Meet Minna, the founder of MsAfropolitan. She was born in Finland, grew up in Nigeria and studied in Sweden. She has also lived and worked in Spain and New York. Currently, she resides in London and Lagos.
MINNA'S HAIR PHILOSOPHY
I am not my hair, but my hair is an extension of me. It represents who I am, my legacy. Therefore, like everything else, which extends me, I believe in nourishing and loving it. I have learned that there is no magic treatment or style that is better for the hair, than love. If you’re ready to love that which is uniquely yours, it will love you back in return.GOT A QUESTION FOR MINNA ABOUT HER HAIR?
LEAVE IT IN THE COMMENTS.
Do you have any suggestions for maintaining shine and moisture on your natural hair? I use kinky curly knot today and kinky curly curling custard and by day 3 I have no shine.
ReplyDeleteHow is the natural scene out there? Is there support or division?
ReplyDeleteDear Minna Salami
ReplyDeleteI have a growth pause.
Let me explain I used to have a lot of breakage and shedding due to how I used to treat my hair (combing/brush and perm). But my hair still grew. Now that I have gone truly natural I haven't seen any growth in over 8 months. Its not getting shorter but not getting any longer either. I have less shedding than I have had most of my life. It is moisten and untangle gently when styled and cleaned. I wear protect styles. I am even taking very good care of my scalp (no build up, and dandruff under control barely even there).
Do you know what could be happening and even more important how to solve it and start growing again (I mean gaining length)?
Please help me I had a goal and it looks like I will never meat it at this point. I have less to equal shedding to naturals with my length of hair or a bit longer, who are see growth progress.
PS. I started to keep track of my hair since November 2009 my goal for this year was at least 3 inch after a minor trim/dusting by November 2010. Not an unrealistic goal since hair grows at an average of half an inch per month (about 6 inches a year).
What did you do in Spain? I'm moving there next month
ReplyDeleteWhat are your thoughts on using heat frequently for ease of styling for someone with a really busy lifestyle?
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI'm newely natural and frustrated. I'm in my third year of college, was diagnosed with a chronic disease and was told I have another. I also work part-time and I'm working on a business. I would love to know about hair styles that are very low maintenance and can be moisturized easily. My hair is two inches away from shoulder length. Thank you in advance!
Thanks everyone for asking the questions, I was really glad to see them.
ReplyDelete@anon 1 - I've got a great shine tip for you. Braid your hair in sections whilst moist (almost dry) then allow to dry preferably not too long - about a couple of hrs - then before unbraiding rub a coin sized amount of shine serum and rub against the braids. When you take them out your hair will be shinier.
I use Mizani's 'spradiance' high gloss serum, and i love the results.
However, I must say this in conclusion - some afro hair just is frizzier in nature than others, like mine! it does not mean that it's dry necessarily, it might just be its texture so one last piece of advice - don't overdo it with product trying to fix a problem that might not be a problem.
Hope that all works for you, thanks for the question.
@honeybrown1976 - the natural hair scene here is still evolving. I was lucky to live in nyc before moving to london, and it was there I became inspired to go natural. To be honest I'm not sure London would have had the same impact on me. I went to an Afro hair show this summer and was surrounded by weaves, relaxers and barely any natural hair care products. This is really ironic to me as the event was called 'Afro' hair show after all...
ReplyDeleteThat said, many natural ladies out here that I've met have never relaxed their hair, this is always a very positive surprise
@hyspin, I'm sorry to hear about the struggle with your hair.
ReplyDeleteI am not a hair expert, and to be honest I'm flattered to be here sharing tips, given the amount of times I thought something was wrong with my hair, but I hope I can be of some help when I say:
honey, ALL hair grows. Some slower than others. Yours WILL grow.
The first 4 yrs I was natural, I could have sworn, and my friends would testify, my hair did not grow at all. It seemed. In reality it was growing, but it was only in the fifth year that it became noticeable.
please be patient, enjoy the fact that you are your authentic self and love your own texture.
@anon 2 - I had been studying spanish in Sweden so I went out there to do study the language further. Spain is a beautiful country, hope you settle in well!
ReplyDelete@JazLani, my personal experience with heat aided styling frequently is that all that stuff they sell you to protect your hair from damage and all those modern ionic this and smoothing that kinda irons are a load of crap. Sorry to say.
