AN Natural Hair Bride: Akibo Tommie

I don't know if you know this, but one of our Team members, Akibo Tommie got married a few months ago. Of course, she was a Natural Hair Bride, and who better to share her bridal hair story with, than us? Happy reading!

I had always known I was going to style my natural hair for my wedding but I didn’t have any details just a bunch of inspirational pictures that I must have shared on this platform too. My opportunity came when I met Omozo of O’Naturals (she also styled Berry's hair for her wedding) when she styled my sister’s hair for her wedding December last year. I quickly ‘booked’ down in advance. At the time I didn’t even know when I was getting married, but by the beginning of this year we had fixed a date for introduction in March and things were beginning to firm up.

After we had chosen a date for the wedding in March I had about 3-4 Months to prepare in advance. I already knew who would make my hair, got her number and called her up to fix our first appointment. This first appointment, I was to bring with me ideas I had in mind and we would discuss how they run their bridal package and price. In the bridal package you are entitled to 3 appointments, one for a protein treatment, another deep conditioning treatment and the last one hair trial. We discussed all the details which also required you to make a quarter of the total payment to secure your booking after which we fixed a date for my first appointment.

I had about 3 months before the wedding and that was enough time in between each appointment, She rang it into my ears well to take care of my hair well because there is so much ‘care’ they can give me in those 3 appointments if I went home and treated my hair anyhow.

First Treatment; Prior to this time, I had never done a protein treatment on my hair, I had only seen the placenta treatment being done in salons on relaxed hair, I don’t even know if they are the same. I complained to Omozo about my hair loss after washing and after we went through the treatment - which required you to sit under the dryer till your hair is rock solid (no kidding), then it is washed off, it was like magic. There was little or no hair pulling out as she pulled the wet hair. I was so excited. She warned that my hair may be harder after the treatment but after a deep condition I would be fine and I didn’t even experience the hardness. I was excited about it strengthening my hair.

Hair Trial; With the styles I showed Omozo as my inspiration she already knew I was a fan of texture, twists and puff. She had a looot of pictures I could choose from which made me spoilt for choice. I had the chance of trying out 3 hair styles and would make a choice from those and although she had warned me to cancel my other appointments for the day so we could try all 3 but I didn’t, we could try just one style that day. For the first look we did a puffy thread with a side part. 

I was happy with this honestly but she convinced me that we should try more styles when I came in for the last appointment which was about a week to the wedding. I had my pre-wedding shoot the next day after this appointment, coincidentally, She decided to glam my hair up for me too at zero cost!!!! I had to sleep in head-awkward positions so I would not mess it up before the shoot because it was a pin-updo.

Choosing the final style; Seeing as I am a big fan of texture and twists, I was very fine with the texture the puffy threads gave me but I wasn’t quite sure of the front. I kept looking at other styles till I stumbled on one which had twists in the front. I suggested we try the puffy thread style again but this time with twists in front and as I looked in the mirror, I knew I had found the style there wasn’t even any need to try the last one. I was happy!!

The night before the wedding, we washed and steamed the hair for 30 mins and they proceeded to put in the kinky extensions so we wouldn’t have to waste time on the morning of the wedding. All that was left on the morning of the wedding was the puffy threads and pinning the twists up in place.

I absolutely loved my look and most especially loved working with Omozo, anyone that has met her will testify that she is fun to work with. Plenty gist and laughter. This journey helped me take better care of my natural hair, know the importance of a consultation once in a while and discover protein treatments!

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww, wasn't that sweet? CONGRATULATIONS TOMI! Now I want to get married again :-|

Berry Dakara.

P.S. If you were or are an upcoming natural hair bride and don't mind sharing your story and photos, email me at berrydakara@gmail.com.