Table of contents for True Love Hair 2023/24 in True Love

Judging by the many red carpets, magazine covers and influencers wearing their hair proudly like crowns, it’s the season for artfully woven coils, plaits and braids – placed on beautiful faces as if to say: yes, queen! And, our cover star Nomalanga Shozi is not one to shy away from this trend. Her more-is-more signature Afro has been a household staple since she broke into the entertainment industry. But, I’m also loving how she’s playing with new styles including pixies, shaped Afros and glam weaves. This issue is packed with inspiration you can take to your hairstylist and point at. It’s also a great salon read, especially for when you get those mermaid-length braids for summer (that’s if you’re not passing on the fibre, LOL). Inspiration comes all around us…

Longer is better when it comes to this style – from boho or goddess braids to booty-grazing weaves and extensions. Our style muses are actresses Gabrielle Union and Tessa Thompson as well as runway vixen Naomi Campbell. THE BLUNT BOB Take inspiration from celebville and dare to debut a bob this summer – from Ciara to Sabrina Dhowre Elba (Idris Elba’s wife). This summer-friendly cut is just the playfulness you need. Choose between chin or shoulder length and with or without a band. A firm favourite has been a deep side parting. When it comes to the bob, maintaining its shape and almost pristine-like finish is the key. Use a lightweight serum to keep the strands at bay while maintaining must-needed movement. TREND ALERT: INSPIRED BY NATURE For decades, women…

MADAM C.J. WALKER The pioneer of black hair entrepreneurship at the turn of the 20th century, Madam C.J. Walker became a trailblazer for black hair. Recognising the lack of hair care products designed for African Americans, she developed a specialised line of products catering to their unique needs. Her success as a businesswoman not only transformed the perception of black hair, but also empowered people to embrace their natural beauty and feel confident in their appearance. THE AFRO MOVEMENT A symbol of black power and identity during the civil rights movement of the 1960s and ‘70s, the Afro hairstyle emerged as a powerful symbol of black pride, identity and resistance. Icons like Angela Davis, Pam Grier and Jimi Hendrix proudly wore their Afros, challenging mainstream beauty standards and promoting self-acceptance…

The uniqueness of everyone’s curls is what sets our kink apart. This includes the key to understanding yours, embracing it and learning how to manipulate it. With no one-size-fits-all product for all curls, the answer lies in trial and error till you find yours. And at the heart of caring for your strands is keeping them hydrated from root to tip. In our arsenal of products there is a sulphate-free shampoo, can’t-live-without-conditioner and treatments as well as various gels and creams to style them. Toolkit…

The new trend, when working with traditional box braids and knotless braids, is to leave some of your natural hair out for movement or add human hair or curly synthetic hair at the ends. These tend to need a little bit more maintenance, and here’s how. If you choose to leave out your natural hair strands, remember to keep them hydrated using a conditioning spray or water, and to keep the frizz at bay by using a mousse. To make the style last longer, detangle any knots using your fingers - careful not to break hair. For scalp health, a scalp oil applied liberally will do the trick. Must-have braid sprays! Toolkit Waterless cleansers to try…

Afro puffs These are the first steps to teaching children about their natural hair and how to take care of it, but it also instils in them a sense of pride. Give extra TLC to their daily or weekly hair maintenance routine to avoid tears and a bad experience. And, keep the routine simple – shampoo, condition, detangle and a little light application of oil or moisturiser. A child’s true hair extension may only reveal itself from when they are seven years old, and this is just for some of them. Remember that their scalp is tender and needs to be handled gently. Use metallic styling tools and heat with caution. Braids Although braids and plaits are seen as protective hairstyles, it’s important that you take good care of your…

Lesego Seoketsa VISUAL ARTIST My first hair memory is being held on top of the bathroom sink and my mom removing hair relaxer from my scalp, yikes! My hair became a part of my identity when I first felt pretty after braiding it as a child, and when I cut it off immediately after because it was too tedious to maintain. My hair is an extension of my personal style. The outfit must always go with the hairdo and hair ties. I look and feel my best when I am taking care of, and loving, myself internally and externally. When it comes to my hair, I’ll never take its thickness, curls and texture for granted ever again. A hairstyle I still want to try is blonde curls with my real…

