Mummy and Me: Dashiki

I've got another set of Mummy and Me photos to share with you today! I had a different shoot to share, but I can't find the memory card that has those photos... so sad. However, we can make do with this new set of "And co" photos! For this photo shoot, Cocoa and I wore African dashikis! Are there non-African dashikis, come to think of it? Where do dashikis really come from? See here if you're interested.

BERRY VLOG: High Ponytail on 4C Natural Hair Tutorial

It's been ages since I put up a hair post, much less a hair style tutorial. But today, I'm sharing how I did a very quick and easy High Ponytail style on my natural hair. It's also a protective style as the ends of my hair are tucked away. You already know that last year I cut my hair into a Tapered Cut (and also shared why). My hair has grown out a little faster than I anticipated, and I don't feel like I really played around with the shorter style. It's okay though, moving on. I hope you enjoy this short tutorial, and gives you some ideas on how to style your natural hair. BTW, I also played around with the High Ponytail, so there are 2 bonus styles at the end!

BERRY VLOG - Why I Cut My Hair

It's been almost 2 weeks since I took the plunge and cut off a lot of my hair. I must admit that once or twice since then, I have wondered whether I made the right choice. But for the most part, I like my short hair. I can just wash it and go - all I need to do is fluff it with my fingers.

BERRY VLOG - I cut my Natural Hair

They say a woman's hair is her crowning glory. Well, this past weekend, I tapered that glory! If you follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (@BerryDakara), then you have already seen the new me!

Check out the short video of me at the salon :)

Simple Natural Hairstyles

One of my goals this year was to have my natural hair out more. One of the easiest styles to do and maintain was this natural hair bun, which I shared last year. But of course I get bored, so while I switch it up with wearing wigs or doing other protective styles, I still have other natural hair styles I do. I especially like these styles because they are simple and very quick to do. 

Individual Crochet Locs Hair Styles

Do you ever get bored with your hair like I do? I'm the kind of person who will wish and hope and pray and cry about getting a particular hairstyle done (like my Vixen Crochet Braids), and then barely 2 weeks later I'm itching for something else. If I had the money, I'm very sure I'd be like those women who go to the salon on a weekly or biweekly basis to get their hair done! [Un]fortunately, I don't have that kind of money, or time actually. Plus, y'all know getting your hair done in America is expensive! If I had any sense I would learn how to do hair properly and use it earn an extra income. This is one of the things I miss about Nigeria too, even though I didn't include it in my list (maybe I should update it). I digress.

Individual Crochet Faux Locs

At the beginning of the year, my mind was set on wearing my natural hair out more often than not. I was getting a little tired of wearing wigs and hiding my own hair, so I made a mental decision to have my natural hair out as often as possible. Well, it was easy up until I saw a video on Individual Crochet Locs. While I like crochet braids, I haven't been the biggest fan of doing them with cornrows. I know it makes it easier and faster, but sometimes I want access to every part of my scalp. Anyways, I saw the video and was determined to replicate it. I didn't do the most awesome job, but I tried, right?

Natural Hair - Shrinkage Styles

I've had natural hair for over 10 years now. I think I've shared my natural hair story here before. I went natural thinking I wouldn't have to put in any work to take care of my hair, and that it woudl magically grow. It didn't and I had to learn how to take good care of my hair properly. Unfortunately, sometimes I'm lazy with my routine and end up not dutifully keeping my hair adequately moisturized and stretched to avoid tangles. In those times, dealing with my hair and the shrinkage that occurs can be painful and even stressful.

I decided though, that sometimes, having shrinkage isn't the worst thing in the world. In fact, it might be time for some of us to embrace shrinkage every now and then. And that's precisely what I did. All I needed to do was pretend I was around the TWA stage again, and voila! I came up with these styles below.

