9 Nigerian Celebrities That SLAYED Their Natural Hair In 2016

Hello, everyone.

Last year, we saw a rise of Nigerian natural haired celebrities coming into their own. Many of them started to wear their natural hair with pride. They used every opportunity they got to stunt for the 'gram. It was such an amazing thing to watch.

Well, if you haven't been paying attention at all, here are nine celebrities that slew their natural hair in 2016.

In no particular order;

• Sika Osei

• Omoni Oboli

• Asa

• Adesua Onyenokwe

• Beverly Naya

• Adesua Etomi

• Mo Abudu

Wow! Too much sauce!

Who did it for you in 2016?

Who is your favorite?

Love, curls, and coils.
Ebunitehair

Natural Hair at the 2017 Golden Globes Award

Hello, everyone.

On the other side of the world, it's award season, which usually means glitz and glamor and everyone trying to outdo one another.

But here at African Naturalistas, we're more interested in the celebrities who slayed their natural hair game. Especially those that brought their A- game. It's also a time for us to see new styles which the hairstylists have come up with and possible trends to look out for during the course of the year.

At this year's Golden Globes. there were three celebrities who stood out with their natural hair; Issa Rae, Tracee Eliss Ross and Janelle Monae. 

Let's see what their stylists came up with.

• Issa Rae styled by Felicia Leatherwood

Actress Issa Rae was styled by natural hair stylist extraordinaire Felicia Leatherwood who is known for styling celebrities. For the Golden Globes, she chose this twisted auburn(?) updo which blended with Issa's hair color and the result was flawless. From her sleeked edges to well placed extensions, this is absolutely stunning. We also love that it suits Issa's face perfectly! This style is a clearly a winner.

• Janelle Monae styled by Nikki Nelms

You'll agree with me when I say that Janelle's studded Corseted Updo is probably the most unique style of the night. Paired with that stunning outfit, it's gorgeous and Janelle wears it with so much poise, you would think she was royalty. Would we see more of this on the red carpet this year? We can only watch and see. 

• Tracee Ellis Ross styled by Araxi Lindsey

You know when they say there's beauty in simplicity? This is what they mean. Sometimes, a sleek ponytail is everything you need to nail that glam look. Tracee looks absolutely graceful in this ponytail. Now, I'm battling within myself, whether or not she added a bit of extension to puff it up. Regardless, it is well blended and she looks beautiful. 

So, which one did it for you? Which is your favorite?

Love, curls, and coils.

Ebun Oluwole.

What Inspired Teyonnah Parris To Go Natural

Hello, everyone!

Season's greetings!

After Solange, Teyonnah is another major natural hair icon in the natural hair community. Her luscious mane is constantly a source of envy and 'natural hair goals'. Sometimes, we even wonder if she added extensions but we have come to learn that's it's all her hair and we can only appreciate it.

I'm sure you're just as curious as I am to find out what exactly inspired her natural hair journey which she began in 2010. Well, in a chat with New African Woman, she reveals how and why she ditched relaxers to embrace her gorgeous natural hair.

 

Read excerpts below.

On how she manages her big hair: 

I mean, it’s the hair that came out of my head, so it’s literally learning how to style it, how to love it, how to care for it. I’ve had the pleasure to work with Felicia Leatherwood, who has taught me so much about my hair. It’s all about learning, it’s a learning process.

On her exact reason for going natural:

Hair can be an accessory like anything else, you don’t have to be natural. For me, it was really about self-acceptance. And from that point, if I can wake up as God made me and then decide if I want to have straight hair or put on a wig today, that’s fine. It’s a choice. But it wasn’t a choice for me before, I felt like I had to look a certain way, and I would like young women to know that you don’t have to look like anything or what anybody says you should look like. You can look like yourself just like God made you. You’re unique! You don’t have to bend, lighten and straighten to look like somebody else. You’re beautiful just the way you are. It’s only right, to learn to love and accept that.

On accepting her natural hair:

There was a moment when I realized, I am manipulating myself to look like something else. What do I actually look like? And I really wanted to know. So that began, a year of figuring out the transitioning process, and how to love and accept myself as I am.

Head over to NewAfricanWoman to read the rest of the interview.

All The Times Yemi Alade Made A Statement With Her Natural Hair

Hello, everyone!

When the award-winning musician came into the limelight a few years ago, the first thing she did for her brand was to choose distinct, afrocentric hairstyles that stood her out. While others were trying to channel their foreign counterparts, Yemi Alade chose to reflect her roots. That was probably the single most important thing she did.

Over time, we've come to appreciate her and all of the statements and conversations she has started with it. Which is why, I've decided to compile this list.

Before we proceed, a few of you might be having doubts as to whether or not her hair is fully natural. Well, yes she is but all of the styles she is able to achieve is with the help of extensions. Just so we're clear.

