Training For The Design Essentials Team.

One of the things I'm blessed to do is train stylists in the use of products from the Design Essentials Natural Range. As an Educator for DE, when they need to either increase the knowledge and skill base of new technicians or train stylists in a salon that has recently become a DE partner; I get to come in and show the different ways and methods the products can be used and the different styles that can be achieved.


So recently, DE had signed on new partner salons in Warri, Delta State and also in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where they will soon be launching and as such had a few stylists come down to Lagos to get some training in the use of the products,

Wondrous - the amazing stylist behind Wondrous Hair was in charge of the Salon System line (relaxers et all) and so the stylists had a couple of days with her. I then took over for the next couple of days, taking them through the Natural Line.

Source: Instagram @wondroushair

So I Got Nominated For Best Hairstylist In The Genevieve Beauty Awards!!

Here I was last week, lying down on my favourite couch at home and doing what I like to do best to unwind - scrolling through my Instagram Feed. I come upon Genevieve Magazine's page and notice they have a list of their nominees for their Beauty Awards. So I'm like - ah lets see who got nominated for what.

I start from the first category and I'm going through each one - mentally making a note of who I will vote for and also excited when I see Natural Nigerian nominated in the Best Natural Product (Skin and Hair) Category. Only for me to get to the Best Hair Stylist Category and at the bottom of the list I see Kemi Lewis and my eyes widen in shock with my mouth dropping open - literally!

Caring For Your Little Girl's Hair.

As a little girl I had a couple of dolls I enjoyed playing with - my favorite was my darling Jemima (named after the lead character Jemima Shaw on the TV show 'Jemima Shaw Investigates') and she was my little baby.

She went everywhere with me and styling her hair was one of my favorite pass times.
As girls we want so much to play mummy that we mother our dolls 24/7 so I totally identify with that feeling when you have a real baby girl and want her to look like a pretty little bundle of cuteness  (I know that I can't wait!)

And that is why you see so many babies with these little pretty colorful adornments in their hair. This is fine. However, it begins to be a problem when in styling her hair, follicles and scalp health become compromised.

Over the years, I have seen so many disheartening things being done to little girls all in the name of hair styling but 2 recent separate incidents spurred me to do this post.

Strengthening And Conditioning The Ayurvedic Way.

When I first began my hair journey, I was faithful with my Ayurvedic treatments - Henna fortnightly or monthly and Ayurvedic conditioning at least once a week. My hair had little to zero breakage, was thriving and had amazing thickness and sheen. You see, my 4b strands are fragile and quite prone to breakage so anything that strengthens them without causing dryness is perfect for me.

 Then the desire to try other stuff out (as Yorubas would say, 'ojukokoro' lol)  plus lack of time saw me doing less and less of it till I practically abandoned it altogether. Lately I haven't been feeling my hair because I wasn't getting the best of it and therefore needed to tweak my regimen or completely overhaul it.

I was reading NappilyNigerianGirl's blog one day and realized two things:

- We have somewhat similar textures and fragile strands

- She doesn't joke with her Ayurvedic treatments (including oiling) and has been able to strengthen her strands to the point where her breakage is almost minimal - meaning better length retention of course (she's currently at waist length) Now while that's not really a goal for me, better length retention and healthier, stronger strands definitely is!

Source: Nappilnigeriangirl.com

My Warri, Delta State Trip, Courtesy Pam Hairitage!!

Ah! So I have this customer Pamela, who lives in Warri, Delta State and anytime she's in Lagos, she always makes it a point to come down to the salon to have her hair pampered. She called me a few months ago saying she really wanted to start bringing the naturalistas in Warri together and was thinking of hosting a Natural Hair Themed event and asked if I'd be willing to come down to support. Of course I said I would love to!

So, July 16th was set as the D Day and everything was planned and organized. My flight was due to leave at 7.40am on Friday the 15th so I got up bright and early, had a cab drop me off at the airport and joined the long Arik queue for check in. 7.30, 8.30, 9.30, 10.00 - No boarding call!!! All I could think of was those extra hours I could have been sleeping in my bed! Finally at about 10.30 we started boarding amid the usual 'we're sorry for the delay blah blah'.

Landed safely in Warri and I had a driver waiting for me to take me to my hotel. Got in the hotel, threw off my clothes, ordered some food and then slept!! I mean this was Friday, one of my busiest days of the week and I get to be in a hotel room with no heads of hair to wash or customers to attend to! Instead it was Room service and T.V? And a big, soft bed?? Aaah! It was heaven! loll As much as I love what I do, it was a good feeling to just lounge and sleep in the middle of the day.

Anyway, the following day dawned bright and early, and my assigned driver came to get me and dropped me off at the venue. I have to give it to Warri Naturalistas - they were on time!! Event was due to hold at 12 noon and we already had people seated by past 11.

Happy Anniversary to Us!! We're 3!!!

source:youtube.com

Honestly I can't believe how much time just flies!!! I remember just like it was yesterday - the mix of excitement, fear, panic and sheer joy. God has truly been faithful - in the past 3 years we've expanded our range of products and services, grown from 3 staff to 10, grown our client base and there are so many more things that God has in store for us!!

August 9th 2013 - My friends supporting me on the opening day even though they weren't (and still aren't lol) natural.

In the beginning - we had a small generator and couldn't put up a sign yet. Spot the small airer for our towels?

We started with whipped shea butter in 2 scents - Lavender and Jasmine

2 styling stations was what we first started with

'Dream, Hustle, Achieve' - My Diamond TV feature!!!!

I was so stoked yesterday when a friend tagged me on Diamond TV App's post  yesterday showing that I'd been featured on their Dream Hustle Achieve Series which showcases female entrepreneurs. (To go to their site, click here )

They had actually approached me in June or July last year and shot this then; so I had practically forgotten about this until I saw it on their instagram page and went and watched the video. Another amazing thing is that the friend who tagged me on instagram is the same friend I speak about in the video who helped me create KL's Naturals!!