Going to Cape Town, SA for 6 months & I need Hair Help!! STAT!

[*SkolarStar*]

I'm leaving for Cape Town on on January 19. The time is approaching pretty fast and friends (and even coworkers) are asking me what I'm going to do with my hair. (They know I'm serious about my hair) My mom is especially worried that I'm going to have "withdrawals" from lack of my supplies. I told her that I should be fine because it's the motherland, they have everything. But do they? Will I really be ok?

The current state of my hair: 13 months post relaxer. Transitioning to natural. I have a sow-in that has been in for 3 months. Perfect time for it to go.
Regimen: Every week I wash with tj nourish spa shampoo, shot of protein with aphogee 2 minute, dc with ao hsr w/ heat for 1 hr and keep it in for about 3-4 hrs, giovanni direct leave-in, seal with ic fantasia heat protectant & curl.

I was going to bc for the trip, but I'm getting last-minute jitters. erplexed

My main question to you ladies is what should I bring and what should I leave home? Should I bc??

Thanks SOOOO much in advance.

 

[Keen]

I was there for only two weeks. I didn't shop for hair supplies since I got my hair braided while I was there. I don't think you should have a problem finding hair products around the townships. It may not be the same brands you find here but I'm sure there are plenty of hair products.

 

[anon123]

I was in Durban a couple years ago. From what I remember, they have hair care products like you would find in a BSS widely available. Don't remember the brands since I didn't buy any because I brought enough to last me my short trip. But I doubt it will be the Aubrey's and what not. I do remember Pantene in the supermarket only because I was surprised that market had lots of Pantene types but not the relaxed and natural. They had Dark n Lovely, I remember that, too. Anyway, you should still be able to find something. They also have oils you can use. SA has a pretty sizable natural population, too, so you can bc if you like and there should be something to take care of your hair.

 

[alive]

I'm leaving for Cape Town on on January 19. The time is approaching pretty fast and friends (and even coworkers) are asking me what I'm going to do with my hair. (They know I'm serious about my hair) My mom is especially worried that I'm going to have "withdrawals" from lack of my supplies. I told her that I should be fine because it's the motherland, they have everything. But do they? Will I really be ok?

The current state of my hair: 13 months post relaxer. Transitioning to natural. I have a sow-in that has been in for 3 months. Perfect time for it to go.
Regimen: Every week I wash with tj nourish spa shampoo, shot of protein with aphogee 2 minute, dc with ao hsr w/ heat for 1 hr and keep it in for about 3-4 hrs, giovanni direct leave-in, seal with ic fantasia heat protectant & curl.

I was going to bc for the trip, but I'm getting last-minute jitters. erplexed

My main question to you ladies is what should I bring and what should I leave home? Should I bc??

Thanks SOOOO much in advance.

Congratulations on going to a different country for that long here's my 2 cents.

1. if you can, please do not BC before you go. if you've never been there before, you'll be adjusting to new weather, new languages, new foods, new rules of etiquette. the last thing you need is to be trying to adjust to new hair too. if you feel comfortable with chopping it off once you're there, then go ahead. but i'd hate for your hair to become a source of stress once you arrive

2. consider getting braids or twists with extensions before you leave. i know it's cheaper to get them done in SA, but unless you're accustomed to the pulling and tugging that braiders there are notorious for, you'll want to get it done here till you find a reputable stylist there

3. take enough hair supplies for the first month. i'm from a different part of Africa but i can tell you that i was sorely disappointed by the lack of basic styling products and the exorbitant prices of those that were available at home. The shea butter was off the chain though Cape Town may be different, but i wouldn't risk it

 

[Urban]

You will definitely find products, including a lot of the same brands you'd find in the States. There was a thread, recently, on finding products in SA. I'll search for it and post the link when I get home. I'm on my phone at the moment.

 

[4bslbound]

I was in SA a little while ago. My chi blew out (wrong adaptor) and I went and bought another with no problem. SA has everything we have here. (or more,lol)

I would say just stock up on the things you would normally buy onlie (for me that would be vatica oil, jbco, and megatek)

You will def be able to find fantasia and giovanni products there Enjoy!! (I wish I was going for 6 months,

 

[Tiye]

Congratulations on going to a different country for that long here's my 2 cents.