Wind and harsh, cold air suck moisture out of your hair, leading to dryness, frizz, breakage and split ends. But protective hairstyles are priceless! Besides a flawlessly chic look, they keep your hair ends tucked and protected from aggressive damaging factors and prevent the edges from thinning. Boost the health of your coils by following these tips. SEAL IN MOISTURE Nourish your hair and scalp with natural oils like castor or jojoba, or apply hydrating balms and hair foods before styling. REDUCE HEAT Styling tools are great but in the colder months, they can take moisture out of your hair - a process already accelerated by the wind and dry air outside. Let your hair air-dry overnight after a wash before or after styling. MAINTAIN YOUR PROTECTIVE STYLES Don’t neglect…

HAIRSTYLIST’S TIP: To maintain a short style, swirl your hair using a wrap/set mousse and secure it in a silk wrap in the evenings. In the mornings, comb the style through using a wide-tooth comb or fingers to loosen the swirl. A tiny amount of hair serum adds a little sheen. Buzz cuts are making a comeback this season. Dare to go blonde or even better yet, Barbie pink, to get heads turning. Yearning for a change but too scared to cut your hair? Then a weave, sew-in or wig pixie is just the style for you. Invest in good-quality hair if you’d like to use heat styling and switch up the way you style it. HAIRSTYLIST’S TIP: If you’re going to use a hair straightener or blow dryer, apply a heat…

The frow (front row) took a collective bow when the models at Dior’s Couture Autumn/Winter 2024 collection stepped out in straight-back cornrows with a structural low bun. This was a first on the international stage for a designer to hire braiders to plait models with natural hair instead of forcing the hair straight to resemble a sleek back style. This was, indeed, a sign that this style is back and bigger than before, and has shaken off its “protective style” reputation. And on the red carpet, Michaela Coel screamed royalty at the 2023 Met Gala, cementing the ethereal theme. 1. The prep work: Make sure you wash and condition your scalp and hair prior to plaiting it. Don’t blow-dry the hair till it’s straight; rather give it a light dry…

Stylist’s tip 1. Protection is important: Summer days mean more exposure to UV rays, which tend to dry up the hair cuticle. This, in turn, weakens your curls’ hold. Furthermore, spending time in the water means exposure to chlorine or sea salt. So, look for products with heat and UV protectants.2. Hydration:Regular deep hydration treatments are essential to replenishing moisture levels.3. Detangle with care: Your fingers are your best tools when detangling tresses, then use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush. But be extra careful when your hair is wet.4. Cleansing: Opt for sulphate-free cleansers that don’t strip your hair, and try co-washing with a cleansing conditioner if you must wash hair more frequently.5. Drying hair: Use a diffuser or scrunch your curls up when drying with a blow-dryer, and…

Toolkit We’re obsessed with these serums that work to protect, fight frizz and add some sheen. Stylist’s tip…

Use hair fibre to build a more dramatic updo. There are no bounds to how creative you can get with this style. Invest in hair grips and pins to secure the look as well as elastic bands, scarves and Alice bands to decorate.…

Afro Curl pomades and wax will generally leave a waxy residue on your hair, so nourish it with natural oils (applying liberally). Look for sulphate-free products that don’t contain any alcohol as these will dry out your hair and scalp. If you’re trying to grow your hair, try protective styles to preserve it, and then watch it bloom. Beard gang From rough dark stubble (or rather, the five o’clock shadow as it is known in the grooming circles) to full, untamed facial hair, the beard has gotten an Afropolitan make-over and we’re here for it. Alas, not everyone can grow a beard. But if you have hair follicles on your face, you’re good to go. Invest in a great beard oil to nourish follicles, maintain a routine, be patient and…

1 LIZ LETSOALO, FOUNDER OF MASODI ORGANICS You started making shampoo and cream in your kitchen in 2018 while working full-time. What inspired you to start your business part-time? The inspiration behind the brand, Masodi, was crafting a brand that could truly address skin and haircare concerns I know to be real pain points for many people as well as products that could be shared by different demographics. This while emphasising the need to not overlook black women. I initially threw myself into the work as a hobby, and watched as customers surprised me with a reception I did not expect. At a certain point, I had to leave my then job to dedicate my life to building this brand. What was the process of mixing ingredients from home to having…