Unfortunately, I didn't do a step-by-step process for them, but I think they're pretty easy to figure out. If you want to see some step-by-step picture tutorials on some of my hair styles going forward, let me know and I'll put it in my calendar :)

What I Did During My Break

So y'all know I chose to take a blogging break in December because I was feeling overwhelmed with life, and it was sucking the joy out of blogging. I was worrying too much about a bunch of things and I just needed some time to breathe.

Anyways, let me catch you up on a few things I did during the break.

Simple Protective Natural Hair Style

Hiya,

I haven't done anything hair-related in a while, and since you guys liked my hair from this post, and someone specifically requested it, I decided to record and post this tutorial. It's a very simple natural hair style that can be done on medium to long hair. Since my ends are tucked away, it's a protective hair style and if maintained properly, can be worn for up to a week or even more.

If you're able to recreate it, feel free to tag me or send photos!

If you liked this video and tutorial, you might also like this other one with clip-ins.

Oh, and definitely click the HAIR tab at the top of the screen to see other hair posts I've done.

The BEST Saturday I've Had in a While

Ladies and gentlemen,

Right now, as I type, it's Saturday night. I feel light and airy, and it's been a while since I've felt this way. I hope come Thursday, as you read this and leave comments, I still feel the same way. I almost feel like I'm walking on clouds and life is really good! What happened this Saturday, you ask? Anyone who watched my stories on Instagram or Snapchat have an idea, but might think that nothing special happened. Well, come close and I'll spill the beans.

I HAD A PEDICURE!!!

AND AN AT-HOME FACIAL!!!

Before you laugh at me, or roll your eyes, just hear me out.

ADD ME ON SNAPCHAT!!!

Vixen Crochet Braids Hair Styles

Hiya!

How was your weekend? I hope it was better than mine cos mine was UTTER CRAP!!! I was sick out of my mind! I had lunch with my sister on Friday afternoon at this Indian restaurant, and by the time I got home I felt weird. I thought I was just tired but it turns out I had food poisoning. I spent the whole of Saturday throwing up, sleeping, feeling sorry for my life, and other things I won't bother you with. Some people asked if I was preggers when I said I was sick... I feel like with Cakes being away, if I had gotten pregnant, it would be a BIG PROBLEM! :p

Anyways, those who follow on my Snapchat and Instagram would know that this post was coming up.

Wura's Secret Hair Growth Oil

At the beginning of the year, I was gifted a bottle of Wura's Secret Oil. It is produced by someone I'm sure you're familiar with, as she's a Nigerian blogger and goes by the name of Tonkabelle. She runs the blog, Wura's Secret Hair, which is a blog devoted to all kinds of hair care.

BERRY VLOG - Stretching Natural Hair

Today I'm sharing different ways I stretch my natural hair.

Peach Lace

Hi there!

Today's style post comes courtesy of an old friend. We've known each other for at least 16 years, and when it was time for him to get married, he asked Cakes to do the honor of making their traditional wedding cake. I was especially thrilled to attend because it would be a mini-reunion of my university friends. There were a lot of hugs, smiles, laughter and genuine pleasure at seeing each other. Congrats to A and B!

The asoebi for the wedding was this beautiful delicate peach (it looks like peach to me) lace. Ordinarily, I would have made separates again, but being inspired by my Pink Lace and Silver Wrapping outfit, I decided to go for a blouse and wrapper.

Nigerian and Natural Tag

I ran across another tag on Youtube, called the Nigerian and Natural tag. It was created by Nappyfu and Klassy Kinks.

The tag contains the following questions:

1. What is your full Nigerian name?
2. When was your first relaxer?
3. How did you wear your hair in elementary school?
4. When did you go natural and why?
5. What were your parents' reactions when you went natural?
6. Which 1 product would you bring if you were to spend 1 month in Nigeria?
7. Palm oil or Coconut oil?
8. Do you use any products from Nigeria?
9. Food favorites: egusi vs. okra soup, rice and stew vs jollof rice, puff puff vs chin chin, suya vs stockfish?
10. What's the state of natural hair amongst Nigerians?