Natural Hair Tip #16

December 13, 2016 Uloaku Enyingwa 0 Comments

MOISTURE


For low porosity hair, here's how to get away with having a well moisturized hair without having to apply leave-in conditioner as often:

- Put on a plastic cap/bag before your satin cap/scarf when going to bed. To increase moisture level, add a head warmer.

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Day Out At The Nigerian Natural Hair & Beauty Show

November 20, 2016 Uloaku Enyingwa 0 Comments

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I still feel bubbly from all the fun I had at the NNHB show.... and to think I almost didn't go. Wheew! 
The expo kicked off at 11 am, at Harbour piont, Victoria island, Lagos state but I got there by 2 pm(errr... I had errands to run plus trust Lagos traffic na). The good thing is, I got there just in time for Yagazie Emezi's(she's one of the reasons I was there in the first place) talk about challenging beauty standards through photography.

 

Another reason I was here, was  Zara. She did give some blogging advice I could use.

I liked Kiitana demo on protective styling with crochet braids/weaves, may give it a try sometime.
One thing that struck me was the super friendliness of the guest speakers... Awesome!

Okay.... there are more interesting things I could say about the show but can I just let the pictures do the talking for me?.. Okay, cool! 




Zara

Kiitiana

Ijeoma of Klassykinks


So uhmm....while the talk was going on, I was busy admiring this.


Even though this pic came out blurry, it's still one of my fave. Here I was begging to touch thy hair.  



Say hello to my photographer of the day






Ohh...this color is pretty










Too bad I couldn't stay until the end of the show though.

And that's a wrap.



























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Passing Outta Here!!!

November 07, 2016 Uloaku Enyingwa 2 Comments


Hola!

So last Friday I completed my service (National Youth Service Corps) to my country, Nigeria (greatest sigh of relief). During the service year, I did have some challenges but that’s a story for another time. All through these I’m thankful to my dad, he has been my rock.
Albeit the challenges, serving in a new state has been an interesting one, a lot has happened. I’ve learnt from each experience, still learning a few and started working to achieve some goals:

  1. I got better at smiling & being more optimistic when going through a really bad situation, even though at a tiny corner in my heart, I’m expecting the worst.

  2. Got to make friends with some of the most inspiring and encouraging people so far.

  3. I realized I was more judgemental than I thought & finally learning to be less of that.

  4. Finally started blogging, thanks to my dad, Olawale and Adenike. You guys rock!

  5. I think I’m becoming more of an introvert turned ambivert (some people will argue on this one).

  6. I became more confident, hardworking and focused on things I want to achieve.

  7. Learning to let go of fears and just taking a plunge.

  8. I’m finally beginning to understand why “family is everything”.

  9. Taking out time to study and understand people, so I can deal with each one accordingly.

  10. I discovered I love travelling.

  11. Learning how to be less anxious of the future and just taking one day at a time.

  12. Sometimes people will never understand you because, they’ll never take the time to look at the other side of things.

  13. Lastly, I don’t care about certain things the way I used to. Things are different for me now. I’m different now.

Over all these, I’d say the NYSC scheme did a good one on me.
For the pass out day, of course I had to slay with the fro. I had planned some picture taking with some of the natural "haired" girls but it didn’t quite work out. I ended up taking pictures with just 2 members of the natural hair "gang". Ouch!
Anyway it was still a satisfying and fun day. For my look, I did a braid out to stretch my fro. Enjoy the pictures.

Natural hair gang







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All About Hair Porosity

October 23, 2016 Uloaku Enyingwa 2 Comments


Hi guys!

It's been pretty quiet in here for a while now, I've been so swamped trying to catch up on my coding (Computer programming) and also trying to meet up deadlines at a coding boot camp.
I've missed this space big time and for today, I'll be doing a post that might change your hair game.
Before diving in, it's question time!
Ever wondered why some hair products doesn't work on your hair? Why your hair is constantly dry? Why it takes up so much time to get dry? or why it easily frizzes?
No? You have no idea?
It has to do with your hair porosity.

Hair poro-- what?!

Yes! Hair porosity, for some peeps that have no clue that such word existed.

So what's hair porosity?

Hair porosity is your hair ability or inability to absorb water, moisture or products and retain it. Maybe your hair absorb moisture easily but isn't able to retain this moisture or it's difficult to absorb moisture but once absorbed, retains it well. It's all porosity guys.
I've known about this hair porosity thing since my big chop (April 2015) but just took it seriously a while back. It turned out that the regimen & products I already had worked well enough for my porosity type with little tweaks in between.

