Connect with us

Beauty

How Tolu Oye Pays Homage to Her Culture Through Her Hair

Tolu Oye is a designer and beauty brand owner known for her head-turning braids. She opens up about learning to love her braids and her culture that comes with them…

Image may contain Face Human Person Michaela DePrince and Head

“This hair style is called Irun Kiko. It’s done with a rubber thread. It’s a natural way to stretch your hair with no heat. It’s a traditional style that is not as common as before.”

Photo: Courtesy of Omofolarin Omolayole

Texture Diaries is a space for Black women across industries to reflect on their journeys to self-love, and how accepting their hair, in all its glory, played a pivotal role in this process. Each week, these women share their favorite hair rituals, products, and the biggest lessons they’ve learned when it comes to affirming their beauty and owning their unique hair texture.

Advertisement

Tolu Oye’s love of her Nigerian culture is apparent throughout her work. Oye is the co-founder of Oye Green, an African beauty and wellness brand which carries products like shea butter, specialty hair combs, and Cowrie shells. Most recently, she launched Oye Green Prints, an initiative selling prints by Black artists—60% of the proceeds go towards organizations and individuals working to end SARS in Nigeria. She also has a clothing brand, Meji Meji, through which she recently launched a hair protective, silk-lined bucket hat and face masks. “My inspiration is rooted in my identity and culture. It is displayed in everything I do,” Oye says. That includes her ever-inspiring beauty and hair looks, too: Oye rocks braids of all kinds; from those that are green dyed and cheekbone-length to cornrows that cascade into a billow of coils. 

“I am inspired by the beauty of Nigerian culture,” the Lagos-born, New York-based entrepreneur says. “I use my hair as a moodboard to share a story about the past and the present. My hair is a form of art and my way of channeling my inner being.” 

Advertisement

It took time for Oye to feel completely comfortable with herself, and her hair. Growing up in Ohio, “I was often the only person of color in the room, and when I wasn’t, I was the darkest shade,” she recalls. “I had to toughen up really quickly. For so long, I did not identify myself as beautiful. I hated the skin I was in.” In the 6th grade, her teacher made her read The Skin I’m In. “I saw myself in the main character, Maleeka. That book was a turning point for me. From that day forward, I spoke with my head up,” she says. “To this day, I always hear my mother’s voice in my head, saying, ‘Tolu, you’re Black and shine!’ I had to learn how to love every piece of myself.”

Image may contain Human Person Hair Face Clothing Apparel and Head

“Me and my mom. She’s been braiding my hair since she gave birth to me. It’s amazing how we still bond over me sitting in her salon chair or on a pillow on our living room floor. Sometimes I even travel back to Ohio just so she can run hands through my scalp and play catch up. If my mother isn’t doing my hair, it’s my friends Helena Koudou and Chinna Njoku.” 

Advertisement

Photo: Courtesy of Kyle Meeks

Her mother, a cosmetologist who worked in a braid shop throughout Oye’s youth, has been a strong pillar throughout her hair journey as well. “It is through her that I found my love for braids,” Oye says. But around 6th grade, Oye began dreading getting her hair braided, wanting to assimilate into her Ohio surroundings. It wasn’t until she went back to Nigeria in 2016 that she found her love for traditional African braid styles again. “I started expressing myself through braids. I started yearning to learn about conventional Yoruba braid styles and Nigerian culture as a whole. A [missing] puzzle piece within my life was finally here.”

Image may contain Human Person Light Flare and Face
Photo: Courtesy of Omofolarin Omolayole
Image may contain Face Human and Person
Photo: Courtesy of Omofolarin Omolayole

Now, as her daily reminder, she reads the message engraved on the Oye Green comb she designed: “Irun ré ni òge re,” meaning: “Your hair is your glory.”  For further inspiration, she looks to hairstylists Jawara and Fesa, photographs taken by J.D. Okhai Ojeikere, Rihanna, and books like African Hairstyles, Styles of Yesterday and Today by Esi Sagay. Oye loves to recreate old hairstyles “with a modern twist,” she says. “Braids are heavy symbolism and a fashion statement. Each braids style represents a form of societal status, tribe, age, marital status, wealth, power, and religion,” she explains.

