How To Make Homemade Detangler For Natural Hair: Nigerian Virgin Hair Care

Posted on by Luchi Madubuike

Thank you for reading my article. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Homemade detangler for virgin hair in Nigeria

Introduction

My seven-year-old daughter dreads getting her seventeen-inch natural hair done. The step that scares her most is detangling. Sometimes I threaten to shave her mane off for peace. Of course, her response is always a big “NO!”

African textured hair is naturally coily/curly, with each strand winding up against the next as they grow outward from the root of their follicle. As a result, this produces a network of knots and tangles that require you to unravel them regularly. The process of separating these clusters of matted hair strands is called detangling.

Additionally, we have hair strands covered with a scale-like structure called a hair cuticle. When the hair absorbs moisture, it swells, causing the cuticles to rise—the raised cuticle of each hair strand snags on one another, creating tangled hair. In Nigeria, the air is almost always humid; you can already imagine what that means for natural hair. 

What Is A Detangler for Natural Hair?

A detangler for natural hair is a conditioning product that helps coat virgin hair strands to add slip to the hair. The hair-detangling product makes virgin hair soft and smooth to comb. 

In Nigeria, many people wonder how to comb their natural or virgin hair. Nigerian natural hair is generally perceived as problematic, stubborn, dry, and difficult to manage.

It is essential to incorporate a detangling step when washing your natural hair. Removing knots and tangles before shampooing the hair will make the hair-wash process easier for you and your child, as the case may be.

These homemade recipes for detanglers for natural will help eliminate the bucket of tears that comes with detangling your child’s hair.

1. Aloe Vera Detangler for Natural Hair

aloe vera homemade detangler for natural hair

During my final year at the University of Nigeria, I had a hot water accident one weekend at home. I had boiled water to pick chicken feathers. If you have picked chicken feathers before, you will know how hot the water must have been.

As I made my way outside the house, carrying a big bowl half filled with hot water, the door I had opened seconds earlier snapped back, hit the bowl of water and SLASH!!! The hot water poured on my body, and the scream for help followed.

Thankfully, my mother, who was home then, used her fresh aloe vera plants to salvage my skin. Otherwise, I would have ended up with severe burns on my skin.

Aloe Vera Gel is generally known for its ability to soothe burns. But it also has benefits for natural hair growth. According to this article, Aloe Vera strengthens hair with its active ingredients and minerals. Aloe Vera Gel is also known to help with itchy scalp and reduce scaliness caused by dandruff.

What You Need to Make Aloe Vera Detangler for Natural Hair

What you need for making detangler for natural hair
What you need to make homemade detangler for natural hair

Steps

  • Add Muna & Luchi Strengthen and Grow Oil, Aloe Vera Gel and vegetable glycerin. In a bowl, combine the ingredients by using a whisk.
  • Add Vitamin E and a few drops of your favourite essential oil. I am using Ylang Ylang essential oil for this recipe because it is mild for children and smells terrific.
  • Please apply to the hair one section at a time, gently removing knots and tangles, or gently use it to loosen an old style.

2. Aloe Vera Juice and Leave-in Conditioner Natural Hair Detangler

Aloe Vera Juice is from the Aloe Vera plant and is highly moisturising. This natural hair detangler spray recipe is much like the typical water mixture and a leave-in conditioner. However, I prefer Aloe Vera Juice because ordinary water could introduce many microbes into the mix. The activity of microbes in normal water is usually why your homemade detangle spray stinks after some days.

What You Need to Make Aloe Vera Juice and Leave-in Conditioner Natural Hair Detangler

Steps

  • Pour the Aloe Vera Juice into the spray bottle and add about four pumps of Muna & Luchi Break Free Leave in Conditioner. 
  • Shake the mixture vigorously until it forms a pale white liquid
  • Use this to spray on your hair or your child’s hair for a smooth detangling process
Homemade detangler spray for natural hair
Homemade detangler spray for natural hair
Homemade detangler spray for natural hai

3. Aloe Vera Juice and Vegetable Glycerine Homemade Natural Hair Detangler Spray

Vegetable Glycerin is a clear, odourless, syruplike liquid made from coconut, soybean, and palm oils. Vegetable glycerin acts as a moisturiser for skin and hair, and you can read this article to find out more.

