'Natural hair is fun' Mane Matters with Damilola

Hi Naturalistas,
How are you all doing? Today, we bring to you Damilola. She's one of our blog readers
Enjoy!

Can you tell us who you are and what you do?
My name is Damilola Ayorinde. I'm a broadcast journalist and an entrepreneur. I run a millinery line called 'Misi.

What are your thoughts about natural hair?

I think natural hair is tough, but fun once you get a hang of it. I also think that it's versatile.

What are your reasons for going natural?

I wasn't really big on relaxers in the first instance. It always took forever before my hair would get done. Over the years, I encountered people who had their natural hair, I liked what I saw. And once I found out it was possible to do that in Nigeria, I thought, why not?

When/why did you decide to go natural?
I started contemplating going natural sometime in 2012. I finally decided and the last time I relaxed my hair was in April 2013.

Did you do a BC or you transitioned?

I transitioned for about 9 months and then cut off the relaxed ends.

Relaxed hair

What was the experience like?

Hairdressers asking why I wasn't retouching my hair since it was due. I also had friends that had already gone natural encouraging me on the journey. It was a funny period.

What was/is your biggest fear about going Natural?
Memories of my primary school days, especially the 'torture' I went through on Sunday nights whenever my mum straightened my hair with a hot comb so she could thread it haunted me for quite a while. I remember wondering if I wasn't just setting myself up for an unnecessary tough time.

Do you have a regimen you stick to? What is it like?

The closest thing I have to a regimen is the monthly deep conditioning I do after taking out a weave or braids from my hair.

What emotional struggles, if any, have you faced since going natural?

At times, I miss my 'old hair'. It was relatively long and it almost always took me less than five minutes to style! Then my mum and brother (who also double as my biggest fans and fashion critics) thought it was horrible! But guess what? My mum is now natural! The irony of life... :)

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

I'm in this for the long haul.

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

Negative comments, especially from people at work got to me every now and then. I have however decided that everybody is entitled to their opinion, it doesn't make it a fact though. And besides, the constitution still guarantees freedom of expression.

What's your must have product and accessory?

For product, definitely Shea butter. Do bobby pins qualify as accessories? Hehehe

What is your go-to style?

My go to style is a 'frohawk. It never ceases to get me compliments ;) :D

What advice do you have for anyone just going natural?
Going natural must be YOUR decision. Not something you're doing cos it's the new cool. Read as much as you can, and of course watch the you tube videos as well. Ask Naturalistas questions. You should make an informed decision.