ReplyDeleteMy hair goes very dry if I use straighteners or hair dryers, even just once, so I avoid them as much as I possibly can.
Then again, my hair texture is quite dry and frizzy, so if you have a more defined thick curl you might get away with it better.
I'd suggest scheduling your hair wash in when you know you can air dry.
Another suggestion is buy one of those microfiber hair towels (google if you don't know them). They are great cause they cut the drying process down generously.
Hope that answered the question.
@anon 3, I'm truly sorry to hear about the diagnoses. I can hear from that short msg that you are one of those people who gets going when the going gets tough and I admire you for working on a business.
ReplyDeleteDepending on your work dress code, I find wearing a head wrap the single most beautiful and low maintenance style (in my most recent post on my blog, I have shared a picture of myself wearing one which might work as inspiration)
If a head wrap isn't appropriate for your work, or not your style, then there is one particular style that I think works on every black woman and that is pulling your hair up into a bun or loose at the top of your head. There is something very queen-like and elegant about this style.
Would your hair reach up into one of those buns?
If there is any one thing that you would have done sooner to your hair to promote health, what would it be?
ReplyDeleteMinna,
ReplyDeleteYour hair is beautiful. How do you achieve such great volume? Now that my hair is longer, I have a harder time getting it to look BIG.
Hello, I am having a hard time finding the right comb out conditioner. I have bra strap length 4a 4b hair. However the longer it gets the more tangles I somehow have. I've tried all paul mitchell, and herbal essence lines. Please help I'm needing a conditioner with a lot of slip, as my hair seems to be more matted the longer it gets. Thanks so much for any suggestions.
ReplyDelete1. How long have you been natural? (Did you decide to go natural or have you been natural all of your life)?
ReplyDelete2. What's your routine (day and night)?
3. What are your favorite products?
4. Have you been made fun of for being natural, and if so..how did you handle it?
5. What are your tips for growing out natural hair long?
6. Have you had any frustrations with your natural hair...and if so, how did you get past them?
Thanks!
I love your hair and want to know all about your reggie but also what makeup and skincare products do you use, you skin is flawless!
ReplyDelete@anon 4, I would have started to love it sooner. It's not until I started to love my hair that I started to treat it with care.
ReplyDelete@Nappy Miss Sew 'N Sew, thank you.
ReplyDeleteAlthough my hair isn't very thick it's porous so the volume is a bit of an illusion! When it feels very flat, I tease the roots, and the ends, but very gently and with my fingers or a wide comb.
Applying product with your head upside down gives a volume boost as well.
If you really want it comb out your curls - but beware of frizziness!
@anon 5, I use herbal essences coconut & orchid as a comb out conditioner but you have tried that one already?
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you try getting a softening treatment instead to comb out with. I've heard much praise about kerastase treatments.
Are you combing from the ends upwards too? And using an afro comb or the tangle teaser brush? That little brush is magic!
@anon 6, great questions
ReplyDelete1. I stopped relaxing my hair in 2004.
2. Day - moisturize. Night - moisturize. I'm always trying new products to moisturize with, so doesn't matter that much what you use, but moisturizing more than seems sane is a must with my hair.
3. I'm currently using Mizani's true texture range, which I think is great.
4. I've not been teased about having a fro, but people have and still occasionally do make comments that indicate that my hair looks messy, or wild. I take that as a compliment. ;)
5. I hate to say this because it was the last thing I wanted to hear when I wanted long hair, but patience truly is key. But, caring for the hair will speed things up. Look at your hair like your favourite silk dress, the way you carefully wash and fold such a dress, is how you should treat your hair.
6. I so have! This was before I loved my hair and saw it as an extension of who I am and as my legacy. Before learning to love my hair, all the remedies I tried would never leave me fully satisfied.
@MissCherie, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI have oily skin and have found that the Clarins range for oily skin works really well for me. I compliment with REN range of products, ie their masks. Their jojoba face scrub is a must for me!
I use and love FACE Stockholm's make up but as it's not sold in London (it is available in NY though) if I run out of something and have not been to Sweden in a while, I most often substitute with MAC. Clinique's matt powder also has a shade that works well for me.
