The Hairpolitan Magazine Vol-1 August-Sept 2016
Kenya's 1st Natural Hair and Living Magazine that gives the African woman the space to be her authentic self.
Kenya's 1st Natural Hair and Living Magazine that gives the African woman the space to be her authentic self.
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VOL 1: AUG-SEP <strong>2016</strong><br />
THE<br />
hairpolitan<br />
NATURAL HAIR & LIVING MAGAZINE<br />
HERE<br />
COME<br />
THE<br />
HAIRPOLITANS<br />
#HereCome<strong>The</strong><strong>Hairpolitan</strong>s
EDITORIAL<br />
THE HAIRPOLITANS<br />
EDITOR:<br />
Nepurko Keiwua<br />
nepurko@hairpolitan.com<br />
LAYOUT & DESIGN:<br />
Akshi Sura<br />
akshi@octopusdesignske.com<br />
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:<br />
Ciku Wamae<br />
ciku@hairpolitan.com<br />
Evie Dondi<br />
evie@hairpolitan.com<br />
Karimi Kagwe<br />
karimi@hairpolitan.com<br />
Nali Wafula Imende<br />
naliaka@hairpolitan.com<br />
Nina Odongo<br />
nina@hairpolitan.com<br />
Wagio Mokaya<br />
wagio@hairpolitan.com<br />
PHOTOGRAPHER:<br />
Samuel Githegi<br />
samuel.githegi@gmail.com<br />
HAIR & MAKEUP ARTIST<br />
Wacuka Thimba<br />
wacuka.thimba@gmail.com<br />
ADVERT SALES<br />
Ezra Monari<br />
sales@hairpolitan.com<br />
PUBLISHING, MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION<br />
Idea Agency Limited<br />
wambui@ideagency.co.ke<br />
On page 4 we first meet Wagio Mokaya, as she<br />
answers our Cover Girl’s 21 Questions helping us<br />
know the person behind the pretty face. <strong>The</strong>n our<br />
Creator, Wambui JL, tell us why <strong>Hairpolitan</strong> is here to<br />
stay in our Special Feature on page 6. In Life we meet<br />
Nali Wafula Imende who tells about her latest project<br />
and her journey towards a solo career on page 9. We<br />
share the <strong>Hairpolitan</strong>’s Reviews on must have facial<br />
products that they themselves use on page 12. Karimi<br />
Kagwe joins us to talk about Motherhood, Natural Hair<br />
Care and everything in-between in our Raise section<br />
on page 14.<br />
We then meet our Featured personality, Anyango<br />
Mpinga, and chat with her about fashion in Kenya from<br />
her perspective. <strong>The</strong>n we go behind the scenes with<br />
two great Kenyan entrepreneurs, Ciku Wamae and Evie<br />
Dondi in Industry on page 22 and Create on page 26<br />
respectively as they chat about their brands. We then<br />
get to Know the renowned Kenyan Make Up Artist,<br />
Wacuka Thimba on page 28 as she tells us about her<br />
journey into make-up. We Move with Nina Odongo, a<br />
personal trainer and fitness guru as she talks about her<br />
inspiring fitness journey on page 24. <strong>The</strong>n from page<br />
30 we take sometime out with two of Kenya’s premier<br />
natural hair groups, Kurlly Diaries and Nurtured Knotts<br />
as they Enjoy themselves at their two latest events.<br />
Don’t panic though; we’ve not left out the Guys.<br />
On page 34 we meet our photographer, Sammy<br />
Githegi, as he talks about overcoming the challenges<br />
of leaving full time employment. Last but not least, on<br />
our Topical feature, I take you through my life’s journey<br />
and involvement with the Women Bikers’ Association -<br />
Kenya; and our courtesy call to <strong>The</strong> Statehouse.<br />
I would like to say that <strong>Hairpolitan</strong> is here for everyone<br />
who wants to say yes to Natural Hair and Living but is<br />
too afraid to do it. We are the shot in the arm, the<br />
gentle nudge and the all out shove in the right<br />
direction. We will be the go-to source for all<br />
Naturalistas looking to say yes to being a healthier,<br />
happier and truer version of themselves.<br />
Welcome <strong>The</strong> <strong>Hairpolitan</strong>s!<br />
QUESTIONS & FEEDBACK<br />
talktous@hairpolitan.com<br />
COPYRIGHT © <strong>2016</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Hairpolitan</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> is published for Idea Agency<br />
Limited. All articles, interviews, photographs, artworks<br />
and/or designs of any nature or description appearing in<br />
this publication are exclusively reserved for the<br />
management and team of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Hairpolitan</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> contents and opinions expressed in this publication<br />
do not necessarily represent those of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Hairpolitan</strong><br />
<strong>Magazine</strong> or of Idea Agency Limited. <strong>The</strong>refore<br />
reproduction, in any form, in part of whole, without the<br />
written consent from the publishers is strictly prohibited.<br />
All Rights Reserved. All Advertisement claims in this<br />
publication are the prerogative of the Advertisers and in<br />
no way reflect the views of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Hairpolitan</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>.<br />
THE HAIRPOLITANS<br />
ARE HERE!<br />
By Nepurko Keiwua<br />
One day, while working on my portfolio, I was<br />
looking for a quote to put on the cover page and I<br />
came across the following quote from Dr. Seuss:<br />
“Today you are you! That is truer than true!<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is no one alive who is you-er than you!” In<br />
this First Issue you’re going to find out who the<br />
people behind <strong>The</strong> <strong>Hairpolitan</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> are and as<br />
the quote states you’ll come to know them in their<br />
truer sense.<br />
2 3
COVER GIRL’S<br />
21 QUESTIONS<br />
IN THIS SEGMENT<br />
WE ASK THE<br />
FEATURED COVER<br />
GIRL 21 QUESTIONS<br />
WITH AN AIM TO<br />
GET TO KNOW HER<br />
BETTER!<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
Featuring Wagio Mokaya<br />
I usually get up around 6:00-6.30 am.<br />
I would never leave my home without<br />
lip balm.<br />
In my spare time I love to sleep!<br />
<strong>The</strong> must have hair product is Buyu Daily<br />
Leave in Conditioner by Harvest of Sunshine.<br />
Sisterlocks<br />
Nails<br />
Brand: Thynaturalhair<br />
Email: thynaturalhair@gmail.com<br />
Facebook: Thy natural hair (As written)<br />
Instagram: thynaturalhair<br />
Twitter: thynaturalhair<br />
Google+: thynaturalhair<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
8<br />
9<br />
Why? Very moisturizing, best product ever!<br />
My favourite go-to hairstyle is twist-outs.<br />
I do twists the night before and unravel in the<br />
morning.<br />
My favourite place to eat out or take way<br />
from is Artcaffe.<br />
If my day had one extra hour I'd sleep.<br />
Length or Curl Chaser? Length Chaser.<br />
<strong>The</strong> most surprising thing about my job is<br />
the different cultures I get exposed to, which<br />
Traditional Locks<br />
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11<br />
12<br />
13<br />
14<br />
15<br />
16<br />
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19<br />
20<br />
21<br />
ends up being a pleasant surprise.<br />
I'm dying to treat myself to a 2-week<br />
vacation!<br />
When it comes to maintaining a healthy<br />
lifestyle I drink water constantly.<br />
Right now I'm reading the Kite Runner by<br />
Khaled Hosseini<br />
Sneakers or Heels? I am transitioning from<br />
sneakers to heels :)<br />
My favourite movie of all time is Happy feet!<br />
A social trend I just don't get is trolling.<br />
My Me-Time guilty pleasure is sleeping.<br />
I have traveled to Colombia.<br />
One thing I do badly that I wish I did well is<br />
eat healthy.<br />
When I'm stressed I eat.<br />
When I'm looking to get inspired I pray.<br />
<strong>The</strong> best advice I ever got is to be yourself!<br />
Hair Colour<br />
Studio 28, Peponi Road, Nairobi +254 (0)708 253853<br />
NaturalHairJourney@gmail.com @Kirigo_1<br />
Sisterlocks Nairobi Studio 28<br />
@Studio28Nairobi<br />
4 5
SPECIAL FEATURE<br />
WE ARE<br />
HAIRPOLITANS<br />
By Wambui JL<br />
I have for a long time now believed that the Kenyan<br />
Natural Hair community needed a publication that<br />
spoke to our ever-growing lifestyle. Finally, the time<br />
has come when we have our own space where<br />
African women can share their authentic stories, which<br />
will change the narrative of perceived and acceptable<br />
standards of beauty and success on our continent.<br />
<strong>The</strong> concept came to mind out of a conversation i<br />
had while sipping tea with two dear friends by a<br />
warm fireside in the middle of our<br />
equatorial winter three years ago.<br />
<strong>The</strong> idea begged to answer some<br />
“<br />
questions that were swirling in<br />
our minds. Why was all the<br />
information anyone needed<br />
about being natural, both in hair<br />
and lifestyle, stuck within the<br />
infinite walls of the Internet? Why<br />
couldn’t there be a physical and<br />
tangible magazine that we could<br />
hold while we beautified<br />
ourselves in salons & parlors or<br />
read in traffic as we wondered<br />
about our stagnant lives or as we<br />
waited for a dear friend to join us<br />
on a coffee date?<br />
In December 2015, the name<br />
<strong>Hairpolitan</strong> popped into my head<br />
in the middle of the night, so I<br />
woke up, grabbed my notebook<br />
and started writing ideas down.<br />
Everything suddenly made sense.<br />
<strong>The</strong> name <strong>Hairpolitan</strong> is a portmanteau of the<br />
words “Hair” and “Cosmopolitan”, the latter<br />
being defined as “ familiar with, and at ease in<br />
many different countries and cultures.” (Online<br />
Dictionary, www.Dictionary.com). <strong>Hairpolitan</strong>,<br />
therefore, seeks to define a person who is familiar<br />
and at ease with, and respectful of the different<br />
curls and kinks on different people from natural<br />
backgrounds. It can also come to mean, “a<br />
collective of a Naturalistas found in one place”<br />
which is what the magazine aims to become.<br />
Our mission at the <strong>Hairpolitan</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> is to<br />
promote the Natural Hair & Living lifestyle &<br />