Her go-to hair products include the Oye Green Rubber thread, a traditional method of stretching hair without heat. Oye notes that one of the oldest methods, “Irun Kiko,” or hair threading, is a traditional African hairstyle that originated among the Yorubas. “The sculptural style was once used to depict wealth and class, and to commemorate events, but is also a very effective method of stretching and protecting hair without heat and excess manipulation,” she explains. She also often reaches for the Oye Shea Butter: “It’s an all in one product that can be used as food for my skin and food for my hair.” She also uses it to nourish her edges. Kera Kare Dry and Itchy soothes her scalp when she has braids in, while Shine ‘N Jam is perfect for hold and Murray’s Edgewax shapes her baby hairs.

Advertisement
Image may contain Face Human Person Head and Smile
Photo: Courtesy of Omofolarin Omolayole
Image may contain Human Person Clothing Apparel and Hair
Photo: Courtesy of Omofolarin Omolayole

Up next, Oye is working towards adding a shampoo and conditioner to her line, while also expanding her Meji Meji collection for 2021. Otherwise, she’s focused on finding time for self-love and softness. “Self-care is important to me because I am always working,” she says. “When the pandemic happened, my body didn’t know how to react to the stillness. But especially during this pandemic, my value for self-care increased.” Whether she’s working on her beauty and fashion brands or planning her next hairstyles, she’s staying afloat through positive self-talk. “If you affirm great things, they will indeed come to pass,” she says. “Love yourself, talk to yourself, and tell yourself how beautiful you are daily.”

Image may contain Human Person Michaela DePrince Face and Finger
Photo: Courtesy of Omofolarin Omolayole
Advertisement

Stay updated! Click the Google News follow button for more news and updates.

Follow on Google News

Beauty

Eva Zuk: Striking Beauty and Charismatic Influencer on Every Glossy Page

In the glimmering world of fashion, Eva Zuk is a name that needs no introduction. A model, an influencer, a woman whose ethereal beauty and awe-inspiring journey captivates everyone who comes across her story. She is not just a pretty face; she embodies grit, tenacity, and unbounded ambition.

Eva’s foray into modeling commenced when she was a wide-eyed teenager. She began her career with Fashion TV in France, a starting point that would soon lead her on a path of renown. With her exceptional talent and striking features, she quickly garnered attention from elite agencies, leading to collaborations that allowed her to shine in TV advertisements and films.

Advertisement

After some time, her career led her to London where she joined forces with Premier Model Management, widely recognized as one of the most reputable modeling agencies globally. With an exceptional platform at her disposal, Eva stepped into the world of high fashion, a realm where her beauty would be forever immortalized on glossy magazine pages.

Her dazzling beauty, a harmonious blend of delicate features, and statuesque physique made her an undeniable choice for multiple magazine cover appearances. Forbes, Vogue, and Golden Wings, FHM, L’Officiel, and New York Fashion Magazine have all been graced by her captivating visage, further solidifying her status in the industry.

Advertisement

However, the runway and the glossy pages were just the beginning for Eva. A passion for business and an entrepreneurial spirit carried her to the luxurious city of Dubai. It was here, in the heart of the Middle East, that Eva’s career underwent a dynamic shift, expanding from successful modeling to influencer marketing and business ventures.

As an influencer, Eva is nothing short of a sensation. She has become a beacon of luxury fashion, using her extensive following to promote brands and inspire her audience. With over a million followers on Instagram, Eva’s sphere of influence is truly remarkable. Her followers greatly admire her impeccable fashion sense, as well as her keen eye for luxury. They are particularly impressed by her ability to make a statement with her bold and distinct style.

Advertisement

Eva’s transition to an influencer wasn’t a serendipitous accident; it was a calculated move reflecting her savvy business acumen. Eva has leveraged the power of social media and the influence of digital marketing to establish a strong personal brand. Her brand not only connects with her followers but also serves as a source of inspiration for aspiring models.

Her influential status isn’t limited to her modeling and influencing endeavors. Eva’s allure extends to her successful business ventures in Dubai, specifically in the diamond trade and real estate sectors. With these ventures, she has shown that beauty and brains are an irresistible combination, an inspiration for women everywhere.

Advertisement

Women across the world can look at Eva and see more than just a beautiful woman; they see a role model, an icon. They see a woman who harnessed her beauty and intelligence to make a name for herself, a woman who carved her own path in a world that often prefers to mold women to their liking.

