Hello! So far we’ve been in Asia for 2 months now, but we have been to 3 different countries. The team I was with went to Malaysia, Indonesia, and now Thailand. We have been in the city for each place we stayed, and it’s been all ask the Lord (atl). My hair has definitely gone through some changes here in Asia, and it’s put me on a new learning curve that has been difficult, but also rewarding at times. Here is what I’ve learned so far.
- It was hard for me to find 100% virgin coconut oil (being that it’s solid at room temperature).
I’ve found plenty of ones that are oil at room temp, but I’ve wanted the solid kind. I’m not sure if I’ve just been looking in the wrong places, but I haven’t had any luck. The only place I saw it was in Malaysia (once) and I should have gotten it there but I decided against it. My advice would be to stock up in Africa, or from home depending on how your route plays out I was in Africa the 1st 3 months).
- Coconut & Almond hair and body oil has been a good substitute.
There’s a place in Thailand that’s called Boots and it has body/hair/make-up etc. type of things, and they sell coconut and almond hair and body oil. I’ve been using it for my hair and after I take a shower and it’s worked really well. My hair does fine with it just like my body does, and it’s actually replaced my lotion.
- Tea tree Oil is fairly easy to find.
I’ve found it almost everywhere I’ve gone, especially in little places that are Walgreens equivalents. I’ve still been putting it in my conditioner, since previous racers have mentioned being exposed to lice fairly easily in Asia.
- Stretch your leave-in conditioner by adding water and other products.
I started to run out of my Carol’s Daughter leave in conditioner, and I was NOT ready to let that go. I added some water, along with some of my Aunt Jackie’s detangler, my Rosemary, and the rest of my Tea Tree Oil, and my hair is BANGIN. My curls LOVE it and they soak it all up. I use it when I want to change styles mid week, and a little spritz does the trick.
- A little goes a long way with moisturizing creams.
I brought my one jar of Deep Treatment Masque by Shea Moisture, but I’ve barely used it because it’s so humid in Asia. My hair retains a lot more moisture (like it does in the South in the States) in Asia, as I expected it would.
- If your curls change, it’s ok.
I’m not sure how attached to your pattern you are, but mine has always been kind of everywhere and there hasn’t been a consistent pattern throughout my head. This is the first time where the majority of my hair has been more wavy than kinky/coiley.
- I haven’t had to wrap my hair as often.
It’s not as dry as Africa, so I haven’t had to worry about wrapping to keep the moisture in. However it is still smoggy and what not so I’ve kept my regimen on washing every week, but my head typically sweats too much to keep a wrap on it all day.
- Be prepared for the possibility of hair comments.
In Asia, there are very little black people. I’m talking maybe you’ll see another black person in a week’s timespan. With that being said, it’s uncommon for them to see our hair pattern. It’s mostly teenagers and children, but be prepared for people to ask/touch it. It’s really harmless, and they genuinely don’t know. I’ve only had one time where a child was actually rude about it, but once again, it was a child and they aren’t familiar with what we have.
- Frizz will happen.
This almost goes without saying, but although your hair will feel great, it will loose a style real quick. Mine typically last a day and a half if I let the curls go free.
- Embrace the wild.
With the frizz and my curl pattern taking a turn, I would say my hair is more wild in the sense of not having a cookie cutter way of dealing with it. It’s been fun and sometimes annoying, but overall awesome to see how much a climate can change my hair.
That’s all the lessons for this time around, and as always, these are things that have worked for me, and my hair journey. Hopefully this helps! Sincerely, a fellow curly head.
Love,
Alisha
