The hair tips, advice and recommendations given on this blog are given based on the experiences of the authors. These tips may not work for everyone and every hair type and it is important to acknowledge this since we are neither hair specialists nor trichologists.
Also many pictures on this blog belong to the authors but there are others that we do not have ownership for and thus we do not claim ownership of the ones that do not belong to us.
Showing posts with label Weekend Special. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weekend Special. Show all posts
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. ;)
Kudos and well done to Complete Fashion and the Stylist for keeping Nse's hair as is and not putting her in a weave or whatever else. And snaps to Nse too because I am guessing she would have asked to use her natural hair. And Nse, your hair looks GREAT!
I am so proud of the organizers who are committed to bringing you this quality event consistently. As usual, O'Naturals will be there and would love to connect with you our followers and readers. We will be mingling, laughing, cheesing widely and answering those troublesome natural hair questions. We are soooo excited! See you there!
For those in Lagos Nigeria, this month's edition of Complete Fashion features a natural haired model. She has a TWA and looks great in the shots and in the free fashion spread insert that comes with the mag. Thumbs up to them for using a natural haired model. We want to see more models with natural hair in magazines and on the runways please!
We were out and about and kept looking over at a lady sitting next to us. It was her cute fade that caught out attention. And she carried it with a simple, unintentional ... swag. (Read our quote of the day on swag here). At the end of the event we asked if we could take her picture, she hesitated and I think she thought we were lying about the blog at first. But she later agreed. Meet Jane Oriaku.
I was at AMAA 2012 (Africa Movie Academy Awards) and saw some natural haired ladies there. Read our blog posts on AMMA 2012 here and here. I did not see Nse Ikpe Etim. It was after the event that I was told that she showed up and SHOWED OFF her natural hair! I am so proud of her! It is the Didi hairstyle and her stance in the pictures that just make you go "Wow! She did it." And she did it very well I will add.
Source: www.bellanaija.com
Of course there are the "Detractors" (I used big grammar there) who have said her hairstyle was not "red carpet hair". What does that mean? American actress Viola Davis wore her TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro) for the Oscars in March. Talk show host Wendy Williams' comment? She said she does not want to see it on the red carpet. (You can read an article about this on Madame Noire) *Sigh* "They" do not want to see natural hair on the red carpet, "they" do not want to see it at the office etc. So I ask, where do "they" think is the appropriate place for natural hair to be worn or shown? Oh sorry I know the answer! Hide natural hair under something ... anything but not out in the open and "they" will be happy. Newsflash: You will be seeing more and more women wearing their natural / un-relaxed hair in various hairstyles. So here's a tip: Get used to it!
O'Naturals interviewed Nse in January (read the interview here). In response to the question:are you looking forward to wearing
your natural hair out? Nse answered "I can't wait to finish the
film, take off my hair and walk the red carpet with natural hair." She did just that on Sunday 22nd of April 2012 and she did it very, very well. Here's to you Nse.
I met Kate Henshaw at the Kinky Apothecary's birthday event (Check out the blog posts here and here) and she graciously agreed to chat about her natural hair journey. Kate Henshaw is a popular Nigerian actress who has featured in many successful Nigerian movies. She won an AMAA (Africa Movie Academy Award) for best actress in 2008 and she also writes a weekend column for the Vanguard Newspaper. I enjoyed Kate's humour, honesty and her excitement through out our chat. Enjoy!
When and how did you go natural? I stopped retouching my hair on the 10th of September 2010. I cut off the last relaxed bit of hair about a year later and started doing this (points to her twists). I decided to go natural because I was tired and I wanted my hair back. I had really healthy hair before I ever started using Ultra Sheen relaxer which was the very first relaxer I used. I remember it very well because my mom was a hairdresser.
My hair was long, full and, healthy and then I started relaxing, which made it look nice, but then I started loosing my hairline. Then they said retouch every 2 weeks; retouch every 6 weeks; retouch every 8 weeks. It was crazy and my hair was falling off even with all the advanced products I was using. It was getting limp. My hair stylist and I tried everything. And then I decided that I would just cut everything off and have a change when I turned 40 even if it had to be a low cut: I was prepared to do it.
Wow! So what was the reaction of your family and friends? One of my friends said "Ah you are a celebrity, you cannot be carrying this type of hair" I asked "Why?" Why can't I carry this kind of hair? It is my hair. I am tired of all this Oyinbo culture. We are black people! We should be proud of how our hair is: kinky, fun, healthy, rough. We like it like that! You know, I was just tired of trying to make it look like their's because that's basically it: for me to fry my hair to look like Oyinbo hair. It is not Oyinbo hair. The kinky will always come out you know?
So since your mom is a hairdresser what did she say? My mom. (Kate smiles widely) Oh when she saw it she said " It suits you. It makes you look younger". I said "Yeah, I know right?"
It is just so much fun! Oh! I cannot explain the feeling I had when I went to the gym and came back for the first time and I put my hair under the shower and the water just hit my head and I was like "Oh!" It felt amazing! Amazing!
I always hated the hair dryer. Each time I had to fix a weave-on, I needed to sit under the dryer for maybe an hour and the heat made me angry. It is just so exhilarating having this hair. And it is not for anybody. It is for me! I have chosen it for me. If I need to style it into something else, I will wear a wig, at least then I have the freedom of taking off the wig.
