Meet-Up Flyer

 

Nat Mane did a lovely post on The Life House, the venue we’re using. She also talks about some of what you can expect at the meet-up.

Please click here for updates and any information related to this event. Natural Nigerian and Nat Mane also have info on the meet-up.

So spread the word and see you there!

Natural Hair Meet-Up in Lagos – Update

Been trying to do this for a few days now–thanks, WordPress–then got swept up with work.

source

A quick update on the meet-up via Natural Nigerian’s blog:

All the pieces are coming together nicely. Screwyhair and I have been working hard behind the scenes (actually she has been working harder than me, lol!). I am pleased to say that we have received a lot of positive feedback regarding the event. It would appear that this is long awaited. I am super excited and I hope you are too.

Screwyhair (who is also an incredible graphics designer) will have posters ready next week. They will contain information concerning the meet up. I am considering creating another page on this blog specially dedicated to meet-up information so that it is all in one place rather than being interspersed with other posts.

To give you a sneak preview into what is coming, we have secured a lovely venue which has the right sort of ambiance for a cozy, relaxed meet up. Several topics regarding hair – its science, care, product use and more will be discussed. There will be a nutritionist on hand to explain how what we eat affects the quality of our skin, hair and health. There will be a demonstration on how to handle hair properly and a giveaway (a.k.a A-W-O-O-F, lol!).  I get tons of questions about where to source certain tools, ingredients and products – there will be quite a few at the meet up.

We also want to hear from YOU, so please bring all your stories, tips and tricks so that we may learn from each other.

Just to clarify, this meet up is not by any chance restricted to those who have natural hair alone. My friend is currently rocking a Brazilian/Peruvian weave atop her relaxed hair and she is going to be there to learn what she can about handling her hair in its current state as well as other things concerning her skin and health. The meet up is not just about hair, but promoting a natural way of living as it is all connected.

Regarding a date, it will definitely hold in November.  Please check back here and on Screwy’s blog for more information.

Natural Hair Meet-Up in Lagos

I hope you’ll be there! From my girl Natural Nigerian‘s blog.

This is in the works for December late November -  A Meet up in Lagos where we can:

• Come together to support each other on our hair journey.
• Learn from each other on how to care for our hair better and style it better (Lord knows I need help with the latter).
• Possibly have an opportunity to buy some of those hard-to-find products.
• Meet fellow bloggers (and commenters)
• Have all round good time!

Who can attend: Just about anyone.

A detailed agenda plus more information on date/location to be announced soon.

Recipe: Hot Mama’s Homemade Coconut Oil

Coconut oil isn’t easy to find in Nigeria and when you find it, it’s either expensive or adulterated, partly because a large number of coconuts yields a relatively small amount of oil. And buying it overseas is just another hassle I could do without. So what’s a screwy-haired girl to do?  One day about 4 months ago, my mother said to me, “Why don’t we just make our own?” Hot Mama’s one smart cookie, y’all :-)

My camera makes it look like pee, but it's really lighter in color :-)

Homemade coconut oil smells heavenly*, like freshly baked cupcakes, and it works beautifully as part of my hair care regimen. The whole family loves it, including DK, to whom we sent a batch in the US. So here’s Hot Mama’s recipe. Unfortunately, I only have photos of the finished oil and not the process, but it’s really an easy one to follow.

This is not the cold-press method. Some heat is used in this process.

