AFRICA AT SPITALFIELDS

Hi all back again blogging. A few months back a friend of mine thought it would be a great idea to have a stall during the bank holiday weekend in August at Africa at Spitalfields, an African mini market in London. I normally hold, practical classes to teach styling and  how to achieve protective styles (styles that avoid using frequent use of heat) but hair demonstrations on a stall in public with the possibility of 5000 people walking by was quite daunting. This was my second time of demonstrating hair techniques to the passing public. I must say it was quite exciting the many questions and comments. Many people were intrigued and I gave them the opportunity to ask questions as I demonstrated how to achieve styles on a model, some onlookers allowed me to experiment with their hair.

I met Iyabo, one of the funniest ladies you will ever meet. Warm, open minded, and wise beyond her years. Time flew by as I did her hair. Iyabo had shown me a picture on instagram of exactly what she wanted, she was specific about the length, the colour to how thick she wanted her senegalese twists. Iyabo sent these photos almost 5 weeks after I had done her hair. I'm quite pleased as she had been to several occasions, a wedding and had been on holiday to America, so her hair withstood the water.

Iyabo on her wedding day, effortless beauty

Not bad for braids that were installed over a month and have survived styling and water. Three packs of expressions hair extensions used, colour 4, colour 2 and colour 30 for the highlight, it does help that Iyabo is beautiful.

I also met Tobi, she said she rarely had braided styles, but was going on holiday and wanted a stress free look with minimal styling. I noticed her natural hair colour was brown. I told her she would need hair "Expressions" hair extensions in a colour 4. Tobi just like Iyabo had a photo from Instagram ( I really need to join Instagram) and said she wanted "Ghana weaving", it had to be big and it had to be jet black. After numerous suggestions from me to make the cornrows smaller, and change the colour to a deep brown, we agreed on one thing, we decided not to have a side parting, and have the cornrows going all back, referred to as kolese here.  Tobi's last sentence was, "I want it black, and I have never like thin cornrows, so please try and make the cornrows large" I gave in. Tobi definitely knows what suits her.

 

Before Ghana weaving

 

 



 

After Ghana weaving

Africa at Spitalfields was amazing, from the food to the snacks, to the children's play area, to the African drumming workshop to the dancers, I am looking forward to exhibiting next year.

Like Africa at Spitalfield on facebook here
Follow Africa at Spitalfields on twitter here
We are now on Instagram

Call for one of our mobile stylists 07949507271

On a side note, I am so grateful to everyone that reads this blog, and to chose that send questions about their hair, please keep the questions coming, I look forward to it.

BEANTOWN!!

Hi all, apologies for the delay in blogging, I just got back to London from Aberdeen. I was in the States for a few months over summer. The first stop was Orlando Florida for the Foursquare Convention, the second stop was Fort Lauderdale and Miami and the third was Boston, Massachusetts also known as Beantown. (You can find out why its nicknamed Beantown here)

I had a few appointments in Boston and had the pleasure of working with Ifeoma (talented make up artist and Medical student), she always has long weaves/hair extensions and hadn't had braids in almost 10 years and her natural hair is super long. I'm talking "Bra-strap length" without it being straightened and Ifeoma is quite tall. I used colour 1b, 2, 4 and 33 with "Expressions" hair. If you notice the ends of her hair are twisted, its a technique I learnt  whilst in Nigeria. When I do Senegalese twists I braid the ends, and when I braid hair, I twist the ends as seen in the picture below, it just looks better, especially when different colours are used. Follow Ifeoma on Instagram to see more of her work.

Remember Fona from this post, we attended a wedding along with Ugonna. Fona has tree braids (also known as fishbone) which I did a few days before the wedding, with milkyway bulk hair. For those who are not familiar with tree braids, click on each picture in the gallery here

Taking pictures outside the Church

Ugonna in one of her creations below, everyone kept asking about her dress, simple yet chic. Check out the website here, check out her tumblr here and follow her on twitter here

Ugonna

The only problem was there was a 5 hour interval between the end of the service at Church and the reception at the Double Tree at Hilton, so we went to Joe's on Newbury Street, which reminds me of Covent Garden in London, took a few pictures while waiting for dinner.

Waiting for our lunch at Joe's

I also met up with my friend and the lady behind the blog chictherapy, we caught up whilst doing her hair. I decided to do "Feathers" (short layered braids) and I have to say, I've never seen anyone manipulate shoulder length braids the way she did, as the days went by, the more creative the styling became, definitely one of my favourite clients from Boston.

Boston reminds me of London, considering it was founded by English settlers I can see the similarities especially in the architecture and statues around Cambridge. Apparently parts of Back Bay were modeled after Paris, and parts of the South End were modeled after London, I can definitely see myself going back again, and you definitely have to try the Boston Duck tour here

I was told not to fly to New York as its very close to Boston, so as I waited for the coach I watched the epic Game 6 of the NBA finals San Antonio Spurs versus Miami Heat.

Wow, so day one of 30 days of blogging complete. I am pleased to say we now operate from a studio in North London and take clients by appointment only, booking  for all types of hair including, bridal/occasion hair. A make up artist will be on hand during October, this service is free but  is by appointment only. Please email hairmillionaire@gmail.com,  like us on facebook and follow us on twitter

We are now on Instagram

Call for one of our mobile stylists in London  07949507271