp, causing soreness or even traction alopecia in extreme cases!

Look after your scalp and it will reward you by doing its best to grow long, healthy, shiny hair that will be less prone to breakages and will look gorgeous from root to tip! 


Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity 

Geraldine Scott
AfroDeity Blogger



Jojoba Oil: Why is it so great for hair & skin?



Its all about Ingredients in your products this season. Today we talk about Simmondsia Chinensis or Jojoba Oil, why its so great and included in so many of your products 

What is jojoba oil?

Extracted from the jojoba plant, this product is actually a form of liquid wax, masquerading as an oil! Since the 1970s, jojoba oil has been commercially grown and sold, and it is now one of the best selling products for hair treatment. The main reason for its success is simply down to the molecular structure of the oil, which  is very similar to that found in sebum, the natural oil produced by the human scalp.


Main benefits

There are various benefits of using jojoba oil on your hair, but because of its similarly to sebum, the biggest perk of using jojoba oil is that it is naturally safe to use on any type of hair or skin. Brilliant for treating dry hair, or even to promote hair growth, this pure liquid wax basically acts as a moisturiser and produces a thin film on the hair shaft, to lock moisture in.

As well as this, jojoba is known to contain nourishing vitamin E, A and D, as well as a whole host of antioxidants. Due to this it promotes new, healthier hair whilst also strengthening the existing hair to avoid hair loss!

How to use jojoba oil for hair

The most popular way of applying jojoba oil to your hair is to heat the oil in a bowl, so that it’s hot but still comfortable to the touch. Apply the oil to your hair, starting around an inch away from the scalp, and run fingers through to the end.

Then comes the wait! Pop on a plastic shower cap to protect the oiled hair then relax with a cupa for twenty minutes whilst the jojoba works its magic. Afterwards, wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner and leave to air dry. 

For a quicker, more regular treatment, you  could simply mix some drops of jojoba oil into your regular shampoo and conditioner!


By using jojoba oil on your hair you’ll promote growth and health in the hair strands, whilst safe in the knowledge you’re sticking with natural products.


Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity 

Geraldine Scott
AfroDeity Blogger

Keeping your hair healthy this winter


WINTER IS COMING! 

The weather has taken a distinctly chilly turn these last couple of weeks, so it’s about time we started letting you know how to look after your precious curls this winter, making sure you come out of the other side looking as gorgeous as ever!

1. Watch what you wear
Those wool hats and scarves sure are cosy, but when they rub or pull of delicate black hair it can result in breakages! Making sure that your hair is out of the way of your scarf is the first step, but if you’re particularly crafty you could sew a satin or silk lining into your winter accessories. 

2. Don’t take the heat
Heating up your home and work can dry out your hair, but naturally you don’t want to sit in the cold either! The way to beat this is with extra deep conditioning, around once a week, with products which lock in moisture for a good amount of time. We always think that sticking to natural oils is preferable for holding in the moisture you get from water, why not try the LOC method?

Speaking of hotness, try to put down those straighteners, hairdryers and curling irons too, they’ll help to suck the moisture out of your hair!

3. Avoid the wash ’n’ go
On the other side of the coin, you don’t want to let your hair get too wet. Wet or damp hair can actually freeze and break outside, so make sure you plan your hair washing to fit.

4. Give protective styling a go 
Of course protective styles such as buns, braids  and twists will protect your ends any time of the ear, but in the winter they can also protect your hair from the harsh weather. Try out some French rolls and look sophisticated whilst doing good for your hair.


These short four tips should get you started to making it through winter with the beautiful hair you deserve, the natural way. 

Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity
Geraldine Scott
AfroDeity Blogger

Pomegranate Juice: Your New Favourite Drink




Wouldn’t it be marvellous if there was a drink which could work wonders for your hair, skin and health? Pomegranates are the miracle fruit which, when juiced, have an excellent taste and have a large number of benefits on your health, hair and skin! 

Skin
For vibrant, younger looking skin, drinking even one glass of pomegranate juice a day can help alleviate  lots of age-related complaints. The life of fibroblasts, which enable the production of collagen and elastin in the body, is increased by pomegranate juice, therefore tightening your skin. The fruit can also aid in the healing of scars, reducing other signs of ageing, and keeping skin cancer away. 

Drinking pomegranate juice isn’t the only way to reap the benefits of this fruit. Mix 2 teaspoons of pomegranate juice with a teaspoon of powdered green papaya, grape seed extract and grape seed oil to make a face mask which will make your skin glow. 


Hair 
Pomegranate juice can also give you strong, shiny hair! Drink a glass of pomegranate juice daily to increase the strength of individual hair follicles, helping prevent hair loss problems whilst increasing   thickness. 

To control dry and frizzy hair, a warm pomegranate oil treatment will moisturise and calm your locks.

Health
Pregnant women have long used pomegranate juice to aid with a healthy blood flow and foetus development, but there are drastic health benefits for those who are not pregnant too.  As well as being good for your heart, pomegranate acts as a natural aspirin to prevent coagulation and clotting of blood cells.  

Pomegranate also increases your level of immunity and even has the ability to control HIV transmission, and is the only fruit able to do so!


