NATURAL HAIR

How do you care for natural hair?

There is no such thing as 'good hair'. If you take good care of your hair, it will be good. Don't make things complicated. Keep it simple. A must have: large toothed comb, a leave-in conditioner, Nasabb's Shea Butter,  Kelechi Hair Oil, a great shampoo and a pair of good hair cutting scissors. Don't forget a good scarf. 

Washing Hair - Wash your hair at least once a week. Apply your conditioner plus a generous amount of Kelechi Hair Oil. Massage properly into your hair and scalp. Cover for a 5-10 minutes or more, rinse and you are done. If you have a leave-in conditioner, there is no need to rinse. Part your hair into 4 sections or 2 sections & braid it up. This makes it easier for you to comb it out after it is dry.

How to keep your hair soft and moist: Once every two weeks, saturate your hair with 2 tbsp of Kelechi Hair Oil  & 1 tbsp of Shea Butter, cover with a shower cap & wrap with a warm towel for 30 minutes or longer. No need to shampoo. You can do this whether your hair is braided or lose. Make sure you massage well into your hair and scalp. Avocado and Mayonnaise are great for conditioning hair. But you must shampoo when you use them.

Trim your hair regularly. At least every 6-8 weeks to enhance growth & avoid split ends. Slow down on the blow drying and  pressing. Easy with the hair sprays and alcohol based products, petroleum and beeswax based products, gels etc. Stop the unnecessary coloring. (consult a PROFESSIONAL PLEASE). Try to search for a hair salon or someone who knows what they are doing. You might have to go into the next town or city. If they are good, it is worth the trip.

TIP - Flat Iron your hair without any pressing creams or pomades during the first run. For the second run, massage some Kelechi Hair Oil in your hair before you flat iron. Your hair will be manageable for 3 weeks to 1 month. People will swear you have a perm. 

What are the different ways to wear natural hair?

There are so many ways to wear natural hair. You can choose to wear your hair in twists, bantu knots, afro, french braids, corn rolls, pressed, flat ironed, blow dried, threaded or wavy. You can choose to wear a ponytail or french roll. You can use hair accessories such as shells, scarfs, unique hair clips, head bands etc. to enhance your hair style. Basically be creative. Come up with your idea and combine it with what you see around you. Don't be afraid of a little color. Use Henna for a natural mild color. Don't be afraid to try new things. Borrow styles and ideas from your friends and other groups of people. Be multicultural with your hair.

How do I make the transition from permed hair to natural hair?

The simplest way is through braids.  Don't worry about cutting your hair at this point. Just get it braided. After 6-8 weeks take the braids out. Comb, wash and condition your hair properly in that order. Sometimes your hair might tangle at the top. That is ok. Don't panic. Trim about 1-2 inches of your hair and braid it again. In about 6 months, you will have a new healthy growth of hair and the permed hair should be gone or almost gone.

REMEMBER: The hair you are trimming is the chemically treated hair. You have to trim it to allow your natural hair room to grow. You cannot use chemicals in your hair forever. So at some point you will have to decide when to stop using chemicals. The earlier the better!

Why does it seem like my hair is not growing?

There are many reasons for this. Most of the time it is your own doing. For instance, if you have a perm and your hair starts to break and you still continue to use a perm, eventually your scalp will give up and you will be in danger of developing some form of alopecia. Your hair might be bald in certain sections. You shed excessively etc. You should stop using chemicals before it is too late. And consult with a doctor to make sure your scalp is okay.

Sometimes hair does not grow because you are simply not taking good care of it. Lack of proper conditioning. Not using the right oils for your scalp. Too much coloring & perms. Too much blow drying, curling irons etc. Sometimes you might not have enough protein and essential vitamins in your diet. That's right. The foods you eat can affect your hair growth. Protein can be found in many foods. Eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and grains. Don't forget water. Sometimes it is simply hereditary.

REMEMBER: African American hair is curly and thick so it might appear shorter. Caucasian hair grows outward so it appears longer. It does not mean your hair is not growing. Don't think a perm will grow your hair. Big Mistake. All a perm does is to stretch out the length of your hair. Other than that, it does absolutely nothing for your hair. Don't be impatient when nursing your hair back to health. It will take sometime for your scalp to heal and start producing hair again.

back to top

NATURAL SKIN CARE & HAIR CARE RECIPES

Shea Facial: Whether your skin is dry, oily or normal, this facial opens up your pores, helps clean out toxins, replenishes moisture & keeps the skin tight & younger looking. Do this once a week for softer skin & tighter pores. You will need.