culture in Kenya and beyond. We will focus on<br />
those who are interested in keeping natural hair,<br />
using natural remedies and products on their hair<br />
and skin, eating organically healthy food, and<br />
keeping fit.<br />
ONE DOESN’T<br />
HAVE TO ONLY<br />
ADORN NATURAL<br />
HAIR TO BE<br />
DEFINED AS A<br />
HAIRPOLITAN.<br />
Contact Person: Wambui JL<br />
Brand/Business: Idea Agency Limited<br />
Email: wambui@ideagency.co.ke<br />
www.instagram.com/simplywambui<br />
www.twitter.com/simplywambui<br />
“<br />
We shall consolidate stories<br />
from within and without, that<br />
talk of people living or those<br />
aspiring to live the natural life.<br />
We commit to being a platform<br />
that profiles people in<br />
society who are already living<br />
this lifestyle, who can both<br />
encourage and be role models<br />
to those who already are in it or<br />
are aspiring to live it. <strong>The</strong><br />
magazine will be a vessel to<br />
inform individuals about<br />
existing Natural Hair & Living<br />
principles, available services &<br />
products; and will encourage<br />
interaction among those living a Natural life in an educative,<br />
creative and inspiring way.<br />
Incidentally, one doesn’t have to only adorn natural hair to be<br />
defined as a <strong>Hairpolitan</strong>. I’d like to believe the <strong>Hairpolitan</strong><br />
individual is one who seeks her own truth based on knowledge<br />
and healthy principles; and when they find it, they have the<br />
conviction to live by it then teach those around them. As Maya<br />
Angelou once said, “Once you know better, you do better” so<br />
my question to you is: Are You A <strong>Hairpolitan</strong>?<br />
<strong>The</strong> Natural hair community in Kenya has always been a<br />
welcoming sisterhood and I have personally have met the most<br />
awesome and shockingly inspiring women in our country and<br />
beyond because of the state of our hair. Many are ready to share<br />
their stories and experiences with each other. So the question still<br />
implores, why must we keep this discovery to ourselves? Why<br />
can’t these wonderful people be showcased to the world and be<br />
celebrated for their achievements?<br />
My desire is also for our young daughters, those born and yet to<br />
be born, to grow up surrounded by information that encourages<br />
them to know and seek their true selves first before being<br />
influenced by the world; and any decision they make thereafter<br />
would be based from a point of knowledge.<br />
6 7
LIFE<br />
We have come far in creating this first issue that<br />
you are now reading, and I hope we can grow<br />
together in this journey of sharing and learning.<br />
Above all, I pray that the <strong>Hairpolitan</strong> team, who<br />
are strong brands in their own accord, will grow<br />
in both in their personal and professional lives<br />
because we believe in growing people’s<br />
passions and talents.<br />
As a parting shot I’ll share a quote that has<br />
helped give impetus in producing this first<br />
issue: “…and suddenly you know: It's time to<br />
start something new and trust the magic of<br />
beginnings.” - Meister Eckhart.<br />
It’s time to introduce<br />
<strong>Hairpolitan</strong> to Kenya and the<br />
world!<br />
FEATURE WRITER<br />
FOLLOWS<br />
SOLO CAREER<br />
By Karimi Kagwe<br />
In this day and age, we can get caught up in the rat<br />
race, spending hours at jobs that we hate just so we<br />
can make money to survive. People who stand out<br />
and are brave enough to step outside the box,<br />
refusing to fit into a ‘mould’, have always inspired<br />
me as they have chosen to follow their dreams and<br />
invest in their passions.<br />
Beautiful, gifted, trend –setter and fellow<br />
Naturalista are words that would describe Naliaka<br />
Wafula Imende, the Founder of and content creator<br />
at www.afrinado.com. Afrinado is a portmanteau of<br />
the words Africa and Aficionado; it means someone<br />
who has a passion for the continent.<br />
Naliaka, also known as Nali to her friends, has been<br />
wearing her hair natural for the past ten years, way<br />
before it became the latest trend; and she has had<br />
the privilege of seeing the natural scene grow in<br />
Kenya to where it is now. She’s undergone the ‘big<br />
chop’ not once but twice-the second time came<br />
about after she gave into pressure and texturized<br />
her hair.<br />
I ask why anyone would wear her hair natural, as I<br />
always find that there is a story behind it. Nali had<br />
always loved natural hair and found it appealing on<br />
her favourite musical artists as she felt that there<br />
was something liberating about it. One of her major<br />
motivators was to save money while living as a<br />
student on a tight budget in London, and after one<br />
chemical disaster, she decided to transition, chop<br />
off her permed ends and return to being natural.<br />
On asking about her daily hair regime, I note that it<br />
can be categorised as easy and low maintenance as<br />
it consists of using a spritz and styling. In addition,<br />
she washes or co-washes once a week or every<br />
other week and uses coconut, olive or castor oil to<br />
moisturise her mane and her scalp.<br />
In this digital era, one of my first references was to<br />
look up her LinkedIn profile and I immediately<br />
recognised that this phenomenal lady has quite a<br />
diverse portfolio; ranging from organising poetry<br />
events to being a features writer, a Sub-editor and<br />
Editor to three of Nairobi’s dailies- namely <strong>The</strong> Daily<br />
Nation, <strong>The</strong> East African Standard and <strong>The</strong> Star.<br />
8<br />
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I also come to learn that Nali studied journalism<br />
for her undergraduate degree and has always<br />
been a writer. Her love for writing began in her<br />
early years while in primary school. She would<br />
write mini novels and illustrate them for her<br />
friends to read, and this later developed into a<br />
love for words and magazines.<br />
Further along into her career, she came to the<br />
understanding that being a sub -editor was the<br />
least enjoyable of the journalism jobs that she<br />
had held. She resolved that from that point on<br />
she would only take on work that spoke to her<br />
and gave her the freedom to use her skills to the<br />
best of her ability.<br />
Her journey to doing only what she truly loved<br />
led her to quitting employment and becoming a<br />
Freelance Journalist for online publications like<br />
Okay Africa. She recently launched Afrinado, a<br />
space where one<br />
will find content<br />
“<br />
covering African<br />
women (and men)<br />
doing amazing<br />
things. <strong>The</strong> website<br />
covers books, postmodern<br />
culture<br />
lifestyle and opinion<br />
pieces.<br />
She shares some of<br />
the unexpected<br />
hurdles she has<br />
faced since<br />
launching the<br />
Afrinado website<br />
which are familiar to<br />
every writer.<br />
<strong>The</strong> most common<br />
being writers’ block,<br />
procrastination and<br />
having to deal with<br />
people not taking<br />
what she does seriously,<br />
or worse naysayers.<br />
BEING MORE TRUE<br />
TO MYSELF AND<br />
WHAT I NEED AT<br />
ANY GIVEN STAGE<br />
IN LIFE.<br />
“<br />
Contact Person: Nali Wafula Imende,<br />
Brand/Business: Afrinado<br />
Email: info@afrinado.com<br />
Website. www.afrinado.com<br />
www.facebook.com/afrinado<br />
www.instagram.com/afrinado<br />
www.twitter.com/nalikali<br />
Google+ Nali Wafula Imende<br />
<strong>The</strong> highlights have been meeting new people,<br />
creating content that speaks to people who share<br />
similar passions and experiencing daily growth as<br />
she continues to learn from it all.<br />
I was aware that Nali recently got married and<br />
was pleasantly surprised when I learned that six<br />
months had already flown by. She met her<br />
husband at a local coffee shop while waiting for a<br />
friend, and as there was nowhere else to sit she<br />
asked to share his table. Her friend arrived and<br />
coincidentally happened to know him as well;<br />
and actually thought that he and Nali were<br />
waiting together. This chance encounter led to<br />
the beginning of a lifelong companionship.<br />
Nali’s motivation and passion is driven by a<br />
burning need to tell the African story from an<br />
African point of view. She states that for a very<br />
long time Africans have depended on others to<br />
tell our story and especially when it comes to<br />
African women. “I think it is<br />
important for us to own our stories<br />
and have that control. It's like the<br />
saying ‘Until the lion learns to<br />
speak, tales of the hunt will always<br />
glorify the hunter.”<br />
She cites a recent trending story of<br />
a British woman in her gap year<br />
who got a book deal to talk about<br />
her horrifying experience living in<br />
a Zambian village. <strong>The</strong> white<br />
woman described herself as 'a<br />
skinny mzungu with long angel<br />
hair" while theAfricans in the story<br />
were described as “gap toothed<br />
with HIV”. Nali points out the clear<br />
problem in this depiction and<br />
believes that creatives of African<br />
descent are living at a unique time<br />
that allows them to share and<br />
create content, art, music that can<br />
be made available to a global<br />
audience. “Right now it's just a<br />
trickle but soon it will be huge, and the world<br />
won't be able to ignore us.”<br />
Nali at a glance.<br />
1. What she does for fun.<br />
I like to read—African lit is<br />
one of my favourites. Painting<br />
— I’m currently teaching<br />
myself fashion illustration,<br />
walks, riding, hanging out<br />
with fabulous women and<br />
dancing with my husband.<br />
2. When you look back at your<br />
life, is there anything you<br />
would change?<br />
Probably being more true to<br />
myself and what I need at any<br />
given stage in life.<br />
3. Future plans and aspirations:<br />
• To create dope content and<br />
own an independent media<br />
company.<br />
