Nok by Alara - An Ode

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Strip....

Not me...

The lovely art exhibition at the Re Le Art Gallery

According to the Curatorial Statement on the Re.Le site , "In this exhibition ‘STRIP’ we showcase a collection of nudes in varying degrees by painters and photographers and we seek to amplify the body of conversation.

The purpose here is to strip bare, rediscover and reopen the discourse around the human form; to provoke keen engagement, investiga- tion of anatomical information; to deconstruct myths and truths of power, shame, freedom, beauty (and more)- the different shades of attendant feelings that accompany an encounter with a naked body.

We strongly encourage you to approach these works stripped of the caution of modesty but clothed with the courage of an open mind." 

TWP x BLD

If you live in Abuja or have partied in Abuja you'll definitely have been to PLAY or Candy.

Now the Kings of Abuja nightlife have brought the magic to Lagos with BLD by PLAY.

BLD stands for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner and besides a regular menu you can order from they have pretty much the most affordable buffet in Lagos, probably in Nigeria. Only N2,500 for all you can eat, all day.

Product Review - JL Wigs

Recently boarded the wig train and I'm loving it!

Unlike other products I review here, I wasn't approached by the brand but I saw the wig on a friend and loved it.

Asked her where she got it and she gave me the details.

I've only ever worn a wig once in my life and after it fell off my head at Marylebone while I was running to catch the train to Bicester I swore I'd never go near one again until I saw the JL Wig.

JL Wigs are made from 100% human hair ranging from Peruvian to Malaysian and much more. Pricing depends on the length and type of hair. The wigs come with comfortable adjustable bands and/or combs to enable them feel more secure. 

I got mine in Mongolian Straight and in 16", 18" and 20", with a 12" closure.

Funny story, being a total blonde beneath my melanin, I didn't realize when I ordered  a wig with a middle part I could actually move it a few inches to the left and turn it into a side part.

The dynamos from JL Wigs explained this to me and I am still shocked at the sheer ingenuity. Its like getting two wigs for the price of one! It is so versatile I even managed an updo.

I am now considered a terror on Lagos streets, because once work is over and I enter my car, my wig comes off to reveal the patewo beneath. I enjoy seeing drivers get whiplash gawking at my Simbi-ness.

The ease and functionality is beyond.


Side Part

Center Part

Amazing!


All in my mission to baby my natural hair as much as possible, I'm definitely going to be wigging it *facepalm* probably till next year.

The hair itself is fantastic, minimal shedding, feels great, needs very little brushing, silky but still has quite a heft to it. I really dislike limp hair.

I heartily recommend getting one.

See below where I'm demonstrating my heartiness with a big shit-eating grin on my face.

Details

Phone: +2347062343043 or +2347067777774
Email: jlwigs@gmail.com


Love and light xx

Zinkata'd

Over the weekend I stopped by uber stylist and image consultant; Ezinne Chinkata's new store, Zinkata.

Ezinne has styled some of the most fabulous people in the industry, Omotola and Monalisa Chinda to name a few, and has been Fashion Editor at both Genevieve and Wow magazines.

With such a veteran fashion background I went there expecting to be wowed and I was not disappointed, her store was a delight. The space was super gorgeous and reminded me of one of those vintage stores off Brompton Road, only with better lighting and layout.

I love how she kept the decor very neutral, with the clothes providing the pops of colour.

Her powers of persuasion are so strong she managed to get me out of my comfort zone and into some very Zinkata style outfits.....pictures coming soon.

Her pieces are very unique and not what you'd find on the rack of a typical Lagos store, its very true to her fashion madcap aesthetic while still retaining a very classic vibe. I loved everything and would have carted away a truckload if I did not remember in time that I didn't have a hidden trust fund somewhere to live off on.

I got some truly lovely pieces that I can't wait to show off. I love how the Nigerian fashion retail space is growing, very soon we won't need the international High Street at all! Really looking forward to that day.

Zinkata
13b Awori Road, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos
09090404886
ezinnechinkata@gmail.com

Updated
You can view some of what she has in stock on her tumblr page: zinkata.tumblr.com


Love and light xx

Beauty Kink Review

So a while ago I received some items from online beauty store, Beauty Kink (www.beautykink.com) to review.

