Natural Hair in the Nigerian Diaspora...Aina

Hello peeps!

The week is really flying by. I thought "hump day" would be the perfect time to introduce our first Nigerian Naturalista of the year, Aina Fadina: model, business developer, and general mogul. Keep reading for her experiences with natural hair. 

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About me
 
I am a Nigerian/American Fashion and Commercial model, Aina Fadina. I also host and produce my online web-series iofafrica, currently in production. Finally, I do Business Development/ Creative Consulting for designers and e-commerce fashion sites. Oh forgot, I manage Dj Chief Boima. A Sierra Leonean/American DJ. I know...Wayyyy too many hustles. That's the Naija in me.

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I was born in Lagos, and moved to the United States in my pre-teens. Grew up between NYC and Philadelphia. Moved back to NYC 7 years ago.

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My natural hair journey

I have been fully natural since my sophomore year of College, 1999. (I am dating myself here). I went natural for a number of reasons: NOT because of any militant reasons, or that I didn’t like relaxers, or was trying to make any political statements. I hated sitting under hair dryers, the thought of going to sit at a salon for hours on my weekends, didn’t sit well with me, and needing someone else to help me maintain my hair.

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I used to bounce between braids and relaxing in High School. Once I got to senior year of high school, I wore braids a lot more due to my heavy schedule. Braids were easier to manage, and I needed my extra 20 minutes of sleep in the morning. I knew how to braid a little, so during my sophomore year of college, I started doing my own micro braids, because I wanted to use the money my parents gave me for my hair towards my clothing allowance. So I knew I had more money to shop. So, it was simply out of laziness, pain of hairdressers, time, and vanity.  As my natural hair grew out, I began to appreciate my curl pattern, and started to learn how to wear my hair naturally. Also, living in Philadelphia, during the beginning of neo-soul music movement with Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, The Roots, Music Soul Child, Bilal etc, I started seeing more black people wearing their hair naturally. There was a small community that was slowly developing, and it made my transition easier.

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My hair and my work

As a model, my hair changes sometimes daily. For example, when I started in modeling in 2005/2006, my hair was about a really good length. At the time, natural hair was not mainstream AT ALL. I was one of the only few girls that had natural hair working in high fashion. When I say natural, I mean natural hair like mine, not the one you could easily blow dry on the spot or bald.

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My first/only tragic story was in 2005, when I started modeling in Philadelphia. I showed up to a job (a fashion show), and this woman precedes to blow dry my hair (dry with the “white girl” brush). Let's just say she FRIED my hair. The next day, I went to Duafe Salon, a natural hair salon in Philadelphia, and got a cut. It was that damaged. I started bouncing back and forth between natural hair weaves, my own hair, straight weaves (flat ironing the front), and hairpieces based on what my clients wanted. Also, I had to make myself marketable as a fashion model and commercial model. In the fashion industry, black girls were either bald or wore straight weaves. I was able to pull all these looks off based on my flexibility with my own hairstyles. I know what client likes the clean look, what client the big edgy afro look, the cute commercial mini TWA, the client that loved the long weaves. I had a hairdresser that specialized in natural hair care, one that did my flat iron, and other that made my weaves/pieces for me. So, my hair changes based on what client I am working for. I had to study this. It is a constant battle, but it is part of the equation. It is my job, and I have to do what I need to do to maintain my profession.

 

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Has it affected me in getting jobs?  I am sure, but it hasn't stopped me from being a "working" model in NYC.  I try to show up so clients don't have to worry about “what to do with her”. Plus, my portfolio shows my diverse looks. I definitely see an increase in clients being comfortable with natural look especially when it comes to commercial work. So, let's hope it is just not a trend.


My natural hair and Nigeria

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When I came to Nigeria in 2006, the comment of my visit was "why don't you put oshe in your hair?” “You should relax your hair, your face will even be finer”. Just all sorts of nonsense. But in my recent visits, I see more people with natural hair, which is nice. It is a lot to deal with when it comes to the heat/humidity, but I make it work. I know when I leave the house, my hair will look a certain way, but 30 minutes later, and sitting in that crazy traffic, here comes mushroom hair. But I am comfortable with the look. Also, I am not going to a 9-5 job, so I don't really care what people think. It is what it is. Due to the limited luggage allowance, I can't carry my products with me. So I get products from Blush boutique, Victoria Island (My sister Bola's store) or get cornrows done there, depending on how long I am staying for. Sometimes I get my straight weaves too.



