FAQ


When did you big chop?
Onyi: I transitioned for 8 1/2 months and big chopped January 15, 2011 I'm getting close to my 1 year nappyversary!

Amaka: I transitioned for 6 months and big chopped November 13th, 2010, very spontaneously might I add.

Your first reaction after your big chopped?
Amaka: I felt liberated at first. But the next day at school, people gave me these funny looks and questioned my reasoning for cutting my hair and I admit, it got a little uncomfortable. But I knew without a doubt my hair was going to grow so when people laughed, I just thought of them as the outside of an inside joke.  

Onyi: I felt good as I was cutting it but after I was done I got scared. My hair was very short and I wasn't used to it at all. Don't get me wrong I loved the fact that I was 100% natural but I needed time to own my length. I got some Senegalese twists and 2 months later I was rocking my fro. I used those 2 months to research TWA styles and I've been wearing my fro ever since. 

Why did you go natural in the first place?
Onyi: I decided to go natural because I was tired of putting so much effort into my relaxed hair and not being able to retain any length. My hair would never grow past shoulder length and I didn't know why.My hair was always thin and always shedding. Now I know that it was the chemicals that took a toll on my beautiful tresses. I don't see myself ever going back to relaxers again..I'm so happy with my kinks and curls!

Amaka:I decided to go natural for two reasons. First reason, the nape of my neck. I've always struggled growing out the hair on the nape of my neck. I simply thought hair just didn't grow there. January of 2010, I relaxed my hair and the next day I had NO HAIR on my nape. I did a five month stretch and it seemed to grow back significantly until I stupidly relaxed it again that May and of course the hair broke off again. Second reason, my hair dresser Sonia. It seemed as though every time I saw her, she had to cut a significant amount of my hair off because my ends were bad. Late summer of 2010 I went to her salon with a full bun and left with hair I could barely put into a ponytail. That was the day I was OFFICIALLY done with relaxers. 

What do you love most about being natural?
Amaka: The best part about being natural would be the diversity that comes along with it. I love getting creative with my hair and trying new things. I also love the fact that I don't have to run from the rain.

Onyi: I love the versatility of being natural. There are so many styling options available and our hair is so unique that basically any style looks beautiful. That allows room for creativity and freedom to wear your hair any way you want and have the confidence to rock it without caring what the next person thinks. 

So you have been into hair care for a while?
Amaka:It has been a while actually. My sister was more into it than I was at first. I used to think she did the most but then she really got me into to it around January of 2009. Now it's a passion we both share. 

Onyi: Yep! I first began researching healthy hair practices towards the end of 2008. I made a new years resolution that following year to take better care of my hair. A year and a half later I had retained some length but I still had thin ends and wasn't retaining length like I wanted to. At that point I decided to transition and haven't looked back.

Hair type??
Onyi: I hate the hair typing system!! I see it as a means of further dividing women of color. I have thick curly, kinky hair that is unique to only me. I have come to accept my hair as it is instead of comparing mine to the next woman.

Amaka: In my opinion, the hair typing system is useless. No two people have the same hair, so why is it relevant? Even if two people claim to have the same "hair type", hair products that work for one person may not work for the other. So what's the point of it?

How would you describe your personal style?
Amaka:I consider my style vintage. I constantly shop through my moms old clothes and incorporate her old school 80's gear into my wardrobe. I also do a lot of thrifting, more so this year than ever. I vowed not to spend any money on new clothes, instead thrift once a month. It has saved me a lot of money plus, I'm getting a bang for my buck.

Onyi: I would describe my style as effortless chic. I tend to throw outfits together then look in the mirror and realize it looks great!  I also try to spend the least amount of money as possible on clothes so that means that I am constantly hunting for deals and discounts...and of course I love thrifting! Its amazing how much you can find at a thrift store for very low prices and still look fab! I love it!

Where are you guys from?
We are 100% Nigerian. Our parents were born and raised in Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria. Although we were born in the US, we consider ourselves Nigerian. We believe ethnicity is independent of citizenship. We love our culture and could not imagine our lives any other way...Igbo kwenu!!