Love her locs (and her attitude)

I spotted this lady's lovely locs when I went to visit a client. Her disposition was lovely too! I could not help myself and had to tell her her locs were uber cool and she complimented my twists too. You know how we Napps do! :D

Of course we got talking and I found out her locs are 7 years old. She told me how she went for a job interview when her locs were new: about 2 years old and they "stood up" at that time. Many people close to her said that the employers would not take her seriously with her locs. She made a decision to go for the interview anyway. She had expertise to offer and if the company did not employ her because of her locs, it was their loss. She has been working for the company for 5 years: apparently they took her seriously!

We chatted a few more minutes before I had to leave. One thing I remember is this: she had a big smile on her face throughout our brief chat. I would like to think it was because she was hanging out with me (call me Ms Vain!). Something tells me it was more than that. Her loveliness was from deep within. ;)

Keep it natural (and naturally lovely),

Omozo

Harmattan and Dry Ends

For many of us around the world, the cold / dry season is approaching. In Nigeria, we call it harmattan. It can get really dry, dusty and cold. During this period lots of things can get drier: your lips, your feet, your hands, your throat, your clothes hung outside and your natural hair too. So what can be done to limit / prevent the season from taking a negative toll on your hair?

I read a simple, straightforward blog post on Curly Nikki on how to cope with dry ends. The great thing about the post is that these are healthy hair practices that really should be done as part of your regular hair routine. The post discusses 5 steps including: deep conditioning, moisturizing and sealing, trimming etc.

I would like to emphasize moisturizing and sealing. If you have not already done so, consider using a conditioner (rinse out or leave-in) as part of your regular hair routine and then putting your sealant over it. This helps retain more moisture in your hair for a bit longer. Your sealant can be any of the butters you prefer (Shea, cocoa, mango) or natural oils (olive, jojoba) or a mixture of both.

 Check out the full post here.

Keep it natural!

Omozo

A trim in time

I no longer fear the scissors and trims. I have had my share of horrific experiences when it comes to getting my hair "trimmed". You know the times when you ask the stylist to take "a little" off the ends and you stir from sweet salon slumber to see you just got that Halle Berry Bond Girl cut! And in Nigeria the stylist may soothe your screams and tears by telling you the style is "reigning" or  "it fits you oh!" Yeah those ones!

I typically trim my ends myself. My hair is long enough now for me to be able to pull the back hairs to the side to see what I am doing. Taking off a little hair off your ends is referred to by some people as "dusting". Now if you need a major cut it is advisable to go to a professional. I gave myself a major big chop in 2008 and let's just end the story now with "bwaahhahhahahaha at the lop sided result"!

My last trim was last April so I'd say I was due. Plus my ends looked dry and like they needed help. And the ends had started snagging, more than usual, whenever I was taking out my twists. For me all these are signs that I need a trim. How do I trim my hair?

1) I trim my hair just before taking out old tiny twists;

2) I put my hair in sections and get out my SHARP pair of scissors. Don't use blunt scissors because you do more harm than good;

Put hair in sections to make it easier to work through

Sharp scissors please. If unsure, buy a new pair.

3) I stand in front of the mirror and decide how much to take off and I trim one twist at a time. I never trim two or three twists together.

Looking at the mirror to make sure I do not trim off too much hair

All done?

My ends look much better than before

Time to take out the old twists, shampoo, deep condition and style. It is much easier taking out twists after trimming and I have less snags.

So there you have it. Go to a professional if you are not comfortable trimming your hair yourself. Just be sure to stay awake and alert!

Keep it natural!

Omozo

Thanks for that TWA Jill!

Jill Scott is on the cover of the October issue of Essence Magazine. She has a TWA and it is cuuute! For a second, I felt the urge to cut my hair and rock a TWA (for a second). She talks about her hair in the interview and here is an excerpt of what she said:

“ Tomorrow I may want a wig down to my butt and I’m gonna rock it, and the next day I may want a big Afro and I’m gonna rock that too…” (Read the full quote on Huffington Post here)

Source: Beyond Gossip

Keep it natural (and rocking)!

Omozo

Natural Haired Brides - this one is for you

More and more natural haired ladies are looking for ways to wear their beautiful natural hair for their wedding. I have met with many brides to discuss styling options for their wedding day. Some share how they have been told to "just relax your hair for your wedding" OR "fix a weave" and of course "you cannot wear natural hair for your wedding o!" Really people? REALLYYYYY? *sigh*

Munaluchi Bride has some help for the natural haired bride. Thanks Munaluchi Bride! Check out the article and pictures and be inspired.

Source: Munaluchi Bride

Keep it natural!

Omozo