I have found that Vegetable Glycerine works well with Aloe Vera Juice. Therefore, both will form the main ingredients for this homemade detangler for natural hair recipe.

What You Will Need to Make Aloe Vera Juice and Vegetable Glycerine Natural Hair Detangler Spray

  • 1 cup Aloe Vera Juice
  • 3 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
  • 3 tablespoons strengthen and grow oil
  • 2 teaspoons of Vitamin e
  • A few drops of essential oil of choice (optional)*
  • A spray bottle
Homemade Detangler Spray for Natural Hair
Homemade Detangler Spray for Natural Hair
Homemade Detangler Spray for Natural Hair

Steps

  • Combine all the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake vigorously.
  • Although this may not form a perfectly mixed liquid, it works very well as a leave-in detangling spray for virgin hair.

Another great ingredient to include in your homemade detangler is Apple Cider Vinegar. Due to the acidic nature of Apple Cider vinegar, it aids in smoothing down the cuticles, thereby promoting slip for the detangling process.

Check out these articles to learn about homemade detanglers for natural hair apple cider vinegar.

Homemade Natural Hair Detangler: 10 Recipes and Step-by-Step Instructions

How to Make Your Own Homemade Hair Detangler – Byrdie

3 Homemade Hair Detangler Recipes – Mommypotamus

If you are still thinking of a gift to get a loved one this Christmas, click here to read the article I wrote about Gift Ideas in Nigeria this Christmas

Regularly detangling your natural hair is vital if you are serious about growing long virgin hair. To achieve a smooth detangling process, you need a product that will enable your fingers, wide-tooth comb, and brush to glide through your hair strands with minimal breakage. You can create an effective homemade detangler for your natural hair using simple ingredients such as Aloe Vera Gel, Vegetable Glycerin and Apple Cider Vinegar.

Did you find this article helpful? Let me know if you will try any of these recipes in the comments section below. Please do me a favour by sharing with your family and friends using the social buttons below. Thank you!

Fill out the form below to sign up for the five-day FREE email course on how to grow your child’s virgin hair.

Frequently asked questions about baby hair care.

Posted on by Luchi Madubuike

How many times should I wash my baby’s/child’s hair?

Ideally you should wash your baby’s/child’s African textured hair not more than once a week. The reason for this is that the kinks and coils present in each strand of African textured hair makes it somewhat difficult for oils and hair moisturizers to travel through and get absorbed in to the strands. In addition, coily hair is more susceptible to damage from harsh ingredients. Such ingredients as Sodium Laureth Sulfate, present in most baby wash and shampoo product, has the potential to strip your child’s delicate strands of its natural oils and of moisture. Therefore washing your child’s hair each bath time, can strip away the natural oils of the scalp and leave the hair dry, brittle and frizzy. 

My baby was born with a full head of hair but now everything has fallen off, what do I do?

Some babies may lose their birth hair within the first year and this is perfectly normal. Therefore you need to verify that this hair loss is not biological, because if it is, there is actually a great chance that your little one will sport a full head of hair by the second birthday.

However if you feel that the hair loss is the result of poor hair care methods, you can just begin to care for the hair a lot better. Invest in quality products and learn how to give your little one a scalp massage using a hair growth oil of your choice. Scalp massages are great because they stimulate the hair follicles and encourage restorative hair growth. 

At what age do I start styling my baby’s hair?

A baby’s scalp is very tender, so it is very imperative that you not style his or her hair for the first twelve months. Thus it is best to always leave your baby’s hair in a simple afro style. However if your child’s African textured hair is very thick and full, and you notice that your baby’s hair is getting too long to be left in afro, you can begin to put it in single strand twists or braids. 

Is Shea Butter (or Coconut Oil) enough to keep my child’s hair moisturized?

Shea Butter and Coconut Oil have emollient properties, which is useful for sealing moisture in the hair, but they do not impart the moisture level needed for the African hair texture. Moisturizers are water-based or creamy conditioners that can be applied to the hair with or without the need for rinsing them out. You need a combination of water, moisturizer and oil or butter to keep your child’s hair moisturized.

