tuffCOOKiE
Well-Known Member
Hi Friends!
(It's been a while since I've posted anything)
(It's been a while since I've posted anything)
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Nigeria (Lagos) & Hair
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FearlessNik
Well-Known Member
I would skip the shampoo and just cowash since your hair is already dry. And I would leave the gel too.
I love to experiment and find new products so I'd only take what I needed until I found the local products. Avoid imports - coz it's the import tax that makes overseas products mad expensive. Find out what's popular locally and that probably will be cheap. Oils - use local, food grade quality oils - they're fresh pressed and your hair will probably flourish. Come back and let lhcf'ers know what you find. You just might start a new bandwagon or two.
Ese88
Well-Known Member
There is a natural scene in lagos, you can buy products if necessary from this blogger in lagos http://thekinkyapothecary.blogspot.co.uk/
Kindheart
Well-Known Member
Ese88 said:
Thats a Uk website ..
If i was you i would just use black soap ,shea butter ,murumuru butter and any oil avaible locally ,the majority of nigerian women wear wigs and love Dark -& lovely . As for the shower situation Hope you ll have running water ..i guess you won't have AC either .
Lurkee
Well-Known Member
The shower situation should not affect how you choose to wash your hair. Worst case, use a bucket and a plastic bowl and wash your hair over a bathtub or sink.
In terms of products, I don't have websites but the local bss where I lived had everything. ORS, Mizani, KeraCare and 'standard' hair product brands. In Ikeja, there are plenty of shops that sell hair products and Yaba/Eko market has an extensive collection of anything hair. Just ask around for your local cosmetic store and take it from there.
You might find it hard to buy KinkyCurly and other brands not readily available internationally.
Good luck.
PS: Might be easier to buy bottles of your staples and it should last you a year plus.
In terms of products, I don't have websites but the local bss where I lived had everything. ORS, Mizani, KeraCare and 'standard' hair product brands. In Ikeja, there are plenty of shops that sell hair products and Yaba/Eko market has an extensive collection of anything hair. Just ask around for your local cosmetic store and take it from there.
You might find it hard to buy KinkyCurly and other brands not readily available internationally.
Good luck.
PS: Might be easier to buy bottles of your staples and it should last you a year plus.
Ese88
Well-Known Member
Endlesslegs
Well-Known Member
i know the owner of that site personally. She lives between london and lagos as her work is quite international. I would not worry about sourcing products in lagos. Im nigerian, live in London but I visit lagos frequently. You can get hair products in many places on the island, in addition, if you live on the mainland you can get similar hair products in shoprite Ikeja. Lagos is far from backwards in that regard.
almond eyes
Well-Known Member
I would only bring just one or two of the things you really like but not stock up. Nigeria has so much hair care products from distributors and they are not the fake products in the regular market stores. However, yes they are a lot pricier.
You can wash your hair at the salon. I have very low water pressure where I am in West Africa and I have the salon wash my hair. When you go to these salons, you have to speak up about what you want and what you don't want and the hair dressers usually listen to their clients which can be a good or bad thing. And getting hair washed, relaxed and styled is very cheap. I paid $3.00 for my wash and go last week and it was at a very upscale salon.
Best,
Almond Eyes
You can wash your hair at the salon. I have very low water pressure where I am in West Africa and I have the salon wash my hair. When you go to these salons, you have to speak up about what you want and what you don't want and the hair dressers usually listen to their clients which can be a good or bad thing. And getting hair washed, relaxed and styled is very cheap. I paid $3.00 for my wash and go last week and it was at a very upscale salon.
Best,
Almond Eyes
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I haven't been to Nigeria, but I have to agree with Endlesslegs. Africa in general is not as far behind as people assume. You will find products over there to use. I mean, unless there is a product that you already use and must have that you know isn't available in Nigeria ... then of course, take it with you. But if you don't even know what products you want, it may even work out that the products you find in Lagos could work better than the products you bought with you.
I have to concur with the access you will have to natural products - butters, oils etc. I envy you!!
ps what's up with so many young people going back to Lagos for a year or two? What's hot over there? Lots and lots of y'all are doing this. I think it's awesome by the way!
I have to concur with the access you will have to natural products - butters, oils etc. I envy you!!
ps what's up with so many young people going back to Lagos for a year or two? What's hot over there? Lots and lots of y'all are doing this. I think it's awesome by the way!
