Hey lovely people,
It’s that beautiful time again.
Nafisah and Oge who blog at Coily Head of Hair and I are presently having a giveaway.
Tag Archives: natural Nigerian
NITC 12
Hey guys,
So the 12th NITC (Naturals In The City), a natural hair and lifestyle meetup, was on the 26th of September and as you probably know, I went.
I met some lovely blog readers and I got to meet some great bloggers too e.g Nafisah and Grace.
This time, I wasn’t early so the hall was full when I got there(there were soooo many people at this NITC!). As a result, I will not be doing a summary of the talks because I missed them unfortunately.
I however have pictures for you!
NITC 11
Hi beautiful people!
The eleventh NITC was on Saturday.
In case you don’t know what NITC is, *gasps* where have you been?!
It’s a hair meetup that holds a few times a year organized by Natural Nigerian, The Kink and I and Carib Health.
As always, it was an opportunity to mingle, learn, shop and feed your eyes with beautiful hair.
It seems Mother Nature didn’t get the memo though because it was raining for the better part of the day. As a result, the turnout wasn’t as good as it usually is but there was still a good number of people.
The theme of the event was Keeping It Real.
There were four talks and I have the scoop.
Talk 1: By Kelechi Koko- @yellowsisi
Main points:
Some things that dry your hair out-
- Products- Not all products work for everyone. Some things might be moisturizing for some and drying for others e.g. aloe vera, shea butter, ACV.
- Not moisturizing properly.
- Build up.
- Natural hair is for everyone; it grows out of your scalp; but not everyone is patient enough to handle it.
- Don’t confuse breakage with shedding. It’s normal for your hair to shed daily; don’t think it’s breaking when it isn’t.
Talk 2: By Esther Morenikeji (a weight loss professional)- @estamorenikeji
She was so so so funny, relatable and fun to listen to!
Main points:
- Fitfam and naturalistas have things in common. They like sharp sharp things. (LOL! So true!)
- The purpose of exercise is beyond body beautiful.
- Being thin doesn’t necessarily mean you’re fit.
- Not every time fry fry. Sometimes, toast, roast and grill.
- For a healthier stew, boil the tomatoes and pepper till almost dry and add a little oil followed by your spices. (As opposed to the original method of frying the tomatoes in oil)
- Do a maintainable diet so it doesn’t seem like a punishment. Don’t go for expensive food stuff that you can’t maintain.
- Exercise doesn’t have to be anything major. Walk, jump rope.
- Bulk your meals with veggies and proteins as opposed to carbohydrates.
- Nigerian foods are not unhealthy. They can be healthy when you choose healthier methods of preparing them and eat the correct portions.
Talk 3: By Cherise (Not sure)- Carib Health.
Main points:
- Don’t overdo weight loss. 4kg per month is acceptable weight loss.
- Drink water before you eat; like 30 mins before. This helps you eat less and digest better.
- Eat slower and savour your meal; it helps you eat less.
- Mixing fruit and meat can cause bloating. Eat fruits first and then food like 30 mins later.
- Don’t eat high in sugar fruits at night e.g mangoes and pineapples.
Carib Health also has a wellness show every Sunday at 1pm on 92.3
Talk 4: By Geraldine- Intimate Pleasures
To be extremely honest, I did not write anything in this segment. I was too busy listening and oohing and giggling.
But to summarize, it was an interactive sex talk with topics ranging from tampons versus menstrual cups to perceptions about sexually liberated women in our society to vibrators.
It was quite interesting.
Side note: During the talk, someone mentioned ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) for infections ‘down there’. Diluted with water and used to rinse (alternatively you can sit in a bowl of it for a short while), it helps to alleviate itching and cure the infection.
So here’s what we really came for, pictures!
Linda of Lily’s Natural Hair
Ife
She has clip ins in her hair which she made herself
Kanyinsola
Ekene of The Kink And I
Ify of Ify’s Musings
Ekene and Isioma
Can you believe this is a weave?
The hall with vendors
Shopping and chatting
Berry of Berry Dakara and Nicole 
Atilola of African Naturalistas 
Here’s what I bought (even though I said I wouldn’t buy anything at all) 
Island Shea Butter Cup from Savvy & Chic
A floral headband from Fashion Strings (I was apprehensive about buying it because the last time I bought stuff from them, everything spoilt in no time but let’s see)
I also got a Henna Tattoo from The Henna Place
Outfit of the day
I scored this Eve and Tribe skirt on sale for less than 2000 Naira some time ago.
And that’s a wrap on NITC 11!
Shoutout to Anita, a lovely blog reader who said hi!
How was NITC 11 for you if you attended? If you didn’t attend, tell me whyyyyyy? How’s your week going?
NITC 10
Hi guys,
NITC 10 was on Saturday and I went. I think this is the third one I've been to. If you missed it, not to worry; I gat you(sort of).
I was really early for this one and I got a little bag of Jessicurl samples for being early(See why you should say NO to African time?).
There were 4 talks:
1. Dr Sandra of Naija Girl Next Door spoke about making the most of what you have product-wise.
Pretty jumpsuit ei?
Main Points:
-Be realistic- Don't buy products with unrealistic expectations e.g an expensive curl cream when you know your hair will probably never curl like that of the girl on the container.
-Pick one- Pick the best product/the product that works best for you e.g you don't need to have 4 conditioners; just pick one.
-Merge products- Use multitasking products e.g a rinse out conditioner that can serve as a leave in.
-Use a light hand- Don't be heavy handed with products.
-DIY- It's relatively inexpensive; you can strike gold with trial and error.
2. Nkechi of Formula Botanica spoke about making the most of things around you for natural skin care
Although you can't see it well, she has amazing skin.
