In this video, I share with you how to create this simple but elegant hairstyle that is great for any formal occasions like weddings. It is best done on hair that has been stretched. You can stretch heatless or by blow drying. Her hair was stretched in chunky twists and lightly combed out.
If you can remember, from this post, I talked about how I was in a fix about what hairstyle to do for my wedding. I knew I wanted something unique, a kind I have never seen before, not the usual roll, tuck and pin we see on natural hair brides. Omozo of O'Naturals had already suggested some previous styles, and I said no to all of them. So sometime in November, she started showing some more styles, and I kept saying No, no, no, no, no.... no, no, no.... no, no, no... and then I saw it. I said this is what I want. She asked if I was sure, and I affirmed. I said I don't know what will happen, but I want that hairstyle, and that is what must be on my head on my wedding day. We have to make it happen.
Come December 17, in my hotel room in Senegambia Beach Hotel, Banjul Gambia, wiith Omozo with me, and no other stylist to assist her, we brought the style to life. A day before, we went to the hotel's salon to wash the hair, while still in the prewedding stretch thread. So all we needed to do was loose the thread, which took a whole lot of time, detangle, and restretch lightly.
After then, we proceeded to style the hair, starting from the back, and then front. And this was what we ended with.
I was able to wear the hairstyle for 2 more days. Because of the front, it was not very easy to protect while sleeping or bathing, but it was totally worth it.
What do you think about it? Yay or Nay? Let me know in the comment section
Hairstyle Lounge was brought to you by O'Naturals Salon. No money exchanged hands in making this lounge a reality. To make your hair at O'Naturals, visit the salon at 54 Ogudu road, Ogudu-Ojota Lagos or book an appointment by calling 0818-802-4444 / 0815-802-4444.
The first time I heard about Modest Muslimah Lounge, it was when they called us to buy the salon sizes of African Naturalistas products. It is a place where they cater to natural hair, do beauty treatments like macinure, pedicure, etc., and of course, draw henna tattoos. From their name, you can tell that they are muslims, and cater mostly to muslims, though their services are definitely open to people of other religion.
I have always fantasised about getting henna tattoo, but never been the type to go out of my way, just for beautification. So when the time for my traditional wedding came, I knew I would definitely be getting one. I thought of going to meet one of the women who draw it at Unilag, but since I wanted a whole package, which would include manicure and pedicure, I called Modest Muslimah instead.
We negotiated and fixed an appointment. A day to the appointment, I got a call from someone, with the greeting "wassalamualaikum" I immediately said "wrong number", lol, cos I could not think of anyone that knew me, and would call me, greeting me like a muslim. The caller then went on to explain that she's from modest muslimah lounge, and wanted to confirm I would still be coming the next day. I was impressed at this.
The next day, I went to the place. I was offered drinks and water, but I wasn't hungry or thirsty. The customer service was really good, although we had some back and forth about pricing... as per alaroro bride like me.
The manicure and pedicure was quite average, but since it wasn't my real motive for going there...
As for the henna tattoo, I chose the design I liked. There were so many to choose from, that I was spoilt for choice. The henna artist replicated the design to the best of her ability. I think she got the leg design better.
A photo posted by Modest Muslimah Beauty Lounge (@modestmuslimahlounge) on
The drawing of the tattoo
The total henna look
It was definitely more exposed on the Igbo outfit
The tattoo was able to serve its purpose. But what I was told would last 2-3 weeks lasted for only 4 days, This really pained me, cos I didn't like spending such money to last just 4 days, when I know lots of people who have had more lasting henna.
So for customer service and artist creativity, I give it to Modest Muslimah. But for the fact that the tattoo cleaned off pretty fast, Noooo.
What of you? Have you gotten a henna tatto before, would you like to get? If yes, would it be just casually or for a major event like a wedding or birthday?
Last week Friday, I was legally bound to a man, but that's not what this post is about, lol.
I knew I wanted to look simple and classy, nothing as flamboyant as a white wedding bride, so I opted to go for a double bun.
I got to O'naturals a day before, washed my hair, which had not been washed in ages. I did a protein treatment, cos my hair was due for one. I'm not sure I've really done a proper protein treatment before (covers face).
My hair was blown out a bit, and we decided to fool around with pictures (It was evening, so there were no customers, leaving us the privacy to run wild).
A video posted by WordsByAtilola.com (@hattylolla_) on
I then did the trial for my wedding coming up in December, before we proceeded to put my hair in a simple but elegant double bun.
Our only concern was how I was going to sleep that night because the wedding was too early for me to have styled my hair professionally that morning, yet sleeping was quite uncomfortable. I had to buy a jumbo Satin bonnet from O'Naturals as the buns were big (I prefer satin scarves to sleep in, but it would have destroyed the style).
I couldn't rest my head on anything, so I slept face dowm, right side up since th bun was on the left. In the morning, my style was still in tact, and this was the result
So what do you think? Thumbs up for the double bun, for this kind of occasion? Yay or Nay?
So I have been thinking. What exactly am I going to be doing to my hair for my weddings… both registry and main wedding? I feel like I am so late to the party that all natural bridal hairstyles have been exhausted.
I mean, I know everyone will be expecting to see the hairstyle the founder of African Naturalistas will be wearing… just like everyone looking out for the kind of cake a caterer will bake for her own wedding or the kind of wedding dress a fashion designer will wear.
