Cornrows and twist-hawk style

I have been seeing variations of this hairstyle and wanted to try it out for myself. I had slightly different designs on each side of my head for the cornrows. I twisted the ends of the cornrows and the section of hair in the middle of my head. Then I twisted the front of my hair too. I have been twisting the front of my hair for most hairstyles recently because I want to minimize the tension on the front. The hair in the front of my head is really fragile and if I am not careful, I could loose the hair there. I rocked this hairstyle for 2 weeks and took it out. It was fun and easy to maintain: I just sprayed my water, peppermint oil and glycerin mix in the morning and sometimes at night. Enjoy!

The back was put into one big cornrow for easy mantainance during the week

Right side of the cornrows

Left side of the cornrows

That's the front

Keep it natural!

Omozo

It Finally Happened!

I have been back in Nigeria for over a year and it finally happened. I have been wearing my hair naturally in Nigeria and it finally happened. I have been working at a bank for over a year and it finally happened. I have been attending interviews and it finally happened. It has finally happened o!

See the hairstyle above? That is how I styled my hair today for a chat with the GMD (Group Managing Director) of a Nigerian Bank. I thought it looked decent. *Shrugging* So when it was finally my turn to "chat" with the Boss, I was asked to go into his office by a lady. I sat down and a few moments later the lady sat down beside me. I was not introduced to her and, silly me, I did not ask who she is. So we chatted: I was asked questions and I asked questions.

Finally, Sister Lady sitting beside me said "I am going to give you some personal feedback and promise me you will not take it personally" Interpretation: "I am about to insult you but you will not be able to insult me back because you are trying to impress us." In my professional and accommodating way I cheerfully responded "I welcome feedback" *Smh*

Sister Lady: Blah. Blah. Blah ... In this environment, some people will judge your appearance before you can show them you are intelligent
Me: I don't understand
Sister Lady: The way you present yourself
Me: *smiling* I am sorry I don't understand
Sister Lady: It may be okay 'over there' (as in abroad) but you have to understand the environment you are now in
Me: *I look at the Boss and give Sister Lady a blank stare*
Sister Lady: The way you wear your hair may be acceptable over there but it may not be acceptable here.
Me: Oh! You mean my natural hair? It is not relaxed
Sister Lady: Yes
Me: You think I should relax it
Sister Lady: Yes
Me: *Colgate smile* Thank you for the feedback.

Now there are so many things I feel I should / could have said to her like "Sister Lady you are gonna get some education tonight!" OR "That's just BS talk!" OR "For medical and dietary reasons I cannot permanently alter the state of my hair. I cannot braid with extensions or fix a weave or use a wig because I saw in a dream that all fake hair is made from snakes!" OR "Are you speaking on behalf of __ Bank?" OR "Who did you say you are again?" I did not say any of these things: fortunately or unfortunately.

So many professionals face this sort of unnecessary "feedback" from colleagues and employers. How dare an employer or colleague tell you or me to use chemicals to permanently alter the texture of our hair? Sadly it happens daily, and women are forced and pushed to either HIDE their natural hair under some fake hair or worse; get their hair relaxed. I had heard stories about this sort of thing and now I am experiencing it for the first time in all my 14 years of working! It is unprofessional, unethical and just plain stupid to make women feel that their natural hair, worn naturally, is unacceptable in the workplace. Is it clean? Yes. Is it neat and tidy? Yes. Then what is your problem?

So Sister Lady, your feedback is one that I WILL NOT be implementing anytime soon. And who did you say you are again?

Keep it natural (for life)!

Omozo

Thread as a hair styling tool

It has been 12 days since our last post? Really? How did that happen? And in my mind I had created so many blog posts o. We are sorry for the silence.

My sis and I have been experimenting with the threading technique. It seems to be making a comeback. Well, I think it seems to be getting recognition outside the areas it is commonly found in. So the Americans and British are discovering it and are talking about it. However, it never left Nigeria. We have been, and still are, using the thread technique in this country. Also, the majority of the Bloggers and V-loggers use thread to stretch their hair. Here in Nigeria, we actually use the thread to style our hair. So we can keep in a thread hairstyle for a few weeks.

Using thread to make (or "plait" as we in Nigeria say it) is quite common in Nigeria. You have basic styles and you have some psychedelic styles too. I am hesitant to say that you find more children using thread than adults in Nigeria. I hesitate because I did a rough count last week and noticed just as many adults wearing hairstyles with thread. The thread technique is simple. Basically, you take some thread and wrap it around your hair. You can wrap up the whole section completely with thread or you can leave some gaps in the sections so it looks like twists.