What you’ll need

• Very mature coconuts**
• 1 large bowl of hot water
• Grater
• 2 large bowls
• Fine mesh sieve/strainer
• Food processor (or a blender)
• Large cooking spoon
• Saucepan or pot
• Glass or plastic jar (for storage)

What you do

1. Shell the coconuts. Their inner brown skin will darken the oil, so if you prefer a paler-colored oil, you can peel off the skin. (The coconuts in our yard have a white skin, so I skip the peeling.)
2. Grate the coconut flesh on the finest side on your grater.
3. With the food processor, finely blend the grated coconut flesh, adding enough water–just a little will do–to turn it into a soft paste. You could use a blender instead, but do so in smaller batches to get the right consistency.
4. Transfer the paste into the large bowl and, stir in some hot water into the paste to release all the oil from the coconut paste. Stir well.
5. Sieve the mixture into the other bowl and allow to fully cool in a refrigerator or freezer. The oil will rise to the top and congeal (just like the oil in the stew that maid who kills everything with oil makes).
6. Carefully spoon off the congealed oil from the bowl into a saucepan (or a pot if you’re making a large batch) and place on very low heat to slowly boil off any water lurking in the oil. (Don’t use high heat–it’ll scorch the oil. Also be careful to make sure all the water evaporates, otherwise the oil will go rancid a lot more quickly.) Once the last of the water’s gone, remove the saucepan from the stove and allow to stand until warm.
7. (Warm up the glass jar before pouring in the warm oil to avoid cracking.) Pour the oil into your desired glass jar or durable plastic tub. Seal properly and keep refrigerated.
8. Enjoy! If you use this recipe, don’t forget to come back and share how it turned out!

*It’s interesting to note that coconuts from western Nigeria and our westerly neighbors produce a sweet-smelling oil, but my mother tells me that the coconut oil they made when she was growing up in the east smelled a tad awful. I’m not sure if eastern coconuts are still that way, but the smell shouldn’t obviate the wonderful properties of the oil.

**The best coconuts for coconut oil are the fully-matured ones. They’re all grown up. Don’t use babies.

New Scotch Tape Manicure & Tips

Again, my newest fav thing is a Scotch Tape manicure.

my current mani, done over my lunch break yesterday

bling left...

...bling right :-)

last week's mani. well, I didn't keep it a whole week before I got bored...

left again...

...and right again!

My kid thinks I’ve gone all girly on him, haha! I don’t know how long I’ll be in love with tape manicures, but for now I’ll enjoy the puppy love.

So yeah, it only made sense to get this Beautify Nail Star 60-polish set on Amazon for just £29.99 (supposedly slashed from £99.99) and it got in last week. I used them and OPI in the above manis. The Amazon item listing’s gone, but I’ve got photos. I love the colors.

above my new collection is my formerly measly collection :-)(minus a bunch I never use)

My dream is to get here one day. Now THAT’S a polish stash.

Now, I love me some OPI; with my base and top coats, those babies last like a NEPA outage. So far, el-cheapo collection polishes last just 3 or 4 days before they start chipping, but that’s just the type of excuse I need to whip out the Scotch tape again! One side has a brush and the other a pen applicator, but these are the worst brushes I’ve ever encountered, for real; I have to use a brush from a bottle I don’t use anymore. The brushes are good for drawing straight lines, though, like in my current mani. I did the orange hand with tape at first then got tired of slicing up and positioning the tiny tape strips, so I did the blue hand with just the original brush.

Making Your Manicure Last

My regular manicures pretty much last about 2 weeks, while pedicures last 3 weeks with the usual touch-ups. From time to time, my girlfriends asks how I get my polish to last as long as it does. My tips:

• Start with clean nails: I take off the old polish, do any needed filing or clipping, wash with soap, massage in a drop of my hair oil mix  (olive/coconut/jojoba oils), and dry them well.
• Use a good base coat: They’ll protect your nails, create a smooth surface for the polish, and help keep the polish on longer. I love Sally Hansen Diamond Strength No Chip Base Coat.
• Don’t go cheap: Unless you’re making a volume buy like my Amazon find, invest in good quality polish. My go-to brand is OPI. I also dig Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear and hear good things about Orly and a couple others.
• Give enough dry time between coats:  This, I believe, is a big factor in achieving a long-wearing manicure. I typically do 2 coats and wait at least 20 minutes between coats. Even with a quick-dry top coat, you need to wait. I also use a quick-dry spray in between coats just for good measure (Onyx Nail Enamel Dryer or Salon Professional Nail Enamel Dryer). Whenever I’ve gotten my nails done at a nail salon, the polish peels right off because the manicurist just slaps on coat after coat, with maybe a couple minutes in between.
• Use a good top coat: I swear by Out The Door Fast Dry Top Coat. It helps dry polish really fast and keeps them on longer.
• Don’t do a lot of hand washing: Or use gloves, especially when you cook. Your nails will thank you.

