Hi, I am Joanna
I’m Joanna, the founder of Jostylin, and I’ve been natural for 15 years with 4C hair. I’m based in London. I started out as a YouTuber who loved beauty and hairstyling, and growing, styling and caring for afro hair has always been my speciality.
This blog is where I share what I’ve learned: honest guides to 4C hair care, DIY recipes, product reviews and the research behind them, alongside posts on West African herbs and women’s wellness.
What I do
Alongside the blog, I’m the founder of Jostylin Naturals, a London-based West African botanical apothecary. I source directly from growers, and for more than 15 years I’ve been learning about West African botanicals from botanists, gatherers and traditional healers across the region.
I’m also a freelance health and wellness writer, and my work has been published at Health Digest. That writing has taught me to check the research carefully and to be honest about what it does and doesn’t show, and I bring the same approach here.
Why this blog exists
Africa is blessed with endless natural beauty, but too often its natural resources are exported and the knowledge behind them is lost along the way. I want to help women, especially women of African heritage, understand and make good use of the plants and traditions that remain, and care for their natural hair with confidence rather than confusion.
My aim has always been to make everyday life a little easier for the women who read this blog, whether that’s building a hair routine that works, learning about traditional West African herbs, or feeling inspired to create their own cosmetic products and businesses.
Start here
If you’re new, these guides bring my most useful posts together in one place:
- 4C Hair Care Basics: Start Here
- The Complete Batana Oil Guide
- Chebe Powder for Beginners: Everything in One Place
- West African Herbs for Women’s Wellness
An editorial note
I’m not a doctor. My wellness posts share traditional use and research, and I’ll always tell you when the evidence is limited. Herbs may not work for everyone and can interact with medicines, so always speak to your doctor before trying anything new, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, have a health condition or take regular medication.
Thank you for being here. I hope you find something on the blog that makes your next wash day, or your next cup of tea, feel a little more like yours.
