The return of the afro

For many years, black women were told that afro hair was messy, unkempt and unfit for formal events or even the workplace. As our attitudes toward black hair have shifted considerably and more women are

Viola Davis' Golden Globes afro was so much more than just a hairstyle, it was a statement. The actress showed that her hair was just as good as anybody else's and wore it with pride.

The result was a national outpouring of love and admiration for black hair and in honour of Viola and her luscious hair, we bring you some styling tips to help you make the most of your own fro.

ALSO READ:Maria Borges rocking her afro

Use special moisturising cleansers

Make sure you pick moisturising products that contain nutritive oils when washing and treating your afro hair. Most shampoos contain harsh chemical ingredients designed to strip hair of excess oil and dirt, but because extremely coily hair tends to lack natural moisture, these formulas can dry your hair out and make it brittle.

Your best bet is to find a moisturising cleanser that contains botanical oils derived from fruits and other natural sources, such as avocado oil, coconut oil or almond oil, and pair it up with a deep conditioner that also serves to add moisture.

Apply deep conditioning oils or creams

Afro hair quickly loses its natural moisture, making additional moisturising a key part of your hair care routine. Instead of just shampooing and conditioning, rub some moisturising cream or oil into your hair after you're done showering.

These products are made to soak in, so that rather than washing them out after they’re applied you allow them to soak into hair strands to replenish lost moisture.

Some of the best oils for this purpose are argan, jojoba and grapeseed.

Do not wash your hair every day

Try cutting down the number of times you shampoo per week to three of four, instead of every day. Because of the way they clean, even moisturising shampoos with beneficial oils can rob hair of its natural moisture.

Just rinse your hair thoroughly a couple of times a week during your daily shower and avoid relying on products that deplete your natural hair oils.

Groom with care

Go easy when washing and brushing. Brushes and combs are hard on hair because of their stiff teeth, but even washing too vigorously or using water that’s too hot can create stress on hair that will add up in the long run.

Wash hair in mild, warm water and detangle it gently once it’s been cleaned, moisturised and smoothed.

Using a wide tooth comb will make detangling a lot easier and far less painful too.

Braid your hair before sleeping

One way to lock in moisture overnight is to braid your hair before going to bed. By keeping your hair in braids, the strands will be held closely together, sharing their moisture and keeping them from coming loose and rubbing against the pillow.

Just plait a few loose braids in the evening and you won’t have to worry about the pillow chafing and leaching oil from your hair while you sleep.