“Where can I buy natural hair products in Nigeria?”

I literally typed these words on Google when I started looking for natural hair products, lol!! Seriously though, the results were not very encouraging but I discovered some blogs and facebook pages. I also typed something like this “Where can I buy Carol’s Daughter hair products in Nigeria?” ha ha ha ha, lol! Funny but I got one result that led me to Amaila’s facebookpage. By the way, Carol’s Daughter is one of the most talked about natural hair product line, it is founded by Lisa Price. She is also the founder of the Transitioning Movement, which is a website where you can find all kinds of information on transitioning from relaxed to natural hair. So here is a list of addresses, blogs and websites you can get your natural hair products, most of them are online. So you basically place your order online and they deliver to anywhere in Nigeria.

1.       The online Ahia Natural Nigerian: You can get your skin and hair care natural oils and butters from this online store. Orders can be placed any day but deliveries are made only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

URL - http://naturalnigerian.com/ahia-natural-nigerian-marketplace/

Email – orders@naturalnigerian.com

2.       The Kinky Apothecary, Nigeria’s first one – stop natural hair shop, opened recently in Victoria Island Lagos.

Address – L’espace 19A Olosa Street, Off Karimu Kotun, Victoria Island, Lagos.

URL - http://thekinkyapothecary.blogspot.com/p/apothecary.html

Email – orders@thekinkyapothecary.com

3.       Olori is another online based store. I have gotten a couple of products from them. They deal mainly on hair creams, shampoos, conditioners and some oils.

URL - http://www.olori.com.ng/shop/

Email - sales@olori.com.ng

4.       Amaila hair care products: Deals mainly on Carol’s Daughter and Shea Radiance hair product brands. You can place your order on their facebook page and they’ll definitely get back to you.

URL - https://www.facebook.com/AmailaHairCareLagos?fref=ts

5.       Vanity Oils: They deal mainly on various natural hair and skin oils.

URL - http://vanityoils.com/FindOurProducts.html

Email – info@vanityoils.com

Phone no: 07030306302, 07034250239

6.   Casa Bella Beauty Store: In this store you will find the Cantu Shea Butter Line, Carol’s Daughter Line, The Giovanni Line e.t.c. You can find them in The Palms Mall Lekki  and Ikeja City Mall in Lagos and then Polo Park Mall in Enugu.

That’s all folks, I promise to update this list once I discover more vendors. Let me know if this was helpful.

Disclaimer: I was not paid in anyway by these vendors to do this, I just felt like sharing this information I gathered from personal research.

Journey to healthy hair, Relaxed or Kinky...

Funmi from Nigeria. Source: www.blackgirllonghair.com

I've been getting questions on a how to develop a healthy hair regimen and the kinds of products to use. I'm far from being an expert on the subject but I love to share information. So I just decided to do a post on my blog about “A healthy hair regimen”.  The information I have listed here is mainly the result of personal research, which I have done since I decided to start taking better care of my hair. I have been practicing these for five months and I have seen some results, though I would not say I have a completely healthy hair, I can say I am on my way there!! So these are a couple of findings I have made after going to numerous websites, blogs and vlogs:

1.       Be ready to invest in products that are good for your hair type: I put this as the first because we are so used to dashing to the salon and allowing the hairdressers use whatever products they have no matter what quality they are. I used to do this a lot but not anymore, though my hair suffered for it. Anyway you need

a.       SULFATE FREE SHAMPOO, a good example is DUDU OSUN (BLACK SOAP). Yes I said it, Dudu Osun is good for your hair!!! I found this out when I watched this youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29XZPLa8dOM. By the way she is a Yoruba girl living in the US and her hair is lovely.

b.      Good natural rinse out, deep and leave – in conditioners, like the VO5 product line, the GIOVANI line e.t.c.

c.       Natural hair oils and butters. Like coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, castor oil, jojoba oil, peppermint oil (essential oil use in drops with other oils).