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This was one of those rare times we got to see what her hair actually looks like and I'm glad she shared this photo to clear our doubts.

Now, let's see all the other interesting styles.

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Yemi Alade is clearly having so much fun with her hair and we're here for it.

Did anyone notice that her staple styles are mostly different variations of the froawk? I know I did.

It's good to see that muscians are stepping out of the status quo.

Love,curls and coils

eBunite

Throwback To That Time Genevieve Magazine Featured Three Naturalistas On Their Cover

Hello everyone!

I don't know about you but I'm so glad that natural hair is finally seeping into mainstream media such that it is gradually becoming a beauty standard of sorts.

Just last week, popular lifestyle magazine, Genevieve released their July issue. The cover featured four picture-perfect female celebrities - Mo'Cheddah, Beverly Naya, Adesua Etomi and Sika Osei - in what was tagged, Fearlessly Female. 

Beverly Naya, Sika Osei, Adesua Etomi & Mo'Cheddah are fearlessly female on our July cover. See link in bio for details Cover look (gold) all outfits @houseofmarie_ng. Jewellery @mysparklediva1. Photography @chini_studiowellbrook for @studiowellbrook. Styling-@hyperfashun. Kinky extensions by X-Pression. Hairstyling- @tasalahq, Makeup @zaroncosmetics, Fashion Assistant @i_am_annette_ and vanessa aneto. Cover creative @segunoluwole

A photo posted by Genevieve Magazine (@genevievemagazine) on Jul 18, 2016 at 10:21am PDT

Although, the cover received a bit of backlash which was due to some of the quotes used but the most striking thing and perhaps the ONLY think I saw, was HAIR! 

3 NATURAL HAIR CELEBRITIES on one cover? It has never happened before.

What made me even more excited was that we had previouly featured two of these celebrities on our site so it wasn't like they were using faux- hair even though I spot a bit of extentions. But that is completely normal. Also, they were styled by Tasala HQ - a leading salon which also specializes in natural hair.

This cover gave me so much joy. I thought, 'Finally, natural hair is finally being recognized and I'm so here for it'  I know a few occasions where some celebrities have had to wear wigs and I kept wondering, 'why weren't they allowed to wear their hair or were they too lazy to hire a natural hair stylist that they just used a wig?'

Anyways, we welcome this new development with open arms and we hope it's the beginning of better things to come such that our natural hair stylists will be empowered and given the recognition they deserve.

What do you guys think about the covr? 


Love, curls and coils
eBunite

All The Times Asa's Locs Made Us Green With Envy

Effortlessly stunning image.

BOSS! Shoulder - length locs fit her perfectly!

Hi Mama!

See how laidback she is. Meanwhile, that signature frames! 😍

FIERCE! The shorter, the better!

Such a vision!

When Bukola Elemide aka Asa stepped into the spotlight some years ago, we all kept wondering who this loced head with a sonorous voice was.

Over the years, Asa has warmed her way into our hearts before she took off to France but one thing we couldn't forget was her locs.

Asa's locs became an identity. The image of her brand. Before we knew it, for a brief period, locs were synonymous to Asa and vice versa. We watched her grow as an artiste. During which, her hair also went through various lengths just like the rest of us.

Undoubtedly, she isn't one to experiment with various styles but that doesn't mean she loves it any less. In fact, I believe the various lengths were her way of experimenting.

This week, it's Asa making us green with envy with her locs.

Love, coils and curls.
eBunite  

Photo Credits: @asa_music

This Photoset Of Nse Ikpe Etim's Natural Hair Is Everything!

That headpiece is regal!

MAJOR CHOP!

Sigh. See how her hair frames her face perfectly.

Champayne anyone?

See how fierce she looks!

Luscious mane!

This is probably an old photo. I love how bobby pins worked their magic here.

GROWTH!

After Dakore Akande nee Eguson who was known by her signature  locs, Nse Ikpe Etim - Sule was probably the only other Nollywood actress actively wearing her natural hair for a long time before the recent influx of female celebrities. In fact, one of the reasons I started paying close attention to her, other than her superb acting, was her natural hair.

Lowkey one of the best and utterly underrated actresses, Nse has successfully been able to carve her niche. Laid-back with a generally good disposition, she can do no wrong in my eyes.

Nse clearly has 4c hair. While the rest of us were still finding our bearings, she had gone ahead to do the major chop. She went all out and started from the bottom. But now, she's here and giving her fellow colleagues a run for their money or products as the case maybe.

A lover of the good ol'fro, she doesn't shy away from updos and froawks, rather she embraces them wholeheartedly.

This week, it's Nse Ikpe Etim and her natural hair

Love, coils and curls
eBunite  

Photo Credits: @nseikpeetim

Here's What 3 Nigerian Celebrities Think About Their Natural Hair

Hello everyone!


