“Nigerian born, and Maryland/DC raised I am the oldest of four. I am a true Nigerian-American and east coast girl living in the Midwest. I am currently working in downtown Chicago as a legal assistant. For fun, I love baking, make-up, shoes, jewelry and clothing design. I love all fast cars and bikes. When I’m not working on launching my event design Production Company and building my makeup portfolio, I am prepping to start law school next fall. My life Motto is simple: be focused, determined and motivated, live to create and live to be a fearless soul.”
Marita A: How long have you been natural?
Oluwaseyi: I have officially been natural for a little over 2 years now.
Marita A: What inspired you to go natural?
Oluwaseyi: Going natural honestly happened as an accident when I moved to Chicago about three years ago; I could not find a hair stylist that I loved. It was something that I always considered because I hate having to go into the salon, waiting, and the entire salon routine. I figured with natural hair I would have the ability to do my own hair how I wanted to and when I wanted to while fully incorporating my attempt at an all-natural lifestyle life.
Marita A: Who are your YouTube or Facebook “hairspirations”?
Oluwaseyi: A few of my hairspirations include:
-Ebony aka eclark6
-Fran aka heyfranhey
-Donna aka Donedo05
-NYC based hairstylist Susy aka AfricanCreature
-DMV based hairstylist Charmaine Ford aka maine_stream
Marita A: What was the most difficult part of transitioning to natural?
Oluwaseyi: Transitioning to natural seemed to be easy for me. I stopped perming around 2008 and began doing the keratin hair treatment once or twice a year which my hair loved; maintenance was a breeze. After a year without a hairstylist, perm, or keratin treatment, I began maintaining my hair myself. This led to increased heat damage and breakage due to stress. In late April of 2011, I went to a Dominican salon asked for a blow-out and trim. I actually had to get 7 inches of damaged hair cut. The next week I washed my hair and was left with a cute short fro, and it has been natural love since then.
Marita A: How did your family, friends, spouse or significant other react to your hair’s new kinky texture?
Oluwaseyi: The reaction was mixed. For the friends who saw me regularly, they loved it because it was different, so it was great. For friends, family and community who did not get to see me often questioned why I cut my extremely long and full hair. After seeing the versatility it was celebrated.
Marita A: What is your wash routine like?
Oluwaseyi: I wash when needed. It may sound bad I know, but I do a lot of protective styling, so I wash in between styles which can be once a month. Before any protective styling, I do the works: deep condition/mask, hot oil treatment, wash, etc. If not styled I wash every other week, deep condition/mask twice a month and co-wash when I feel like it.
Marita A: What’s in your makeup bag?
Oluwaseyi: For my day-to-day makeup bag, I like to keep it simple: light facial moisturizer, brow pencil, black eyeliner, mascara, and a deep red or deep purple lippy and lip liner. For the night and events I just add powder, bronzer highlighter, and setting spray. My makeup kit at home like any other makeup addict is almost ridiculous from lashes to glitter liner and rhinestones!
Marita A: How did you keep your skin naturally beautiful?
Oluwaseyi: For my fickle, easily irritated and dry skin I wash daily with pure African black soap. I only use facial scrubs as needed no more than four times a month and scented soaps or gels on ‘special occasions’. I moisturize with Cetaphil or raw African Shea butter for my face and Jergens or raw African Shea butter for my body. I also use witch hazel as an astringent.
Marita A: Did you go through any kind of personal/spiritual transformation while going through the process of going natural?
Oluwaseyi: Nothing epic really, I just realized how much stronger you have to be stand when owning who you are or who you are grooming yourself to be. Judgments and questions will come here and there, from something as simple as my hair styling choice, but I grew firmer in my belief to be free, to be me and wear my crown high and proudly. I owe no one apologizes for being me as long as I maintain respect for others and allow you to live your life as well.
Marita A: What are some of your favorite hair styles?
Oluwaseyi: I’m Still lazy with my hair at times, my go to styles have been: wash & go fro, high bun; and two strand twists. This summer is going to be all about protective, low maintenance out of the way styling.
Marita A: What encouragement can you give to someone who maybe considering going natural?
Oluwaseyi: Just do it! Like almost anything else in life sometimes you just have to give yourself permission to try something new. Of course, research and see how others deal with their natural hair but DO NOT get caught up and dwell on typing, textures, what should or should not be with natural hair. Hair alone can be vastly different from person to person so you can imagine how different hair type is from person to person. You have to learn and do it for yourself, you will be surprised with the styles, colors, or cuts you are willing to try, but it is all about what works best for you. Plus, if you do not like it natural its hair, it grows back the perm will still be there.
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