That’s it, ladies (and adventurous guys)!

Softly, Softly (to Retain Length)

Here’s a novel idea: Be gentle with your hair!

Our culture does not emphasize gentleness and Lagos does not reward patience. If, however, you don’t make these 2 qualities the cornerstone of your hair care regimen, you will not be happy with your hair.

As children, our hair was pulled every which way into whatever style had been picked for us. Our heads got smacked if we didn’t stay still. As adults, we “ow”, “ye”, wince, and hold on to the roots when our hair is pulled into tight styles. Now we’re natural, but that hair aggression has become a part of us and we still stress our tresses. We still don’t realize that our hair is DELICATE.

I’ll say it again, people: BLACK HAIR IS DELICATE.

Forget the common misconception about natural hair being able to take anything. The more coiled your hair is, the more stress (or potentially weak) points it has, and the more easily it gets tangled. Treat it unkindly and it will break off, leaving you frustrated about your hair “not growing.” In addition to proper conditioning, frequent mositurizing, and protective styling, here are a few tips to aid successful hair care sessions:

DO’S

• Do make the time: Schedule your hair session for when you can spare a lot of time. Put in a movie (or two, depending on your fullness and length), play some music, or catch up with a friend via video chat. The idea is to get comfortable–you’re going to be there a while.
• Do check your tools: Before you start, check your fingernails, combs, clips, and bobby pins. Make sure they’re all smooth without any rough edges that can hook and break off your strands. Make sure your bobby pins have those rubber cushions on the ends. Throw out anything that’s not smooth and invest in good-quality tools.
• Do detangle slowly: Some detangle before they wash. (I do now, with lots of olive oil.) Others detangle in the shower. Still others detangle after washing while their hair’s still wet. Whichever method you choose, do it gently and slowly. Don’t think, “I can afford to rip out these balls.” Instead, remember what they say about little drops of water. Tip: if you hit a tangle, soak it in oil and try using a safety pin to slowly pry the tangle apart.
• Do plan double time for styling: I used to wear twist-outs all the time, but I’d always tell myself that I only needed 15 minutes to separate the twists and style. Fun times; after about 25 minutes, I’d start rushing and lots more hair would end up on the floor. Always double the amount of time you think it will take, especially if it’s a new style you’re trying or if you’re getting your hair done at the hair salon.
• Do speak up: If you feel more than a slight tug on your hair, STOP YOUR STYLIST! And this doesn’t just apply to your front edges. Tell her or him if you can feel tension on any part of your head. Don’t be afraid to stop them and have someone else do your hair, or simply forego the hairdo. (Remember: plan double time for styling.)

DON’TS

• Don’t do your hair when you’re tired or frustrated: You’ve just come home after a long day at work. You’ve been chasing three kids around the house for the last 2 hours. You’ve just been out partying and you’re a little tipsy. Drop that comb and back away from the tub. Only do your hair when you have more than enough energy to. That said, try to make sure you protect your hair before you pass out after a long day.
• Don’t pull: Whether you’re washing or stretching or styling, do it gently and don’t pull. We’ve all been hardwired to pull, so make a conscious effort not to. Again, don’t let the hairdresser pull your hair! Don’t believe the myth about it loosening up after a few days–it’s loosened up because the hair’s broken off!
• Don’t scrape: When you’re washing, use the balls of your fingers, not your nails, to gently massage your scalp. Viciousness only rips out hair and makes for sore scalps.
• Don’t use too much heat: I don’t use heat at all anymore because it always damaged my hair, but some naturals prefer to. If you use heat, keep it low and don’t hold your blow dryer too close to your hair. Use a protective serum, but don’t apply oil or any butter; oil and butters heats up and can burn your hair.