• To finish my Masters in<br />
Digital Communication at<br />
the United States<br />
International University<br />
which I am currently doing.<br />
• Poetry is my second love<br />
and I hope to publish<br />
something before end of<br />
this year.<br />
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REVIEWS<br />
FACIAL PRODUCT<br />
RECOMMENDATIONS<br />
By <strong>The</strong> <strong>Hairpolitan</strong>s<br />
1. CLEANSER by Ciku<br />
Oil Cleansing Method (OCM)<br />
• Cost: Dependent on the price<br />
of the constituent ingredients<br />
• Ingredients: Castor Oil,<br />
Olive Oil & Jojoba Oil • Method: Massage oil mixture<br />
onto face for about 5 min then wipe away with a warm<br />
facial cloth • Repeat if you had make up on<br />
• Moisturize skin after. Benefits: A Deep Cleanser<br />
• Perfect Make-Up remover • Is 100% Natural<br />
• Leaves skin with a healthy glow.<br />
2. FACIAL WASH by Nali<br />
Neutrogena Wash/Mask<br />
• Cost: KES 850/=<br />
• Size: 150ml<br />
• Purchase Points: Super Cosmetics or Nakumatt<br />
• Method: Wet face • Squeeze some product onto<br />
your hands • Clean face using circular massage<br />
method • Rinse • Tone & Moisturize<br />
• Use once as mask. • Benefits: Daily Face Wash<br />
• 2-in-1 Mask • Make-Up Remover • Helps prevent<br />
blemishes • Keeps skin clear and healthy • Leaves skin<br />
soft, smooth and healthy looking. • Ingredients:<br />
Aqua, Glycerin, Kaolin, Bentonite, Sodium Methyl<br />
cocoyl Taurate, Titanium Dioxide, Trideceth-9,<br />
Salicylic Acid, Menthol, PEG-5 Ethylhexanoate,<br />
Coconut Acid, Xanthan Gum, PEG-4, PEG-4 Laurate,<br />
PEG-4 Dilaurage, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA,<br />
Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Iodopropynyl<br />
Butylcarbamate, Parfum.<br />
3. TONER by Wagio<br />
Alison’s Rose Water<br />
• Cost: KES 65/=<br />
• Size: 150ml<br />
• Purchase Points: Leading Supermarkets and Beauty<br />
Shops • Method: Use it as a face toner by dabbing<br />
rose water soaked cotton wool on your face<br />
• Benefits: Works on all skin types.<br />
• Filled with Anti Oxidants which Rose water which<br />
help prevent the signs of ageing and also softens,<br />
tones, helps prevent wrinkles, tightens pores,<br />
nourishes the skin and adds a glow to your skin.<br />
• It has natural antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and<br />
anti-bacterial properties • Ingredients: Aqua,<br />
Ethanol, Polysorbate 20, Fragrance,<br />
Methylparaben, and Citric Acid.<br />
4. MOISTURISER by Wambui<br />
Moringa Seed Oil • Cost: KES 600/= • Size: 60mls<br />
• Purchase Points: Studio 28, Peponi Road, Tel: +254<br />
253 853 • Method: Use after cleansing and toning<br />
• Apply small amount to palms • Rub and massage<br />
into face. Benefits: Is good for daily use. • It is cost<br />
effective as the 60ml lasts up to 6months if used on<br />
face alone. • Excellent moisturizer as it pacifies dry<br />
skin. • Its anti-inflammatory properties help in healing<br />
acne scars. • Reduces the striking appearance of<br />
wrinkles and fine lines on the skin. Ingredients: Pure<br />
Cold Pressed Moringa Seed Oil<br />
5. MASK By Nepurko<br />
Mineral Care Mud Mask<br />
• Cost: KES 700/=<br />
• Size: 370ml<br />
• Purchase Point: Healthy U Method: Cleanse face and<br />
apply mask with hands to damp face. • Sit with it for<br />
15 minutes and rinse off when dry. • Pat dry and<br />
moisturize once done. • Use once a week. Benefits:<br />
Extracts any toxins present inside the cells. •<br />
Completely cleanses and moisturizes. • Tightens the<br />
pores and creating a firming effect, • Anti-aging<br />
properties that help skin look younger and healthier.•<br />
Ingredients: Kaolin, Aqua Silt 9dead Sea Mud),<br />
Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate SE,<br />
Sodium Laureate Sulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Peg-20<br />
stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol,<br />
DMDM Hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl Urea,<br />
Methylchlorisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone,<br />
Butylene Glycol, Algae Extract, Perfume, Linalool,<br />
Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamon, Citronellol, Benzyl<br />
Benzoate, Amyl Cinnamon, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-<br />
Cyclohexene, Carboxaldehyde.<br />
6. SCRUB by Evie<br />
Urembo Asili Brown Sugar Scrub • Cost: $25 • Size:<br />
8oz • Purchase Point: uremboasili32@gmail.com OR<br />
925-272- 9257 • Method: Rinse clean face with<br />
warm-hot water (opens pores). • Scoop scrub with<br />
fingers and apply onto skin in circular motions to<br />
work into skin. • Continue to buff skin in circular<br />
motions for about 2 minutes. • Rinse with warm<br />
water and dub dry with a clean towel. • No need to<br />
tone or moisturize. • Use ONCE per week. Benefits:<br />
Removes dead skin cells • Deep cleans the skin •<br />
Brown sugar helps support aging skin • Brown sugar<br />
is hydrating and conditioning and helps lock in<br />
moisture • Natural glow. • <strong>The</strong> oils used are<br />
anti-aging, scar healing, acne fighting and<br />
moisturizing without clogging pores. • <strong>The</strong>y also<br />
help improve the skin’s elasticity. • Skin is left<br />
smooth, soft and healthy. Ingredients: Brown sugar,<br />
Grapeseed oil, Jojoba Oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil,<br />
Neem Oil and Baobab Oil and Optiphen Plus.<br />
7. MAKE UP REMOVER by Nina<br />
Kentaste Coconut Oil<br />
• Cost: KES 600/= • Size: 500gms<br />
• Purchase Points: Leading Supermarkets<br />
• Method: Massage the oil into your skin in a circular<br />
motion all over your face to remove other makeup. •<br />
Use a warm, wet washcloth or cotton wool • Splash<br />
face with warm water. • Wipe and tone and<br />
moisturize your face. • Benefits: Its 100% Natural •<br />
It’s gentle on one’s skin. • Effective than expensive<br />
ready-made formulas. • Helps keep skin soft, while<br />
helping you avoid breakouts. • Ingredients: Pure<br />
Coconut Oil<br />
8. LIPBALM by Karimi<br />
Harvest of Sunshine 100% Lush Lipbalm<br />
• Cost: KES 200/= • Size: 5gms • Purchase Points:<br />
www.facebook.com/harvestofsunshine • Method:<br />
Apply to dry lips or as the need arises. Benefits:<br />
100% natural • Keeps lips moisturized • A great base<br />
before applying lipstick to prevent drying especially<br />
when using matte lipsticks. • It is safe for use on<br />
children • Ingredients: Macadamia Nut Oil,<br />
Avocado Oil, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and<br />
Beeswax.<br />
HOT LINE: 0714 406 622<br />
SuperDuper’s Vip No: 0000000<br />
High Quality Beauty Products<br />
Human Hair Wigs<br />
Weaves,<br />
Natural Hair Products<br />
Relaxers<br />
Treatments/Conditioners<br />
Shampoos<br />
Hair Polishers<br />
Make up products<br />
Business / Operation Hours:<br />
Mon - Fri: 8:00 am - 6:30pm<br />
Sat: 8.00am - 5:30pm | Sun: 10:30am-5:00pm<br />
Tel: +254 714 406 622<br />
Located at : <strong>The</strong> Greenhouse,<br />
West Wing Grd Floor Shop Ngong Rd,<br />
LOYALTY CARD<br />
beauty with style<br />
P.O Box 32010-00600 Nairobi Kenya<br />
Email:superduper.cosmetics@yahoo.com,www.superdupercosmetics.co.ke<br />
12 13
RAISE<br />
NEW MOM,<br />
NEW HORIZONS<br />
By Nali Wafula Imende<br />
Writing proved to be therapeutic during the process of<br />
healing “I cried, talked to my husband, we talked to a<br />
counselor. I later went for a few sessions alone and I<br />
also wrote poetry and blogged about it. That was my<br />
therapy,” she says. Her advice to women going<br />
through the same is not to try and bury the pain but to<br />
talk to someone and most importantly, do something<br />
special to commemorate your baby’s life.<br />
I’ve known Karimi since high school and back then she<br />
was the tall pretty girl who played basketball and sung<br />
and danced to Kirk Franklin as part of a gospel group<br />
but that’s a story for another day.<br />
Today Karimi Kagwe, as most in the online sphere<br />
know her, is a natural hair enthusiast, blogger, wife and<br />
doting mother to Baby Taji.<br />
Writing has always been something she has loved to<br />
do, a love that was fostered by her mother who<br />
encouraged her<br />
to journal from a<br />
“<br />
young age. “I<br />
love to tell my<br />
stories as I find it<br />
therapeutic and I<br />
get to share my<br />
experiences and<br />
take people<br />
along with me on<br />
my life journey,”<br />
she explains.<br />
Karimi has been<br />
candid about her<br />
journey into<br />
motherhood,<br />
having lost her<br />
first baby to a<br />
miscarriage in<br />
2014; she used<br />
her blogging as<br />
an outlet to<br />
express herself<br />
during this period<br />
of pain and healing.<br />
ASK FOR HELP<br />
FROM THE VERY<br />
BEGINNING AS IT<br />
CAN GET<br />
OVERWHELMING;<br />
DON'T TRY TO DO<br />
IT ALL.<br />
“<br />
Contact Person: Karimi Kagwe<br />
www.karimikagwe.wordpress.com<br />
www.instagram.com/KarimiKagwe<br />
www.twitter.com/Rerekay<br />
Google+: Karimi Mbae Kagwe<br />
“I blogged about it when it was still fresh. Right<br />
now all I can tell you is that in July 2014, I lost my<br />
baby at seven weeks. I knew something was wrong<br />
when I started bleeding at work; a friend took me<br />
to hospital. Two days later I had to have what is<br />
called an evacuation under general anesthesia to<br />
clean out my uterus,” recalls Karimi.<br />
Last year she conceived again and in November gave<br />
birth to the beautiful Taji, which means crown in<br />
Kiswahili. For Karimi one of the greatest things about<br />
being a mother is seeing the daily changes in her<br />
daughter. She is spellbound by how quickly she has<br />
grown from a tiny baby to this little person with so<br />
much energy. Her greatest challenge is sleep deprivation,<br />
as she can’t recall the last time she had a full<br />
night’s sleep.<br />
Watching her and Taji during the shoot, it is clear that<br />
mother and daughter share a unique bond; Taji<br />
is happy and playful, secure in her mother’s<br />
love while Karimi is relaxed and not at all fussy<br />