1. 6 cups of warm water.

2. 1 teaspoon of Nasabb's Shea Butter (oily skin use 1/8 teaspoon)

3. Nasabb's Shea Moisturizer

4. Nasabb's Black Soap or Honey Oatmeal Soap

5. Lavender essential oil (NOT A FRAGRANCE OIL) Please go to your local health food store for this.

6. Small Towel

INSTRUCTIONS: Pour warm water into a bowl or leave in the sink. Add Shea Butter and 3 drops of Lavender Essential Oil. Make sure the temperature of the water is right for you. Stir. Dip your towel into the warm water. Squeeze out the excess water. Place the towel over your face for about 15 seconds. Repeat the process for about 4-5 times. You can do this for as long as you wish. Pour out the water.

Get fresh warm water. This time, do not add Shea Butter. Use only 2 drops of Lavender Oil. Use your Black Soap or Honey Oatmeal Soap to wash your face thoroughly. Don't forget behind your ears, under your chin and your neck as well. Towel dry. Moisturize with Nasabb's Shea Moisturizer. Use Nasabb's Shea Moisturizer at least twice a day.

Shea Soft Hands: Most of us forget about our hands. We use it everyday yet we forget to nourish them. This recipe will soften your hands, get rid of the dry & dead skin cells. Do this 2 times a week for softer & younger looking hands. You will need:

1. 8 cups of warm water

2. Nasabb's Shea Butter

3. Nasabb's Honey Oatmeal Soap

4.  Lavender or Orange Essential Oil (NOT A FRAGRANCE OIL) Please go to your local health food store for this.

5. Rosemary Leaves (optional)

6. Fennel Seeds (optional)

7. Small Towel

INSTRUCTIONS: Wash your hands thoroughly with Nasabb's Honey Oatmeal Soap. Pour warm water into a bowl or leave in the sink. Add Shea Butter and 5 drops of Lavender or Orange essential oil. Add 1 teaspoon and/or 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds. Stir. Make sure the temperature of the warm water is right for you. Dip both hands in the bowl for 15mins or until the warm gets cold. Towel your hands dry and apply a generous amount of shea butter on your hands including your finger nails, cuticles and in between your fingers.

Get a fresh bowl of warm water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of shea butter and 3 drops of Lavender or Orange essential oil. Stir. Dip in both hands for 15mins. Towel dry. Apply Nasabb's Shea Butter.

Shea Butter benefits your skin and hair. Black Soap is great for your skin. Kelechi Hair Oil is your answer to dry hair, breaking hair and soft healthy hair. Honey Oatmeal Soap takes care of dry and sensitive skin.

Cracked Heels, Smelly & Sweaty Feet: Constant pressure on your feet means you have to take extra care of them. This recipe will help take care of your feet problems and keep the skin soft and healthy. Do this at least once a week. You will need.

1. 20 cups of warm water or enough to cover your feet

2. Nasabb's Shea Butter

3. Nasabb's Honey Oatmeal Soap or Black Soap

4. Peppermint Essential Oil (NOT A FRAGRANCE OIL) Please go to your local health food store for this.

5. Rosemary Leaves

6. 1 Whole Lemon

7. Pumice or Bath Stone

8. Small Towel

INSTRUCTIONS: Wash your feet thoroughly with Nasabb's Honey Oatmeal Soap or Black Soap. Pour warm water into a wide basin  Add 1 tablespoon of Shea Butter and 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil. Add 1 teaspoon of rosemary leaves. Stir. Make sure the temperature of the warm water is right for you. Dip your feet into the warm water for 20mins. Remove your feet, lather up some Black Soap on your feet and scrub your heels with your bath or pumice stone. Rinse, towel dry and massage a generous amount of shea butter on your feet including your toe nails, cuticles and in between your toes.

