Meme Is Naturally Glam!
Were you a slow transitioner or a Big Chopper & why? (tell us your natural hair journey)
I decided to go natural in 2013 because I had always hated the discomfort and smell of the relaxer. i hated weaves as well so it was an easy decision to make, especially after seeing all the glam looking natural hair on YouTube. I had planned to transition for 2 years before chopping off my relaxed ends but I didn’t have the patience to manage the 2 textures so I chopped after 6 months (last retouch) I’m glad I bc’d because I am loving my TWA and all the abbreviations that come with the natural hair world 🙂
Had you always embraced your texture?
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My first relaxer was when I was 8 years old, so relaxed hair is all I knew. I hated it but the only person I saw with natural hair in school got teased so bad and I didn’t want that to be me, so wearing my hair natural was not an option. When I was in my late teens and I would have new growth (in Nigeria we say ‘your hair is due’ when you have new growth) people would ask me,’are you broke? Why aren’t you retouching your hair? It’s gross’. That was the beginning of my new growth insecurities and it didn’t help that my hair grew out really quick. I used to retouch every month.
How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural? How did they react to the new you? What was your response to them?
My mum didn’t get it, neither did my husband. My supportive 2 were my brother and his awesome wife. My mum saw me a month ago and said, ‘hmm your hair is actually not that bad’ my husband still doesn’t get it. He will some day 🙂 At work half of my friends don’t get it but the other half do. There are about 4 natural sisters at work and we’ve been able to convert 3 others who are transitioning slowly; so we support each other. I must confess, I do make a lot of noise about being natural I’m sure I must drive my office mates crazy lol. I’m pretty vocal and convincing as well so even though you don’t get it, you don’t judge it either. I wonder now why I wasn’t that vocal as a teen. Oh well, better late than never.
Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick, highly porous, low, etc.)
My hair is really thick, coily and dry. I call it my true African hair
What’s your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? favorite products! Deets!
I wash my hair every week and every other week when I’m protective styling. Sometimes I condition before I wash depending on how dry my hair feels. I use a conditioning shampoo called African pride and it doesn’t leave my hair feeling super dry after a wash so I’m liking that product. I moisturise every other day; I use coconut oil and olive oil regularly but I do have some experimental products (shampoos, conditioners, gels, curl activator, etc), I use my coconut and olive oil mostly though.
How do you maintain your hair at night?
I have a satin scarf and bonnet ( the bonnet my hubby hates) its purple. I’ll probably buy a black one soon. Maybe he won’t hate it that much if it didn’t remind him of a purple pantie. I twist and tie my hair (the nights I’m styling) in my satin scarf and go to bed but if I have a style on that I don’t have to re-twist, I’ll just tie my scarf and go to bed.
How do you maintain healthy length?
I still have a teeny weeny Afro but its growing out quickly so I’m sticking to my routine and enjoying the short length while it lasts.
What’s the best thing about being curly?
I feel free not fried, more confident, more creative with my hair styles and you know what, iv never really taken care of myself; I’m always taking care of someone else. It makes me feel good to know I can actually take care of myself.
Where can folks find you on the web?
My Instagram @igiob
My twitter handle @meme4him
My YouTube page MemsNaij