So it sounds like it is freedom for you. It is freedom you cannot buy! You cannot pay for it! Everybody should go natural o!
(I start laughing)
I know it is hard. Some people say it makes them look like a house girl. Trust me that is who you are: Natural. Not a house girl but Natural. Having your own hair and making it work. You have to make it work. You have to try. I am one that always looks forward to challenges. I want to try out new things and I do not care what anybody thinks. It is for me. You can never please the world so you do what makes you happy.
So how did you learn? I took part in a stage play alongside Tosin Otudeko and she had natural hair and it was long hair. I thought she was a girl of 20 only to find out that she is married with 2 boys! I asked her a few questions and she introduced me to Kinky Apothecary and to Nibi (owner of Kinky Apothecary. See Nibi's interview here). I went to her house and asked her what products I should be using. She told me that she cannot tell me what products to use but that I should try various products to see which works. She said look out for products that do not have silicone in them and this and that. I was like "Just tell me what to use! That is too much work!" Then I went to her blog and learned about co-washing and so many other things.
Do you twist your hair yourself? No, no my hand cannot reach there! I go to the salon and pay them for that.
Do you find anything frustrating about having natural hair? Styling can be frustrating. This (she points to her twists) is about the only style I have been doing since I went natural. I am loving it but I would like to do different styles.
As an actress, how have the directors, producers and film makers approached you having natural hair? Funny enough, I have used this hairstyle in a movie which is yet to be released. I played a high powered executive. The producer said "Oh I think you will have to use a weave-on" and I said "No! A high powered executive can carry this type of hair" And I was looking slamming in my suit!
The movie Kate mentioned is titled "The Meeting". Check out the trailer below.
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
“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.
Baby's hands are in my hair
Pulling at my strands so carefully
It tickles
I get goose bumps down my body
I lift my eyes up to look at her
She keeps pulling my hair
Detangling some knots
She is gentler with my hair than I am with hers
I relax more
Baby's song is incoherent
But I recognize the tune
It is raining outside
"Mommy and Baby want to play"
She finishes and starts again
"Come and do my hair Mommy"
Baby commands me
I don't want to
I am enjoying the attention
"Mommy!"
Baby pushes me
"Come and do my hair!"
Baby has a way of getting me to do what I don't want to do
I sigh
Sitting up on the couch
I place Baby on my lap
Hugging Baby tightly brings out chuckles from both of us
"That tickles" Baby says through the chuckles
Before I start
Baby instructs me
"Be gentle like I was with yours"
And I know what Baby means
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is one of Nigeria's most talented actresses and has starred in many successful movies. She has now shown us that she also has a BIG heart. In honour of her Mother, who passed away 10 years ago, She gave 20 Widows amazing makeovers through her OYEP Foundation (Omotola Youth EmpowermentProgramme).
The businesses that donated resources to this are: Fresh Look Spa, H and H Spa, House of Tara, Every Woman, Civita and Mossy Ella Bakers. Hair was done by Ugo Igbokwe of Make Me Beauty and pictures were taken by pioneer photographer Kelechi Amadi-Obi. Check out some pictures below and see more on Bella Naija.
A small street in Ojota, called Gbadebo Street (off Ogudu -
Ojota Road), is home to suppliers and retailers of plastic and chemicals for household, cosmetic
and beauty products. It is not posh like some other streets. The road
is bad, cars are double parked, and it can be dirty. Hmmm … okay sounds like
many streets in Lagos! However, it is a gem for those who produce home-made
items like hand wash, shampoos, conditioners, disinfectants and dish washing
liquid; just to name a few. I had the honour of being a tour guide for NN and
Screwy Hair on their first visit to Gbadebo Street.
We met up and headed to Ojota to see what we would discover at
one of my favourite streets in Lagos. We
had our shopping lists and so onward we went. The lady I buy plastic from did
not have the jars Screwy Hair wanted for her oh-so-nice Screwy Hair Butter.
Just as Screwy Hair was about to wear a frown I jumped in front of her and
commanded her to “smell my hair!” I asked her what she smelt and with a big
grin and hands raised she squealed “Peppermint!” I had purchased a jar of
the peppermint scented Screwy Hair Butter.
Screwy Hair and Natural Nigerian shopping
Then we strolled down to purchase some natural ingredients like Glycerin and Castor oil. We went
to my “Customer” Kemi and she was glad
to see us. And then NN gave us a quick tutorial on testing for the purity of
the chemicals we were buying and the importance of your supplier knowing what
he or she is selling to you. Plus these natural products have a shelf life which means they also go bad. So don't buy too much at once. These are things I really had not thought too
deeply about. However, if you are making products to sell to other people you
better start thinking about these things. I am sure NN would not mind educating
you for a small consulting fee! *wink*
Candy coloured spray caps
Our adventure was not over yet. We strolled some more and
found an inner street, off Gbadebo, where I found some yummy-candy coloured
spray caps. NN and Screwy Hair saw me running back to the car. I had to get my
purse! I made my purchase while the ladies kept “window shopping”. At the end
of the 4 hour tour, we sure had contributed to the economy of the street. We
waved good-bye to Gbadebo Street after what was definitely a good outing.
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