with her, even when Taji manages to steal the<br />
show and wrangle her own photo shoot ahead<br />
of everyone.<br />
For Karimi, the chance to share with fellow<br />
mothers, especially those dealing with body<br />
changes, proved to be priceless. “I shared my<br />
concerns with my fellow mothers and asked<br />
my midwife a million questions; understanding<br />
what is happening to the body is the first point<br />
of dealing with it. Also a very helpful aid for<br />
any mother is the Baby Centre app that gives<br />
daily updates on the changes to expect with<br />
your baby and your body and how to cope.”<br />
says Karimi.<br />
She manages to carve out couple time with<br />
her husband George, by ensuring Taji is fed<br />
and in bed early so they can both catch up on<br />
their respective days, and over the weekends<br />
they go out to relax as family.<br />
Since becoming a stay at home mom, Karimi admits<br />
that there have been a few adjustments she has had to<br />
make: “My circle of friends has diminished as I tend to<br />
gravitate to fellow mums and I'm rarely available for<br />
spontaneous plans like I used to be.” She is not complaining<br />
though, as she gets to see every little milestone<br />
her daughter makes. “To see her grow from a<br />
little dot on an ultrasound to a little human has been<br />
mind-blowing and very fulfilling,” she dotes.<br />
14<br />
15
FEATURE STORY<br />
She advises new mothers to trust and<br />
follow their God given instincts when it<br />
comes to what is best for their baby.<br />
“Ask for help from the very beginning as<br />
it can get overwhelming dealing with<br />
housework and a new baby. Don't try to<br />
do it all,” says Karimi adding that a<br />
strong support network of fellow mothers<br />
with whom you can share concerns<br />
with and learn from will prove vital as it<br />
will help you keep your sanity.<br />
For Karimi, her greatest triumph so far in<br />
life has to become a mother, as it was an<br />
answered prayer. “<strong>The</strong> older I get, the<br />
more my focus has began to change<br />
outwards; less towards myself and more<br />
to others. I hope to be a better wife, a<br />
great mother and to help those in need.<br />
As I continue to grow as a writer I want<br />
to leave my footprint in the hearts of<br />
many long after I am gone.”<br />
ANYANGO MPINGA:<br />
EXPRESSING MY TRUTH<br />
THROUGH MY DESIGNER<br />
COLLECTION.<br />
By Wambui Jl<br />
Her natural hair journey<br />
For Karimi, going natural was prompted<br />
by a need to try something new, having<br />
grown weary of the monotony of<br />
permed hair that she had had since her<br />
teenage years. She was getting bored of<br />
having the same look and hair breakage.<br />
Above all else, she says that she does<br />
not miss the time spent getting her hair<br />
done at the salon.<br />
Her decision to go natural prompted a<br />
lifestyle change in that, she now finds<br />
herself looking out for organic products<br />
for her hair, skin and kitchen, which she<br />
says, has worked wonders for her general<br />
wellbeing. However, not everyone was<br />
thrilled by her choice as most people<br />
thought she was going through a<br />
mid-life crisis. Still, the fact that her<br />
husband loved it, convinced her that she<br />
was making the right decision and she<br />
stuck to her guns.<br />
Her regimen is simple, she washes and<br />
deep conditions her hair almost every<br />
two weeks using her go-to products<br />
made by Shea by Asal and sometimes<br />
with Bentonite Clay. Finally, for styling<br />
she uses Haitian Black Castor Oil and<br />
Shea butter while for everyday use,<br />
Kentaste Virgin Coconut Oil is the<br />
product she uses to nourish her scalp<br />
and moisturize her hair.<br />
On a daily basis, I aim to live by a Thomas Huxley quote that says, “Try to learn something about everything and<br />
everything about something.” Little did I know that as I prepared for my meeting with Anyango Mpinga, my<br />
classroom would be a predominantly pristine white, modernly furnished, well lit space that just made me want to<br />
play dress up and sip mimosas all morning. It also didn’t cross my mind that my teacher would be an Emeli Sande<br />
look alike with her platinum Mohawk hair, sitting cat calm behind a white desk sketching her next collection away.<br />
A lady who would stand tall and command the room, as she graciously got up to welcome me with a warm hug.<br />
We only manage to settle down and talk about her <strong>2016</strong> Kondo Udo Collection, after I finish gushing about her<br />
classically designed and inspiring space. Once she started by calling her collection “season-less”, I realized that I<br />
was in for a lovely ride during the course of this chat. Ever the trendsetter, Anyango is part of a growing global<br />
movement that believes in slow fashion, which is about focusing on creating socially responsible, high quality,<br />
locally produced clothes that are not created for a specific season.<br />
Anyango launched Anyango Mpinga in 2015, after working on her fashion label Kipusa Clothing for close to four<br />
years. <strong>The</strong> Anyango Mpinga line is about her showcasing her signature, iconic Kondo Udo (<strong>The</strong> Ostrich Feather<br />
Print) pattern through pieces that successfully merge the male and female elements of power and beauty. She had<br />
to physically remove herself from her day-to-day environment, travel to London, Berlin, Paris and Mauritius, in<br />
order to really understand and learn more about the business of creating a luxury fashion line. Her energies got<br />
her featured in the Fall/Winter <strong>2016</strong> Talents section of Vogue Italia.<br />
16 17
“<br />
INSTEAD OF<br />
SAYING THIS IS<br />
WHAT THE<br />
INDUSTRY NEEDS<br />
WHY DON’T<br />
WE DO?<br />
“<br />
Contact Person: Anyango Mpinga<br />
Creative Director/CEO<br />
anyango@anyangompinga.com<br />
www.anyangompinga.com<br />
www.facebook.com/anyangompinga<br />
www.instagram.com/anyangompinga<br />
www.twitter.com/anyangompinga<br />
Kipusa Clothing remains her official company<br />
name and will always speak to a time of<br />
growth for her brand. However, she realized<br />
it would be more powerful to use her own<br />
name because at the end of the day she is<br />
her own brand. Anyango has been known,<br />
from day one, to wear her own creations,<br />
therefore the timely rebrand was just about her<br />
being true to herself as a designer and visionary.<br />
Introducing the Kondo Udo collection has<br />
been about her thinking long term and<br />
moving out of the Kitenge fabric space that<br />
Kipusa Clothing and other African fashion<br />
labels have come to be known for. She has<br />
already encountered people who are not<br />
certain why she chose that route; but she<br />
makes it clear that before you create, one<br />
must have a vision, then know what that<br />
vision means to them as a designer. Anyango<br />
is a firm believer in the notion that no one<br />
should ever dictate another’s creativity<br />
and/or vision unless they are willing to pay<br />
the high cost of buying a one-of-a-kind piece.<br />
If I hadn’t figured it out by now, considering<br />
the fashion and interior beauty that was<br />
surrounding us, it started to dawn on me that<br />
Anyango’s passion about personal standards<br />
is not something to take lightly. “As a<br />
designer you’re setting your own<br />
standards and doing it with the faith that<br />
it’s actually going to make an impact in<br />
some way. It might not be immediate and<br />
it takes a while before people start<br />
appreciating you.”<br />
In business, many deliberately set out to teach and<br />
mentor but I noted that Anyango does it by just existing.<br />
“We like talking a lot, we’re talkers. It’s not a waste of<br />
time to talk, because there is a learning process to<br />
everything that we hear from people’s opinion. Instead of<br />
saying this is what the industry needs why don’t we do,<br />
and why don’t you start by your own example?”<br />
An aspect, in which she’s walking the walk on, is in<br />
pattern grading. I had never heard of the term and<br />
sought clarity. Pattern grading is the scaling of a pattern<br />
to a different size by implementing important points of<br />
the pattern using an algorithm in the clothing and foot<br />
wear industry (Google Search). Clearly it stops being<br />
solely artistic and now becomes a mathematical issue.<br />
She simply explains it by stating that, as women our body<br />
sizes fluctuate due to a myriad of reasons ranging from<br />
hormonal fluctuations, change of location, to undue<br />
stress or unhealthy eating. Yet, we have an innate need to<br />
feel in our element and at our best at all times. <strong>The</strong>refore,<br />
our clothes need to remain consistent because our<br />
bodies do not. “When you put on that extra weight and<br />
can still fit into that dress, there is something to be said<br />
about that sizing.” Anyango quips.<br />
As we wind down, I nudge Anyango to discuss something<br />
close to all Kenyan Fashionistas’ hearts, second hand<br />
clothing a.k.a Mitumba and its place in our lives in<br />
comparison to a Designer Collection such as Anyango<br />
Mpinga and bespoke brands like Deepa Dosaja (Kenya).<br />
18<br />
19
She explains that designers create in two ways: Either<br />
they make custom pieces, made-to-measure for one<br />
client at a time, also known as bespoke garments, or<br />
they design Off-the-Rack collections. In regards to the<br />
latter, she encourages the customer to understand the<br />
long suffering process behind the formation of pieces<br />
that end up on a rack in different styles and sizes which<br />
are pretty much like the exquisite ones that are carefully<br />
displayed in the room next to her office, where we<br />
are meeting.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n there are retail chains like Marks & Spencer’s (UK)<br />
or Legit (SA) that take existing classic cuts off the<br />
runway and mass-produce them in six weeks; something<br />
a designer can never do with a collection. Eventually,<br />
the bought & worn mass-produced pieces, along<br />