Omozo is probably still racking her head now, just like she has been doing for the past three months. Lately, I’ve not been so impressed by the styles I’ve seen, not because they aren’t good, but there’s no steeze about them. It's just the regular pompadours, weaving and updo combos, buns, etc. The pressure is real mehn.
One of the hairstyles I was really impressed with is Dorinda of We Naturals, very simple but elegant in my opinion, though some people say they don’t like it.
Right now, I just need two really good hairstyles for my days, preferably with no weaving involved, the ends must not be out, and definitely no extensions added to my hair like most natural brides are now doing.
Right now, on social media, there's only one I really like
I've been crushing on photos of natural hair brides I've seen on Instagram. I'm so happy that I chose to wear my natural hair for my wedding see some flashback photos below.
I'm also glad that so many more women are choosing to do the same. Check out three of the Natural Hair Brides that have captured my attention recently.
As you know, more and more naturalistas all over the world are making the decision to have their natural hair styled for their weddings. As a former Natural Hair Bride, here are some tips to help you before you walk down the aisle.
This style gives an effortless soft look. It is best done on hair that has been stretched. To achieve the wave pattern, do a chunky twistout on the hair prior to styling.
This 5-minute hairstyle can be achieve with long or short hair. With shorter hair, add marley hair to create a puffier and bigger bun. Click here to see how to achieve this similar style with shorter hair.
Flower Updo with Cornrows and Twists
This style created by Beads Braids & Beyond is classy and it has so many cute details that suites the occasion. To recreate this look, click here.
Cinnabuns and Flat Twists
These cute cinnabuns at the top of the hair creates a cute almost flowery look to this hairstyle. If you don't know how to flat twist, here is a similar style without flat twisting. Click here.
To achieve this look and see more pictures, visit Beads Braids & Beyond blog by clicking here.
Remember in my last post of 2014, I said 2014 was the Year of the Natural Hair Bride? Well, there was one wedding I had looked forward to seeing pictures of. Aisha, who is a natural hair blogger in South Africa, got married in December and she just shared her pictures in a series of posts on her blog. The first part was the Traditional Wedding; the second was about her Bridal Shower; the third talked about her and her husband's Love Story, which is sooooooo cute! And I must admit I got teary-eyed at the White Wedding pictures - yes, I'm a sappy romantic sometimes.
Aisha has very graciously given me permission to share some of her photos (Thanks Lady!) and I know you will be just as enchanted with her and her hubby as I was.
Aisha is actually Tanzanian. In her religion, for this ceremony, the bride is required to cover her hair.
BRIDAL SHOWER
LOVE STORY
They are such a good-looking couple! And get this, they have been together for over 10 years!
WHITE WEDDING
Isn't her dress so pretty?!
Gorgeous Couple
*All photos were linked from MyFroandI.com. Please ask for her permission directly to use any pictures. The white wedding photos were by Darrell Fraser*
Okay, I can't give everything away. Hop on over to Aisha's blog to catch her wedding posts, and there was wedding day hair drama with her stylist, so definitely check it out.
CONGRATULATIONS to the beautiful Aisha. May your home be filled with unconditional love, joy, and peace.
If you're getting married this year and want your engagement, pre-wedding, and/or wedding pictures featured, please email me with the Subject Line: AN Bride. My email address is berrydakara@gmail.com.
I hope everyone's having a joyous Christmas celebration and holiday.
Over the week, it occurred to me that the number of natural hair brides this year seems to have exploded! Natural hair stylists like Kemi Lewis and O'Naturals were kept busy by different brides throughout the year. I remember this time last year (my first anniversary is tomorrow), people were still asking if I was sure I wanted to have my natural hair for my wedding - OF COURSE, YES!!! Anyways, I thought it would be nice to share some of the photographs I've come across on Instagram and different websites. Congratulations to all the brides who chose to stay true to their natural hair texture :)
*Please note that none of the images belong to us, but were culled from different websites*
This is just a tip of the iceberg! We're looking forward to featuring Natural Hair Brides in 2015! If you are planning on using your natural hair for your wedding in 2015, and wouldn't mind sharing a few pictures, please email me at berrydakara@gmail.com with the title "AN Bride."
Thanks so much for your support and readership and comments over the years. Here's to a great 2015!
We ran a poll about brides wearing natural hair on their wedding day, on this blog, and it lasted for exactly a year.
The poll expired in may. We asked our blog visitors “Would you do a Natural Bridal Hair style on your wedding day?”
Let me quickly insert here that 70% of our traffic comes from search engines, so I therefore believe that most of the visitors are naturals, transitioning, curious about natural hair, or very interested in healthy hair care.
The option with the most votes was a surprise to me. In fact, these were the ones with the most votes, from highest to lowest. What surprised me most was how the first and second in line were very close to each other in number of votes. I thought the third option would carry the highest vote, since its a natural hair blog, which it did, but the last option would really have low votes. I am really shocked that the first option had low votes.
And here goes my inference...
Berry of African Naturalistas on her wedding day. Source
It is evident that gone are the days when ladies thought natural hair wasn’t beautiful. Many ladies are now embracing natural hair, and are even wearing it on their wedding day, which is the day a woman loves to look her best.
This change in orientation has been aided by the internet and beautiful pictures of natural hair, telling us you can were your hair in an unrelaxed state and still look great. I went for just one wedding last year, and have only gone for one this year, and both brides wore their natural hair.
Even though we still have a long way to go, letting people know that natural hair is beautiful, we have definitely come a long way.
… And this is what I call PROGRESS
In the mean time, feed your eyes with gorgeous pictures of natural hair brides here, here, and here.
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