Not to speak for the OP, but the moving back for a year or two usually means they are participating in the NYSC program (National Youth Service Corp). It's basically an internship program and generally mandatory for all college graduates. It definitely a requirement if you ever choose to work for the government and decide to get involved in politics, although more and more private companies are requiring it too.
You might find this site useful:
http://deepbrownkinks.blogspot.ca/p/product-find.html
Also this:
A2 Hair and Beauty Boutique
Suite 104, Obum Plaza 16
Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Abuja 234-806-065-1981
http://www.a2hairandbeauty.com
http://deepbrownkinks.blogspot.ca/p/product-find.html
Also this:
A2 Hair and Beauty Boutique
Suite 104, Obum Plaza 16
Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Abuja 234-806-065-1981
http://www.a2hairandbeauty.com
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I'm at the last stretch of the program and have decided to stay. The US will now be my home away from home.
As for hair, the natural scene hasn't really taken off yet, although you will see small segments (especially in lagos and abuja). Most naturals you see, especially with the Gen X and younger sets, are for the most part girls who grew up and or schooled and lived abroad (US & Europe) for a while.
I would actually advice you to bring any products and staples that you like. Like someone said, things (toiletries) can be quite expensive here. Black soap and shea butter should be easy to get in Lagos since the trees grow in that region . I live in Abuja and can't seem to get it here as easily. I had my mom bring some from the States. Also can't seem to get coconut oil. The shea butter and other natural stuff used on these boards seem to come from Ghana.
If you're into certain vitamins and healthy food (e.g Hemp, chia, flax seeds, protein powders, etc) then stock up because you won't easily find those things here.
If you use expensive brand weaves, wigs, braids, etc...... get it in the States. The prices here are usually double and triple the US price.
I don't know your financial situation, but money tends to go fast over here if you are not careful. Cell phone usage and internet is triple what you would normally spend. Same thing with going out to eat same thing.
Once you settle, I would try to look for a side hustle (if needed). Alot of people here do that.
Goodluck
As for hair, the natural scene hasn't really taken off yet, although you will see small segments (especially in lagos and abuja). Most naturals you see, especially with the Gen X and younger sets, are for the most part girls who grew up and or schooled and lived abroad (US & Europe) for a while.
I would actually advice you to bring any products and staples that you like. Like someone said, things (toiletries) can be quite expensive here. Black soap and shea butter should be easy to get in Lagos since the trees grow in that region . I live in Abuja and can't seem to get it here as easily. I had my mom bring some from the States. Also can't seem to get coconut oil. The shea butter and other natural stuff used on these boards seem to come from Ghana.
If you're into certain vitamins and healthy food (e.g Hemp, chia, flax seeds, protein powders, etc) then stock up because you won't easily find those things here.
If you use expensive brand weaves, wigs, braids, etc...... get it in the States. The prices here are usually double and triple the US price.
I don't know your financial situation, but money tends to go fast over here if you are not careful. Cell phone usage and internet is triple what you would normally spend. Same thing with going out to eat same thing.
Once you settle, I would try to look for a side hustle (if needed). Alot of people here do that.
Goodluck
Miss*Tress
Well-Known Member
I was thinking the same. You should be able to find coconut oil and shea butter very easily in Nigeria. If your hair likes those oils, don't bother taking any other oil with you. Plus the bottles could leak in your luggage.
Miss*Tress
Well-Known Member
No coconut oil? I'm really surprised.
I was too. I use to see the local coconut oil in the African stores in the DMV area. I just assumed they were produced in naija since the stores owners were usually from there.
Shea Butter, African Black Soap, Red Palm Oil, and the Clear Palm Kernel Oil can be gotten. Some places more easily than others, especially if you know the local names from the various ethnic groups.
Coconut Oil gets a puzzled look from the people I've asked. I'm thinking what I saw in the States was from other West African nation, most likely Ghana.
I just found a blog,Natural Nigerian who has products for sale.
For the makeup,the Naija scene is exploding. BM Pro cosmetics and Zarot are Naija made and seem great. I read a blog,Stella's addiction where she lists where to find makeup and has a studio.
I agree with whoever said find a side hustle. It is essential in Africa.
For the makeup,the Naija scene is exploding. BM Pro cosmetics and Zarot are Naija made and seem great. I read a blog,Stella's addiction where she lists where to find makeup and has a studio.
I agree with whoever said find a side hustle. It is essential in Africa.
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