Main Points:
-For cleansing- The Oil Cleansing Method(she recommended castor oil for this), honey, yoghurt(you can add some lemon/lemon essential oil), black soap.
-For moisturizing- Aloe vera, green tea and other humectants can be added to your moisturizer.
-As a serum- 1 teaspoon water + 2 teaspoons glycerin + half teaspoon vitamin C(Ascorbic acid in powdered form. Found in pharmacies)
-For the under eye area- Witch hazel(can be found in pharmacies), cucumber, green tea bags, lemon juice(for dark circles), aloe vera.
-For exfoliants and masks- clays(e.g bentonite), bananas, tomatoes, cocoa, yoghurt, honey, milk, sea salt.
-As a toner- Witch hazel(for oily skin) and floral waters(e.g rose water for dry skin)
-Don't store natural products/DIY mixes as they are a breeding ground for bacteria. Make them in small, single-use batches.
3. Dr Patrick of Carib Health spoke about making the most of the natural foods around us.
Main Points:
-Go for a checkup annually(I won't even lie, I don't think I've ever been for a checkup. I only go to the hospital when I'm sick)
-The following foods are super good for you:
~Tigernuts(Those brownish small things that mallams hawk that you chew and spit out. He suggested eating them like 2 times a week)
~Dates(Also hawked by mallams. Brownish like a big raisin)
~Moringa
~Bitter leaf
-Doing a detox every now and then is very beneficial.
4. Isioma spoke about loving yourself. It was also her birthday!
Main Points:
–Self love- Love yourself just the way you are. Any changes you make, do them for yourself and not for anyone.
-Acceptance- Accept that you are who you are and make the most of whatever your situation is. E.g If your hair does not curl, that is something it does not do. Accept it, focus on and rock what your hair can do.
-A little selfishness goes a long way- Think about yourself every now and then and put yourself and your opinions first.
-You are the only you you have
There was also a panel where some ladies were asked questions about their hair and experiences but I only stayed for the first few minutes of this part before I had to leave.
I had good conversations about hair with a couple of people before the main event started.
I also took a few shots of a few good people.
Loved her threaded hair! Not sure if I can pull it off though.
AB's twists were on serious fleek
(Taking pictures like a professional stalker)
Wish I had taken more pictures but my battery was at about 15% when I got there.
By the way, do you know The Kink and I now has a store?
I got this cute note with my purchase from their stand at NITC.
And shoutout to the lady that recognized me from here and said hi! 😀
Keep your eyes glued to Natural Nigerian and The Kink and I for more deets and pictures from NITC 10 soon.
Sidebar: My friends and I went to lunch afterwards and we thought our experience was totally “blogable” so that might show up here as a restaurant review sometime within the week. I wanted to add it to this post but I am not a fan of really long posts.
Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @nigerianandnatural
Xoxo
2015 thus far
It's the last day of February already!
Remember my Pounds and Inches post? I talked about two areas I wanted to work on in 2015.
Seeing as we're entering the third month of the year already, I was thinking about my progress(or lack thereof)
One area I wanted to work on was that I wanted to post more on the blog this year.
In that aspect, I hope you will agree with me that there has been some improvement. This is the 9th week of the year(if I'm correct) and there's been 11 posts on the blog so far(including this one). That's about a post a week as opposed to 2 posts a month last year. I hope to still improve but so far, I think I can give myself a pat on the back.
The other area I wanted to work on was losing weight.
I wish I had worked on this but honestly I have so many excuses that I'd rather not share at the risk of sounding ridiculous.
I even started my day today with hot akara and sugary creamy pap while my mates were probably lifting weights and gulping down smoothies *sigh*.
I'm not going to even lie and say I've made any effort because I haven't in all honesty. I know how to lose weight, really I think I do. My problem is the lack of willpower aka laziness and the fact that I have a job now and less time for workouts and meal prep.
In other news, next week Saturday (7th of March) is NITC 10.
Venue: The Social Place, 33 Sinari Daranijo street, VI
Time: 1:30 to 5:30(Don't be late, I missed a lot the last time because I was late)
Gate fee: N500
As always, there will be hair talks, giveaways and stands where you can buy those hair products you have been lusting after. There will be a product swap also so bring those products you don't want(not more than halfway used) to swap for other stuff.
And as always, everyone is invited; natural, relaxed, texlaxed, on a healthy hair journey, curious etc
I will most probably be there so if you see me, do say hi! 😀
How are your 2015 goals coming along? Do you have any weightloss tips for me with my newly busy life? Please share; I love to read your comments.
Xoxo
Natural hair event in Lagos!
Hi y’all, I just dropped by to inform you guys that there will be a natural hair event in Lagos on the 30th of Novemeber! *crowd goes wild*
It’s called Naturals In The City(NITC) and this is actually the 7th time it’s being held. I’ve never attended one but I’ve seen the pictures and it looks like so much fun. There’s natural, transitioning and even relaxed ladies to meet, educative hair talks, various stands where you can buy natural hair goodies and lots more. I wasn’t able to go for the 6th one because I was at NYSC camp I think but I hope to be there for this one!
This one is going to focus on protective styling. And guess what? There’ll be a product swap! So bring all the products you don’t want and see if you can swap them with people. If I go, I’ll definitely be bringing my Ecostyler gel that’s still full.
Venue: Omenka Gallery, 24 Ikoyi Crescent off Osborne RD, Ikoyi Lagos.
Date: 30th November, 2013.
Time: 1:30pm to 5:30pm
ENTRY IS FREE! *team cheapskate applauds* But hold your cash to buy some products and stuff at the stands!
So save the date and make sure you come! Tell someone to tell someone
Jennifer Abah 