Twist and pin curl Tutorial

I have been getting tons of enquiries about the above hairstyle. I am happy that the style is a hit. *Grinning widely* The style was inspired by Saleemah of Hydratherma Naturals. I saw it and modified it a bit. Check out the Hydratherma link to see the YouTube tutorial on how to do the hairstyle.







Saleemah's twist and pin curl

 
I have also styled some ladies' hair with this hairstyle.




Yes I styled these ladies hair! :)



How I accomplished my style

1) Cornrow the font and back of my hair. Decide how high you want the style to look and cornrow accordingly. Twist the ends of the cornrows.

2) Twist the rest of your hair.

3) Put your ends in bantu knots / china bumps / robo-robo / periwinkle.People call this different things.
4) Close the gaps by pinning sections together or by sewing them together.

NOTE: If you feel your hair is not thick enough to cover the gaps properly like Saleemah's hair (above), consider adding extensions for bulk and not length.

I went to a salon in Lagos Nigeria called 1st May. This Salon is in Ogudu GRA - Ojota. The hairdresser's name is Kate (0808-661-7756).

That's it! Please try it out and let me know how it turned out - even better if you send pictures *wink*.

Keep it natural!

Omozo

“I am blessed with beautiful hair” – Interview with Dawn

I have always known Dawn to be a determined and strong person. She brings this same determination and strength to taking care of her hair. Enjoy!

Name? Dawn Ayodele McEwen.

Where are you from and where do you live? I am Nigerian, born in Montreal, Quebec City, Canada. I now live in Toronto after 19.5years in the U.K. (Honestly, I do not know why it took me so long to move back to Canada, now I wouldn't be caught dead living in the U.K again). 

What do you do? I am an H.R (Human Resources) Consultant.

At one time you had your hair relaxed. Tell us why you decided to go natural? I decided to go Natural in Feb 2008. I was moving back home and did not want to be bothered with looking for a good hairdresser. I kept my hair very short, but then decided to start growing it out in July 2010. I had gone natural in my early 20's and already knew how I would look (Cute).

How did you go natural? Did you transition or did you do the big chop? Did anyone help you or encourage you? I did the BIG CHOP … Hmmmm, I would say my Mum influenced me, she just transitioned.

Do you have a “hair mentor” or “hair crush”? My Hair Mentors are on Youtube - MsVCharles, Pretty dimples (for her styles) and Coilskinkscurls.

What’s your natural hair regimen? Hmmmm, my hair regimen - I mostly co-wash (using conditioner to wash my hair instead of shampoo). So I first apply suave coconut conditioner in order to detangle my hair. I part my hair into 6 big two strand twists. After I do my first co-wash, I apply apple cider vinegar mix (20% apple cider & 80% warm water), then I do a second co-wash. Then finally I apply my deep conditioner (olive oil, Shea butter, coconut oil, herbal essence - totally twisted, Giovanni - smooth as silk conditioner and an avocado) which I leave on overnight before going to my hairdressers to get flat twists.

So who is your hairdresser? My hairdresser's name is Maria Minto of Niles Hair Salon, 355 Albion Road, Etobicoke, Ontario, M9W 3P3 (Canada).

Products you would wait in line for? Coils kinks curls product line - OMG, her product line is off the chain, it works beautifully on my hair!

How do people react to your natural hair? Positive, or negative or just odd? To be honest I have had mostly positive reactions towards my hair but I get the odd local Nigerian say to me “Ahhhh you do not use soap (relaxer) on your hair?”

If you get negative comments who are they from? Mostly some Nigerian females (sad but true).

Comment about natural hair in your place of work. Do you feel awkward about wearing your natural hair to work? No one dares say anything about my crown and glory. I am blessed with beautiful hair and I wear it with pride. I LOVE MY HAIR!

What hairstyles do you usually wear? Why? I usually wear my hair in flat twists for about 2 weeks or a curly puff. I am absolutely useless when it comes to doing my hair, I can just about do 6 two strand twists in my hair. Two strand braids when I am in Nigeria, they are easy to take out. LOL.

What do you like best about being natural? The FREEDOM.

What do you hate most about being natural? Not a DAMN thing.

Have you ever had an “Ooops!” or “OMG!” moment with your hair? Tell us about it. In my early 20s, I dyed my hair golden blonde (shaking my head).

What do you say to other women who want to go natural? Go for it, it is total freedom; your hair will grow healthier and thicker. 

Lagos (Lasgidi) or London? Lasgidi (Lagos) for life baby!

Keep it natural!

Omozo

Guest Interview with Jumoke

One day Omozo and I had just finished Sunday service at Daystar and we both happened to be standing and chatting with another natural haired lady when Jumoke  and her beautiful locs passed by us. We just had to stare at her momentarily. A few seconds later, I chased after her to get her information. When I caught up with Jumoke and struck up a conversation about hair,  she was very friendly and open about her natural hair journey. And that's how we came to this interview. Allow me to present to you...  Olajumoke Alawode-James.

What do you do?

I am an entertainment practitioner. I organize events and I’m into media as a broadcast journalist.

When did you start your locs and why did you decide to loc your hair?

I started locking my hair in April 2004. My hair was getting damaged by relaxers and I wanted it to be full and long as it was before relaxing. I thought having locs was an easier way to maintain it natural.

How was the experience of locking? Were there times when it was difficult?

I loved it from the start. When it was shorter I had to go to the salon more often but later, once a month or even longer and my hair never ever smells. If I don’t re-lock in a few months though, the under-growth intertwines and joins and it becomes painful. It has never been difficult.