HAIRSTYLIST’S TIP: Getting the perfect twist out is super easy if you follow these steps: section your hair to separate the strands you’d like to twist, then hydrate using a hair mist or water. Use a detangling brush or fingers to detangle your hair, then apply a small amount of holding gel or crème and twist. Make sure the hair is completely dry before untwisting it. The curl will be tighter if left overnight. (Don’t forget to wear a silk scarf!) Playing with textures adds interest to any hairstyle, like this cornrow and Afro half-up/half-down hairstyle. If you don’t have the length, invest in natural textured clip-ons or a weave. Colour is definitely in vogue this summer! Opt for the new coppers, cool greys or even ombre fibre. HAIRSTYLIST’S TIP: There are…

HAIRSTYLIST’S TIP: It’s important to wait at least two weeks post your relaxer before dyeing your hair. We recommend that you go to a specialist if you’d like to change your hair colour. An expert can check your hair elasticity and porousness. The weaker your hair, the more you risk damaging it. Getting your weave closure to look as natural as possible is sometimes a bit tricky. Make sure you go for a closure that’s as close to your hair as possible. Trim off the excess lace. Hide all your own hair and when all else fails, concealer is your friend. Yes, you can colour your weave. Synthetic weaves, however, cannot absorb the pigment of the dye as they are essentially plastic. Human hair is recommended, which can prove to…

We won’t say no to a neck-cooling style in the heat. But this season, hair is not messy while bundled up; instead, it’s perfectly manicured with a side serving of sheen. And for this elegant look, you will need a little more time. Start by blow-drying or flat ironing your hair (apply a heat protectant). Then, tie it into a ponytail and secure into a bun using hair grips. Apply hairspray to set it in place or a gel for a firmer hold, and voila! FINGER WAVES AND SPIRALS Rewind the hands of time with these styles that give a nod to the ‘90s R&B era. Remember Toni Braxton’s perfectly coiffed finger waves (I swear she used to sleep upright) or the cute spirals (rather baby hairs) sported by girl…

Short cuts, or brush cuts, are no longer reserved for a hairstyle gone wrong. To take the look up a notch, a little colour goes a long way – from the season’s cool grey blondes to warm copper tones. Use a gentle shampoo, moisturise your scalp and hair, and apply a smidge of sunblock to maintain.…

“ONLY FOR THE FEARLESS, GRAPHIC BANGS WITH LONG STREAKS ARE EASY TO MAINTAIN AT HOME. JUST BRUSH AND APPLY LAJAWI LIGHT SERUM EVERY THIRD DAY OR WASH WHEN THERE IS A BUILD-UP TO MAINTAIN THE FLOW AND BOUNCE”- QUOTES BY JAWAD MAPHOTO “BIG HAIR CURLS, DON’T CARE. THIS HAIRSTYLE IS ALSO A HOME BUDDY; BENDING ROLLERS ARE THE ONES TO USE. REMEMBER TO APPLY A LAJAWI LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER AND FOLLOW WITH A MOUSSE PER CURL. MAKE SURE IT’S DRY BEFORE TAKING OUT THE CURLS; RUN YOUR FINGERS AND SHAPE AS DESIRED.” The detail is in the hair Actress, radio and television presenter Nomalanga Shozi (29), who is also the face of Black Entertainment Television (BET), may not be a city girl. But, she has taken the City of Gold –…

Toolkit…

Judging by the red carpet this year, the ponytail has been given the thumbs up. From braided interest, bejewelled or tied low or high, getting away with missing wash day will be a breeze. LOW AND SLOW ALSO DOES THE TRICK, LIKE LALA. TEASE OR CURL THE PONYTAIL FOR A LITTLE VOLUME. CHRISTINA SERVES FUTURISTIC CHIC IN A FAUX-BANG AND PLAIT. ACCESSORISE LIKE A QUEEN BY PAIRING YOUR LOOK WITH A BOW. DARE TO WEAR IT UP AND VOLUMINOUS, LIKE CIARA…

Reinvented Afro puffs The regal cone Ponytail play Twist & twirl Coiled glory…

Throwback to the edgy ‘fro hawk. For length at the crown, play with various textures of fibre and keep the style looking salon-fresh by making sure the sides are trimmed and manicured. HAIRSTYLIST’S TIP: Make sure your hair is freshly shampooed and completely dry before applying any dye. After care is also essential – from upkeeping to your wash day and hydration treatment as well as using a light hair oil. HAIRSTYLIST’S TIP: Twisting your hair too tightly has been the cause of many women’s hairline woes. So, give your hairline a break between hairstyles and make sure you have regular hydrating treatments to prevent breakage caused by dryness. Half-up, half-down styles are a versatile way of keeping your hair off your face while showing off its length. Invest in flexi…