Mane Matters with Linda Ilozor

AN: Can you tell us who you are and what you do?

My name is Linda Ilozor. I am from Anambra state. A graduate of Anambra State University and a biochemist. I am an indoor kind of person. I love movies, music, surfing the internet, makeup ( just for myself), reading and lately, since I learnt how to swim, I have also added it as one of my newly found hobby . So the list of things I love this days keeps growing lol.

AN: What's your thoughts about natural hair?

My view on natural hair is that as the name implies. It means its natural ( alias "follow come"), so it's authentic, it's yours, it's unique and it's beautiful because everything God made or gave to you and I is beautiful. So no regret.

AN: Why did you decide to go natural?

relaxed hair

What inspired my decision to go natural was I wanted a change. To be honest, i was very rough with my hair. As a child I had very long hair. But as an adult, I started caring less about my hair. I fixed a lot of weave. Was known as the weave lady. i was addicted to human hair. And for every 3weeks or 4weeks that I was going to change my hair. I will relax my hair so that it will look beautifully blended with the weave. I thought I was actually doing "guy"(fashionable). I didn't realize I was killing my hair more. So before I knew it, I loosed my hair one day and realized my hair was gone. I was surfing the net one day and saw this lady with long hair, a Nigerian,"lush strands ". I became challenged. Then I started taking care of my hair. Started washing and decided to lay off constant relaxing. A month grew to two and one day again,  lol,  I was surfing the Internet again, and saw a Nigerian with natural hair, but this time it was more than just growing my relaxed hair.  It was soo beautiful to me and I felt this likeness and proud of this lady that she could rocked her hair like that without feeling shy or intimidated. That triggered something in me and I realized I didnt even know how or what my natural hair looks like. I don't even know if I had a natural hair because I started relaxing at a very young age. So to be me, that was it. I wanted a change. I wanted something different and something that was me.  And it was my best decision.

AN: Did you do a BC or you transitioned?

I transitioned for 10months and big chopped in December.2013.

Transitioning 

AN: Any fears about the BC?

I don't think I had any fear about big chopping. Yes I had little thoughts about if it was going to fit me and all that coz I was used to long weave and all that. But I told myself that it's me and anybody that likes me truly will like me whether in long or short hair.

The BC

AN: What has your experience been?

Its been good and bad. but in general, My experience so far has been nice. I get a lot of compliment these days.  Not like their opinions matter though. But it's all good because it adds to the feeling of making you feel good. Initially  had some very few people (basically colleagues) tell me that they preferred me in weave and all that but now, they love my hair more than I do and are all considering going natural themselves. *lol*

AN: What was/is your biggest fear about going Natural?

I have made up my mind that this is what I want. A change. I had just little concern about my place of work but it turned out that my boss likes my hair even more. So am lucky I guess . 

Wear my hair to work like this 

AN: Do you think you are in it for the long haul or is it just a phase?

Oh am definitely in this for a long phase

AN: Do you have any hair regimen you stick to?

Wash with Dudu osun bi weekly. Co washing anytime I feel the need to with tresemme or joe trader. Deep condition with shea moisture masque, African naturalista mayonnaise mixed with castor oil, olive , avocado and coconut oil bi weekly too after washing with Dudu Osun. Style with Shea moisture or cantu and depending on if its a wash and go, I finish off with Eco styler gel

AN: Whats your go-to protective style? 

My go to protective style is braids. Kinky braid and I still fix weave once in a while but it's no longer as it used to be.and I have learned to also take care of my hair in them. And I don't carry them for more than 2 weeks cos I always miss my hair, which is weird lol. This minute I want my hair to rest and the next minute am missing my hair and want the protective style out.

AN: There are people that definitely have negative comments about you hair, how do you deal with that?

I really don't allow negative comment get to me. It's my hair, my business not yours . I just smile and move on. And like I said before, all those negative comments from people have all turned to positive comment.

First wash and go attempt

AN: Whats your must have product and accessory?

 Must have product is my Shea moisture product and am yet to get my hair accessories . But am on the look out for really cute ones. So for now, I just go with cute stud earrings.

Hair can fit into a bun :) 

AN: Whats you advice to anyone planning to ditch relaxers?

My advice to anyone is GO ahead and do it. Don't do it for anyone. Do it for yourself. Don't think it's going to make you less of babe or dirty. Natural hair doesn't make people dirty or untidy. Natural hair makes you take good and more care of your self. You are more than just your hair or physical appearance. What lies beneath you matters the most.! One key advice, always wear a clean face when natural and bad hair days, wear a make up  and people will think its fashion lol. 

Thank you for your time.

P.S: Incase you are interested in getting featured, kindly send an email to tomi.akibo@gmail.com with the subject "Mane matters" Indicating your interest and you will get a response. Thanks :)