Hi people, what's been on?

I went for a wedding recently with my natural hair out and I got several questions about it and why I chose not to relax my hair and it dawned on me that the simplest answer is 'Just because I can'.

I don't really care for the natural hair vs relaxed hair issue.....and yes I am aware that this debate has been overflogged ....but still, I feel like saying what I feel about it since I get questions in that general direction.

Some people think that as a natural, you can't apply makeup, use ready made products, eat meat, fix weaves, braid your hair with extensions, dye it, straighten it and finally, chemically relax it.
Well the answer to that is YOU CAN.

Can I chemically relax my hair?
Yes I can......but I don't want to.
Relaxing my hair should be a choice much like dyeing it or braiding it. I wouldn't do it because I feel my hair is unmanageable....it's not. We are friends now.
I wouldn't do it because the stylists have a look of terror when they see my mane.
I wouldn't do it because everyone is doing it.
I will relax my hair because I want to permanently straighten my hair. I will do so with the understanding that my hair has been permanently altered (like dyeing) and I will need to stock up on protein reconstructors, deep conditioners and natural oils that will help protect my strands.
I won't use harsh shampoos.
I won't weigh my hair down withvwax because I want it to shine, I won't overprocess my hair beyond what it can handle.
I won't overlap my relaxer. I won't ignore my hair.
I will still handle it with care.

Can I plait Ghana weaving?
Yes I can.....and I did but at the moment I don't feel like testing braiders and sitting for 4hrs to do that.

Can I big chop my hair now?
Yes I can....hair grows afterall.....slowly but it grows.

Can I dye my hair?
Yes I can....I can even go blonde if I want to because my hair is less likely to be damaged since it hasn't been chemically altered. All I need to do is get it professionally done and stock up on protein and moisture deep conditioners.

Can I fix a weave?
Yes I can.....and the good thing is it's a choice and not because I'm forced to cover up damaged hair. In fact, it's a good way to let my hair rest from manipulation and allow it to grow.

Can I have straight hair?
Yes I can.....with my trusty flat iron, I can go from bouncy curly to silky straight.....and the best part is I don't have to sacrifice volume  or load up my hair with oils to get a mirror like sheen.

Can I style my hair with extensions?
Yes I can.....and because I want to not because I'm insecure about the length of my hair.....and no....it's not cheating. It's like applying mascara to my lashes.

Can I use bendy rollers, perm rods, magnetic rollers etc on my hair?
Yes I can.....and I love that I don't have to put my head under a dryer to set my style.

Can I have manageable natural hair?
Yes I can......with the right tools, products and methods my curls and I aren't enemies but friends. Does it have anything to do with texture....in my experience, no it does not. All texture is good texture.
There are different methods for different textures. I already know what works for me.

Can I use un natural products on my hair?
Yes I can.....I don't need to be a natural mixtress. I love those shiny bottles as much as the next person. I see a lot of naturals with unattractive hair just because they insist on using just shea butter, aloe vera gel and ACV to care for their hair. I'm not saying it's wrong but my sister, there are lovely well researched products out there theat will definitely make your coils pop with minimum effort.....and yes, you can put on makeup too, dress up and don stilettos too! Natural hair is a hair styling choice not a sentence o!

Can I have fabulous hair as a Nigerian living in Nigeria?
Yes I can.......because I'm home. That's where my hair is rooted and there's no place like home! Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to live outside Nigeria to grow healthy hair. Our warm humid environment is the best place for our natural hair to thrive. Unfortunately, we've forgotten how to care for it and most hair products and tools cause more damage making our hair 'hard'....but then we have local butters, oils and soaps that work really well....and better hair friendly products are slowly creeping in.


My point is, being natural is about choice. The choice to do whatever you want with your hair without socially imposed limitations.
If you are natural, there really is no need to be insecure about it....you can choose to relax it.....because you can.
If you are relaxed, there really is no need to be insecure about it.....you can be natural......because you can.

The main thing is do what is healthy for your hair. I never tire of showing people Dab's picture of NaijaHairCanGrow to prove that the most important thing to grow natural or relaxed or texlaxed hair long is the right hair care.

Weigh your options with knowledge of what it takes to get the best out of your hair. Don't blindly jump on any bandwagon....relaxed, natural, texlaxed, weaved.....look,think before you leap....lol!

Okay....I'm done with Philosopy....anyone interested in Genetics?

Hi people, what's been on?
Here's a question I got on nairaland and I decided to share it with anyone facing a similar problem.....

Q. I used to have natural, unrelaxed tough curly hair (all the way past my spine) when I lived with my dad. When I moved back to Nigeria, due to the secondary school rules, I had to weave my hair every week, the manipulation was painful and unbearable, I lost most of my length so I tried relaxing and that made it even worse. I've tried transitioning during vacation and my hair grows out beautifully but when school starts, I just can't stand the pain. I'll be graduating in about 4 months and want to start transitioing again. Is there any way to minimize the pain?
(I already use olive, coconut, castor oil and shea butter) Any other tips? I also have dry flaky hair from all the pressure. Please help!
 Thanks
L.B.