Now I usually hardly ever review beauty products, that's because I don't use a lot of make-up and if you send me something like a contour kit you're wasting your time, I won't use it. If its not stuff I actually use like my MAC stuff (Studiofix, primer, brow pencil, lipsticks), weaves or bath and body products (shower gels, scrubs, body butters)...I'm a sucker for bath and body stuff, I won't be able to honestly review it because for the life of me I don't know how one shade of eyeshadow is more pigmented than the other...zero idea.

So when I was contacted by Beauty Kink, my default reaction was to send my usual nice email declining their offer, then I had a look at their site. I've been slacking majorly because I don't really buy beauty stuff online so I had zero idea of how the online beauty market in Nigeria has simply blown up. Its fascinating! You can get everything online, I know I sound like such a rube right now but I'm really shocked at what's out there.

I mean Beauty Kink has ALL my ish, MAC products, my beloved Milk of Magnesia, weaves, make-up accessories......I was all goggle-eyed like yoooooo.

It is basically a one-stop-shop for customers searching for makeup products, hair products, skincare products, weaves and extensions, tools etc.

They stock a wide range of brands such as Ben nye, Graftobian, MAC, Revlon, Mary Kay, Mehron,Sugar Pill, Skindinavia, Sleek, ELF cosmetics, Bdellium, Sigma, Morphe brushes and so much more.

They are authorized retailers of U.S cosmetics company BH COSMETICS, Milani and also our Nigerian brands here such as Zaron, BMPRO, Tara and so much more.

They pride themselves in their delivery service and with their delivery partner DHL, they deliver to all 36 states in Nigeria. They also offer next day delivery within Lagos and 2-5 days for outside Lagos

They accept Cash on delivery orders within the Lagos Metropolis, payment online with any Nigerian Bank Issued Cards and Direct bank transfer.

They are currently only the Nigerian beauty store that offers FREE consultations for its customers and also sends out FREE foundation and concealer samples for customers to test their shades before buying!

So even though I couldn't use what I was sent I am so impressed by the items they have for sale, there's something there for everyone and the convenience of online shopping is always a plus.

So these are the items I received below from Beauty Kink

Since I cannot in all honesty review them I've decided to give them away instead, I'm sure this will make some budding MUA very happy.

No great shakes, simply leave a comment below with your name and email address and the winner will be chosen by a random number generator. The Giveaway will close at midnight on Tuesday, June 17th and the winner will be announced on Thursday, June 19th.

Items can only be delivered within Lagos, so if you win and you live outside the state you have to provide a Lagos address to have the items delivered to.

Also Beauty Kink will be offering a 10% discount on all items to TWP Readers, yay right!

Simply enter the code "twp10" after purchasing items on the site, code is valid for a month.


Beauty Kink Info
Web: www.beautykink.com
Enquiries: contact@beautykink.com
Facebook: beautykink
Instagram: beautykink
Twitter: beauty_kink
Phone: 08178808755

Things Daks Loves

Because I just had to hijack the name and make it about me somehow.

Things Nigerians Love is a Nigerian label I have so much love for. They exhibit all the qualities I look for in a burgeoning Nigerian label; serious style, unique pieces, affordability (most importantly) and growth....the latter especially.

Their growth has been phenomenal, their first collection impressed me and when I viewed their last collection and received the pieces I literally did a little jig......my girls knocked it out of the park. I literally couldn't decide on what I wanted.

These are my favorites below, you can view the rest on thingsnigerianslove.com.


'Lady Danger' and Multi-Striped Jumpsuit
N9,000 and N9,200

Blazer Origami Dress in Black & White
N8,200

'Lulu' Pleat Dress in Green & Black
N7,200

......an an oldie but a goodie

Twist Waist Dress
N7,300

Will you look at those delicious prices and fabulous pieces......LOVE!

Love and light xx

Hair Review - Anne Elise Real Hair

I'm about to give you the goods on some seriously fabulous hair, you've probably already heard about Anne Elise Real Hair, but if you haven't here's the scoop.

I'd heard about Anne Elise Real Hair before but I'd never seen it in person, prior to the owner reaching out to me, I'd only ever seen pictures of it online. A few weeks ago however I walked into QM Nail Lounge to get my nails done and saw this person with superstar hair walking ahead of me. I was just saying to myself "wow, that is amazing hair" when the girl turned out to be none other than Anne of Anne Elise hair. We had only ever communicated via email so I had no idea what she looked like. After seeing her hair in person, I was more excited than ever to review it

Anne Elise Real Hair is made up of raw human hair origin blends which are  selected, blended into raw hair ponytails and then wefted, eventually producing one bundle.