During my blog rounds last week, I stumbled on an insightful Punch article on Nigerian women's new love affair for natural hair. Of course, the headline alone was a perfect click-bait that piqued my curiosity. Given the bashing and backlash the natural hair community is fond of receiving, it was interesting to hear from a refreshing point of view.

The writer took time out to get the views and opinions of different women from different works of life. From the working class ladies to the celebrities, a cosmetologist to the business woman who stock hair extensions and relaxers. The men weren't left out either.

The most interesting aspects were that of the celebrities and the men, of course. It was great to see that natural hair is more than a fad but a conscious lifestyle decision they have taken. Apparently, quite a number of them have dumped their extensions for their natural hair which is why I decided to take time out to showcase them in my ongoing celebrity specials. You can catch up on previous posts here.

SO, here's why Monalisa Chinda isn't going back to relaxers:

“I don’t go to the salon, I do home service. Because I make my hair once a month, it takes about five hours. Now that I only wear my natural hair, it has been reduced to two hours. It is because my hair started wearing out because of too much relaxer, I needed to let my hair breathe. Honestly, ever since I started wearing my natural hair, I have decided not to go back to perming.” 

Omoni Oboli, on her identity and natural hair:

 “It brings out my natural beauty better. I have been carrying my natural hair for two years now. I don’t think relaxer is for me again. I will likely not relax my hair again. I like my hair the way it is now; I don’t see myself changing it anytime soon. Maintaining it is not an easy process though. It likes a lot of moisture. I use different kinds of oil like coconut oil and castor oil. I also use live-in conditioner. I take care of my hair myself, I don’t have to go to the salon. I will never get tired of taking care of my hair.”

Upcoming actress, Omo Iyasara, on her love for the natural hair trend:

“I love my natural hair. I have started grooming my natural hair. At the moment, I am technically at ‘war’ with salons. I wear wigs for now while I still groom the hair.”

It's interesting to see the various reasons they choose to wear their natural hair. Which goes to say that, everyone is free to make personal decisions. If you're feeling particularly trendy, then go for it! Hopefully, overtime we get to the point where we realize that for most of us, it is a lifestyle.


Love, coils and curls
eBunite

5 Times Oreka Godis' Natural Hair Inspired Us To Celebrate Our Loved Ones

So inspiring!

Yummy twists!

The puff: saving lives one hair at a time

Such a nice cute 'fro and she knows it

Texture!

Oreka Godis is one of those lowkey gorgeous media personalities with an inconspicuous natural hair. A mean, I've been following her for a while and never knew she had natural hair until a couple of months ago. Of course, she isn't like us that have dedicated posts for her natural hair which is why it was a bit of challenge to get photos. Notwithstanding, it's great to introduce her to the hall of fame of natural haired celebrities.

Oreka's hair is a 4c type. Apparently, she cut her cut to celebrate her mother's health. This, of course got me thinking. How far are we able to go to celebrate our loved ones? Can we go as far as cutting our hair? Are we resilient enough to bounce back after a major occurrence or is it just hair? 

Unlike her colleagues, Oreka is comfortable with a simple afro puff, twists or good ol'fro. She doesn't pay that much attention to her hair hence the absence of 'glam styles'. Nevertheless, it shows how simple and chic her style is and her general appearance screams just that.

This week, it's Oreka and her natural hair reminding us that we can celebrate our victories with our hair.

Love, coils and curls.
 eBunite  

Photo Credits - @orekagodis

7 Times Chidinma Gave Us TWA Goals

Hair ✅ Makeup ✅ Slayage ✅

So pretty!

Aha! The famous threaded updo! It was such a unorthodox style. Of course, she killed it!

Such a badass haircut!

Such gorgeousness! That tiny wash and go is giving me life!

CURLS!

Let it 'fro!

Fun fact: The very first time, Chidinma cut her hair, I tweeted at her and asked when she was going back to her weaves. I kid you not. Her reply? Soon.

It's been what? 2..3 years and we have seen her evolve from this tiny shy girl into her element with a TWA. She changed the entire game. I initially didn't think the TWA suited her. I thought it was too bland for her figure. I thought she needed that extra something. How utterly wrong was I!

Chidinma's TWA has become an identity of sorts. It has defined her image. Rather than that celebrity, she might as well be the girl next door. It's probably not as big a deal as I’m making it. I mean Onyeka Onwenu had always had a TWA. But in recent times, with all of the awareness going on, it has become a big deal.

I particularly love that her TWA complements her style effortlessly. This of course makes room for a lot of experiments in the makeup and jewellery department. Best thing? She kills those looks every.single.time. Notwithstanding, she also experiments with her hair so it isn't monotonous. From the punk to boyish cut and most recently, the threaded updo. The point is, she is rocking it with pride. She hasn't even for once tried protective styling with weaves. That says a lot about being comfortable and confident in her skin.

So, this week it's Chidinma giving us all the TWA goals we've ever had.

Love, coils and curls.
eBunite