What type of products do I need to care for my baby’s hair?

If your child is still very young, for example under twelve months, you can get a wide tooth comb, leave in conditioner, hair growth oil, and a mild tear free shampoo to care for her hair. You will also need to get satin headrests to prevent hair loss at the back of your baby’s head. When your child above twelve months, you can include a deep conditioner, and the use of satin bonnets to your child’s hair regimen.

Why does my baby have a bald spot/line at the back of her head?

This is called infant balding which is a result of the harsh materials that rub against that back of your baby’s head. For example, cotton pillowcases, the harsh material of the car seat and bouncer etc. These suck up the moisture in those areas and expose the hair at the back to dryness and breakage. To prevent this, you need to get a satin head rest which will provide a delicate and silky-soft landing for the back of your child’s head.

Gift Ideas in Nigeria This Christmas

Posted on by Luchi Madubuike

Thank you for reading my article. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Gift ideas in Nigeria

Introduction

Christmas is coming up fast! And the best time to do your Gift shopping online is during Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend. We’ve put together a list of our favourite gifts for everyone on your list. From the kids to the parents, there’s something here for everyone!

In Nigeria, people have different expectations at Christmas. Some expect gifts, others fancy money, and some want life and good health. In this article by The Guardian, Mrs Caro Livinius mentioned that she was not expecting a gift from anybody. “The only gift I want is the gift of life from God,” she said.

In this blog post

BLACK FRIDAY LIVE NOW

Christmas Gift Ideas from Jumia Black Friday Deals

Black Friday Deals on Jumia came early this year, as they have been running since the 4th of November. The retail company plans to run its Black Friday Program till 30th November.

Jumia Black Friday Nigeria 2022 is full of surprises, flash sales and special discounts on all categories & official stores, from our electronics store to fashion and makeup.

In addition to the fantastic offers Jumia has for this Black Friday season, they have included what they call the treasure hunt game every Friday. The treasure hunt game is where there are items with 99% OFF. Amazing, right?

I am here to help you take advantage of the variety of deals on Jumia as I have selected the best gift items for your Nigerian family, friends and well-wishers.

Gift items less than N10000 in Jumia Nigeria

Let us start with this gorgeous pink Wristwatch I believe any girl child will appreciate.

cheap gift items in Nigera

Check out DeFactor Brand; they have comfortable clothing items. The brand is currently offering up to 70% discount on all items. Clothing items in the DeFactor store go as low as N1,500; you can find gift items for family members. 

The official Adidas store also offers up to 60% off on the Jumia retail platform for this Black Friday season. Click here to shop gift items such as running shoes, casual shoes, t-shirts, flip-flops, and much more. Some prices go as low as N9,000, which is a good deal for a top brand like Adidas.

This Wireless Hidden Camera will be an ideal gift for a family with young children whose parents want to keep a close eye on them when they are away. Additionally, if you have a family member or a friend who owns a small business, this gift will be superb.

With up to 50% off, Lenovo has fantastic deals for electronic gadgets. When you click this link, you will find wireless earbuds, hard drives, flash drives and more for less than N10,000. Everybody needs good earbuds that will last a lifetime, and they also have a variety of earbud colours, pink, purple, black and white.

Pounded yam is the king of all swallows in Nigeria, and having a piece of equipment that can whip it up in minutes will be terrific. I found this  Yam pounder with up to 58% off, less than N10,000. A yam pounder will make the perfect gift for your mother, wife or boss.

The best way to protect your family from mosquito bites is by using a physical barrier like a mosquito net. Most Nigerian parents in your circle of friends and well-wishers will appreciate this Foldable Mosquito Tent Net as a Christmas gift.

The Official Nike store on Jumia has a big banner that says GO BIG. And this means they have enormous offers for shoppers this year. You can get Nike items for up to 60% off selected items. This set of socks will make an excellent gift for your Nigerian dad, husband, and close male friend.