 


My natural hair challenges

It can be a little annoying because you can't just wash, pack, and go. It takes time to get in your groove and finding out what style and products work for you. But what I find is that it is a mental game. You have to be comfortable. Just deal, love it, and go. Also, I have become addicted to buying products, which adds up financially. And it makes working out a pain in the ass! But hey, you find a way to make it work. People think natural hair is less work, not necessarily. When you chose to go natural, you have chosen a lifestyle.

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My routine

When work is slow, I keep my hair at about 4-5 inches. I have a great hairdresser that gives me the shape that fits my face, and makes it easier  for me to style on my off days. It is cut in a "mohawk" shape, and that keeps it easy for me to maintain. I trim/maintain cut every 2 months. I do an intensive conditioning once a month at my hairdressers. I am a little bit more aggressive about conditioning in the winter.

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I try to use only Natural products. Not always successful especially with work. My at home routine includes to pre-treat the night before with a oil scalp treatment concoction ( Jojoba oil, Peppermint oil, and coconut Oil), then wash once a week with Alaffia's Shampoo (found at Whole Foods). I condition with Alaffia's Shea honey nourishing conditioner. I deep condition weekly with Shea Butter Deep Conditioning Treatment. I like the Alaffia line because it is natural and all fair trade, encouraging gender equality. I am all about social Entrepreneurship (this is my only political movement statement). I also sit under a steaming cap.

I towel dry, massage my scalp to ends with melted Naija Unrefined Ori (shea butter straight from the market), jojoba oil/coconut/peppermint mixture. Then I use Jane Carter's wrap and Roll all over my hair, section part, double strand twist, and make into small bantu knots for a few days, then take out the Bantu knots and wear in an afro.

I also Jane carter's wrap and roll to smooth my edges/baby hair as well. and if I want to wear my hair in a funky style the wrap and roll is great to shape and sculpt. Paul Mitchell’s foaming pomade is fantastic for styling as well. My hairdresser also uses Design Essential that works wonders.

When I wear my hair out, I put a leave in moisturizer, and I twist at night before going to bed. Invest in Silk scarfs/hair bonnet. Also, invest in silk pillowcases.

I do try to limit the amount of heat I put in my hair, because when I blow out/ flat iron straight; it changes the tightness of your natural curl pattern. It is all about using the right products, and the hairdresser understanding how to really care for natural black hair. Also, they can't use the same technique for people with bi-racial curls, looser Lebanese/Indian curl, Dominican hair, white people). Our curl pattern is very different, and they have to treat your hair individually.

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I also use biosil and vitamins (for healthy growth. It sounds pointless since I keep my hair short anyway, but I want healthy growth).

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My natural hair idols 

I am obsessed with Diana Ross. OBSESSED. Granted it is a wig, but DAMNNNN I love that woman. Have you seen “Mahogany”? That movie is all about hair and fashion. I will also say my dear friend Kemi Awopetu. I think Jill Scott is stunning. Solange is doing her thing. She has been able to create her own brand. Finally, my mom. Growing up my mom had a mini afro, and I have always admired her beauty and style. She used to rock her mini TWA fro with fly ass glasses, and funky ass jewelry.

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People have asked will I ever get a relaxer? For the right campaign the answer is YES. It is hair, I can cut it off, and it will grow back. I wear my hair naturally, because I want to. I am not trying to make ANY political statement; I just love being natural and living relaxer free. Sometimes it does hurt not to get that job because they don't want to deal with my hair, but it is the nature of my business. You win some, you lose some. Am I opposed to straight weaves? As long as it looks good, as natural as possible, and not crazy looking (for example the 36 inch Beyonce blond weaves?? NO, thank you). No one should walk up to me, and say, "ohhh you are a sell-out". People can chose to do what they want to do with their hair, and how they wish to wear it. 

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Hair allows you to be somewhat of an artist/artwork. You are a blank canvas, it is your choice to do as you wish, just make sure it looks good, looks healthy, and fabulous. Also, it is the easiest way to change your mood, and the quickest and cheapest facelift/Emergency surgery. Also, it has allowed me to  experiment with colors when it comes to make up, and wearing unique jewelry as well.

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For more on Aina, check out the Muse NYC website
 
Click here to download one of Chief Boima’s mixtapes