There are different types of hair porosity:
-Low
-Normal
-High

HOW TO DETERMINE HAIR POROSITY


 TEST 1: During your wash day, take a strand of clean, product free hair and drop it in a glass of water. Leave for few minutes.

Low porosity- floats on top.

Normal porosity- floats at the middle.
High porosity-sinks to the bottom of the glass.


 TEST 2: Place a single strand of hair in between your fingers. Slide your fingers up the strand of hair towards your scalp.

Low porosity- fingers slides up smoothly.
High porosity- Fingers feels some bumps on the way up.

LOW POROSITY
It doesn't absorb moisture easily due to tightly packed cuticle, as a result products tends to sit on your hair, leading to product build up. Low porosity hair also takes longer to dry. The good thing about low porosity is that once it absorbs moisture or products, it retains  it well.
With low porosity you'll need a little bit of manipulation to open up your cuticle, so you'll be able to absorb moisture and close back the cuticle so as to retain moisture.
Include these in your hair regimen:

  1.  Steam your hair to open your cuticle (you can also start your wash day with warm water).
  2. Use products with a low pH, because high acidity keeps your cuticle closed.
  3. Seal hair with light oils like coconut oil.
  4. Hot oil treatments are great for your routine.
  5. Adding humectants like honey, glycerin also helps.


NORMAL POROSITY
It's balanced, there's no need to worry that pretty head of yours. Just beware of adding too much protein or using too much heat or chemical (like dyes), because they can alter your hair cuticle.

HIGH POROSITY
It absorbs moisture easily due to raised cuticle but has inability to retain it. The cuticle has been damaged due to over use of heat or chemicals.

While having a high porosity is irreversible, try doing these to help.
Include these in your hair regimen:

  1. Protein treatments will help to strengthen the hair cuticle.
  2. Use thick leave-in conditioners and, thick butters and oils.
  3. Use acidic products to help tighten open cuticle.
Oh and I just realized I didn't say what hair porosity type I have. It's low porosity. Going back to my coding world now, until next post.


Love.
The Frorocker.

2 responses:

Natural Hair Tip #15

September 27, 2016 Uloaku Enyingwa 0 Comments

DETANGLING HAIR


Having an “out of leave-in conditioner” situation?
Put some water in a spray bottle and lightly spritz hair until it’s damp enough for easy combing or detangling.

Caution!: Spritz to the point of dampness, not dripping wet!

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Frospiration! | Chinazom

September 23, 2016 Uloaku Enyingwa 0 Comments

Let’s get to know you

My name is Chinazom Izuora. I’m from Anambra State.  I currently live and work in Abuja, Nigeria. I am a freelance Business Consultant and Entrepreneur.

How long have you been a natural?

I unwittingly became natural towards the end of 2009, which was when I started growing out my hair which I had on a low-cut for years. I spent almost 4 years in the Philippines and I felt because our hair textures are very different,  Asian hair products may damage my hair. At that time my goal was just to manage it until I got back to Nigeria and could do the reliable relaxer I know.

Big chop or transition?

Growing out my hair from a low-cut was definitely a big chop. I had to cut my hair in 2006 or 2007 for the second time,  after I cut it in 2003 because of secondary school.

What’s the story behind you going back to your natural roots? 

With my natural hair journey, I find it has always been me trying to do what I feet is best for my hair. So I wouldn’t texturize or relax it all the years I was in the Philippines because I didn’t want to damage my hair but by the time I got back to Nigeria in 2013, I started reading literature on natural hair and then I couldn’t do it because my hair was so healthy and full that the thought of relaxer damage just scared me. My relaxed hair isn’t full at all.


Do you have an idea what your hair type and porosity is?

I’ve done a lot of natural hair research and the hair type thing still confuses me. I think my hair has a combination of different textures but I reference 4C when looking for what works for my hair in terms of care and styling.

What’s your regimen like?

I wash my hair at least once a month if I’m protective styling but when I have my hair out I wash it every two weeks with just conditioner. I deep condition at least once a month but if I’m going to have a protective style (like braids) on for a long time, I deep condition before I make my hair and once I take it off.  I use shampoo but just when I feel my hair is really dirty, like if I’ve been in a very dusty place.

Any hair products you can’t do without?

