I recently did a Google search to find out what the most asked hair related question was so that I could answer the said question on the blog. I found an article by Elle Beauty done in partnership with Google which answered the most searched beauty questions around the globe. I was happy to find Nigeria listed among France, Brazil, Australia, South Korea, India and the UAE. The article stated that Nigerians were Africa’s most active googlers looking for DIY remedies and our most googled question was how to make our hair feel soft.

Here goes the answer to that question. For me softer hair is not something I really set out to achieve for my hair as I know my hair is naturally coarse. However in the harmattan season I noticed that my hair was becoming a lot drier and coarser and we all know dry hair can lead to breakage so I decided to share a few things I have been doing or intend to do to my hair to make it feel and appear softer.



Deep condition with a moisturising deep conditioner: I cannot stress how important it is for us to deep condition our hair. Hard hair is usually as a result of dry hair whilst softer hair happens when our hair is more moisturised. Dry hair can be combated by ensuring that our hair stays hydrated. If you want to achieve softer hair this is the time to ensure that you deep condition more regularly with a moisturising conditioner. Let’s say for example you deep condition every two weeks you can increase this to once a week. If you want to know how to identify a moisturising conditioner please read this post here. Also remember that in your quest for softer hair you have to balance moisture with protein, as over moisturised hair is sticky, stretchy, limp and prone to breakage. Remember that relaxed hair needs more protein than natural hair so try to find out the perfect balance for your hair. So a person with relaxed hair could alternate between weekly moisturising and protein deep conditioning treatments whilst someone with natural hair can do weekly moisturising deep conditions and monthly protein treatments.

A hair steamer is an excellent moisture source: To get softer hair it will help when you deep condition, to do so with heat, especially where the label on the deep conditioner clearly states so. Any form of heat from a dryer, body heat using a shower cap, using a hair dryer satin bonnet attachment (read my review here) will help to ensure that the deep conditioner penetrates deeply into the hair follicles. A hair steamer is a form of moist heat as opposed to the other forms of heat mentioned, so it adds even more moisture to our hair and leads to a more moisturising deep conditioning experience which will result in softer hair.

Add natural hair humectants and oils (known for improving softness) to your deep conditioners: We all know that deep conditioners are good for our hair; however we can give our hair an extra boost by adding natural ingredients that are known to make our hair softer to our deep conditioners such as honey (a humectant) (about a tablespoon), glycerine (a humectant) (2 or 3 drops) or palm oil (about a tablespoon).

Keep your hair in a protective style: Inadequate protective styling can lead to dry hair which will result in hair that is hard to the touch. It is therefore important after we have moisturised and sealed our hair to keep our hair in a protective style so that the moisture imparted into our hair is better retained and so also to protect our ends. Hair styles such as buns, french twists, wearing wigs (whilst ensuring our hair is adequately protected underneath) will lead to softer more manageable hair. A tip especially for this harmattan season that has decided to come back and also for the winter season is that once you get home you can wear a satin or silk scarf to retain moisture in your hair and protect your hair from the elements.

Moisturise your hair with a hydrating moisturiser and seal with a slightly heavier butter: For softer hair you cannot skimp on moisturising your hair with a good moisturiser. Then afterwards, opting to seal with a heavier oil or butter such as shea butter will ensure that your hair remains moisturised for longer which will lead to softer hair, this is especially useful during the harmattan or winter season.

Bonus tip: Stay Hydrated
Hair Question Source: www.elle.com/beauty/a29875/you-google-questions-answered(The article originally appeared in the September, 2015 issue of Elle Magazine).

TONKABELLE, xoxo



“Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord, who rises with healing in His wings”
– William Cowper