A. Mehn...this takes me back in time to my compulsory braiding years! I'm adverse to pain....I may be able to bear it....but I don't even bother to! Why should I embrace pain???
And because of this aversion to pain, I learnt tips and tricks to avoid being flogged when I misbehaved ( I either ran away, talked my way out or simply behaved). It's one of the reasons I stayed natural (ain't got no time for relaxer burns). It's the reason I don't wear lace (can't bear the itch) and the reason I carry flats in my bag when I'm rocking heels.  So I understand what you mean by the pain especially if the braider's hand is 'too strong'.
However, I've been braiding my hair all through my growing years with little or no pain involved. The tips and tricks I learnt are as follows:

- Be selective with who braids your hair.
 Some braiders are gentler than others. I usually test them out before I trust them to braid me any further.
My 'testing hairstyle' is individual braids at the back with the front cornrowed back. Individual braids don't hurt and if the front section that is to be braided hurts, I simply tell the braider to stop and convert the rest to individual braids.
If it doesn't hurt, I'll trust her with more cornrows.

- Prepare your hair before you go.
For example, if I'm braiding 'shuku' aka ponytail or braided bun, I know my hair will be sectioned into four. So I do the same and detangle thoroughly and thread. Then I take down the thread section by section as the braider works.
A day or two before your appointment, wash and deepcondition your hair. Then divide your hair into four sections, apply oil to each section and detangle well. Then either braid or thread the already detangled section. This will stretch your hair and keep it from tangling up again.
If you have a style in mind, imagine the ways the braider will section your hair to braid, then section off, detangle and thread in that pattern.
This is so that you won't have to loosen all your hair for braiding but loosen it up section by section. This will prevent your hair from drying out which causes it to tangle and hurts if your braider isn't patient.

- Take a moisturising butter with you.
This would be used to remoisturise your hair in case it dries out. A moisturising butter or leave in conditioner with good slip minimises pain when detangling and unnecessary breakage. I prefer a butter because your hair is less likely to revert, it provides better hold ( longer lasting style) and your hair stays moisturised for longer. It will also help with dry scalp issues.
An alternative is taking your spray bottle with your detangling mix of water,conditioner and oils. However if your hair shrinks up tightly, I'd advice you to take a moisturising butter instead. It softens your hair and keeps it stretched for longer.

You can make your own butter by whipping together castor oil, olive oil and shea butter.

- Remoisturise as often as possible and always sleep with a satin scarf or bonnet.
This will help preserve your style, prevent breakage and extend the days to your next appointment (and also give you time to hunt for another braider if the one you 'jammed' had dangerous hands. Again, I prefer using a moisturising butter to remoisturise my hair to avoid frizziness. However, use it sparingly as if it is the type that isn't easily absorbed, it can attract dust.

Sidenote:
There are some undercover dangerous braiders. When they braid your hair, you may even fall asleep.....but when they are done and you are safely home....oh boy!!!!
I've met two or three of them in the course of braiding my hair. I've gone as far as dunking my whole head in ice cold water to relieve the pain. If you are unfortunate to 'jam' this type, your real relief is a small tin of Robb...applied to your scalp....at least you'll be able to sleep at night.

Hope I've been able to help.

Do you have any tips to avoid pain while styling your hair?


Hadassah.

Hi people, what's been on?

Today, I'm going to review a shampoo I've been using with my Indian Oiling method for retaining length in natural hair. It was given to me by TwentySix85.com in September last year and it's been the answer to the problem of locating Ayurvedic herbs such as shikakai, soapnut, neem and amla for cleansing the hair in Nigeria.

Here's my take on the product.

Hi people, what's been on?!

So it's love season and life decided to love me back by giving me exams to prepare for!
 Well, I decided that one of the loves of my life....my hair....won't suffer. I've fed it well and then now I'll keep it warm and snug while my life moves a bit faster....and of course, I have to look real good for the other love of my life, right?!

I was a bit undecided about what to do with my hair so I booked an appointment a week in advance .... na me be this??....with a stylist to do a style that has been bombarding my Instagram page.....faux locs with kinky hair!


I was supposed to do this style with the Marley hair I ordered which hadn't come in. It would have come in before the week I was to do my hair but one day, I ventured into the market to buy my African Black Soap and due to it's unavailability came out clutching a pack of First Lady Kinky Hair....yep, this is me, alright....

Here's the brand of kinky hair I use ....and always use. It's as soft as Marley hair (though not as long) and readily available in the Nigerian market. It's gentle on my fine hair and my fingers. It doesn't get hard after a while and doesn't give me the itchies! The only downside is I haven't seen it in other colours except black and have to resort to Noble kinky for my pop of colour.

Now, I didn't really need to do my hair afterwards but after a bout of reading all night, I came up for air and with sleep still a long way off, I decided to practice how to wrap my hair with the kinky hair.....and before I knew it....I was done with my whole head!!!

Here's what it finally looked like......


I didn't bother braiding then wrapping.....I just wrapped up straight. I applied NappyGirl to my hair first before wrapping because I had a feeling it may tangle up with the kinky hair...so this was a way to 'lube' up my hair so that when it's time for take down, it will be a matter of slipping off the wraps......I hope....



