This 15 September marks World Afro Day, a celebration of the unique position of Afro hair, and who better to celebrate with then award-winning stylist and industry authority Charlotte Mensah.
Between running her own salon, Hair Lounge on London's Portobello Road, and an eponymous product line – plus styling stars such as Janelle Monae and Eve - Mensah is also a fierce advocate for education.
The native Ghanaian founded the Charlotte Mensah Academy which offers less fortunate, young Ghanaians an opportunity to learn a vocational skill, while her charity, L.O.V.E (Ladies of Visionary Empowerment) is aimed at furthering the education and empowerment of young women in Africa.
She spared some rare free time to talk curly hair care, with top tips for transitioning to natural and the conditioning treatments that actually work.
"The biggest mistakes I see women making with their hair include not having regular enough treatments, not getting their hair frequently trimmed, having too many chemical treatments and not adding enough moisture.
"When transitioning from chemically treated to natural hair, moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. Don't forget – because most natural, transitional hair soaks up moisture like a sponge. Have regular trims every four-to-six weeks to maintain your style and keep the ends healthy. And don't forget to take five minutes to pamper your hair before bedtime. That means moisturising if necessary, securing the ends and covering overnight with a silk scarf.
"I recommend investing in certain products and brands: moisturising shampoos that contain humectants which attract moisture, or conditioning shampoos to treat dry, brittle hair. Also a hair oil that will seal in moisture. Try the Aveda Dry Remedy range, Mizani True Textures range and my Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil range. For a hair treatment, try the Manketti Oil Conditioner – a multi-tasking product that can be used as a deep penetrating conditioning mask. This is applied to the hair, combed through with a wide tooth-comb and left on for 15-20 minutes.
"I'm always asked the same question 'Why isn't my hair growing? I always explain that there are a number of factors that equate to this issue. Your diet and lifestyle as well as genetics, all play an important role in hair growth.
"My top tip is quite simple; if you don't make your personal health top priority your hair will show it."
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