Ode to the Motherland

Dominating our thoughts this week…

Not me looking at this blonde hair 👱🏾‍♀️ thinking about whether I have enough inches to dye my hair…

The category is Rihanna. Seeing this photo of with braids is giving me the itch BUT I had a bit of a hair mishap 😂 more about that soon. In any case one thing I know is that once I’ve got enough hair to grip, the braids will be on!!! What hairstyles are you looking to try?

Spring is just around the corner in the U.K. and I’ve started picturing what hair changes I want to usher in. The little one has just started nursery which means more time for this mama to spend on her personal and professional goals. As much as I’ve tried to stay away from the blonde 👱🏾‍♀️ I’m probably going to be bleaching my hair very soon 😂 what hair changes are you planning?

📸: Kofi Dua

It’s the weekend which means your self-care can take centre stage without too much responsibility juggling happening. We posted this quote in 2022 and TWO years later, it still rings true.

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”

Caring for yourself is NECESSARY. Sometimes self-care will look like washing your hair (we’ve got the hook up for some great products ) and other times self-care is a nap 💤 whichever you choose today, remember that you deserve all of this and more! 💗

FOCUS ON: Ximenia oil! At the forefront of our brand and the products we make, are our African origins. As our brand evolved, we began to think of how we could champion African ingredients in our products and we re-formulated. Unicorn Tears curl pudding and Plantain Kisses leave in conditioner were as close to perfection as one can get, adding Ximenia oil has taken them to the next level. Ximenia oil is an amazing emollient, and particularly nourishing for the hair and scalp. Extracted from the sour plum with its origins in Namibia, Ximenia oil contain ximenynic acid which is anti-inflammatory as well as vitamin C for a protective antioxidant function. In Angola 🇦🇴 ximenia oil is used by pregnant women to prevent stretch marks and maintain skin elasticity.

FOCUS ON: Vanilla bean. If you had to ask us what our favourite ingredient is, vanilla bean would be top 2 and not number two okay. Vanilla bean is just THAT girl 💅🏾, she invented the words “all-star”. Vanilla is in all the expensive perfumes we know and love, in delicious baked goods, and even in beauty products…like ours. On the hair and skin, vanilla pod infusion is softening, anti-inflammatory and protective due to the antioxidant vanillin. In all of our products we use Madagascan vanilla; my favourite because of how plump and gorgeous the pods are and the celebration of an African luxury ingredient. You’ll find vanilla bean infusion in a few of our products; Plantain Kisses leave in conditioner, Milk Tea 🧋 strengthening hair masque, Unicorn Tears curl pudding and our gorgeous body frosting Caked Up. If we could we’d use it in everything…we shouldn’t though right?

Me & U (Milk Tea 🧋) the perfect strengthening hair masque especially if you’ve got colour treated hair or use heat regularly. Milk Tea contains hydrolysed wheat 🌾 protein and rooibos extract which help in reducing hair fall and improving the physical condition of your hair leaving it shinier and smoother. It’s no wonder us South Africans 🇿🇦 love rooibos, it’s a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can alongside healthy hair practices stimulate healthy hair growth. Our January sale is still running, this is the best time to stock up on all your favourites!

New year, new hair? Or maybe it’s new year, healthier hair? What are your hair goals this year? Mine are to be consistent with my wash days because I spent A LOT of 2023 skipping wash days…and it shows 😂 to celebrate my renewed commitment to my hair we’ve got a 35% discount all of January when you use the code NEWHAIR at checkout. If you ask me that’s just the treat for the first month of what’s going to be a spectacular year!

Happy new year darlings!!! We’re three days into the new year and your girl is still very much playing catch up 🙈 this year (like most years) I don’t have any resolutions but I do have a word that I’ll be hanging onto throughout all of the changes that 2024 might bring. My word of the year is metamorphosis 🦋 “change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means,” and this applies to me as a person and Ode to the Motherland. We’re launching in the U.K. this month which also means worldwide 🌍 shipping! This year will be full of wonderful things and we can’t wait to take you on the journey with us!

So green with envy over how perfect this hairstyle is! If you’re rocking a protective style this festive season, it’s so important to prep your hair. A good wash and deep conditioning really makes a difference to making sure you start off with a healthy base for whatever style you choose. Swipe left to see the two products we always use before any protective style! What are some of your non-negotiable when preparing for a protective style?