with factory rejects make their way to our continent<br />
and we buy them second hand, popularly known as<br />
Mitumba. <strong>The</strong> fact that you can only get one piece of<br />
an outfit at the local stall doesn’t make it bespoke or<br />
custom, because somewhere in the world that piece is<br />
part of a mass production.<br />
In her view, consumers should never compare<br />
what retail brands like Zara have to offer vs. what<br />
a designer collection like Anyango Mpinga is<br />
offering vs. what the local tailor has created for<br />
you vs. what your “camera” contact at Toi Market<br />
is selling you, because each process is different<br />
and some may be more arduous than the rest.<br />
While she upholds that no one should ever make<br />
anyone feel bad about their choice in fashion<br />
purchases, she strongly believes in the #BuyKenya<br />
#BuildKenya movement that is slowly engulfing<br />
the country.<br />
<strong>The</strong> time set for this meeting is quickly running out,<br />
and I begin to wonder why we can’t just sit there,<br />
talk all day as we eat salads and sip on cool refreshments;<br />
but Anyango has things to do and get done.<br />
Evidently the next collection isn’t going to create<br />
itself.<br />
We part ways, but the imprint of my morning chat<br />
with this inspirational woman, leaves me hopeful<br />
about where our fashion industry is headed and<br />
what’s in store for us as consumers. It’s encouraging<br />
to know that at the end of the day, Anyango’s act of<br />
bravery marked by stepping into a Kenyan fashion<br />
unknown is affecting those working with her; and in<br />
turn aiding in the creation of an industry space<br />
where others can grow and flourish.<br />
20 21
INDUSTRY<br />
MAKING MAKE-UP<br />
By Evie Dondi<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kenyan colour cosmetics industry is estimated to<br />
be worth KES 5.4 billion and it is going through some<br />
exciting times. We have seen the launch and growth of<br />
local brands such as Suzie Beauty, Pauline Cosmetics<br />
and Ciku. We have also witnessed the entry of<br />
cosmetic giant MAC recently opening a flagship store<br />
in on of the City’s uptown malls.<br />
Ciku, launched in 2015, quickly made a name for itself<br />
as being the go-to lipstick brand for make-up savvy<br />
Kenyan women; and also introduced us to Kenya’s first<br />
High Definition Foundation. We decided to catch up<br />
with the brand’s founder Ciku Wamae to get a clearer<br />
picture of this iconic make-up brand.<br />
What’s your career background?<br />
My background was in the finance sector where I held<br />
various positions with a slight bias towards investment<br />
management. I later on trained as a make-up artist in the<br />
UK it was the probably the one time education was fun.<br />
Going from finance to into the beauty industry, one<br />
has to wonder, what sparked your interest?<br />
For as long as I can remember, I have been interested<br />
in beauty; be it hair, skin or make-up. I could cornrow<br />
and braid my own hair by the time I was thirteen.<br />
I could also do a full face of make-up and I was already<br />
experimenting with a lot of the beauty home remedies<br />
that are currently popular on social media. I guess it’s<br />
one of those things you are born with - like singing or art.<br />
I started planning the make-up line roughly 10 years<br />
ago. However finding the right people and products to<br />
work with takes a long time. Being active in the<br />
growing online Kenyan hair and beauty community<br />
fortified my belief that the line would work there.<br />
What inspired this make-up line?<br />
I got tired of buying make-up that was the wrong<br />
undertone, or that made my skin break out, which<br />
made me especially fussy about ingredients. <strong>The</strong>re are<br />
some ingredients that are quite common in make-up<br />
products that a lot of people react to. <strong>The</strong>se we have<br />
left out of Ciku foundations.<br />
“<br />
I GOT TIRED OF<br />
BUYING MAKE-UP<br />
THAT WAS THE<br />
WRONG<br />
UNDERTONE.<br />
Contact Person: Ciku Wamae<br />
Brand/Business: CIKU<br />
Tel No. +254 701 241 399<br />
Email: info@cikubeauty.com<br />
www.cikubeauty.com<br />
www.facebook.com/cikubeauty<br />
www.instagram.com/cikubeauty<br />
www.twitter.com/cikubeauty<br />
“<br />
How Ciku would like to see the current standard of<br />
beauty redefined?<br />
It is complicated as it encompasses socio-economic<br />
issues that can hardly be solved overnight. However, I<br />
think that if we were to change the controllers of the<br />
beauty, advertising and entertainment industries then<br />
we will be in a position to re-define beauty standards<br />
to include Africans/people of colour.<br />
Apart from foundation, which other products are<br />
within the Ciku make-up stable?<br />
Our foundation comes in two formulations: HD liquid<br />
and crème. <strong>The</strong>re are six shades under each<br />
formulation, which we hope to grow the shade<br />
offering with time. <strong>The</strong> foundations are hypoallergenic,<br />
non comedogenic, tested for skin sensitivity and<br />
conform to FDA and EU standards and give medium<br />
to full coverage. We have also found that concealer<br />
is not necessary once our clients get used to the product.<br />
We started with twelve lipstick shades but these have<br />
now grown to twenty-two shades and are available in<br />
moisturising and matte formulations. <strong>The</strong> main<br />
ingredients are beeswax, castor oil and Candelila.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se ingredients ensure that even our matte<br />
formulation will not cause dry, cracked lips.<br />
Face powder is available in two formulations i.e. loose<br />
and pressed, and one translucent shade to ensure they<br />
work with all skin tones. We also have four shades of<br />
blush as well as an eyebrow powder.<br />
What are the make-up rules?<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are no rules when it comes to make-up – do<br />
what you are comfortable with and what enhances<br />
your beauty.<br />
Which products do you consider gold?<br />
This is like asking a mother which child is her favourite!<br />
All the products serve a purpose – the HD foundation<br />
is AMAZING for pictures – you don’t need filters or<br />
photo-shop and if you are active on social media, this<br />
is a must have product. <strong>The</strong> crème foundation is<br />
perfect for oily skin as it keeps skin matte for a long<br />
time. <strong>The</strong> blotting powder is a lifesaver when it comes<br />
to keeping shine at bay and the lipsticks – all our<br />
clients have come back for more lipstick! However,<br />
I am still on a journey as there are many other products<br />
in the pipeline.<br />
Where can customers find your products?<br />
Ciku products are currently available at Markucha,<br />
Mezzanine 3, Corner House in Nairobi CBD and we<br />
offer free tester sessions.<br />
As an entrepreneur, work-life balance, how do you<br />
do it?<br />
I don’t! Along the way I have learnt not to be<br />
superwoman by trying to handle everything. I always<br />
ask for a helping hand when I feel myself floundering.<br />
I have family and friends who have got my back<br />
24/7/365 and I thank God every day for them and I let<br />
them know how much they mean to me often!<br />
What mantras do you stick to?<br />
What you send out to the universe always comes back<br />
to you!<br />
My biggest brand promoters are clients who I gave<br />
tips on how to sort out their hair or skin issues for free<br />
– at the time, I thought we were just having a chat but<br />
the advice actually meant a lot to them and they are<br />
now my biggest supporters! Many times I shed tears<br />
over messages in my social media in-boxes!<br />
22<br />
23
MOVE<br />
GET BODIED<br />
ON THE POLE<br />
By Nina Odongo<br />
Yes, that’s a pole. Mine, to<br />
be precise. It’s up in my<br />
bedroom. I use it every day.<br />
I love it. I’m thinking of<br />
naming it. And no, I’m not an<br />
exotic dancer. Neither am I<br />
throwing private parties for<br />
my husband. I’m just<br />
addicted to pole fitness, to<br />
any fitness really. I have been<br />
a health and fitness<br />
professional for over four<br />
years now, but I have been a<br />
fitness fanatic for the last<br />
thirteen. For me, fitness is,<br />
literally, life. But it wasn’t<br />
always like that.<br />
I was never a sporty child<br />
growing up; I went to a very<br />
academic primary school<br />
where the focus was on<br />
reading so I never actually<br />
learned to play any sport,<br />
something I regret to date,<br />
especially when my husband<br />
is droning on about the<br />
off-side rule, penalties and<br />
fouls.<br />
High school should have been marginally<br />
better, as I went to a great, all-round school.<br />
However, although I was strong and eager to learn,<br />
since I was so far behind in ability, I spent my entire<br />
high school years warming the bench.<br />
Once I arrived at University, all thoughts of exercise<br />
went straight out the window. <strong>The</strong> only lifting I did<br />
was of the one arm kind. Fast forward a few years<br />
later to my career as a lawyer, I was spending long<br />
days, and some late nights, sitting at a desk, moving<br />
very little and eating an extraordinary amount of<br />
bacon sandwiches and chocolate. My sedentary<br />
lifestyle soon took a toll on my weight and I found<br />
the slightest effort would leave me breathless,<br />
huffing and puffing.<br />
“<br />
IT IS HARD TO<br />
PICK A FAVOURITE<br />
EXERCISE, I JUST<br />
LOVE SO MANY!<br />
“<br />
With no clue on where to begin and with no real<br />
plan, we began running regularly after work,<br />
gradually building up our time and speed. A number<br />
dropped out along the way but three of us managed<br />
to stick it through and I did my first 10km a few<br />
weeks later. I’m certain I ran at the speed of molasses<br />
but it was a massive achievement for me, and I had<br />
lost a few pounds to boot. Result!<br />
Running became a passion and I would run up to<br />