Update: I may take it down sooner than I want because I still have my standing appointment and the lady just did this awesome looking weave style that I'd love to try.
The Marley braids have come in so I may change my mind and do more professional faux locs....who knows?!


So that's it for now.....for instant updates, check me on Instagram @nappilynigeriangirl

Till I spill again,
Live Beautifully. Naturally.
Hadassah.

P.S. If you attempted any of the valentine hairstyles in my previous posts or any style you think you gathered hearts with, send them to nappilynigeriangirl@gmail.com
Three winners stand the chance to win N1500, N1000 and N500 airtime to any Nigerian network respectively. Winners will be selected by popular vote.
Offer lasts till 28th of February 2014.

Hi people, what's been on?

The town is red again and Cupid is almost running out of arrows!
If you're love struck like moi....all the gorgeous natural hairstyles you knew how to do may have flown out with Cupid....never to be seen again!
To help a sister out, I've put up a lookbook with beautiful natural hairstyle inspirations I got from instagram....










Oh and did I say keep your pictures if you tried out any of these styles (or invented yours!) cos I have something in store for three lovely Nigerian readers.......my apologies to readers in other countries......na small small o!


Have a fun filled romantic weekend ahead!

Live Beautifully.Naturally.
Hadassah.

Hi people, what's been on?!

Yesterday I was chatting with some friends and of course the topic veered towards hair.
Some of them were transitioning and they shared the issues they had with transitioning and how it was difficult maintaining both hair types (straight relaxed and kinky coily undergrowth) and how their hair seemed to break off at the slightest touch!
Later that evening, my sis who decided to transition complained about the same thing.
I shared tried and true Nigerian hair tested tips but they felt that since I was used to natural hair care, it was easy for me to say.....ermm....okay.

I know that sometimes the tips natural hair bloggers share concerning natural hair care seem to come from a place of years of experience and might look easy to practice on paper but not so easy in reality ....so I felt that it will be a good idea to hear from Nigerian naturals currently transitioning.

To encourage my sister, friends and anyone currently transitioning, I decided to share this  message written by Marriet Hermosa.

"I'm transitioning!
 Relaxer had never been and was never my friend.
 My hair had never grown past the nape and it was badly damaged, especially the edges.

I last relaxed end of February 2013, at first I wanted my hair to grow a while before I texlaxed but now it's been 10 months and counting and I've decided to go back to natural by transitioning.

 So every month or at least once every two months I take off as much as 2 inches or 3 or 4 inches depending on how daring I feel that day.

 Deep conditioning treatments once a month, LOC (liquid, oiling and cream) method every morning and night, hot oil treatments, tea rinses, ACV treatments and protective styles like box braids, cornrows and my personal favorite.... twists, have helped me during my healthy hair journey.

It's still a struggle balancing protein and moisture in my hair, and there are times during wash days when I see lots of hair in the basin and other times when there isn't as much, but all in all I think I'm getting the hang of it.

One thing we need to remember is the end goal, long, thick, healthy lustrous hair!
So stay motivated, be diligent and always always check out hair blogs and YouTube videos for more techniques and motivation"

Do you have a similar transitioning story?
Please share with us in the comments section or send to nappilynigeriangirl@gmail.com
You may include pictures if you want or share anonymously if you are shy.

P.S. You can read up inspiring transitioning stories by the NappilyNigerianGirls that were featured.


Live Beautifully. Naturally.
Hadassah A.

Packed and ready to go!

Hi people, what's been on?

As I promised, today I'll announce the lucky winner of the giveaway that starts all giveaways!

I want to thank everyone that participated in this giveaway and even if you didn't win this one, just hang on....there'll definitely be more!

So all in all, 21 readers took part in the giveaway.

However some didn't follow all the rules.....
On one hand, some readers followed on twitter and used the tag #NNGiveaway but didn't comment or follow/subscribe on Google+....on the other...some commented but didn't follow on Google+ or subscribe to the blog.
This posed a problem because I really wanted to make sure everyone that participated stood a chance to win....but that wouldn't be fair to those who followed the rules!

To solve this problem, I called in a council of advisers and they decided that those who followed the rules should stand a chance of winning the grand prize of the giveaway while everyone that participated anyway would stand the chance of winning N1500 airtime to any network of choice........Is that fair enough????

Here's the list of participants and those with a tick by the side filled all the criteria.
I used the serial numbers for the first and second draws.


I used the Ticket Raffle App to generate the winning no.

The first winner for the Kit is @djenyva a.k.a Ihebunachi Jennifer ,serial no. 2





The second winner for N1500 airtime is @aibeefash a.k.a Ibiyemi Fashina , serial no. 20




Congratulations to the winners!
Do send your contact details to nappilynigeriangirl@gmail.com so I can get your win across to you.

Again, I appreciate everyone that participated and I really enjoyed this giveaway so I'm definitely going to do this again.....so watch this space o!

Till I spill again,
Live Beautifully. Naturally.
Hadassah