Hope that provides some inspiration, but finding what's right for your individual skin is important. I always ask the sales person for a sample before buying the product.
hi my name is emily, as i ave read u live in london sometimes i live in birmingham(uk) howeva am findin difficult being natural wen it comes to hair products i want products that can give a gud curl 2 my hair n styling so can u pls share wat products u use whilst ur in london. am sure ur aware of the lack products in England.
ReplyDeletePS I LOVE UR HAIR
Thanks - great skin and hair tips! You are great :)
ReplyDelete@emily, I don't think there is a lack of products in England.Don't forget, nowadays, you can find most products online too. I've been ordering my Mizani products from Amazon UK.
ReplyDelete@Emily, thank you for the compliment!
ReplyDelete@MissCherie, thank you chica :)
ReplyDeleteDear Minna Salami,
ReplyDeleteI'm 14 and a soon-to-be freshman at high school. I would like to wear my hair out in an afro, but my mom will not let me until i find moisturizing and curl-defining hair products. What product do you reccomend?
Do you ever straighten your hair and if so what is your regime?
ReplyDeleteHi! You have beautiful hair :)
ReplyDeleteI would like to know how you were able to travel so much and live in many different places. I'm a student and still trying to figure out where I live. The U.S. is my home, but I'm not sure if I want to live here permenantly. How did you decide where you wanted to live? How did you save money to be able to travel? Have you traveled alone in Europe and/or would you consider that safe? What is your career? Have you found that in Europe people (partcularly White people) are less hung up on race?
And hair related - how long did it take you to grow your hair length to what it is now? In the picture on maneandchic's site, is that a wash and go, twist out, etc.?
I'm sorry I asked so many questions, It's just so rare I'm able to ask a Black woman who has extensively traveled things like this! I hope you're able to answer all of my questions. Thanks so much! :)
@DramaBrainiac_Cutie, thanks for asking this question!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, although I have no doubt that your mum has your best interest at heart, sometimes it's OK to tell parents too that they are wrong.
If your school allows girls to wear their hair out, then this might be one of those cases.
However, the way to do it is to show how your point can work. So get your hands on some pictures of girls your age looking well-groomed (I assume this is your mum's concern?), then buy some nice clips that you can wear the front of your hair back with and lastly you should always be using moisturising products.
I don't live in the states and you probably have a wider selection to choose from. It's not that important which brand you use, just get any moisturiser and explain to your mum that being proud of your natural hair is something that matters to you, especially as it's something you've inherited from her and your father's lineage.
Good luck my dear
@TJWisdom, I have not straightened it in years...
ReplyDeleteIf I did want to straighten it out, I'd go to a salon, but only one that I trust as the last salon I went to did a years worth of damage in one hour!
@Alaina, thank you!
ReplyDeleteAs this is hair thread I won't reply to those other questions here, but please send me an email, I'd be very happy to give you more insight into the questions you raised
My email's in the contact me section on my blog.
Now hair...I stopped relaxing it in 2004, and chopped almost all of it off. I can't say it's been growing since then, since I've cut it quite frequently, and the first 4yrs or so I really mishandled it, but that might be an indication.
In the picture that's the texture, ie not a twist out or braid out.
I hope to hear from you via email
Hi,
ReplyDeleteYour hair is really beautiful and i agree your hair is an extension of yourself and so we should take care of it. I would like to know how you do your hair at night before going to bed to prevent it from knotting up in the morning. I have really thick hair which is about to the shoulder (unstrecthed) but its hard to go through my hair every night in small parts and braid and i want to avoid combing through it daily. When i twist my hair i have to bunch it up under the satin scarf to get the ends in ....and in the am its all squished...so what do you do? thanks for your advice...
What was the difference in the reactions to your hair in London, Lagos, Spain and Finland? Did any reactions surprise you pleasantly or otherwise?
ReplyDelete@anon 7, thank you...and your hair sounds gorgeous too. i tend to pack my hair in a loose bun on the top of my head at night. That said, I have a feeling there would be better options but so far this has been working for me. i think it depends on how you sleep, as i sleep on my side this kinda works for me
ReplyDelete@anon8, i think i've had equally different reactions in each country.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up as a kid in Nigeria though, people always advised me to pack my hair up!
In Finland and Sweden, I've had people actually come up and ask if they can touch my hair, to which I said NO!
Most of the reactions I get nowadays are positive, but again, that might have to do with me appreciating my hair for what it is