50kms a week. Running didn’t require much<br />
investment, save for a decent pair of trainers, it didn’t<br />
require any gym membership and I could do it<br />
anytime I pleased. I ran and ran and ran. I would run<br />
mornings before work, on weekends, in rain and sun,<br />
in the winter; I just ran. I don’t recall how long I was<br />
running before a neighbour who was a gym instructor<br />
persuaded me to attend a free trial at the gym where<br />
he worked.<br />
I was really apprehensive about going to the gym;<br />
afraid that I would look foolish, that I wouldn’t be<br />
dressed appropriately, wouldn’t know how to use the<br />
equipment, afraid to stand out like a sore thumb. My<br />
fears were unfounded; the instructors were lovely,<br />
walked me through all the equipment, set me up a<br />
program and coached me along and best of all,<br />
nobody cared what I looked like, nobody gave me a<br />
second look. Everyone was too busy pounding out<br />
his or her own personal demons. I was hooked and,<br />
although I was sore and aching for days after, I signed<br />
up for membership.<br />
Contact Person: Nina Odongo<br />
Brand/Business: Body By Nina<br />
Email: bodybynina@gmail.com<br />
www.facebook.com/Body By Nina<br />
www.instagram.com/Body By Nina<br />
www.twitter.com/Body By Nina<br />
Eventually, on a random check-up at the doctor’s,<br />
I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, quite a<br />
shock considering I was only in my twenties. I was<br />
very distressed at the thought of being on<br />
medication for the rest of my life so the doctor,<br />
glancing at my ample waistline, suggested trying<br />
exercise as an alternative.<br />
I went home determined to change the trajectory of<br />
my life and, the very next day, roped my work<br />
colleagues into signing up for a road race.<br />
I loved my gym. <strong>The</strong>re was a lot of variety in terms of<br />
different types of exercises, both cardiovascular and<br />
strength based. Around this time I also began to take<br />
an interest in nutrition, although at this point it was<br />
still a very basic ‘calories in calories out’ model. I<br />
carried on in this vein for a great many years,<br />
managing to maintain a weight I was happy with,<br />
juggling work, an active social life and exercise. But<br />
life was to take an unexpected detour.<br />
I met my husband, got married and moved to China<br />
for a few whirlwind years. I fell pregnant shortly after<br />
we moved back and, although I was very career<br />
driven at the time, I found it harder and harder to get<br />
back into the rat race while juggling my family life.<br />
Eventually, after many tearful, heartfelt conversations,<br />
my husband and I agreed that a better route for me<br />
to take would be self-employment. I knew exactly<br />
what I wanted to do from the start. I studied to<br />
become a personal trainer!<br />
And I haven’t looked back since.<br />
24 25
I live, eat, breath fitness. When I’m<br />
not exercising, I’m reading about it,<br />
writing about it, ‘gram-ming’ about it<br />
and over the years, I have tried<br />
countless new exercises, some<br />
flash-in-the-pan fads, others<br />
long-term staples. It is hard to pick a<br />
favourite exercise, I just love so many,<br />
and even then, some days are more<br />
of a struggle than others. Currently,<br />
as mentioned before, I am obsessed<br />
with pole fitness.<br />
Pole fitness is a craze that has been<br />
kicking about for a few years in the<br />
West and has only really taken off in<br />
the last couple of years. I began<br />
poling after being persuaded by a<br />
client to try a class - so I went, all<br />
sceptical and eye rolling. I was<br />
hooked from the first day. A lot of<br />
people still cringe when they hear I<br />
pole, they imagine me prancing<br />
around half naked in a dimly lit,<br />
smoky room. <strong>The</strong>y’re partly right!<br />
You do have to show some skin in<br />
order to grip the pole and do most of<br />
the spins and tricks. It’s very hard to<br />
pole in long sleeves and a turtleneck.<br />
But there it ends.<br />
Pole fitness focuses on strengthening<br />
your core (read abs! yay!), improving<br />
flexibility, developing upper body<br />
strength and getting the best looking<br />
legs and bum imaginable. <strong>The</strong>re is<br />
the option of floor work and<br />
choreography for those who prefer<br />
something a little more sensual but<br />
on average pole classes are PG-Rated<br />
and a great way to not only work on<br />
your flat tummy but on posture and<br />
overall confidence.<br />
I now own my own pole at home<br />
but intend to be certified and open<br />
a pole studio by the end of <strong>2016</strong> so<br />
watch this space!<br />
26<br />
27
CREATE<br />
D.I.Y QUEEN LAUNCHES<br />
OWN NATURAL PRODUCT LINE<br />
By Ciku Wamae<br />
Since 2011, Kenya’s first natural hair Facebook group, Tricia’s<br />
Naturals, has been the go-to destination for Kenyan<br />
Naturalistas. It was and has remained a haven where people<br />
share their knowledge on natural hair care, natural hair<br />
products, natural styles as well as their mental and emotional<br />
journey as returning naturals.<br />
Evie Dondi has been one of the administrators from inception<br />
to date; and has also consistently been the go-to,<br />
do-it-yourself and natural hair glossary guru for many a<br />
newbie Naturalista, helping them to navigate the enigmatic<br />
world of natural hair and living. She is also a prolific mixstress<br />
and through her<br />
talents has<br />
created a natural<br />
“<br />
skin and hair<br />
product line,<br />
Urembo Asili that<br />
currently retails<br />
via direct contact<br />
& private parties,<br />
with ecommerce<br />
store and website<br />
coming soon.<br />
Having big<br />
chopped her hair<br />
in 2010, Evie<br />
needed answers<br />
to all her growing<br />
questions from<br />
how to wash it,<br />
what products to<br />
use and<br />
everything else in<br />
between. <strong>The</strong><br />
more she read<br />
up, the more she<br />
fell in love with<br />
THIS PLATFORM IS<br />
ABOUT BEING REAL<br />
AND SETTING THE<br />
RECORD STRAIGHT<br />
ABOUT NATURAL<br />
HAIR.<br />
“<br />
Contact Person: Evie Dondi<br />
Brand/Business: Urembo Asili<br />
Email: uremboasili32@gmail.com<br />
Address: California, USA<br />
www.facebook.com/<strong>The</strong>realuremboasili<br />
the natural way of keeping hair; and was strongly drawn to<br />
products like pure, cold pressed oils as well as natural butters<br />
such as Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter.<br />
She also began to understand how natural hair reacted to<br />
different products and slowly became known as a “purist<br />
natural” which meant that she would only buy products that did<br />
not contain toxic ingredients such as sulfates, parabens,<br />
petroleum oil and/or silicones. “I fell in love with my natural hair<br />
from the beginning and that I believe helped me, to a great<br />
degree, master a regimen and knowledge on ingredients very<br />
quickly.” Evie shares.<br />
With the high cost of hair maintenance in the US,<br />
Evie was quickly drawn to the University of<br />
YouTube from where she learnt how to style her<br />
hair, maintain creative hairdos and even D.I.Y<br />
crotchet braiding before they were even a ‘thing’<br />
in the natural hair community.<br />
Adult acne afflicts quite a number of people across<br />
the world, and Evie was not immune to it. She had<br />
continually struggled with keeping clear skin and<br />
tried out every single over-the-counter acne<br />
treatment one could think of but only for their<br />
effects to be short lived. After she returned natural<br />
and product ingredients became of utmost<br />
importance she turned to natural acne remedies for<br />
a permanent solution and surprisingly they worked!<br />
<strong>The</strong> newly converted and enthusiastic Evie started<br />
recommending natural skin care solutions to people on<br />
Facebook and many started seeing great results.<br />
Buoyed by this and with a little push from close<br />
friends, who had also benefitted from her skin care<br />
knowledge, Evie launched her natural skin care line,<br />
Urembo Asili in December 2015.<br />
Urembo Asili products are 100% handmade and are<br />
unique, in that, they are absolutely chemical free. <strong>The</strong><br />
products contain rich, luxurious, cold pressed oils like<br />
Baobab, Macadamia Nut and Pumpkin Seed, and are<br />
USDA certified organic oils. A majority of her oils and<br />
butters are natural, unrefined and fair trade certified.<br />
Fair Trade Certifications means that the products meet<br />
certain environmental, labour, and developmental<br />
standards.<br />
Evie’s latest project is as a contributing writer for the<br />
<strong>Hairpolitan</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>. She was very excited to get on<br />
board once she heard the concept of sharing Natural<br />
Hair & Living tips and tricks to the Kenyan market. In<br />
her words, “This platform is about being real and<br />
setting the record straight about natural hair. A<br />
REAL IMAGE of what it is to have natural hair, how<br />
to care for it without dying broke.”<br />
28 29
KNOW<br />
THE ARTIST BEHIND<br />
THE ARTISTRY<br />
By Wagio Mokaya<br />
“<br />
For the ambitious and success seeking mortals amongst<br />
us, passion comes as second nature, but for Wacuka<br />
Thimba, she stumbled into it as a side hustle. Imagine this,<br />
a young lady pouring over voluminous books for years,<br />
with the intention of graduating as a lawyer, but then<br />
finding out that her passion was really in make-up artistry.<br />
Opportunity first knocked on Wacuka’s door when her<br />
friend could not find her preferred make-up brand,<br />
Iman Cosmetics, in Kenya. At the time the brand had<br />
just launched in the UK, but characteristically, it lacked<br />
distribution in Kenya. She joined hands with a contact,<br />
shipped the Iman products to Kenya from UK for sale<br />
and in no time, she had an enviable client database.<br />
As fate would have it, her sales rounds took her to<br />