Christmas Gift Ideas between N10000 to N30,000

Adidas store is currently offering up to 60% off on the Jumia retail platform for this Black Friday season. Click here to shop gift items such as running shoes, casual shoes, t-shirts, flip-flops, and much more within this price range. With the current Black Friday deals on the Official Adidas Store, you can get lovely gifts for everyone.

Multifunctional Electric Drill with 48% off; you can get this for N22,000. It will be a fantastic gift for your husband, boss, dad and brother, or anyone who loves DIY home improvement projects.

As a home-maker, I will say a big YES to this HAN RIVER AIR FRYER/Non-stick Oil-Free Frying Machine/ 4.5L. In addition, an air fryer will make an excellent gift choice for a boss.

I mentioned earlier in this post that The Official Nike store on Jumia offers an enormous discount on this year’s Jumia Black Friday event. Up to 119 Nike apparels fall under this price category.

You can get authentic Nike slides for as low as N11,000 for both men and women. Nike backpacks for N20,500. Nike Tees for N12,500, appropriate for both men and women. Sports gear such as gym bags and shoes.

If you are looking to buy food items and groceries, click here. You can get a bag of rice for up to 50% off.

Check out these Handbag deals. Trust me; you can never go wrong by gifting a lady a lovely handbag. 

Black Friday Top Deals

Christmas Gift Ideas above N30,000

Adidas store is currently offering up to 60% off on the Jumia retail platform for this Black Friday season. Click here to shop gift items such as running shoes, casual shoes, t-shirts, flip-flops, and much more. These will make great gifts for everyone in the family, from the children to grandparents.

The Official Nike store on Jumia has a big banner that says GO BIG. This phrase is their way of saying that they have enormous offers for shoppers this year. You can get Nike items for up to 60% off selected items.

If you want to buy a phone as a Christmas gift for your Nigerian parents, husband, wife, and children, this is the best time to grab it. Click here to view a variety of high-quality phones for a great steal. Top brands such as

Samsung, Techno, and LG offer great deals for this black Friday season.

Christmas gift ideas in NIgeria

Christmas Gift Ideas from Amazon Black Friday Deals

Amazon is currently running a 48-hour Black Friday Event, and they ship to Nigeria. You will get the sweetest deals on the most popular brands during this period. ‘Tis the season to snag some unique Christmas gifts for your loved ones. 

Amazon has also made it easier to find the perfect gift at various prices. Whether you are on a budget or want to splurge, there is something for you. In addition, I have done the hard work for you by creating gift idea lists to help you purchase the perfect item.

The prices on these Christmas idea lists range from less than $10 to $100. A few of the gift items are a little over $100 but don’t worry; they are worth it.

Gift Items that are less than $20

In this category are fantastic, cheap gift items that your loved ones will receive with pleasure.

Let’s start with the children in your life because I bet they have been talking about what they want all year round. I have handpicked toys and electronic gadgets that will help keep them entertained for hours.

Here are my top ten Christmas gift items for your baby and toddler. In this list, you will find up to five valuable gifts under $10, including My First Book of Bible Stories. Here is an extensive list of gift ideas for big kids and teens.

Every woman loves a meaningful gift; click here to see over forty gift ideas you can give the women in your life. These layered necklaces and three pairs of hoop earrings will make a great gift for a girlfriend. Another incredible gift we have in this category is this jewellery organiser. A wife will appreciate this Anne Klein wristwatch, and you can snag it right now for a steal at 68% OFF.

I have included the men, although finding gifts within this price range took work because male items are usually expensive. This brown timberland wallet will be an excellent gift to include for a husband, boyfriend, male friend or even a colleague. 

Recently, my husband always carries his laptop and phone cables. Therefore when I saw this travel cable organiser bag, I knew it was something I would love to get for him. This cable organiser will also be an excellent gift for a Nigerian father, especially if he is an adept researcher like my father. 

If you want something to give to your male boss, this Chefman Electric Wine Opener is just the thing. 

Gift Ideas between $20 to $50.

I couldn’t wait to recommend this massage gun. It will make an excellent gift for any adult you know who may be stressed. 