2.       Wash your hair at least once a week: For me this was a surprise because I only use to wash my hair like once a month or two months even, lol!!! It is funny but I was seriously ignorant about hair care until five months ago. For me I wash once a week, sometimes I do what I call co washing (please look at the hair language tab to find out what this means).

3.       Deep condition at least once in two weeks: This is almost the same thing as what local salons call “steaming”. I do my own by mixing my regular conditioner, GIOVANNI SMOOTH AS SILK CONDITIONER, with coconut oil, peppermint oil, castor oil and olive oil. I apply this to my hair and then cover with a plastic cap for about 30 mins and then I rinse it out. I do not currently use heat in my regimen so I don’t sit under a dryer for deep conditioning.

4.       After washing your hair and rinsing out the conditioner, you apply your leave in conditioner (cream based product) and then apply your oil. The leave in conditioner puts moisture in your hair while the oil helps to seal the moisture in. You can re moisturize your hair in between wash days if you feel it’s dry.

5.       Protect your hairline whenever you want to put in attachment (hair extensions) or weave – on (weaves) on your hair. Most of our local salons in Naija try to pick the living daylight out of our hair line when braiding it. That part of the hair is very sensitive and should be treated with gentle care. Tell them not to braid it too tight. I have noticed that a majority of Nigerian women, including me, have damaged and thinning hair line due to tight braids, Ghana weaving, tightly sewn weave on and use of chemical relaxers. You can corn row that part before you braid and apply natural castor oil daily, it really helps.
6.    Invest in a silk scarf or satin bonnet. You cover your hair with a silk scarf at night (an old waist slip will even do, lol!!). The silk material will help keep the moisture in your hair while you sleep unlike the hair net we normally use.

7.       Trim regularly. This can be done every four to six months or as much as you think is needed. The areas close to the tip of every hair strand is the oldest part, it is usually either split or knotted (single stand knots). The splits and the knots impede hair growth, so it does the hair no good. Trimming these parts regularly ensures the health and growth of the hair.

8.       Learn and practice doing your hair yourself. Most of us are so dependent on the hairdressers at our local salons; we put the fate of our crown in the hands of these women. I am not saying you should never go to the salon but at least, politely let them know how you want your hair treated. They may frown at you for a while, but when they see the results, they will be your friend and even ask you for tips!!

There are a whole lot of other things to know about caring for your hair, but this is a good start. I will make another post on places I know you can get natural hair products in Nigeria, especially Lagos.

Have I left something out or do you have other healthy hair tips? Please type it in the comment box below.

Please support this blog by posting a comment, rating the post and subscribing to this blog. 

My Dominion City Camp Meeting 2013 Experience!!

CAMP MEETING 2013

Hello peeps, I just thought I should share my Camp Meeting 2013 experience with you. First of all I’ll explain what it is all about. Camp Meeting in Dominion City is a four day, Easter weekend program we have at our church. It is like the highlight of every year, where we take time out from the city, our work or any other thing that keeps us busy and “away” from God. Also every member of the church, no matter where you are in the world, attends. It also serves as a time where we meet friends from different cities that we haven’t seen in ages. Every year's Camp Meeting is different from the rest and this one was what I call SPECTABULOUS!!!! LOl!! I had an awesome awesome time in God’s presence. There were wonderful prayer, praise and worship sessions that left my heart feeling light and illuminated. WOW!!! I had a great time!!

My Pastor, Reverend David Ogbueli. One of the most humble men of God I know, God bless you sir!

