This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pantene. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It’s Sunday, and after a busy week of homeschooling, and taking care of my patients, it’s time for me to exercise a bit of self-care. Today is “Wash Day”. I sit in front of my bathroom mirror and lovingly gaze upon my hair in my reflection, as I reflect on my personal hair journey. As you know, I love the versatility that comes with protective styles, but it took decades for me to come to a point where I could love and accept my hair in its natural state. However, today, I honestly feel the most beautiful with my short and colored TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro).
Some of my fondest memories from my childhood are of my mother and me spending quality time as she did my hair. My mother did the best she could to style the locks of her four daughters, despite having limited instructions from her own mother who was oceans away. She made do with the resources she had and mostly resorted to perming and dressing our hair or keeping it in extensions.
It wasn’t until my adulthood that I was able to gain a renewed enthusiasm for loving my natural hair. A lot of that enthusiasm goes toward “Wash Day”, a day in which personal time and space are denoted for nurturing and caring for my natural hair. My “Wash Day’ routine for my color-treated TWA starts with my Fortifying Damage Repair Conditioner with Castor Oil to moisturize my curls. I gently work a conditioning brush through my hair in the shower to detangle my coils, followed by a scalp massage to stimulate my hair follicle cells and encourage new growth. Next, I follow up with the Fortifying Damage Repair Shampoo with Castor Oil for a nutrient-infused sulfate-free rinse, followed by more conditioner. Lastly, I lock in the moisture with the Fortifying Damage Repair Overnight Restoring Serum, as I let my hair air dry before bed. It’s so important to keep color-treated hair moisturized. That’s why these products are my “Wash Day” essentials, as they all contain vitamin E-rich castor oil that leaves my hair with a soft silky finish. I love that the Pantene Nutrient Blends Collection is made from simple and natural ingredients that are curated from around the world and are completely free of harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, dyes, and mineral oils. You can find the collection at Walgreens!
Looking back on my hair journey, I have gained a great appreciation not only for my natural roots but the Nigerian heritage that they represent. Entangled in these coils are generations of beauty, strength, and a history of resilience. My natural hair represents a beautiful culture that not only defines my personality but my pride. My curl definition speaks volumes about the love I have for my heritage and the dynamic hairstyles I’ve worn over the years serve as an expression of that love. From voluminous afros and cornrows to protective styles and colored fades, my commitment to nurturing my crown will never fade.