First off, I LOVED the packaging (the bag has turned into my main salon bag btw)

It also came with a lovely paddle brush and bendy rollers which was honestly very timely as my previous brush was on its last legs. The hair also came in a satin bag.

Description

The particular hair I received is composed of Cambodian hair (for its resilience, it's loose wavy pattern and it holds styles well) and also with hair from the Russian Federation known as Russian Fede hair (this is very very soft textured hair but too soft to use straight in black hair in my opinion but lovely to touch) hence the combination.

This allows for a human hair blend that is easily styled whether it is curled, set or straightened but also blends well with black hair. 

This is what it looked like right after it was installed.

Here, the hair is in its most natural state, I didn't wash, blow dry or curl it. I just installed it as I received it. I wouldn't recommend it though, I usually co-wash human hair once I buy it before I install for the first time. This time though, I was in a hurry to catch a flight and didn't have time to wash it, but it still turned out beautifully, I LOVE the curls in their natural state.

Review

My favorite thing about this hair is that it requires minimal attention. For the first week I had it on I didn't brush it once (again, not advisable but I wanted to see how it tangled). I was absolutely gobsmacked that de-tangling with my fingers was all it took, I kid you not. I installed it on a Friday and till the next Friday I didn't run a brush through it once and it barely tangled at all. I used my fingers to de-tangle every night, spritzed on a bit of water in the morning and let it air dry and it was as good as new every day.

Top marks for that, there's absolutely nothing more irritating than hair bunching up at the back and practically turning to dreadlocks if you don't brush it every few hours.

With this hair, I promise you zero tangles.

The hair is also quite soft but not silky, it has a very dense quality that I loved, meaning it's heavy enough to hold styles. I love my long, full hair (hello Beyonce) so here I actually have five bundles installed from 20" to 26" to get the fuller quality as long hair can be quite thin.

I'm telling you I walked through that airport on 10, hair was swanging, part was laid, I didn't need to speak to anyone just swung my hair from left to right to communicate. I felt fabulous!

Hair Care Advice

Anne herself recommends trimming of the ends of this hair once it is installed/fixed but this is due to individual preference ( I didn't trim mine though, as she said....individual preference)

Maintenance

Minimal products on the hair works well. Minimal use of serum or other hair oils. Since minimal products go on the hair to maintain it, this means you don't need to wash it as often. I would suggest 2 to 3 weeks. 

Styling 

This hair can be straightened or set, but I recommend a blow dry, as it gives it a very lovely bounce and great movement. 

Pricing

It is quite affordable and ranges from N18,000 to N30,000 per bundle, depending on the length. Lengths available are from 8" to 28" (for all my fellow mami-waters)

Contact Information

Email:        anneeliserealhair@gmail.com

Website:     www.anneeliserealhair.com

Instagram: @anneeliserealhair 

Twitter:     @anneelisehair 

Now since I can't see a good thing without hooking my Profashionals up, Anne Elise Real Hair is offering a 20% discount until the end of April to all TWP readers. To get this discount, email anneeliserealhair@gmail.com with subject TWP Reader for further information on obtaining the discount and delivery prices. 

They deliver to anywhere in Nigeria. 

Its April, weddings and Easter holidays are coming up, if you want to be Beyonce for a day please don't even dull, get your Anne Elise Real Hair on.

*who's that guuurrrrl, na na na na na na na*

Love and light xx

Maksins Hair

So the hair I was talking about in my previous post.......

It's called Maksins Hair and from the minute I got it I was struck by the quality. 

First off I bleached it which puts a lot of strain on human hair but the strands did not dry out, the hair didn't shed and it stayed relatively tangle-free. It also retained the curls pretty well and in a week I've only had to use a curling wand twice and the 2nd time was only because I wanted to change the curl pattern at the front. All in all, pretty good stuff.

 I have 10 inches of 210 grams installed in this picture, which costs about 31,000 and was enough for a full head.

Buying hair in Nigeria is hellishly expensive and getting a full head of hair at that price is pretty much a miracle.