Get a fresh basin of warm water. Add 1 tablespoon of shea butter and 1 drops of Peppermint essential oil. Cut the lemons in half, squeeze them into the water. Seeds and skin too. Stir. Dip your feet for 15 minutes. Towel dry. Apply Nasabb's Shea Butter. Don't forget to use your pumice stone everyday to scrub your heels. Do this in the shower. Use shea butter on your heels every day. Twice a day is even better. Your cracked heel problem, smelly feet problem, your not so soft feet problem will improve right before your eyes.

Body Odor: This gets rid of most basic body odors. Do this everyday during your shower or bath. You will need:

1. 1 Lime

2. Nasabb's Black Soap or Honey Oatmeal Soap

3. Nasabb's Shea Butter Lotion or Shea Butter

This is a problem for a lot of people. The answer is not to cover it up with perfumes. Limes is the answer. That's right. For centuries limes have been used in various cultures to get rid of body odors. Limes are green and seedless. You can get them at the produce section of your local grocery store.

Keep your limes at room temperature. Use them in the shower or bath. Shower or take a bath Nasabb's Black Soap or Honey Oatmeal Soap. Rinse your body. Cut the lime in half and rub it on the problem areas while squeezing at the same time. The natural oils from the skin of the lime contributes greatly to your skin odor. If you have exposed cuts or wide pores, you will fill a little sting. It is ok. Rinse your body towel dry and apply your Nasabb's Shea Butter Lotion or Shea Butter. Now you are ready for deodorant and perfume.

TIP: When you use limes often, you will notice that you use less deodorant. This is because the natural acids in the lime and the natural oils from the skin of the limes have already done the job for the deodorant. So a little deodorant will go a long way.

Hot Oil Treatment:  Refresh your scalp and hair. Keeps hair soft. Do this once every 2 weeks. You will need:

1. 1 tbsp Nasabb's Kelechi Hair Oil

2. 1/2 tsp Nasabb's Shea Butter

3. Shower Cap

4. Towel

You can choose to shampoo and condition your hair before this or you can do this without shampooing first. Apply the shea butter in your hair and scalp. Massage well. Pour the Kelechi Oil in a small container and warm it up slightly under warm tap water for a few minutes. Apply the slightly warm oil in your hair. Cover with a shower cap and rap a warm towel around it for 15-30 minutes. Remove and style as usual.

Deep Hair Conditioning: It is important to condition your hair  properly. Keep it simple. Do this at least twice a month. You will need:

1. 1 tsp Nasabb's Shea Butter

2. Your regular conditioner

3. 2 tbsp Kelechi Hair Oil

4. Shower Cap

5. Towel

Shampoo your hair as usual. Apply your conditioner. Add the Kelechi Hair Oil. Cover with your shower cap for 15 minutes or more. Rinse out.  Towel dry.

For a more intense conditioning - shampoo as usual. Apply your conditioner. Mix the shea butter and Kelechi Hair Oil together. Massage well. Cover with shower cap for 30 minutes or more. Rinse out. Towel dry.

Remember, don't wrinkle & look older before your time.

back to top

BRAIDS

Are micro braids bad for your hair?

Braids should be kept for 6-8 weeks only.  Your hair will break if you go beyond that. Please don't fool yourself and say "it's just 'dead' hair falling out" PLEASE!. Of course there is going to be some normal hair loss because you have not combed through your hair for at least 6 weeks. So when you do, your daily hair shedding will come out at the same time. Anything besides that is not "dead" hair. Don't walk around trying to smooth out your edges to make them look good. When braids are old, they are old.Please don't tell yourself "My braids still looks good." No it doesn't. Groom your hair properly.

Are braids good for permed hair?

If you want to keep processing your hair, then don't ever touch-up or perm your hair the day before you braid it. Perm or touch-up your hair 2-3 weeks before braiding. Wear your braids for 6-8 weeks ONLY, wait a day or two, touch-up & repeat the cycle. You don't have to perm your hair before getting it braided. An experienced professional will not ask you to do so first. Don't be caught with thin hair lines. And please do not try to hide them with gel. Not cute ladies NOT CUTE!

How should braids be cared for?