Bottom line: be gentle. Treat your hair right and she’ll make you happy.

Make It Cute

Here’s a tutorial by of my favorite natural YouTubers, ahsiek1118. She shows how to make those “overnight drying” twists cute for work or fun. Enjoy!

Decisions, decisions…Part II

I decided to leave my hair alone. No, it’s not an earth-shattering, world-changing decision, but it felt like it :-) I want the convenience of cornrows and I want to do something really cute with my hair, but I had to come to terms with 3 things:

• My edges don’t like to be manipulated AT ALL: When I finally accepted this year that my edges in front are naturally weak and cannot abide any kind of tension, and when I finally started treating them as delicately as I would a newborn, they started feeling good. Every night now–well, almost–they get some oils and hair butter love and they’re loving me back: no more dry, brittle hair that breaks off when you touch it. My front hairline will never be as full as DK’s, but it’ll be healthy, i.e., if I stay away from the evil hands at the hair salon :-) So why mess with a good thing?
• I forget about my hair when it’s in cornrows: I get lazy. Other things take my attention. The most I’ll do is in the first week because the pulling at the edges gets so unbearable (which is the first sign of trouble, anyway).
• I’m the queen of keeping my cornrows too long: Friends marvel at how long I can keep a style going strong. I did fat cornrows for 4 months once and everyone thought they were maybe a few weeks old. Maybe my hairdos don’t age quickly because my fingers stay out of them and I’m lucky enough not to have a dandruff problem. Maybe it’s the girl who used to do my hair. I don’t really know. I retain all the length from new growth while in cornrows, but when it’s time to take them out…sigh. The tangling. The frustration. The mourning of handfuls of hair on the floor. No, thanks.

I’ll therefore be leaving my hair alone. Thank goodness for YouTube hairstyle tutorials :-)

Decisions, decisions…

I don’t want to get cornrows: I’m scared of losing my fragile edges again–my edges are the most delicate you’ll ever see–and I want my hair out for my girl’s baby shower next week.

But I want to get cornrows: The only girl who can do my hair without pulling out all my edges moved to Jos to go to school, but she’s back in town on holiday for a couple weeks, so I might as well take advantage, since I won’t let anyone else touch my hair. I also want my now-signature cornrows mohawk, just for a change.

And I gotta decide today. Sigh.

Recipe: Body Butter

(Update 2: I’ve taken down my hair butter recipe, since I now sell it. Sorry!)

(Update 1: I’ve edited the recipes to put all measurements in cups and tablespoons.)

Done lots of posting today. I promise to be back soon. Before I head out, I want to leave you with my 2 new favorite recipes.

This is from my last batch and I think I got it! My mom (aka Hot Mama) and the kid love this mix as much as I do, and DK’s asked for the hair butter recipe. We now all use all natural butters for hair and body only. Wondering who to give my regular lotions to now :-(

Hair Butter

Hair butter (thicker than body butter)

Body Butter

Body butter (lighter than hair butter): shea butter + olive oil + glycerin

Shea butter is absorbed beautifully into the skin. Since moving back to Nigeria, I’ve gone without lotion many days because all store-bought lotions I’ve used just sit on the skin and make me uncomfortably hot. Shea butter, however, is nothing like this. I thought at first that because it’s heavy, it would be uncomfortable but I couldn’t be more wrong. My skin loves this mix and looks delish :-) I love the smell of shea butter and I wear body splashes, anyway, so I don’t put essential oils in it to cover up the smell. You can do this if you prefer.

• 2 cups shea butter
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon glycerin
• 1 tablespoon jojoba oil (optional)

Throw it all in your blender and blend till silky smooth (or till you’re fine with it). Store in an opaque container in a cool place, but refrigeration isn’t needed.

Enjoy!

Toodles.