Choose your standz....

Now, during my not so "informed" days, i had some idea of the different hair types. Well there was poker straight, curly and wavy. However i had no idea that curly hair came in numbers and letters. What a revelation that was. I knew i had coily hair....i described it as "feather weight woolly hair" LOL!!! That means my hair strands are thin and my texture is not so tightly coiled or defined...which gives it an expression of it being longer that it really is. Now i know i am a combination of fine 4a and 4b. Armed with this revelation, i knew what was going to work for my hair and what my hair will just laugh at!!! You need to know your strands to choose your product.

Now…choose your strands……

Type 1
Type one is straight hair..


Type 2
Wavy hair, it comes in 2a, 2b and 2c. The hair stands have a definite S pattern. The difference between the three is the hair texture and level of waviness…with 2c being the most waved pattern and 2a the least.

2a

2b
2c

Type 3
Tightly curled hair with defined curl texture, it is normally springy with body and bounce. Comes in 3A/B/C.

3a

3b

3c


Type 4
Tightly curled hair which is coarser than all the other curly types. It can be quite thick or fairly full. Type 4a has an S curl to it however it is not as defined compared to the other curly hair types. 4B/C has a zig zag pattern. Type four hair pattern makes it look denser than the other hair types however it is quite delicate and is prone to moisture loss….and hence dryness.

4a

4b

4c

Most people have a combination of the above hair types but have a dominant type that is more evident. I am 4b predominantly with some 4a around the back, edges and temple areas.


Now you know what type you are then it is fairly simple to build up a regime and use the correct products. Base your product selection not only on your texture but on the density of your hair. Feel your strands and react accordingly. If it’s oily..this means too many products are coating your hair..you must clarify. If its dry, your tresses need a moisture injection. Pay attention to your scalp too, clean your scalp, and massage it to improve circulation with the added effect of relaxation. Remember hair grows from a clean healthy scalp.

How it all started...

I had to lose my hair before I appreciated it. I permed every month and braided it relentlessly without proper care. So nature in its profound wisdom took what was hers. My hair fell, my temple areas literally vanished and I was devastated. I couldn’t perm it to fix it…. well there was no hair to perm. So I went natural. I let my hair grow and just washed and conditioned and moisturized. And guess what…it grew. It grew thick and soft and I loved it. I had my hair back and was thrilled. However, my joy was to be short lived. On my first natural journey I faced objection from everyone. There were two reactions.... complete shock...yes there was staring and the other which was even more annoying...the patronisers. These are some of the comments i got from colleagues

Ouch...you cut your hair, why?

Is this the new trend...interesting

Why did you cut your hair?…(with a look of are you mad)

I didn't know your hair was curly

Your straight hair made you look cute you know (while lookking at me straight in the eye)

Girl, you need to fix that hair.... (this one was the black folks favorite)

What did i do?.... i ignored them. In fact i kept it short and rocked my fro. I adored it with hairpins, flower broaches, even buttons from old shirts. I did not care what Jo bloggs thought i should look like. Who the hell is Jo bloggs....pleeseeeee. Now that was the easy bit.

The hard part of being and staying natural was my family and friends reactions. These people got to me because i cared about what they thought. My then boyfriend was the worst....he hounded and critisised my hair, he was a black man who loved straight hair and the guy was relentless. Some of my family members even offered to pay to "sort out" my hair. I fought them but alas...i lost. After eight months of fighting the battle i got a perm and regretted it immediately. I missed my curls. So i started all over again. I shaved my head...not in protest but it was a new beginning for me and i was armed. Yes I was angry with me but mostly at them. I told all my friend and family that they can critise all the wanted but if i was pressured anymore sh*t was going down. Yes, i was pissed and i was a woman shaven lol!!!! I had lost my hair but i was determined to get it all back. I found what frustrated me then was that i was using the same products i had when i was permed and my afro was a diva herself. She protested when I glazed it with pink oil, she screamed and became greasy molly every time I brought hair grease near her and the dry weather just made her brittle and frizzy. I was determined not to lose this time round. Luckily for me, my best friend decided to share the journey with me. We sprang into action, concoctions were made with scientific specification...we became obsessed with catering for our hair. we tackled each problem head on. If it was dry we mixed something to add moisture. If it was weighed down which it often did due to our constant experimenting we clarified and we never ever used the same old products we did in the good old permed days. We had found a way to nourish our hair without any chemicals in sight. Chichi and Jarrai was born.

Check out our website at http://www.chichiandjarrai.com/ We have something for everyone....

Your Crowning Glory

What is beautiful hair? ....This question has a million and one answers but ultimately hair is defined by the wearer...yes, the way you carry your crowning glory can define its beauty. Notice i said, "carry" not wear. Your hair is one of the best tools that can make you look fabulous or plain. So my friends...your hair is your double-ended sword to create your own unique style. Of course we are bombarded with what society sees as beautiful hair but someone out there wore that beautiful hair with such pride and confidence and has convinced all of us that their style is the only way!!! Isn't that mind blowing?

Now, that we’ve established the rest of the world thinks…I want you to disregard all of that and listen to what you like. My name is Jarrai and i dress and wear my crowning glory like Jarrai…not like Mary or even the ever stylish Chichi my best friend. Why?…Well that’s easy, my hair is unique and has bouncy curls, its soft and springy and I love that it can change size and shape. Yes, my hair has super powers!!! lol. I can wear it short straight out of the shower or stretch my tresses with more versatile styles like twists, puffs or a big afro. It is my number one fashion device and i use it well, so should you too.

What i want you to know its this...your hair unique to you and only you. It is a rare product, so treat it with care. Your hair is you...you are not your hair...words borrowed from the beautiful India Arie. You alone can make your crown reign. So walk in and take a comfortable seat, welcome to the natural way to treat your crowning glory.