With all these perks, it’s not surprising that the pomegranate is called the lucky fruit by the Chinese and thought to be responsible for eternal life in Ancient Egyptian times. Nowadays, pomegranate can be recognised as being filled with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals which bring a wide variety of health and beauty benefits to people around the world.
At AfroDeity we love Pomegranate extract and it is included in all our Caribbean Berry products


Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity

Geraldine Scott
AfroDeity Blogger

Introducing Joliette Gift Hamper


Our Award wining team would like to introduce 'Joliette Gift Hampers'!

Caribbean Inspired Hair and Skin Products to make you look feel and smell amazing. All Hampers come with a beautifully designed gift card #KnowYourWorth and inside 'Never Accept Less Than the Best'.

Keep Reading to find out how you can get your hands on one of our gorgeous Gift Hampers!!

Giveaway from Black-Gold.biz below!

A unique and worthy gift for any friend or family member. Stay tuned for our Men's hair & skin hampers.

 Our most popular hampers are these Heart Shaped Hampers with varieties for hair, skin or face. Normally £40 with three products but bespoke packages to fit your budget are available or check out our Small Gift Hampers

We also have these smaller packages with range from single product hampers to mini kits with minature versions of your favourite products. Prices £10 - £20



Our larget Hampers are £70 and again can be modified for your needs. Usually complete with 6 products and a brochure and a card.




You also have a chance to win a Mini Hamper from Black Gold Business Website. See their Facebook Page for more details




Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity
Leilu


Hair Structure Basics 101



Black hair is naturally dry and prone to breakage, which  can be made much worse by chemicals relaxers and in some cases lead to many women suffering hair loss as such your hair requires care when being handled. The first step to keeping your hair healthy is to understand how your hair actually works, so read on to learn about the fundamentals. 

Structure
When you look for advice on how to best care for your hair, you can get bogged down by not knowing which part is which! This handy guide will clear things up for you…



The cuticle protects the main hair shaft and acts as the outer layer, taking on the outside world! This is made of scale like cells and coated with  sebum, giving your hair that beautiful shine.

The cortex is the thickest layer of hair which gives strength, elasticity and texture.

The hair follicle is the part of the skin that hair grows from.

Source: African American Hair Structure


Sebaceous glands produce oil to moisturise the hair and skin, in this case we mean the sebum that coats the cuticle. 

Melanin is the pigment in the correct that gives hair its colour. 

Now that you’ve leant about the different parts which make up your hair, you’ll know what to look for when you’re looking up the best way to treat your hair. 

Afro hair is elliptical in shape, giving it a unique structure that is more prone to breakage, so it can be even more important to look for tips and tricks on how to make the most of your luscious locks. You can always follow the AfroDeity blog for new articles on what is best for your hair, or check out these 11 UK Natural Hair Vloggers for even more know-how! 

See also our tips on Healthy Hair Growth

Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity


Geraldine Scott
AfroDeity Blogger


'Hair' is Back at The BBC



Give me a head with hair, long beautiful hair
Shining, gleaming, streaming, flaxen, waxen
Give me down to there, hair, shoulder length or longer
Here baby, there, momma, everywhere, daddy, daddy

Hair, flow it, show it

Long as God can grow, my hair

We've all heard the lyrics and know what the show is about so if you are an avid watcher of BBC Three's Hair, have you ever thought of starring in the show?

The BBC’s Hair is back!
Series 1 was won by Marvin Francis, aged 25, who was a self-taught home hair stylist from London specialising in working with afro hair, braiding and wig making.
Since the competition ended our finalists have remained working in hair and Marvin has gone on to work on fashion shoots for major magazines like Vogue and Harpers Bazaar. See one of his awesome creations with natural afro hair being judged in the series, seen above!

In an interview with Meade Magazine, winner Marvin gave away his top three tips for Afro Caribbean hair:

1.     For relaxed hair – treatments – to maintain the strength;
2.     For Natural Hair – Keep hair moist using natural hair oils and pomades;

3.     For Weaves – Good quality hair and co-washing (washing hair with conditioning before during and after).


We absolutely adored Ebuni Ajiduah last year, who specialised in experimental afro hairstyles and classic up-do’s. Her up-do for natural afro hair was especially impressive and you can still find the tutorial online! 





Are you passionate about Hair? Do you know a bun from a beehive or the difference between a fishtail and a French plait?

Are you bursting with innovative hair styling ideas - from vintage looks to cutting edge fashion?

If you’re an amateur Hairstylist and think you could cut it in the competition, we want to hear from you.

Maybe you’ve always thought your home hair creations were ready for the catwalk - or you’ve been dishing out freebie haircuts to friends and family for years.
Whether you’ve had formal training or not, as long as you haven’t completed an NVQ Level 2 in Hairdressing, you can apply to take part.

Email: Please email hairstyle@bbc.co.uk for an application form, or download one from the link below.

Application form: Download and complete the Hair application form (Word, 89KB).

Write:
HAIR
BBC Media Centre
MC5 A5
201 Wood Lane
London
W12 7TQ

Closing date: 28 November 2014