Maksins Hair Products. Ltd is a 100% Virgin Hair Company situated in Nigeria. They are devoted to providing the purest unprocessed human hairs collected from donors around the world mostly South-Asia, South East Asia & SouthAmerica "We get our hairs directly from there countries of origin" Maksins Hair is constantly searching for that next country with special quality hair that is notch above what you are used to.

They offer only the best and most healthy hairs that are unprocessed and cuticle aligned. These unique hair collection can be coloured, highlighted, bleached, or converted to any type of wave/curl pattern just as you would expect from any natural hair. The hair generally comes in shades of browns & blacks. You can use the extensions numerous times.

Their products consists of machine weft extensions, hand tied extensions, bulk hair for braiding (pick n drop) clip-in hair extensions, U part wigs, lace closures/frontals, all in varying lengths and textures. They also have curling irons, Maksins curl-makers, flexi rollers, leave-in conditioners and so much more for the hair.

Maksins Hair products Ltd is set apart from other hair companies as their reps physically go to where their hair extensions originate from to hand pick them in order to ensure that none of their products are chemically treated or manipulated in anyway, leaving the hair cuticles damage free.

Although they are situated in Nigeria, their online clientele stretches across borders as they strive to provide genuine, quality control checked virgin hair to all our customers.

You can find them at:
Maksins Hair Boutique
Plot 90, Ground floor, El-linda plaza
Peter-Odili road,
TransAmadi,
Portharcourt,
Rivers state,
Nigeria.
www.maksinshair.com

Contact:
BBM: 21B5A2DD
EMAIL: info@maksinshair.com
TWITTER: @maksinshair
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/maksinshair
PINTEREST / INSTAGRAM: @maksinshair
TEL: +234(0)7055134175

And the real koko is that from 21/08/2013 till 31/12/2013 all TWP readers get a special 10% discount off your total purchase from MaksinsHair, Coupon code is TWP2013.

So get buying!

They deliver nationwide too.

Love and light xx

TWP Loves Brian Lichtenberg

Took my Brian Lichtenberg 'Homies" tee out for a spin last weekend for drinks with friends.

I've wanted one for the longest time so while I was in LA I wasted no time getting it.

Brian Lichtenberg 'Homies' Tee; H&M denim cutoffs; Gucci hi-top sneakers; Indigo Boutique neck-piece; ASOS gold link anklets worn as bracelets

Brian Lichtenberg's line of tongue in cheek tees are hugely popular with celebrities and have been worn by the likes of Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Ciara, Cara Delevigne, Christina Milian, Jourdan Dunn etc.

The line consists of t-shirts, sweatshirts and beanies which parody popular designer logos such as Hermes, Celine, Burberry, Balmain, Gucci etc.

My favourite is obviously the Homies tee as well as the Feline tee, the Burrrr tee, the Grace Bones tee and the Twerkin' for a Birkin tee.

Another one that I'd give my right nut for (if I had a right nut) is my babygirl Ciara's 'Ballin' muscle tee she had on in her awesome AF 'Body Party' video.

Beautiful!

I got mine from Kitson in Los Angeles but you can also buy online at shopbrianlichtenberg.com

Love and light xx

My MDSA Experience

The Modern Day School of the Arts is a University for the study of the arts and design in Lagos and it offers courses in Creative Writing, Fashion Design, Multi-Platform Communications, Photography, Web Design and Development. Teaching these courses are a staggering array of talented professionals in their field; Ituen Basi, Don Barber, Toni Kan, Tolu Ogunlesi, and Victor Ehikhamenor.

I first heard about MDSA via Instagram and was instantly intrigued, see I'd always wanted to do a Creative Writing course, I know I can write but I've always wanted to learn the proper form and structure of writing. So I got on their website and started to do my research and I was super impressed by what I saw there. Omoyemi Akerele of Style House Files, whose reputation spreads beyond fashion as an innovator is on the Board of Advvisors so I knew I was on to a good thing. 

I registered for the Creative Writing course and was invited to take part in a 2 day workshop prior to the kick off for the week long workshop. It was taught by Toni Kan who I'd been a fan of since he used to write for Hints Magazine. Now at the time, I was in primary school I think and was definitely not supposed to be reading Hints but I was such a voracious reader that I read everything I could get my hands on, even the back of cereal boxes when there wasn't anything else. There was no discrimination, as long as something had text on it I would read it.