A lot of naturals are product junkies but I keep it very simple and DIY. I can’t do without shea butter, coconut oil and honey…I love them.  I also love detangling my hair with yoghurt before I wash it.

What’s your go- to hairstyle? Any fave hairstyle?

Double strand twists are my all-time favourite, I just twist my hair and carry it for weeks, it even looks like dreadlocks, then when I take it out I have a twist out. But my go-to hairstyle for busy times when I have my hair out is an upward bun with a flat twist in front.

Challenges you face as a natural.

Up until you learn how to manage your natural hair and have some go-to styles, it can be time consuming to tame a fro, especially if you work a 9-5 and need to be out of the house by 7am but I’m way past that now. For me the most vexing thing with being natural is the attitude of some salon owners and some stylists. It’s hard for me to have my hair done in a salon because some stylists don’t listen and do all the things naturals know not to do to African hair…like comb it from the roots instead of from the tips and use tiny/ narrow toothed combs to comb natural hair.

Do you have any hair/styling secret? *wink*

There’s no secret, the information is online somewhere or several places. It’s important to keep learning.

Has going natural changed anything about you? 

Any hair that grows out of your head -relaxed or not is natural hair. People forget that, the natural hair movement is all about us appreciating the hair that grows out of our head no matter how we choose to wear it and not constantly hiding it behind weaves.  That I choose to wear mine unrelaxed is because that’s when my hair is at its healthiest and best texture.

Do you think you’ll ever return to the creamy crack?

I love my natural hair so I doubt it very much.

Any advice for your natural sisters out there?

I would just say, don’t treat wearing your hair natural or unrelaxed as a fad or the in-thing. Learn as much as you can about African hair, what works and what doesn’t work for it. Find ways to simplify and learn styles that can be your go-to styles so that you don’t get overwhelmed or feel sticking to your decision to go natural is a burden.

How do we keep in touch with you? 

My blog isn’t up right now but you can follow me on Instagram @Chizbeth and on twitter @ chizzyizzy

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Natural Hair Tip #14

September 06, 2016 Uloaku Enyingwa 0 Comments

COMBING HAIR


NEVER comb your hair when dry, prior to styling. Always moisturize first with a leave-in conditioner to soften hair. This helps glides the comb through your strands in a pain free manner and with less breakage.

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3 Ways To Style Faux Locs

August 30, 2016 Uloaku Enyingwa 4 Comments

Hey, beauts!
I finally get to take down my faux locs tomorrow. It’ll be a day shy of 8 weeks.
Whew! 8 weeks! I can’t remember having a protective style for this long. This time I did set the challenge of rocking it for 6-7 weeks, but life happened and gave me an additional week. I’ve been busy lately and although I miss my natural hair, to be honest, I was a bit reluctant to take these down because I’m not looking forward to a real wash day. For the past 8 weeks wash days has been so easy peasy that I’ve almost forgotten what a real wash day feels like. Well, I’ll be back to wash day reality soonest!
Having a boring hair is one thing I didn’t want while I had my locs, so I tried switching to different styles. Some peeps have been asking how I style my faux locs and here’s my last chance to show them how before the takedown.
Enjoy!
1 | SIDE SWEPT
I’ve tried this style on box braids before but it’s awesome with faux locs.
STEPS
1. Do a rectangular part i.e one side of the part should have more locs.
2– 4. Hold it in a ponytail using an elastic band.
5. Take out a piece from the ponytail and wrap around the elastic band to hide it, if you want a cooler look.
6-7. Choose the side you want the sweep to fall. If you want it on your right take the ponytail to the left and vice-versa. You get?
Now sweep the ponytail to where you want.
8–13. Take few pieces (usually 2 pieces works well with my faux loc) from the left and right sides, the ones closest to the rectangular part and tie at the back to secure the sweep.
2 | CHINESE BUNSomehow the pieces of faux locs left out of the bun reminds me of chopsticks. This style was inspired by my sister and it’s really easy to do. Do I even need to explain? Maybe just step 2 and 3.
2-3 After putting the locs in a ponytail, keep the two chopsticks pieces apart from the rest, so they don’t get lost while you do the bun.
3 | BRAIDED BAND
Or as a friend calls it: “the ninja look”.
STEPS
1-3. Take 3 pieces of locs and braid it down.
4. Take it across your forehead
5-7. Take a few pieces from the left and right sides to tie at the back, so as to secure the band.
And there you have it! Wishing you a fabulous week ahead!
Which style will you be trying soon?


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