Any family with children over five years will appreciate this  TREYWELL Indoor Basketball Hoop for Kids and Adults. As an ideal gift for kids and adults, it can serve as an activity that will help strengthen family bonding. 

“I don’t need a fresh set of bedsheets”, said no one. I usually forget to buy new sets of bedsheets and towels, which may be the case for many people. And so, I have included these essential items on this list.

Christmas Gift Ideas that are above $50

For Christmas gift ideas over $50, check out this page. This year, you will find gift items for virtually everyone on your gift-giving list. 

You can also check out some tech gifts on this page.

Conclusion

The best time to buy unique and high-quality Christmas gifts in Nigeria is during Black Friday and Cyber Monday Events. Jumia and Amazon are offering the best deals through their Black Friday events. Therefore even with a low budget, any Nigerian can find a meaningful Christmas gift for those who mean a lot to them. Because as Oprah Winfrey said, “The message behind a gift is ‘I appreciate you, I see you, and You matter to me.’’

Click the social links below to share this post with your loved ones. You can share on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Thank you for sharing!

WASH DAY ANATOMY

Posted on by Luchi Madubuike

 

It’s been a wonderful season this year and trust me every new day comes with a new expectation, one of which has prompted me to begin the ‘Wash Day Anatomy ‘.

Depending on the part of the world where you are located, I’ll still remind you to be safety conscious as the season of pandemic is gradually fading away. Always stay safe by all means and follow the Rules of the New Normal by washing your hands often, observe social distancing and of course, always keep a hand sanitizer and nose masks close by.

Let me first enlighten you about the Word ‘ANATOMY’. What is anatomy and where did it all begin? The term ‘anatomy’ derives from ancient Greek meaning ‘dissection’ or ‘to dissect’ and involves a study of the structure or internal workings of something.

However, In Wash Day Anatomy, I will be dissecting the processes of Wash Day for your child’s hair. I will break down the five main aspects of a wash day, taking it one-aspect-at-a-time, so that you will understand it and apply them in your child’s hair routine. There are five (5) main aspects of a washday which are; Takedown and detangling, Pre-poo, Shampoo, Conditioning and Moisturizing/Styling. By mastering the basics, what’s the best place to start? In a nutshell, let’s break down the basics of the first aspect which is “STYLE TAKE-DOWN AND DETANGLING”.

 

STYLE TAKE-DOWN AND DETANGLING

This involves the process of how to loosen your child’s hair style with no hair loss and detangling the hair for a full wash day.
What you will be needing:
1) Your fingers
2) Water in a spray bottle
3) Ouchless bands and clips to secure sections of hair.
4) Light weight leave -in conditioner
5) Wide tooth comb

As much as possible, avoid things like toothpicks, tight tooth comb because this will cause snags and mid section splits that causes weak strands resulting in breakage.

STEPS TO TAKE – DOWN AND DETANGLING

STEP 1 – Secure the entire head of hair with an Ouchless band. Click to Shop at our store for your child’s hair Ouchless band and other accessories .

STEP 2 – Take the hair 1 twist at a time or 1 corn role at a time.

 

 

STEP 3 – Spray water on that section to be taken down in order to lubricate that section, Moisten it and make it easier for your fingers to take it down. Do this for 3 – 5 mins.

STEP 4 – Begin loosening the hair with your fingers by taking one corn role at a time. You have to be as gentle as possible as you can in this step.

While loosening your child’s hair, you may come across some stubborn twisted knots heads, DON’T, I REPEAT, DO NOT PULL IT OR RUSH IT.

All you have to do is to lubricate that strand with water or conditioner and take your time to loosen the knots.

When taking down your child’s hair, it’s very important to do it with TLC (tender, loving care) because this is when your child would experience the most mechanical manipulation during the entire wash day session.

STEP 5 – Put away the chunk. After loosening about 10 twists, the chunk is a portion of the loosed twist or corn roles that needs to be set aside in loosed Jumbo twists.

The reason for putting this away is so that, the particular section of hair would not get tangled and matted up again while loosing other twists.

At the end of this Style Take – Down and Detangling Session, you should have a head of hair that is filled with Jumbo Twist all ready for the PRE – POO session.