Gladys Githegi, a make-up guru in Nairobi, who was<br />
impressed with the passion and deep insights with<br />
which the Wacuka presented her sales. Gladys<br />
immediately encouraged her to train with her in<br />
make-up application and for Wacuka, this was heaven<br />
sent, as it was a sign that she had not made a mistake<br />
in switching careers. After attending a handful of<br />
classes and working on successful photo shoots, she<br />
decided to go solo and later on ventured into it full<br />
time. Her decision to focus mainly on bridal make-up is<br />
what was a boon to her business. It was in this space<br />
that her signature look came about as most brides<br />
wanted to look as natural as possible.<br />
In 2014, when the make-up giant MAC set up shop in<br />
Kenya, Wacuka decided to apply for a job with an aim<br />
to sharpen her skills. For years, the make-up industry in<br />
Kenya has been dogged with counterfeit products that<br />
are poorly formulated yet cheaply and readily available.<br />
So MAC’s entry into the market was welcome and has<br />
seen a turnaround in the industry through their training<br />
of qualified make-up artists as well support in the form<br />
of genuine product distribution. Unexpectedly, Wacuka<br />
was selected as the best candidate despite the fact that<br />
she was up against others who had already attended<br />
Beauty & Make-Up training.<br />
MAKE-UP IS LIKE<br />
YOUR DRESS<br />
SENSE, IT’S HOW<br />
YOU WANT TO<br />
WEAR IT, DO YOU,<br />
DO WHAT FEELS<br />
GOOD TO YOU.<br />
“<br />
Contact Person: Wacuka Thimba<br />
Brand/Business: Wacuka Thimba Make Up Artistry<br />
Tel No. +254 (0) 722 328 673<br />
Email: wacuka.thimba@gmail.com<br />
www.facebook.com/WacukaThimbaMakeupArtist<br />
www.instagram.com/wacukathimbaartistry<br />
www.twitter.com/wacukathimba<br />
Certifications<br />
<strong>The</strong> job helped her gain knowledge on good make-up<br />
products and techniques, whereby she gained<br />
certification in among others Focus Demo, Peak Hour<br />
Demo and Application. <strong>The</strong> Focus Demo is a private<br />
session with a Professional Makeup Artist, where they<br />
will show you how do to your makeup, step by step, if<br />
you want to do a day look, night look, or any special<br />
request. <strong>The</strong> Peak Hour Demo, is a session that focuses<br />
on the eyes, lips, cheeks and creates an eye chart in<br />
the shortest time possible and then comes the<br />
Application session where one does a full face of<br />
makeup that goes from day to night and should<br />
include lashes, three skincare products, three colored<br />
lip products and a face chart in 50 minutes.<br />
Although Wacuka purchases her equipment and<br />
products online, she advises that MAC is a definitely<br />
good place to start in the search for quality make-up<br />
locally; and she also recommends the Kenyan make up<br />
site- Make-Up Addiction. Her advice to those<br />
interested in make-up is to make sure you get genuine<br />
products because it’s well known that cheap is<br />
expensive and in the long run your face is a vital part of<br />
your beauty. “Make-up is like your dress sense, it’s<br />
how you want to wear it, do you, do what feels<br />
good to you,” she says.<br />
Her Future Ambitions<br />
She’s passionate about raising the standards of<br />
make-up products by teaching and training the public<br />
on the use of genuine, quality make-up. Her lifelong<br />
dream is to go to make-up school and venture into<br />
professional hair styling, so as to give her clients,<br />
mainly brides, a whole beauty package. <strong>The</strong> self-taught<br />
make-up artist says she feels called to be a beauty<br />
educator and she’s known to readily recommend<br />
trends that she believes in and loves, for instance she<br />
believes in going back to the natural brow as she isn’t<br />
for the dramatic drawn brow; which many ladies in<br />
Nairobi were into sometime in the recent past.<br />
She credits her daughter Mumbi as her main inspiration<br />
and when asked whether or not she is interested in<br />
make-up at that early age, Wacuka says that she has her<br />
days, there are some days when she loves and wants to<br />
try the make-up on and others not so much. Wacuka<br />
adds that, she encourages her to be herself and follow<br />
her dream even if its not related to make-up.<br />
On her tips to ladies on applying make-up, “Practise<br />
Practise Practise. Don’t be afraid to wear it, if you<br />
don’t like what you see go wash it off, the more you<br />
practice the better you are going to get and above<br />
all, don’t allow anyone to put you down”<br />
30<br />
31
ENJOY<br />
THE KURLLY DIARIES<br />
HIGH TEA <strong>2016</strong><br />
By Wambui JL<br />
If you are a Naturalista (or aspiring to be) in Kenya there is no<br />
shortage of women who understand your lifestyle choice that you<br />
can interact with; and the ladies of the Kurlly Diaries are such a<br />
community. Kurlly Diaries started as a Facebook Group in 2014 but<br />
has now grown into a social community of nearly 2,000 members.<br />
Beth Ikiara, Maureen Murunga (Amadiva),<br />
Michelle Ntalami (Marini Naturals) and Ibukayo Mwangi<br />
Kawiria Obura, Edith Wanja, Michelle Fondamiere<br />
and Lena Hawi<br />
Peris Masinde and Naserian Sintako<br />
(Directors, Pretty Faces Inc)<br />
Wambui Lamu (Creator, <strong>Hairpolitan</strong>)<br />
with Amina Jasho<br />
Once a year the Kurllies get together for a day filled with dress-up,<br />
make-up, catch-up, dancing, shopping and talks. While the<br />
organizers have been creative with their dress themes be sure that<br />
the Kurllies have not disappointed in meeting the standard.<br />
<strong>The</strong>mes have ranged from Ankara (2013), Retro Glam (2014), All<br />
White (2015) and finally Haute Couture (<strong>2016</strong>) at prestigious<br />
locations such as <strong>The</strong> Hilton, <strong>The</strong> Nairobi National Museum and San<br />
Valencia Gardens on Riara Road respectively.<br />
Dorcas Mutheu, Maureen Anzayo,<br />
Stacey Kemo and Wachu Wanjaria<br />
Josephine Waiganjo, Susan Kinuthia<br />
and Wachu Wanjaria (Kurlly Diaries Founders)<br />
Sampa Fidelity and Asha Mohammed<br />
Display by Claire's Faire Jewels<br />
<strong>Hairpolitan</strong> caught up with the prolific team of the group’s founders<br />
Josephine Waiganjo, Wachu Wanjaria and Susan Kinuthia (a.k.a Ess<br />
Kay of Ruzena Naturals) to ask a few questions about their event<br />
that went down this year.<br />
Why a High Tea theme?<br />
Every year we have a different theme for our event. We like to push<br />
the edge and have fun with our themes and outfits during all our<br />
meet-ups. Its an opportunity to dress up and get creative from<br />
head to toe & the high tea theme was so much fun!<br />
What were your expectations and did the event meet up to<br />
them?<br />
We expected Naturalistas to show up and have a great time<br />
bonding over hair, beauty and lifestyle matters. We hoped that<br />
everybody who came would make new friends & learn something<br />
new; we were so elated to see strangers laughing like old friends.<br />
Faith Ndanu Keli and Maggie Mbugua<br />
Ogana Abwonji and Anita Mogere<br />
Sheikha Ali Yumen and Sampa Fidelity<br />
Display by Shani Designs<br />
We were proud to host Kurllies from Mombasa, Nakuru, Meru and<br />
Kisumu and even as far as South Africa. We also expected the sun<br />
would shine but it was a cold day. Other than the weather, we were<br />
happy with the turn out and the good feedback from those that<br />
attended.<br />
What was the toughest bit about putting the event together?<br />
It was getting members to pay early to allow us proper planning.<br />
Other than that, we enjoyed planning the event and we worked so<br />
well together. Would you believe we only had one meeting to<br />
divide up roles amongst us?<br />
Fridah Archie (Fridah's Oasis) and<br />
Diang'a Ochino (Ginene Accessories).<br />
Jeri Muchura (Photos by Jeri) poses with her<br />
Beyond Color Exhibion images<br />
Susan Kamau, Jennifer Wambui and Brenda Wairimu<br />
Display by Fridah's Oasis<br />
We do believe you ladies, seeing as you’re becoming pros at<br />
putting awesome events together 4 years in a row. We can’t wait to<br />
see what is in store come 2017!<br />
Kurlly Diaries: kurllydiaries@gmail.com<br />
Image Credits: Photos by Jeri<br />
Jennifer Githae with Maureen Anzayo<br />
Beyond Color Exhibition by Jeri Muchura<br />
Thiitu Karega (Creator, Binti Naturals)<br />
Wambui Lamu (Creator, <strong>Hairpolitan</strong>),<br />
Njeri Olang' (Sitara) and Amina Jasho<br />
32 33
ENJOY<br />
FINE DINING<br />
EXPERIENCE<br />
By Nurtured Knotts<br />
Nurtured Knotts is a young, up & coming natural hair, beauty and<br />
lifestyle community comprising of nearly 200 women who have a free<br />
spirit outlook to life. <strong>The</strong>y discuss topics from Natural Hair, Fitness,<br />
Beauty, Fashion, and Make-Up plus other deeper life affirming topics.<br />
Trio of Deserts with bubbly Cave Gold Rondelle<br />
Mercy Were<br />
<strong>The</strong> Ladies Show off<br />
Lucy Wanyika and Prisca Disma<br />
Since its inception the group has organized fun, exciting events and<br />
outdoor activities that get the women interacting outside the confines<br />
of the interwebs. Nurtured Knotts members have been treated to a<br />
number of varied and frequent activities such as biking at Karura, hiking<br />
on Ngong Hills, Spin & Zumba fitness classes, a denim themed meet-up<br />
afternoon and an adventurous trip to Mfangano Island in Lake Victoria,<br />
Kenya.<br />
Recently the community held an intimate Fine Dining Experience<br />
hosted by Wangeci Wandere of African Kaya. Wangeci is an avid foodie<br />
and the brains behind initiatives such as Chill n Grill, Foodies Club<br />
Nairobi and was one of the organizers of Nairobi’s inaugural Diner en<br />
Blanc that was held last year at the Uhuru Gardens. African Kaya is<br />
renown for its creation of natural sauces, savory jams and gourmet<br />
butters.<br />
Hendrika Majiwa<br />
Cheers!<br />
Irene Meta and Lydia Akinyi<br />
Creamy Mash Potatoes with Lamb Chops<br />