This year, the theme of the meeting was “Seeing and Owning the Future: Global Trends”. This theme is particularly interesting in the sense that as Christians we are not only equipped to live in the church but also to live in the world considering the times we live in. One major topic that our father, Reverend David Chuwkudi Ogbueli talked about was on “the Law of Reflection aka The Principle of Reflection”. What I understood from this message was that we are to do things exactly the way God does His things. Yeah I know cliché, right? But if you think about it, even though we hear this every day, getting to practice it is where the problem lies. If you go through the gospels (Matthew, Mark Luke and John), you find that Jesus asked that God glorify Himself through Him, Jesus John 5: 19, in most of His prayers. So when we pray, we can include that as our major prayer point. We can ask God to give us His grace to do things that glorify Him. We can also ask that He glorifies Himself through us John 17:1. It could be in our work place, in school at the hospital, anywhere! Prayers really change things, not just circumstances but it also changes us!

So for me, it was another significant time in my life. I received the blessings that God released to the people. I knew in my heart of hearts that all prayers I made have been answered, I am only waiting for the physical manifestation of my requests!!

God's Dominion City Generals.

Four months progress on my edges.

I had wanted to do this when I am fully natural. But since I’ve noticed some “significant changes”, I decided to share it with you guys. The reason I had bad edges was not really as a result of genes or anything like that. It is the result of a very bad habit I developed in my early teens, I PICK MY FRONT HAIR!! Lol. During my form six in secondary school, I just started picking my hair anytime I was reading. We all know how much reading you had to do just to pass all the exams you needed to pass to get into the university. So I developed this habit that was almost impossible to break.

Four months ago I decided to go natural and start taking better care of my hair and realised I had to stop this bad habit. I made up my mind to just stop picking it. I also prayed and asked God for help, as you would with any other bad habit. I also researched on the kinds of oils or products I could use to stimulate growth in that area. So to protect my edges at night this is what I do:

1. I massage my edges with a mixture of oils. Initially I was using jojoba oil and some drops of peppermint oil. Right now I use only the regular Castor oil to do the massage. I also tried the mix of peppermint oil with the Castor oil but I felt the essential oil (peppermint) was not needed so I just do it with plain Castor oil.

2. After the massage, I use a tooth brush to brush it through and then tie the edges with a silk band before I put on my silk bonnet. That way, the elastic band on the edge of the bonnet will not rub against my edges while I sleep.

So here are some before and after photos of my edges. Do you think there’s a difference at least for a four month period? I think there’s a difference but I would like to have a second opinion.

Just before I started taking care of my edges. Both right side

About four weeks later. Right above, left below

Four months later. Right above, left below

Some transitioning styles I've tried....

“…..My hair is my play ground” lol!!  That was what I told a friend of mine recently (who by the way is natural). I said this because I was showing her pictures of styles I’ve tried and she was like “You’re really into this”. Well yeah I am really into the whole natural hair, healthy hair and nappy hair thing. So I think this write up will be more on pictures of some of the styles I have done in the recent past, what I think of them, products I used and whether or not I will be trying them again. So let’s go!!

The first transitioning style I tried was the bantu nut out. I tried this style immediately I learnt how to twist my hair in the right direction. The products I used for this were…..oops!! I can’t remember correctly but I’m sure about these ones though:

                                        Pink Eco Styler Gel (Level 8)

Raw shea butter

Shea Radiance Maximum curl defining cream

                                                               

Well I think it was okay. I think the problem I had with it was that the curls looked a little unkempt, do you think so? I liked it but not that much. I will try this again to see if I’ll do something different to make it look better. I pinned it up in an updo. 

The second style I tried was Senegalese twists. I DID IT MYSELF!!! I just came back from church, fixed lunch for my husband and had this gut feeling that I should try doing my twists myself, and I did, lol!! So I dashed to the beauty shop around my house bought my expression attachment (hair extensions) and got the party started!! So before trying this, I had watched a ton of videos on how to do the twists by myself, so I would say I had prepared ahead of time. These were the results.. 