You can buy all hair accessories and tools needed to be used from our store. If you need a one-on-one hair consultation session with me, send an email to munaandluchi@gmail.com and tell us if this information is helpful to you for your child’s wash day in the comment section. You can also invite your friends to read this blog post, drop a comment acknowledging you and stand a chance to win one of our hair care products!

Follow us on IG @munaandluchi
Like our Page on Facebook @ Muna & Luchi
Follow up with us on Twitter @munaandluchi

#munaandluchi
#washdayanatomy
#toddlernaturalhair
#beginnerhaircare

MUNA’S FIVE YEAR LENGTH CHECK

Posted on by Luchi Madubuike

 

Here are the rules of the “new normal”; Rule number one, wash your hands regularly with a soap, for at least 20 seconds, under running water. You don’t have running water? No problem, just make a little hole in a sachet of water (its 10 bucks each), then ask someone to help you pour it out over your hands, that’s running water! Rule number two, maintain social distancing, though I find us violating this rule as I go around town, but hey, we are all still here aren’t we? Rule number three; wear a face mask when you go out, this is really crucial for obvious reasons.

 

Did you know you can get a free mask from us if you shop up to N10, 000 worth of goods from our store?

 

Lastly (and this is extremely important), if anyone must touch your baby’s hair, let it be you or someone you trust, especially when you have to do a 2020 LENGTH CHECK like I did with Muna’s Hair!

 

For the past five years, I always make sure to do a length check on my daughter’s hair on her birthday. Doing a length check, helps me see how much progress we have made based on the work we have put into her hair care in that year. It also lets me know the effects of the changes implemented to her regimen, based on how much progress (or set back) we make. Below I have listed the current length of Muna’s hair from three main sections; the Back, the Sides and the Front. The pictures show the measurements of the various parts of her hair, using a tape measure;

                                                                                                                   

  

 

Let me mention at this point that last year, after doing Muna’s length check, she had an average length of 151/2 inches, and I trimmed off 2 inches all through her hair. In other words, Muna gained up to 3 inches more this year, but that means incremental length is only about an inch and half overall. Her hair suffered dryness and breakage at the end of last year and partly the beginning of this year, I guess this contributed to the minimal length retention. But we doubled up on moisture and kept styling simple, single twists only. I also made sure I kept her ends away by always packing her medium twists into buns. Click HERE to get a free 30 minutes consultation call with me. If you look closely at the images of Muna’s length check over the years, you will notice that her hair has basically remained on the same spot on her back, a little below bra strap. It’s obvious that a little girl is getting taller than her hair grows! Lol! However for the fifth year, its closer to waist length than it is bra strap.

Front Length – 16.5 inches  

Back Length – 13.5 inches

 

Side Length – 14.5 inches

I know you’re probably thinking at this point “How can I achieve this for my daughter?” I am here to show you how I did it and let you know that you can do it too. I offer a step-by-step guide on Child Hair Care in my online consultation sessions. There is a program for everyone and what’s more is that we are currently offering great savings on all our hair care programs, so this is the best time to jump in. Click here to find out more, offer ends on the 31st of May, 2020.

 

Now that Muna is 5 years old, I will implement some changes to her routine. Henceforth, I will be including some herbs to her regimen hopefully we will be able to see some improvement in the coming year. From now on she will be using only products I formulate myself (Muna & Luchi Care Products), since we are about to launch our own brand soon! Be the first to know when we will be launching the Muna and Luchi Care Products, by clicking HERE.

 

If you are looking to be equipped with more information on how tackle your child’s specific hair care challenges, you could enroll in my FREE email course, BECOMING A PRO HAIR CARE MUM. This course is super packed with what you need to know, to take full charge of your child’s hair care. Send me an email of any kind of questions or concerns about your child’s hair care. Send to munaandluchi@gmail.com, I can’t wait to hear from you.

 

 

#munaandluchi

#toddlerhairjourney

#lengthcheckupdate

#childrenhaircare

 

PS: These products will be officially launched from Muna & Luchi Hair Care by July!  Stay tuned!

If you will like to get details about the products I used on her hair, click HERE.