Eva Zuk is not just a successful model, a distinguished cover model, or an influential social media personality. She is a woman who embodies the essence of self-confidence, determination, and resilience, traits that inspire and empower other women. She is a reminder that beauty is a powerful tool when wielded with intelligence and ambition.

Advertisement

In essence, beauty is more than skin deep, and success requires more than just good looks. It requires passion, ambition, and resilience, traits that Eva embodies with grace and elegance. Her story exemplifies the true essence of success for women in the fashion and influencing industry. Eva’s journey serves as an inspiring testament to all women who aspire to make a significant impact in the world. It sends a clear message that with ambition and determination, there are no limits to what can be achieved.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Beauty

ATAPA Red Light Therapy: Professional Brand to trust used by NBA NFL NHL Top Players and Celebrity Tiffany Queen The Best Red Light Therapy in the World for Increased Energy, Sleep, Beauty, Recovery and Pain Relief

When it comes to elite athletes and professional sports organizations, performance and recovery are crucial aspects of their success. That’s why many of them have turned to Atapa Red Light Therapy as their go-to solution for achieving optimal results. With its exceptional quality, outstanding customer service, and remarkable benefits, Atapa has become synonymous with excellence in the world of sports.

Atapa Red Light Therapy is a cutting-edge technology that utilizes specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to penetrate deep into the body’s tissues. This therapy has been proven to enhance athletic performance, speed up recovery, reduce inflammation, and improve overall well-being. It has quickly gained popularity among athletes from various sports disciplines, including the NBA, NHL, and NFL, who have experienced remarkable results firsthand. ATAPA users express ATAPA red light therapy increases energy, boost immune system, pain relief, increases collagen for skin, deeper sleep, weight loss and balance for the entire body. ATAPA Red light therapy is the most powerful treatment. One of the key reasons why Atapa Red Light Therapy stands out is its unparalleled quality. Atapa utilizes the latest advancements in light therapy technology to deliver precise and effective treatment. Their devices are meticulously designed to emit the optimal wavelengths of light, ensuring maximum absorption by the body. This attention to detail sets Atapa apart from other red light therapy providers, making it the preferred choice of top athletes and professional sports organizations worldwide.

Advertisement

In addition to its superior quality, Atapa also prides itself on its amazing customer service. The company understands the unique needs of athletes and provides personalized support to help them achieve their goals. Whether it’s assisting with device selection, offering guidance on treatment protocols, or answering any questions along the way, the Atapa team is committed to ensuring the utmost satisfaction of its customers. Their dedication to exceptional service has garnered rave reviews and loyal customers from the sports industry.

What makes Atapa even more enticing is its affordability. While other high-quality red light therapy devices can come with hefty price tags, Atapa offers top-notch products at competitive prices. Athletes, coaches, and trainers can access the benefits of this revolutionary therapy without breaking the bank. And to sweeten the deal, Atapa and Tiffany Queen @Tiffanyqu33n have provided an exclusive discount code, “TiffanyQu33n,” offering a generous 40% off on purchases made through their website, https://www.myatapa.com/. This limited-time offer further demonstrates Atapa’s commitment to making red light therapy accessible to all.

Advertisement

For athletes striving for peak performance and fast recovery, Atapa Red Light Therapy is undoubtedly the best investment they can make. Its unmatched quality, exceptional customer service, and affordability make it the clear choice for professional sports organizations and individual athletes alike. The NBA, NHL, and NFL have recognized the immense benefits of Atapa, and now you too can join the ranks of the elite by incorporating this game-changing therapy into your routine.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity. Visit https://www.myatapa.com/ today, and use the code “TiffanyQu33n” now to unlock a 40% discount on your purchase. Experience the power of Atapa Red Light Therapy and elevate your performance to new heights. Remember, greatness awaits those who seize it, and Atapa is here to help you achieve it.

Advertisement

Tiffany Queen is modeling “HERA” ATAPA red light therapy with stand. HERA is the TOP SELLER. With 40% the savings is INCREDIBLE.

Find Tiffany Queen on :

Advertisement

Website: https://tiffanyqueen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Tiffanyqu33n

Advertisement

Find ATAPA RED LIGHT on: 

Website: https://www.myatapa.com

Advertisement

Instagram: www.instagram.com/myatapa

Watch Tiffany Queen ft Jason Derulo 

Advertisement

Make A Move Music Video YouTube:

Advertisement

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Video Of The Week

Trending