It took me about 4 hours. I started at the back and then worked my way through to the front. I think next time I would do it the other way round; because I got tired by the time I got to the front so it didn’t turn out nice enough. The products I used for this style were:

Carol’s daughter mimosa hair honey

Shea radiance whipped shea butter

I was really proud of myself for doing this, but I thought the front part was a little unkempt. On the other hand I think we've been spoilt in Naija (Nigeria) by the kind of hair we get at the saloons at the price we do get them for. However I think that as a natural, I am the only one who can handle my hair with the TLC it deserves lol!! Just saying.

 Well it would surprise you to know that I wore this style for just THREE DAYS!! Yes!! But I had a reason for it. I was going to the Enugu for my brother’s traditional marriage, I felt the hair was not good enough for the special occasion. When I took the twists down, I co washed my hair and tried another style.

The third style I tried was curl formers, and I must say that this was by far my most favourite style so far. In my opinion, it turned out really nice. Do you think so?  I think the reason it turned out “great” is because I had learnt a little about my hair, having tried a couple of other styles in the recent past. For this style I used

The curl formers (got 2 packs of 18 each at N3, 500 from Balogun market)

Pink Eco styler gel level 8

Raw shea butter

 So these were the results. I pinned it up into an updo and I absolutely loved it!!! The curls lasted for 4 days, I actually let them loose myself, so they could have lasted longer. I pin curled every night and wrapped my hair with a silk scarf to preserve the coils/curls (still don’t know the difference, lol). I think this is going to be my go to style anytime I let my hair out during this transitioning period.

Currently I am wearing Ghana Weaving corn rows, I really love them. If you look closely you'll see that I have rough edges, yeah that's one of the things I'm battling with right now. In my previous article, I listed a couple of things I am doing to grow them back to a healthy state. Please feel free to drop tips on how to take better care of them in the comment box below. What’s funny is that the day I went to get my Ghana Braids done at the salon, the lady said “Hmmm this your hair is so due for relaxer, you should retouch it (i.e. get a relaxer)” I was like, NOOOOO WAAAAYYYY!!!! Lol!!

So what do you think about these styles? Are you also transitioning to natural hair? Do you have any other tips you can give me on styles to try out while transitioning? Please feel free to put them down in the comment box below. Stay blessed!!!

Hugs of love

Acharacha

Be free, be happy and live in the moment…

......and yes that's me, beeing free and living in the moment,lol

If you were to do a list of some of the things you need today, I’m sure this list will have at least up to five big things. Yes that’s because we always need something we don’t already have. To be honest, I’m guilty as charged on this case. I am currently in a position where I truly truly desire something of God but it seems that all the faith principles I have been taught aren’t working. Have you been there before?

There is a reason why the Bible has so many scriptures that deal with holding on, being patient and able to endure hard times. There are also other scriptures that talk about being thankful for what you have today as you wait for the things you do not have. For me, it is a very very difficult task not to worry about things that are not working the way they should (Matt. 6:25). Have you ever felt that if you are not worried about something, then you are not serious? I feel this way most of the time. However here is our Lord Jesus, telling us “NOT TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING!!!”

When I need something from God and it is not coming as fast as I needed it, I get tempted to ask God questions. Believe me I fall into those temptations and even back them up with scriptures!!!! Some of the questions I ask are:

1.       God but I have been a good girl all my life.

2.       God I have faithfully served you in my local church, I even take time out to encourage others.

3.       Jesus have I not preached about your kingdom everywhere?

4.       Don’t I pray and fast enough, Lord?

5.       Why is this happening to me?

6.       Why me, why not people who have been sinning all their life. I mean it seems as if they are even better off than me?

7.       God how can you put shame on me in this way?

8.       God have I not been through enough?

9.       God are you trying to teach me something?

10.   Is God trying to punish me for something I did in my past?

The list of questions that we ask God is endless. I have been through tough times, I mean who hasn't, right? So what I eventually told myself and what I would like to tell you is, we are never never alone when we are going through those times. Jesus said in His Word, that He would never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  We have established that everyone goes through trying times at some point in their lives. So this is what I would encourage us, to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and not on your problems, not on your past mistakes or present need. Look to Him every day for strength, courage and grace. I know you’ll ask, How do I do that? By looking into God’s Word constantly feeding and meditating on them. To be honest this works and it illuminates your insides and brings you pure joy and happiness that enables you to BE FREE, BE HAPPY AND LIVE IN THE MOMENT.