Cornrows in front and Chinese thread used to wrap the back

Types of thread
In Nigeria, threading hair can be done with Chinese thread, or rubber thread or wool.

Chinese thread needs a bit more skill to use. This is especially true when, after the hair is thread, you want to style it by twisting and bending the hair. If care is not taken, the already thread hair can come loose and this means you have extra work of re-doing the hair.

Chinese thread

The rubber thread looks shiny after it is done. The rubber thread is less expensive to buy. 

Rubber used to thread hair also known as Polyvinyl tube (alibaba.com)

Wool seems to be the new kid on the block. Using wool to thread hair is getting more popular than using Chinese or rubber thread. A ball of wool costs about N100 (One Hundred Naira), which is less that $1, and can be used several times. Of course the amount of use you will get from your ball of wool depends on the length of your hair and the size of your sections. In fact, wool is being used for a lot more than threading hair. It is also used as extensions to twist and braid hair. It is also easier to manipulate wool after threading your hair with it.

Wool (knitpicks.com)

Some Tips
I hear that using the wool to thread hair can be painful. If the Stylist has "a painful hand" then you might be in for double pain!
*When getting your hair styled with thread remember to keep it properly moisturized before styling or else you can loose a lot of hair when you undo the thread.
*Also pay attention and encourage the stylist not to thread too tightly especially the front and nape areas. It might help to hold the base of the section of hair when it is being thread so that you are able to reduce the tension a bit during the hair making process.
*Make sure you use leave-in conditioners on your hair when it is in thread so that your hair does not get too dry.

Wool used to thread the hair at the back and small braids in front

*If you are a Newbie to using thread on your hair as a styling option, you may want to try it out on a weekend or when you won't be seeing too many people or going to work that day or the next. Just in case it does not work out! (You know what I mean right?)
*If you are using a Stylist to thread your hair for the first time, consider taking a painkiller before or after your hair is styled. This is because you will be going through a new hair making experience and your hair will be tugged and pulled in new ways so you may feel a new type of discomfort.

And of course, be creative and make this technique work for you. It is a nice way to add some variety to your styling  arsenal.

Keep it natural!

Omozo

Simple twist out with bantu knots on the ends

After washing my hair I decided on twists as a protective style. While twisting I thought "Hey why not put Bantu knots at the tips of the twists?" Thought it would be great! The plan was to have the twists with the Bantu knots at the end for a week then do a twist-out.

I was not feeling the look the next morning so I opted for a twist-out right away. That was a better looking style! The ends of my hair curled nicely and were not straight like they usually are when I do my regular twist-outs. Plus it was easier to sleep with the Bantu knots in than when I put my tips in rollers. Here are the pictures of the twist-out with Bantu knot-out ends. I also put a picture so you see my straight ends without using Bantu-knots. Enjoy.

See the straight ends?

Chunky twists with Bantu knots at the ends

Twist-out with the ends curling up nicely

See that section on the left of the screen? That one was doing its own thing! Little definition on the body but the end still curled up

Keep it natural!

Omozo

"I felt I just needed something that would be me" - Interview with Olapo

I had noticed this lovely lady about a year ago as she went about her work filming the service going on. A year later, I saw that her locs had grown longer and were looking great. After the service, I ran to find her and was able to get a brief interview. Enjoy.

 

My name is Olapo and I have had my locs for like a year and 5 months. Okay before I had the liver* to start locs I used to really admire it on people. It is natural and I like being natural: I like being myself. And I felt I just needed something that would be me and be my signature so that is the reason why I started locs. 

When I started, they were very very tiny popping up on my head. Initially when I started, I was ashamed and so I wore wigs to hide them. After a few months I said what the heck. I work in a bank so I could not go to work with the little tiny locs. So after 3 or 4 months, when the locs were a little longer, I stopped wearing the wigs and started going out with the locs like that and now here we are (points to hair)!

So what did they say at the bank about your locs? No they admire it now.

Really?

When I started the locs at first, it was very tough. But afterwards they started admiring it. In fact, one of my colleagues just went to cut her hair to get dreds. Anytime she sees me she says “I wish my dreds can be like yours”. I tell her that what she wishes now, is what I was wishing some months ago: so you are free to wish and don’t worry you will definitely get there.

