Inspiration corner with Patricia Kihoro
May 10, 2012
Today´s
natural hair inspiration is a multitalented young lady, Those of you in
Kenya already know her & her lovely voice, as she was one of the
best candidates of the tusker project fame. Other than that she is an
actress and has featured in numerous music videos and Tv series such as changes and will be playing Nana in Rush which will be airing soon. Gahl was honored was honored to interview her about her hair and here is what she had to say.
Who is Patricia Kihoro?
I
am a singer, actress, radio news anchor and sporadic blogger living and
working in Nairobi. I love to take pictures, long drives and I am
slowly making Bikram yoga a way of life.
I blog at at Patriciakihoro Blogspot and patriciakihoro.tumblr
you can also follow me on twitter here: https://twitter.com/#!/Misskihoro
1. Are you relaxed or Natural?
I am a natural, curly haired girl, and have been, on and off since 1995, but permanently since January 2010.
2. What is your hair type? Describe your curl pattern.
My hair is very tightly coiled, especially on the top, and looser on the sides. It would be described as 4a/b.
3. What was your starting length and what is your current one?
I
started, again, as I have numerous times, at BC level, which was
probably just under half an inch or thereabouts. I chopped some off on
the 24th of
March this year, as I have many times in the last two years, and it’s
now about 6 or so inches when stretched out. I am however wearing it as
short as I can at the moment as I really want to BC again, but can’t
because of some TV work.
4. Are you on a hair journey? If yes what inspired you to start a HHJ and when was it.
I
was, I think, initially. When I BC’d in 2010, I decided that I was
going to care more for my hair, and grow it into a HAA, (Huge Ass Afro).
I wanted to prove to folk that natural hair is capable of growing to
unbelievable lengths, and is not as hard to maintain as most people
think. I was doing ok, and my fro has grown to a pretty fierce length
already, but I think, I really, truly miss having short hair. It has
nothing to do with maintenance or difficulty, I do love it, but there’s
something about a TWA that is so sexy. So now, I’m just taking it one
day at a time.
5. How do you usually wear your hair? And why.
I
am very eclectic with my hair style choices and change looks as often
as the moon changes. Right now I’m wearing it short and shrunken, with
the sides pinned down, while I decide if I really will BC again. About a
month ago I was wearing it in a puff, and before that I had braids,
while before that I had small cornrows on the sides. I get very restless
with my hair.
6. Do you have a hair routine? How easy was getting into a regimen, knowing the right products etc? What´s your regimen?
Well,
at first, when I realized that there was such a thing as a healthy way
to care for hair, I went all out and did a ton of research on the best
products and regimens and etc. Suffice it to say my bathroom soon looked
like a hair supply store. But after a while, I settled into a
comfortable, SIMPLE routine, which may not cover all the recommended
bases, but it works for me. Initially,
I was co-washing a lot, and rocking wash n go’s but now with my hair
longer I’m doing more twist outs and braid outs, deep conditioning and
hennaing when I can, and moisturizing and sealing every other day. I use Kiss
My Face Saponified Olive Oil and Honey Bar to wash; it really gets the
job done and has absolutely no chemicals; Herbal Essences Hello
Hydration Conditioner, Suave Green Apple Conditioner and Water for
moisture, Nupur Henna for strength and thickness, and finally Coconut
Oil and Raw Shea Butter to seal in moisture. In fact I made myself a
hair pomade containing Raw Shea Butter, Vatika Coconut Oil, Amla Oil and
Castor Oil.
7. How do you fit hair care into your busy lifestyle?
Because
my regimen is now very simple, it just fits in with no extra effort. My
mum and I have also been DIYers for as long as I can remember so it’s
really been no stress.
8. Have you always had natural hair? If no why did you decide to go natural?
I
had long, natural, mid back length hair as a child, but would see all
these adverts of black women with bone straight hair and wonder what it
would be like to have hair that didn’t shrink. The “Style and Bounce”
and “Beautiful Beginnings” ads had me begging my mom for a perm when I
was 9. After 3 months of relentless nagging, my mom let me get my hair
relaxed. I BC’d 7 years later and I have since shaved my head,
texturized, relaxed, and dyed my hair more times than I can remember.
The last time I BC’d was in January 2010 but it was completely
unintentional. I had taken a vacation to Mombasa and my hair was braided
into tiny twists. I swam in the sea and rolled around in the sand,
basically had a great time but when I took my braids out, it was
ridiculously tangled and matted. I decided to shampoo and condition it
before detangling, but that made it worse, so I went to the bathroom
mirror with a pair of scissors, and did something I had done many times
before; I chopped it all off.
9. How long has it taken you to reach your current length?
2 years, with several ‘minor’ chops.
10. Has taking better care of your hair made a difference in the way your hair looked before and the way it looks now?
Yes.
Before, I just thought hair was hair and didn’t need any sort of gentle
handling or care. Now, I am a tad more conscious of what it takes to
keep my hair healthy, and because of that, I am way more careful but
experimental with styles. Although I don’t go all out to follow all the
“rules” out there, my hair is definitely in better shape than it has ever been.
11. Do you believe anyone who adapts the correct techniques can grow fabulous hair or is there such a thing as bad hair?
I
think all hair is good hair, no matter the texture or length. There is
no way I can change my hair into a certain sort of texture without
chemical treatment, and so I acknowledge that my hair is fabulous as it
is. Some people have cool, interesting hairstyles and when asked about
their regimen, all they say is, “What? I just wash with water and go.” So I think it’s all in the attitude.
12. What have you learnt about healthy hair care that you would love to share with other African women?
I
have learnt that at the end of the day, my hair is mine, and yours is
yours. How I care for mine, and style it, may be different from yours
but at the end of the day, if I love how my hair looks, just as it is,
then it is great hair.
13.
What is the most heart-felt advice you would give to other African
ladies thinking about but not so sure about starting a HHJ?
As
long as even on days that another person would deem a bad hair day, you
can still figure out a way to wear your hair with confidence, and rock
it with style, whether relaxed or natural, then, that’s when you most
appreciate and love your hair, and others will see it.
14. What would you advice a Newbie NOT to do?
Not to be a slave to hype, you know, hyped up products or regimens. Find your
own thing. Only you can figure out what your hair loves best. Just
because one person says no to Dax or silicones, doesn’t mean you should
if your hair loves it. Nothing is taboo.
15. Do you do your own hair?
Yes, I do.
16. Do you have a hair idol? Who and why?
No,
I don’t. I used to, Jill Scott and Nyachomba Kariuki of Kurly Kichana,
but now, not really. I appreciate a ton of naturals though, and
appreciate what they do with their hair, and how they style it. But at
the end of the day, I really love my own mane.
Thanks to Patricia for answering our many questions :-)
Welcome to Grow African Hair Long (GAHL)
3 comments
I really admire ladies who take the bold of going natural...personally it would take alot,but its one of those looks i would definitely like to try.Patricia looks awesome!i like
ReplyDeletehttp://vonetteorinda27.blogspot.com/
Amazing stuff!I love patricia and love her more now to learn that she is a hair lover and diyer!her hair is gorgeous.thanx GAHL
ReplyDeletewoop woop.. inspiring really
ReplyDelete