1. if you can, please do not BC before you go. if you've never been there before, you'll be adjusting to new weather, new languages, new foods, new rules of etiquette. the last thing you need is to be trying to adjust to new hair too. if you feel comfortable with chopping it off once you're there, then go ahead. but i'd hate for your hair to become a source of stress once you arrive

2. consider getting braids or twists with extensions before you leave. i know it's cheaper to get them done in SA, but unless you're accustomed to the pulling and tugging that braiders there are notorious for, you'll want to get it done here till you find a reputable stylist there

3. take enough hair supplies for the first month. i'm from a different part of Africa but i can tell you that i was sorely disappointed by the lack of basic styling products and the exorbitant prices of those that were available at home. The shea butter was off the chain though Cape Town may be different, but i wouldn't risk it

^^ Why pay one rushed, and overbooked stylist over here when you can have three people working on your head at once (the royal treatment) for a fraction of the U.S. price over there??

...

They have hair care products in SA - all types. If you can't find them just ask someone. Part of traveling for me is finding new products. But if you just want to work with the ones you're used to then just have your mom mail you a box of supplies as soon as you leave. It shouldn't take much to keep you in stock for 6 months.

 

[justicefighter1913]

Congratulations on going to a different country for that long here's my 2 cents.

2. consider getting braids or twists with extensions before you leave. i know it's cheaper to get them done in SA, but unless you're accustomed to the pulling and tugging that braiders there are notorious for, you'll want to get it done here till you find a reputable stylist there

3. take enough hair supplies for the first month. i'm from a different part of Africa but i can tell you that i was sorely disappointed by the lack of basic styling products and the exorbitant prices of those that were available at home. The shea butter was off the chain though Cape Town may be different, but i wouldn't risk it

Totally agree with the above. When I was there, I was there for a month and a half. I wasn't impressed with the hair supplies while I was there either, granted, I wasn't natural at that time. I made the mistake of not going with my hair braided. Best advice ever, get it braided BEFORE you go! The braiders there handled the hair very roughly and I didn't see many "traditional" salons around. There are a lot of vendors with stands outside. Although, you know what, it kind of depends on where you are in Cape Town. When I saw hair being handled roughly, it was mainly in the former townships.

 

[alive]

^^ Why pay one rushed, and overbooked stylist over here when you can have three people working on your head at once (the royal treatment) for a fraction of the U.S. price over there??

....

good point, Tiye.

in reference to my original post, you'll see that I mentioned doing it here as an option if OP will have a problem with the tugging and pulling (like i do). I don't consider three people doing my hair at once to be royal treatment. it just hurts but different people have different thresholds for pain so if she can take it, then yes, it makes sense to do it in Cape Town since it's cheaper there

 

[ellebelle88]

I have no tips since I have never been to SA but I just wanted to drop in and say that I know a soror who is heading to SA for 6 months as well next semester! I think it's an exchange program or something she is doing...I'm not sure but baybe you guys will meet up! Good luck on your trip and be careful, especially around areas such as Joburg.

 

[choctaw]

I have never been to SA but I have a few friends who did. Their women like the shopping. Here is a link to shopping in different areas that might help: South Africa: shopper's paradise - SouthAfrica.info

Link to Clicks for beauty products: The Beauty Sale

There are also Indian markets, shops. You can find more info on expat websites too. HTH

 

[Urban]

Here's the thread I promised: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/ha...hair-i-know-west-central-east-africans-6.html - there's just a few posts from this page to the end of the thread with some suggestions.

Also, google for hair salons in Capetown and look at their product pages. An example: Products They stock quite a lot of brands that we're all familiar with. There'll be other salons like this. Someone here mentioned not seeing many 'traditional' salons in CT. There are MANY 'traditional' salons in Capetown. MANY.

I also just found this blog, the girl is in CT: Good Hair Diaries . If you can't find enough info on there, maybe you could email her??

Enjoy your stay and keep us updated on what hair goodies you find!

 

[Evolving78]

i would bc and stock up on stuff you buy online.

 

[LovelyLouboutin]

How do you want to wear your hair? I studied abroad there for over a month. Cape town is a major city-you'll be able to find products. I wore my hair wet and had no problem. And if you are near the V&A mall they have a salon in there that does blow outs/perms. If you want to straighten your own hair I would recommend buying the tools out there. I took my supplies and my curling iron got to hot and burned part of my hair off. Have fun!!!!

 

[ajoyfuljoy]

I seriously think you should just get your hair braided or get another sew in. By the time it's time to take it out, you will know the area enough to find another braider. Have fun! I've always wanted to visit capetown!!!