Were there times you found it frustrating? No I have always loved my dreds. Because I have very soft hair I can fix a weave if I get bored. Anytime I feel like having my hair touching my back, I just fix a weave. The only disadvantage is I cannot fix a weave that will leave my hair out so I fix a style that covers my whole head.

 

What did your family say? My husband, who was my fiance at the time, loves natural hair. He kept asking me to go natural. In fact, he was the one who gave me the money to cut my hair so that I could start my locs. (She looks over at him and smiles). He loves my hair!

Do you have children? No not yet.

So if you have a daughter will you allow her (she interrupts me) ... No way! She will not relax her hair no way! I see these little girls with hair damage from relaxers. No way! Until she finishes secondary school and she is 18 ... even then I will discourage it!

So what is next for your hair journey? I just want it to grow. I am really enjoying it now. It moves and it is growing longer and it is healthy. I am enjoying it.

Keep it natural!

Omozo

*To have "liver" in Nigerian slang means to be bold.

 

Naturals in the City 2 was a Natural Success

All smiles because the event was so much fun!

It felt like we were among old friends. And I will be so bold to say that we were. There were many of us yelling "It is good to see you again!". And of course your usual tirade of questions and comments like: "Wow your hair has really grown" / "What did you use to get your curls so defined?" / "How long have you been growing your hair?" / "Why can't I get mine to look like that?"


Our Compere (I beg no call am MC!), Chigo, is a natural. All the presenters did a fantastic job: nutrition consultant Sherese Ijewere, "Hair Whisperer" Aislynn Adewale, and image consultant Ifeoma Williams.

Natmane of Deepbrown & Kinks did not disappoint with her styling tips. I thought I knew how to use hair pins until I saw Natmane in action. She also showed us different ways of wrapping / tying our hair. My styling session was fast and easy. I demonstrated how to do the Cinnabun bun. You can check out our "how to" blog post here.

Natmane demonstrating how to tie a turban

Ibhaze my model! Her hair after my Cinnabun bun demonstration

 I want to give a special shout out to the ladies from my BB Group African Tresses. They came out to meet-up and support and they all looked super fab. Yes o, they were the ladies in RED (black, grey and brown). Thank you ladies.

The baby had his little 'Baby Hawk' happening

 Oh! Genevieve Magazine's Editor, Vanessa Banigo, was there to check out the event and interview the Organizers. Genevieve is published monthly in Nigeria, so make sure you keep checking to see the write-up and more pictures. Subscription is available for readers abroad. Contact them via their website.

L-R: Screwy Haired Girl and Vanessa Banigo (Editor of Genevieve Magazine)

Natural Nigerian (she is camera shy)

Big and loud snaps and applause to the organizers: Natural Nigerian, Screwy Haired Girl and Sherese Ijewere. You have raised the bar again. Well done and I cannot wait for the next one. Hugs and hi-fives from me. Here are more pictures from the event. Enjoy.

African Naturalistas (http://africanaturalistas.blogspot.com/) and Natmane's fingers giving the peace sign

Ms Fizz of LITK (http://www.leaveinthekinks.com/) and her fly up-do

Keep it natural!

Omozo

Rock The Red Pump

 
From The Red Pump Project website

“Every 47 minutes, a woman tests positive for HIV in the United States.“

On March 10, the United States will recognize National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD). Launched by the Office of Women’s Health, NWGHAAD is an American  nationwide observance that encourages people to take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS and raise awareness of its impact on women and girls.
While great progress has been made in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, women still represent 27% of all new AIDS diagnoses, with African-American women accounting for 66% of that group.

AIDS Prevention Initiative Nigeria (AIPN) is a foundation that has the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to carry out AIDS prevention in Nigeria. Nigeria is doing a lot to educate people about the many ways HIV can be contacted and spread. Many misconceptions remain in our society especially about sexual practices that are dangerous. Slowly but surely the word is getting out and people are becoming more aware.

So O'Naturals is dedicating this post in support of The Red Pump Project. We humbly ask you to please take a picture of yourself in your favourite red shoes and send the Red Pump Project's FB page. When you send your picture to the Red Pump Project please indicate that you heard about it from O'Naturals. We appreciate your support and believe that with everyone working together, we can deal HIV/AIDS a deadly blow.

My Red Pumps

Keep it natural (and safe)!

Omozo