Wash your braids every two weeks. Clarifying shampoos and leave-in conditioners are excellent. (a clarifying shampoo will read "clarifying shampoo" on the bottle) Tie a scarf or any covering of your choice around your hair before bed.  Oil your scalp & hair at least 3x a week to retain moisture & control dandruff. In the morning or during the day, is the best time to oil your hair & scalp. Don't oil your scalp and hair before bed because it will rub off in your bedding thus defeating the purpose of nourishing your hair and scalp. Hot oil treatments & deep conditioning once every 2 weeks won't hurt. Note: Heavy pomades will result into thick white caked residue. Use Nasabb's Unrefined Shea Butter and Nasabb's Kelechi Hair Oil to groom you hair and braids.

What is the difference between braiding with human hair and braiding with synthetic hair?

With human hair, you have the option of wavy or straight. It is more versatile.  You can curl, press or blow dry them. Human hair is high maintenance. With synthetic hair, you are limited. You can either dip the ends in hot water to seal or curl or you can burn the ends.  Some synthetic hair is already curled. It all depends on your preference. The better quality of synthetic hair is KANEKALON. Make sure the hair says 100% KANEKALON on the package before you purchase. Low grade or cheap synthetic hair will not curl or seal with hot water. Stick with KANEKALON, works every time.

Some types of hair for braiding are HUMAN HAIR, KANEKALON, LIN FIBER, YARN, THREAD. YAKI HUMAN HAIR OR MINK HUMAN HAIR is an excellent texture for African Americans. SILKY STRAIGHT HUMAN HAIR is great for Caucasian texture. Choose your texture according to your hair type & the style you want.  REMEMBER: BAD HAIR = UGLY BRAIDS. BAD HAIR + BAD BRAIDER = NASTY BRAIDS.
 

What are some of the different types of braiding styles out there?

There are numerous variations of these styles. Some include silky locs, twists, bantu knots, threading, cornrows (aka french braids, corn braids), medium braids, small braids, invisible braids, fusion, interlocking, crochet, coiling.  However there are fancy names out there as well such as casamas, Senegalese twists etc. Most of the time several names will refer to the same style so don't get confused with names and styles. Keep it simple. Don't wear a style because you saw it in a magazine or on a Hollywood star or on someone else. Go with what you can afford and what makes you look good!

Is it normal for braids to fall out of your hair?

NO! NO! NO! If braids are done correctly, they should not fall out of your hair at random. Whether you wash your hair or ran your fingers through your hair, your braids should not fall out. They certainly should not fall out while you are walking on the street.

The only time braids fall out of your hair is if you attempt to braid very short hair, pull your braids with force, or get in a nasty fight. TIP: your hair should not be braided with gel, or rubber bands, hair spray or any thing of that nature. All you need is a comb.

Why do braids sometimes break your hair?

Many factors contribute to your hair sometimes breaking while in braids. If your braider pulls too hard on your hair, uses unconventional methods of securing the braids to your hair, sections your hair in tiny sections, your hair will break.

Also if you do not shampoo and condition on a regular basis your hair will break. Also avoid micro braids. Your hair is guaranteed to break. Especially your hair line. Avoid thick huge braids, always go for medium size. Avoid too many braids. They weigh down your hair.  It is extremely important for your scalp to breathe. Don't apply gel to your braids. It will cake and break your hair. Don't wear tight pony tails. Your hair line will suffer. Don't perm your hair line while your hair is braided. It will break off. Don't color your hair while it is braided. It is a silly move.

Remember use Nasabb's Shea Butter & Kelechi Hair Oil for your hair grooming needs.

Is it okay to touch up braids?

It is okay to touch up braids as long as it is within the time frame of 6-8 weeks. Sometimes by the 4th week, your braids around the edges and the sides might be a little rough so it is a good idea to touch it up. Do not touch up your braids past the time frame of 6-8 weeks. Not a smart move my dear!

Other things to know

Braiding is all about technique & experience. Therefore your braids should always be soft, neat, smooth & natural. Unless you have to, TRY NOT TO JUMP FROM BRAIDER TO BRAIDER. Find someone who knows what they are doing, negotiate a price and stick with them. REMEMBER EXPENSIVE DOES NOT MEAN QUALITY! Always go for quality first.

SOME TRICKS OF THE TRADE. Immediately after braiding, use witch hazel or sea breeze around your hair line twice a day for 3 days or longer to avoid bumps. After a day and a half, there should be little or no tightness of your scalp. Anything beyond that is excessive. You can use witch hazel twice a month or more to clean your scalp, if you are not ready to shampoo.