With Toni Kan

The workshop took place the first week of February and was so much fun, I mean I love Law and all but classes used to get so tedious that several times I wanted to start screaming in class so I could be certified insane and won't have to go to school (true story), but this was...easy, I mean I found it easy. Writing is something I've always loved and has always come naturally to me so having to "study" it was a bit laughable. It was like taking a class where you had to learn to eat ice-cream....

The class was well attended and the students were engaging and interactive and Toni Kan was a phenomenal teacher. I was a bit wary about that at first because being good at something doesn't necessarily mean you'd be able to impart that knowledge to the next person, but he totally allayed all my fears. 

At the end of the workshop we were set an assignment to write a story with the central theme being Valentines Day. The premise was based on an experience Toni Kan had a few years ago where he walked into a restaurant on Valentine's Day and there was a woman sat at a table by herself, gorgeously dressed who proceeded to demolish a 3 course meal meant for two people during the course of the evening, all the while looking happy and content and not the least bit uncomfortable that she was eating by herself at a romantic restaurant on Valentine's Day. We had to write a story incorporating that visual and creating a back story surrounding it. We would read out our stories at the next class and Mr. Kan would pick his favourites to be published in the Sunday Sun.

Mine was picked (yay me) and published in the Sun on 17th February, unfortunately I was out of the country on the 17th and by the time I got back I couldn't find a single vendor that could get me the Sun of the 17th :( Anyway I wanted to put the story on here so you guys can read it.

ETERNAL VALENTINE 

February 14^th 1961

“It’s a boy!”

“Here’s to never having another Valentine’s Day to ourselves again darling” gasped the sweaty, once pregnant woman to the man, her husband who stood by her, enduring her painful grip on his hand.

He gave no answer, smiling through his tears.

February 14^th 1992

“Lola, will you marry me?”

A ripple of excitement went through the crowd gathered that day for what had begun as a birthday celebration but would end as an engagement party.

The tall slim woman looked at the man, love shining though her eyes, “so if I say yes do I still have to give you a birthday present?” she quipped and the excited guests burst into laughter.

“Just say you’ll be Mrs. Rotimi Oladokun and you’ll never have to give me a present for the rest of our lives.”

February 14^th 1993

Lola and Rotimi were observed sneaking out by a side door by their wedding guests who elbowed each other smiling at the newly wedded couple’s eagerness to snatch a moment alone on their wedding day.

Rotimi’s best man, an infamous rake looked on wistfully, “you know”, he said to one of the groomsmen, “these two almost make me want to give it all up, being around them is dangerous to a bachelor’s sense of well-being.” “Osaro the man!” laughed the groomsman, “you know you like women too much to ever settle for just one.” “That is true” mused Osaro, “but they give me faith, maybe one day I’ll meet my own Lola.” He was lost in this reverie for a few minutes then noticing a group of bridesmaids and in particular, a spectacularly endowed one walking towards them, smiled “but today is NOT that day.”

“Hello ladies…”

February 14^th 2011

The woman performed her toilette carefully, she luxuriated in a scented bath for at least an hour, applied her make-up with a skilled hand, spent ages moisturizing his favourite body butter into her already fragrant skin.

She held up the Tiffany Amber dress and smiled, tonight she was going to be a knockout, tonight she will make him prouder than ever.

…………………………….

Every diner that walked into the Jade Oriental restaurant that most romantic night of all nights noticed the stunning woman sitting at a table by herself.

Most of the men would have made a play for her themselves if they weren’t commanded by the rules of Valentine’s Day to be perfect gentlemen to their long suffering significant others, but the same thought passed through everybody’s mind “I wonder what sort of man would keep such a beautiful woman waiting on such a day.”

Still alone, the woman ordered a veritable feast, when the food was laid out before her she smiled with pure delight.

She took out a photo, kissed it and whispered “Rest in peace darling.”

…..and on the anniversary of her late husband’s birthday, the day he asked her to marry him, the day they became man and wife.....on Valentine’s Day;

Lola Oladokun picked up her fork and knife and attacked her food with gusto.

Love and light xx

You can find out more about the Creative Writing course and other courses at the Modern Day School of the Arts Nigeria HERE