Here are some Bible verses that I have found encouraging. I would love to share them with you:

Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose minds are stayed on You, because he trusts in Thee”

Romans 8:28 “For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose”.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I have for you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that he Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations”

1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you”

Philippians 4: 19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus”

Romans 8:31 “For if God be for us who can be against us”

Isaiah 49:13 “Sing for joy, Oh heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people and will have compassion on them in their suffering”

Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”

Romans 8:37 “ Yet in all things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us”

I do not have all the answers for you, but I do love to encourage and inspire you!!

Hugs of love!!

Acharacha

A transitioner's journey so far...

Source: thecurlmanual.com

Oh my!!!! This hair journey has been challenging because to be honest I have never paid any attention to my hair as I have been doing for the past three months. My last relaxer was November 2012, so currently my hair is three months post relaxer. At this point it is a bit normal to have a head of hair that hasn’t been relaxed for three months so it is not that difficult to maintain. It is not very easy to care for my hair in this very busy Lagos where you spend hours on the road, but I’ve been managing. If you would like to know how I maintain a healthy hair regimen despite my busy Lagos life, please put the comment in the comment box bellow the article.

As for hair products, I bought a lot of hair products some of which I would not be buying again because I don’t think they are any good for my hair. I would be doing a review of all my first hair products in the future, probably in the next article. The first two months of my journey, I put on kinky twists as a protective style (see pictures in previous article). During this period I moisturised and sealed but I didn’t wash my hair at all!!!! Shame on me!!!Anyway my hair started feeling dirty and weighed down with oils, so I decided to take it down ahead of the time I had originally planned.

After taking down the twists, I decided to try cornrowing my hair by myself on one side of my hair and using perm rods for curls on the other side. EPIC FAIL!!!! Lol!! The next morning, my hair wasn’t dried and I had white flakes from the gel and curl enhancing product I used, AND I HAD TO GO TO WORK!!!! Phewww, I had to act fast and improvise, at the end of the day, I managed to save my “HAIRY” situation. I didn’t feel bad I just know that it’s all trial and error until I master how to care for my hair and find out what works for me. Another style I tried was the bantu nut out. I must say, I think that turned out better than the perm rods. I applied a couple of lessons learned from my perm rod experience. I think I would be trying it again. 

My Current Hair Regimen at three months post relaxer

• I wash my hair once a week and wear it out for about two to three weeks.
• I do a hot oil treatment as my pre poo every wash day. I plan to start alternating a hot oil treatment and the use of honey for my pre poo in the future. This means that, if I do a hot oil treatment this week, then I’ll do a honey treatment the week after.
• After washing, I deep condition with a concoction I make by myself using my favourite conditioner and some oils.
• Then after deep conditioning and rinsing out, I apply my leave in conditioner and seal with an oil or butter and then style.
• During this transitioning period, I plan to wear my hair in kinky twists, Senegalese twits or box braids as my protective style. So my next style would be the box braids or Senegalese twist.
• For my edges, I apply a mixture of Jojoba and peppermint oils. I apply this mixture every night (not very religious but I manage) and tie my edges with a silk band I made. When I run out of my Jojoba oil, I would try the Tropic Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil, everyone talks about how great this is.
• I do not apply any form of heat on my hair (hair dryer, flat iron or curling iron), I just air dry if I need to.

In my next article, I would be talking about some of the results I’ve gotten by maintaining a healthy hair regimen. I would also talk about my first set of natural hair products and a review on each of them.

Thanks a lot for reading this article, please comment, rate and share!!!