NATURAL HAIR TAG: CHIOMA OKOYE

It’s Tuesday already and we know what we do every Tuesday at http://www.chiomaokoyeakpawusi.com: we interview stars. Coincidentally, I was nominated for the HAIR TAG INTERVIEW by Yeka of https://myyeka.wordpress.com/

Yeka is a naturalista and a blogger whose blog is educative and of course, mentally stimulating. So today, I’m gracing the cover of Person of the Week column as well. How lucky am I?

The Hair Tag was created by Yeka and yes she’s a Nigerian and she’s drop dead gorgeous but those are not her only qualities. She’s extremely intelligent. At the end of this interview, I will pass on the baton to 2 bloggers.

Here are the rules:
Please it goes for all hair types, from straight to the coolest, kinkiest strands.

• Put the logo/image on your blog
• List the rules
• Thank the person who nominated you and link their blog
• Mention the creator of the Hair Tag and link their blog: Created by Yeka of http://www.myyeka.wordpress.com
• Answer the Hair Tag Questions plus the additional questions asked by your nominee
• You have to nominate 5-10 people
• Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog
• Ask your nominees 2 questions of your choice
• Post your picture on Instagram and tag
@Denaturelle for a repost or use the hashtag #denaturelle.

Reblog their Response (optional)

The Hair Tag Questions

Tell us a little about you?
What do you do with your spare time?

I am Chioma Okoye Akpawusi an Igbo girl from Nigeria. I work as a system engineer in a multinational company and also I am a full-time blogger/administrator  at http://www.chiomaokoyeakpawusi.com

Are you a natural? How do you feel about your hair?

Yes I wear my hair in it’s natural state. My natural hair is my pride and it gives me utmost joy knowing this ‘pretty bush’ grows out of my head.

How long have you been natural?

The last time I used chemical hair straighteners on my hair was on 19th october, 2016 and I had my BC in April, 2017.

Why did you go natural?

I took an interest in natural hair for the first time when I saw the hair of Temi (@naturallytemi) on Instagram. It was unbelievable because I never knew Nigerian ladies could have long, luscious mane.

It was a kind of a healthy challenge for me because my hair was thin, unhealthy and it’s growth really inhibited. For 7 years since I started growing my hair, it couldn’t grow past the nape level.

There was a sense that I needed  to do something different urgently to get a different result hence my natural hair journey.

For this reason, I’m forever indebted to these people (Temi and Yagazie) for the lovely boost they have given me even though, they might not be aware.

Was anyone against your decision? If yes, how did you surpass it?

When I started this journey, some people around me said I looked like a mad woman who needed a wash.

I still remember my office janitor asking me if I was skint because I used to wear my hair in weaves.

My sisters on the other hand laughed at me to scorn but my man was very supportive. He’s a German so he wanted to see me look African. He is my biggest fan, my greatest supporter and he was even the one that helped me chop off my damaged hair.

What’s your hair type and how do you manage it?

My hair is 4c hair type. Without proper management, it feels like an iron sponge. I make my hair more manageable by ensuring I prepoo before washing and I take care of my hair so well.

Whenever I go to the salon to have a professional wash, people get amazed at the amount of the products I use on my hair.

How do you keep your hair moisturized and healthy?

I always use shea butter, leave-in conditioner and my regualr hair spritz which contains water, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, Jamaican black castor oil, coconut oil and sesame oil.

What are your goto natural hair products and are you a DIY fan?

O’NATURALS leave-in conditioner is my holy grail. My hair loves it and also Cantu Shea coil detangler. I’m not a fan of DIY as I don’t have the time.

Do you have hair goals? Care to share some of them?

Yes, hair retention and growing healthy hair.

What’s your favorite protective hairstyle to do?

Double side conrows with twist outs in the middle. It gives me an androgynous look and I love it.

Do you use heat on your hair? How do you prevent heat damage?

3 weeks ago I tried to use heat for the first time and I regretted the outcome. My hair tangled and became as hard as a rock. Therefore, I resolved never to use heat again on my hair.

Do you hairxperiment? How crazy can you go with your hair?

My hair itself is an hairxperiment. I do most of the braiding myself. So I always get experimental with my hair. I intend to colour my hair soon or have a tapered cut.

Have you faced any challenge as a natural?

Yes. The first few months were challenging. Sometimes when I try to recreate the videos I saw on youtube, it always comes out as an epic fail.

Also getting the natural hair products in my locality is hard. You can’t even locate a single Natural hair salon. That’s why I started selling essential oils like tea tree oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, etc to ease the stress for Naturalistas in my locality.

I sell both to wholesalers and retailers because I order mine directly from Germany.

How do you manage bad hair days?

I suck it up and move on. I don’t do anything extraordinary.

Can you share with us your thoughts on natural hair and relaxed hair?

I don’t want to sound like a natural hair nazi but I think we should all be naturalistas. Lol

What hair rules have you sticked to as a natural?

I must wash my hair every week if my hair is not in a protective style.
I must deep condition twice a month. And no more frontal hair-eating-hairstyles.

Where can we find you?

I’m everywhere. You can visit my blog http://www.chiomaokoyeakpawusi.com
Facebook : chioma okoye akpawusi
Twitter: @chichi_okoye
Instagram: chiomasblog

What do you have to say to the new, upcoming and already naturals?

To the new naturals, just be patient with your hair and love it at every stage. No matter your length, show it off, you may never know who gets inspired to join the natural hair community.

As for the new naturals, I have a giveaway on my blog specifically for you, to encourage you and to guide you throughout this journey. You can apply for it here.

I therefore nominate:

1. Akinyismane.wordpress.com

2. Curlytisha.wordpress.com