Take down your braids faster with a pointed edge like a tail comb or a tapestry needle. Comb out all the knots and bits out of your hair properly before you get it wet or shampoo it. This process is easy if you oiled & conditioned your scalp regularly. If you didn't  you will find out. Trim the ends of your hair after every braiding period. You will have a healthy hair growth.

What are dreads, locs, dreadlocks?

Dreads, locs and dreadlocks are all the same thing. People have different names of referring to dreads.  Dreadlocks is hair that is allowed to grow in it's natural state without combing. Dreads grow rapidly and can be groomed and styled in many ways. Dreads have been around for centuries. Original name for dreads is RASTA. 99% of dreads worn today are for fashion purposes and not religious purposes.

How are dreads started?

Dreads are started in various ways. People complicate things by using all kinds of methods. You can hand twist, palm roll or comb twist your hair to start dreads. Two strand twist your hair in medium sizes. Do not undo the twists. Wash your hair once every 3 weeks for the first 2 months. Re-twist your hair at the roots right after you are done washing it. In other words, re-twist your hair while damp. Do not undo the original twist. Get into the habit of twisting your hair at least once a week in the first 2 months. After the first 2 months, twist your hair once every 2 weeks or whenever needed. The purpose of twisting often is to allow your dreads to grow individually and not clump together. If you do not twist often your dreads will clump together and break off easily. Do not start your dreads too thin. Always start them a little bigger. Once your hair dreads, it will shrink to the size you wanted.

Can dreads be done with extensions?

NO! NO! NO! Actual dreads cannot be done with extensions. There is no such thing as instant dreads. If you try to do dreads with extensions, it will only be a temporary look. Do not confuse temporary dreads with permanent dreads.

How are dreads cared for?

To care for dreads is simple. Wash your hair once a week or whenever needed. Oil your scalp with Kelechi Hair Oil or Shea Butter. You must trim your ends at least once every 8 weeks. Do not allow your dreads to grow too long. Pick a length and stay with it. This is a good practice because your dreads hang better, they are not bottom heavy and they do not break off easily at the top. If you started your locs properly, you will not have a problem with thinning and breaking. Please kick out wax, petroleum, gel based products from your hair. They collect a lot of residue that will eventually sit at the base of your dreads. Keep it simple use natural oils and Shea Butter.

What is the history and origin of dreadlocks?

Dreads originated from Africa. It however become more popular through the Rastafarian religion. Rastafarianism began in the 1930s in Jamaica. Haille Sellase the last Emperor of Ethiopia in East Africa) is the Messiah in the Rastafarian religion. His actual name is Ras Tafari thus the name of the religion Rastafarian. Today Dreads are a fashion. People wear them for various reasons but some do not know that the roots of dreads are straight from Africa where it is still won by various ethnic groups.

SKIN CARE TIPS

USE SHEA BUTTER & BLACK SOAP to replenish, retain moisture & acquire good skin balance. 

To avoid dry skin, soften skin & improve elasticity:-Moisturize no less than twice a day. Always carry a moisturizing cream like our Shea Moisturizer or Shea Butter with you. Massage frequently. At least 3 times a month. A full body massage is the best. But you can massage selected parts of your body. Such as back, shoulders, legs, feet, hands, neck & face.

Moisturize your hands and feet every chance you get. Washing your face and moisturizing your entire body before bed is a plus. Reduce coffee and sugar intake. Reduce cigarette and alcohol intake. Drink a lot of water. Eat all the fresh fruits & vegetables you can. Natural or mild soaps are a good deal. Ladies, go easy on the foundation & makeup. No makeup is best for your skin. But if you must, apply thin layers of makeup. Don't go to bed with makeup on.

For a whole body relaxation, a few drops of pure lavender oil in your bath water will do the trick. Add a tablespoon of SHEA BUTTER to your bath water, relax & experience the difference in your skin.

Are you having problems with Dark Spots, Hair Growth, Dry Skin, Dandruff, Maintaining Skin & Hair Moisture, Acne, Marks, Clear Smooth & Soft Skin & Blemishes? What are you waiting for? TRY 100%  PURE NATURAL SHEA BUTTER, BLACK SOAP, & KELECHI HAIR OIL. It has helped a lot of people. Click here to read some of their comments

back to top