How did people react to your locs when you started locing?

It had become a new trend in 2004 with notable people having locs. I still got a few stares from people who just assumed it was some hairpiece. But when it became longer people could not understand why I wanted my hair like that “for the rest of my life”. Now its just admiration. I have influenced a lot of family and friends into having their hair loc'd too.

How do you maintain your hair?

I have a hair dresser. Bobby’s signature and Dorna Moderna in Opebi. I re-lock once a month or longer.

For those who are thinking of locing their hair but are afraid that they may be viewed negatively, what do you have to say to them?

People view you negatively for many reasons and a lot of it borders on their own insecurities. I see envy in the eyes of people and regardless of what they say, I am happy and I love my hair to bits. You must want your hair loc'd badly enough to carry your head with pride in the face of scorn. And people have come to accept locs now. It’s not as bad.

Anything else you would like to add?

My pictures say it all.

How to survive a day at the salon in Lagos, Naija

“Aunty you no go relax your hair?” “Aunty, ah! Your hair too hard oh!” “Aunty you kno’ say you go pay double for this hair oh.” Yes, you have heard it all before and it just gets you maddddd! Because you are thinking, just do my hair and keep your opinions to your self.

Well here are a few tips to survive your visit to the hair salon in Nigeria especially when the salon is not natural hair friendly.

1.)  Know what you want and how you want it. Do not count on the opinion of your hairdresser if she knows nothing about how to handle natural hair.

2.)  Know about your hair and know what it needs (e.g. products). When I go to the salon, I am prepared to take control of the situation. I let the hairdressers know how to handle my hair. For example, I could ask them to spray my hair with water before combing it or not to use petroleum jelly on my hair. I tell them to comb from the tips and work their way to the roots. I also choose what comb they use on my hair.

3.)  Make sure you are communicating your needs.  Also ask them questions e.g. “What kind of spray is that?; Can you use this or that instead?”

4.)  Be ASERTIVE. It’s your hair so don’t feel like you are offending them by asking for what you want. Just remember to be polite about it and smile as you speak.  Make conversation and be friendly about it so they feel comfortable but make sure you do not let them talk you into doing what you do not want to do. Think about it, you have spent 2 years or three years or even months getting your hair to a healthy state do not let someone mess up your hard work.

5.)  If it looks like it is not going to be all right, do not be embarrassed to tell them to STOP. Pack up your hair and go home. At least you will leave with your hair on your head instead of a mishap.

I was at the salon last month to get my hair plaited in single braids. I made sure I combed out my hair myself and I directed the lady on how to comb my hair as she was sectioning it. She wasn’t offended at all because I did it politely.

I sometimes go to the Hausa women in my area to weave/plait/ twist my hair. They are used to natural hair and do not complain. And they do not charge me as much money as the salons would charge me.

Two stylists that I think may be natural hair friendly in Lagos are:

Angela who has a column in the Sunday vanguard

Bobbyz just cause I heard he makes TY Bello’s hair

Meeee,
Oghomwen

The Curl Ambassadors, Toronto ON - A hair salon for natural curls

I found this hair salon when I was looking for where to purchase Kinky-Curly Curling Custard. I did not know that The Curl Ambassadors is a hair salon. I actually thought it was a store that sold products for women with naturally curly and coily hair. So, I dragged a friend to go with me on our way from an outing.

When we got there I was pleased to find hair products that I had heard about and products I use. They sell Carol’s Daughter products!! They sell Carol’s Daughter products!! They also carry the following product lines: Kinky-Curly, Devacurl, Curls (Curls, Curly Q’s, and It’s a curl), and Mixed Chicks. They have other products specially made for people with curly/kinky/coily/nappy hair. So cool!

We also met one of the owners, Caroline, who is friendly and enthusiastic about curly hair. Actually, the whole staff seems to be friendly and enthusiastic about curly hair! Caroline explained why her and her partners opened the salon. Basically, there were no hair salons that they felt showed curls much love. I know what she means. Have you ever been to a salon where the hair stylists behave as if you are bothering them with your natural and nappy hair? How about the hairstylist that claims to know how to style natural/nappy/curly/kinky hair and ends up destroying your hair (and self esteem)? You know what I mean right? These are some of the experiences that led to the opening of The Curl Ambassadors.

The products they carry are not products you will find at your local hair store or hair salon. These products are made with mostly all-natural ingredients. Always check your labels before you buy products especially if you are looking for all-natural hair products. Who knows, we may one day see these products at our local stores and not have to drive long distances to get them.

The Curl Ambassadors offer their “Curly-Doo” service to newcomers to the hair salon. The idea behind the Curly-Doo service is to teach you how to use the products that they carry. During the Curly-Doo, you also learn techniques on the best way to wash and condition and generally manage your own natural hair. When my friend and I heard about the Curly-Doo service and the cost (it costs only $15), we decided to give it a try. So we promptly made our appointments for the following weekend. I will provide a report about the Curly-Doo after our appointment. I bought the products I had planned to buy and left the salon with a skip in my step and smile on my face.

It is nice to go into a hair salon where the staff is pleased your hair is naturally curly. When you have time, check out The Curl Ambassadors and pick-up some enthusiasm about your curls/napps/kinks/coils and perhaps some product too! If you do visit, O’Naturals would love to hear about your experience.

Omozo

NOTE: The Curl Ambassadors, 159 Harbord Street, Toronto ON M5S 1H1 (416) 922-2888 (Tel) & (416) 922-2802