& Mushroom Sauce<br />
<strong>The</strong> dress code was black with a touch of class and the ladies showed<br />
up dressed to the nines, ready for great food and lively conversations.<br />
In terms of food, the guests were not disappointed as they were treated<br />
to a sumptuous 5-Course meal that had a wine tasting to boot courtesy<br />
of Sommelier Gloria Kinya of Do Wine.<br />
On the Menu:<br />
Palette Cleanser: Concordance Brut<br />
1st Course: Butternut Soup<br />
2nd Course: Plantains wrapped with bacon served with Conchales Rioja<br />
3rd Course: Mango and Avocado Salad with Lettuce<br />
4th Course: Creamy Mash Potatoes with Lamb Chops<br />
and Mushroom Sauce<br />
5th Course: Trio of deserts - Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream and<br />
Strawberry Cheesecake with a bubbly Cave Gold Rondelle<br />
Nyasuba Lando Lando (Nurtured Knotts Admin)<br />
Table Set Up<br />
Nakhulo Khaimia and Carol Tichie<br />
Trio of Deserts<br />
<strong>The</strong> event embodied what Nurtured Knotts is all about and has set the<br />
bar quite high as they gear up for their first anniversary in November.<br />
We at <strong>Hairpolitan</strong> are excited to see what the knotty ladies will be up to<br />
come the end of the year.<br />
Prisca Disma (Nurtured Knotts Admin)<br />
Soup: Crème of Butternut Soup<br />
Diana Rajoro<br />
Wangeci Wandere (Hostess, African Kaya)<br />
African Kaya: www.africankaya.com<br />
Do Wine: www.dowine.co.ke<br />
Nurtured Knotts: nurtured.knotts1@gmail.com<br />
Image Credit: Peter Kinyua of Art Light<br />
34<br />
Nakhulo Khaimia (Nurtured Knotts Admin)<br />
Table Set Up<br />
Plantains wrapped with bacon<br />
Sommelier Gloria Kinya (Do Wine)<br />
35
GUYS<br />
SWITCHING PASSIONS<br />
By Samuel Githegi<br />
I’m a writer, an artist and a photographer. Growing up,<br />
I never thought I’d be any of the above but in<br />
hindsight it doesn’t seem surprising now. My pull to<br />
visual arts brought me into photography and painting.<br />
While my interest in literature made me aspire to<br />
emulate writers I admired.<br />
I took up architecture after high school, but when that<br />
didn’t work out; and despite my mother pushing me<br />
towards design in general - I took up Accounting. Yes, I<br />
know…Accounting. However, as fun as math was, I<br />
didn’t visualise myself crunching numbers for the rest<br />
of my life, so I<br />
had to rethink.<br />
“<br />
My desire to<br />
create started<br />
while in I.B at<br />
Saint Mary’s<br />
School, where I<br />
came to really<br />
appreciate art in<br />
its various forms.<br />
Despite liking my<br />
newfound<br />
interest, I failed<br />
the subject in my<br />
final exams but I<br />
was determined<br />
to prove to<br />
myself that I was<br />
good enough;<br />
and that failing<br />
was only a matter<br />
of not applying<br />
myself. I didn’t<br />
quite apply<br />
myself to selling<br />
the pieces<br />
aggressively but<br />
managed to sell<br />
about 200<br />
paintings. If that<br />
hasn’t been proof<br />
enough that I am<br />
good, then I don’t<br />
know what is.<br />
I HAVE THE DESIRE<br />
TO BECOME<br />
EXCEPTIONAL AT<br />
IT AND THE NEED<br />
TO AS WELL. A<br />
MAN HAS GOT TO<br />
PROVIDE AND THIS<br />
WILL MAKE ME<br />
ONE OF THE BEST<br />
I BELIEVE.<br />
“<br />
Contact Person: Samuel Githegi<br />
Brand/Business: <strong>The</strong> Githegi Photography<br />
Tel: +254 (0) 721 368 505<br />
info@thegithegi.com<br />
www.thegithegi.com<br />
www.instagram.com/thegithegi<br />
www.twitter.com/thegithegi<br />
Interestingly, another obstacle I’ve had to<br />
overcome is being colour-blind. It’s not<br />
something readily discussed in Kenya but it<br />
affects a vast majority of people, some of whom<br />
don’t even know. I have the most common form,<br />
which is known as red/green color-blindness.<br />
However, because I already know what the<br />
painting I am working on will look like in terms of<br />
form and color, I have devised a trick to mitigate<br />
the situation while painting. I read the color name<br />
on the tube and hold it for the duration of time I<br />
need to apply it to the painting.<br />
As fate would have it, Jim Chuchu of Just a Band<br />
and I became neighbours and he exposed me to<br />
amazing images from his camera. I was hooked<br />
and determined to learn all I could but my<br />
learning curve was rather slow, as at the same<br />
time I was working as a Copywriter for an Ad<br />
Agency. I had the ultimate job which one didn’t<br />
quit just to take photos. Well, I re-wrote the rules<br />
and ended up leaving. As I write this,<br />
I have just finished my first month of<br />
unemployment or better yet Entrepreneurship.<br />
Yes, that’s the right word for<br />
it…Entrepreneurship.<br />
We live in a society were most people cling<br />
tighter to a job the moment they have mouths to<br />
feed but for me the job had become an unhealthy<br />
habit. It kept me away from spending time with<br />
my family and the things I loved doing or needed<br />
to do. Now I have a new passion to follow, it not only<br />
gives me pleasure but it will also keep my family.<br />
So what’s a guy like me doing in a place like this?<br />
Hair is something I have always been a stickler<br />
about and good hair for that matter. Those who<br />
know me can attest to my hairbrush carrying high<br />
school days. I took great care of my hair and had<br />
waves you could ‘surf’ on to the point that<br />
everyone thought I had relaxed my hair. Now, I<br />
may not take much care of it, but I still have<br />
‘good’ hair for a guy, it’s wavy with a few<br />
‘platinum highlights’ or grey hairs, as lesser<br />
people would call them.<br />
In my opinion, nature knows best and has gifted<br />
us with the greatest crown of all so there’s<br />
nothing more beautiful than natural hair. Not<br />
being a fan of wigs and all fake crowns, all I can<br />
say is kudos to all those women who keep their<br />
hair natural despite it needing more work than<br />
the popular alternatives.<br />
36 37
TOPICAL<br />
OF WORDS<br />
AND WHEELS<br />
By Nepurko Keiwua<br />
I like to fondly refer to myself as a retirement baby,<br />
born long after my parents were done making a<br />
family. I only had books to play with because<br />
which African parent was going to fork over<br />
princely sums of money to Mattel for a little bit of<br />
plastic in the name of the latest Barbie dolls? I<br />
fondly remember one particular box set of Barbie<br />
and all her friends, Ken included, that showed<br />
them all lounging next to a make believe pool.<br />
Every time we went to Sarit Centre, I’d sneak into<br />
the toyshop and<br />
gaze at it<br />
lovingly; and<br />
“<br />
every time my<br />
mom or dad<br />
found me, they’d<br />
spirit me away<br />
with promises.<br />
I must have been<br />
a sight to behold<br />
as books always<br />
surrounded me,<br />
already a round<br />
peg in a square<br />
hole and so, it<br />
must have<br />
painted me as a<br />
painfully shy and<br />
retiring girl. I<br />
ploughed<br />
through all the<br />
Hardy Boys,<br />
Nancy Drew and<br />
Sweet Valley Kids<br />
series; and even<br />
became a goody<br />
two shoes who<br />
read Enid Blyton’s<br />
finest books,<br />
Famous Five,<br />
Secret Seven,<br />
IF YOU DON’T<br />
OWN A BIKE,<br />
JOIN US AND<br />
LEARN<br />
BECAUSE IT’S<br />
ONLY A MATTER<br />
OF TIME BEFORE<br />
YOU GET ONE.<br />
Contact Person: Nepurko Keiwua<br />
Brand/Business: <strong>The</strong> Adventures of the<br />
Village Beauty by Nepurko<br />
Email: wordsandwheels@nepurko.co.ke<br />
www.nepurko.co.ke<br />
www.instagram.com/village_beauty<br />
www.twitter.com/village_beauty<br />
Google+: Nepurko Keiwua<br />
Mallory Towers and more; I recently read a quote<br />
once on the Internet that said she was trying to turn<br />
us all into prefects and what a mighty laugh I had.<br />
“<br />
In the same way I discovered my love for<br />
words and started reading books at an early<br />
age, so did my love for writing and telling<br />
stories grow. Fast forward a couple of years<br />
to 2009, in my final year of University studying<br />
Finance and Marketing, I decided to start<br />
a blog where I told funny anecdotal stories<br />
about my life. I also delved into the world of<br />
fiction, shortly thereafter. Thanks to my<br />
diligent blogging I got into the Advertising<br />
and Public Relations (PR) world, selling ideas<br />
back and forth until I decided to take a break<br />
early this year to grow my creative writing by<br />
trying different styles of writing. <strong>The</strong> next<br />
phase of my life is already proving to be a<br />
potential challenge as I’ve accepted to take<br />
up Editor-at-Large of the <strong>Hairpolitan</strong><br />
<strong>Magazine</strong>. All I can say is, watch out Andre<br />
Leon Talley.<br />
Please note, this story of rebirth doesn’t<br />
begin here for me. It started four years ago<br />
when I switched from being a prim and<br />
proper PR account executive to a loud,<br />
expressive and brutally blunt advertising<br />
copywriter. I threw out my heels and smart<br />
business skirt suits trading them for a casual<br />
look with a tomboy hair cut over the long,<br />
luscious permed locks to boot.<br />
<strong>The</strong> transition period started in 2011 and<br />
ended in 2014, when I decided to live life and<br />
LIVE. I felt like a caterpillar turning into a<br />
butterfly, as I quickly shed my shy girl next-door<br />
persona and decided to do stuff and cultivate<br />
relationships that I was interested in. I started<br />
participating in more artsy activities and let go<br />
of staid, stuffy habits.<br />
Eventually I become an outgoing, gregarious<br />
and more confident young woman. I went<br />
through all this after a losing my father and<br />
brother in a span of only 2 years. I felt<br />
anchorless and was very angry at the world<br />
but deep down I knew I was still alive and<br />
that’s where the mantra I always wake up to<br />
came from “Life is for the Living.” Anyone<br />
who knows me can testify to my moxie and<br />
absolute zeal for life. I have been accused of<br />
being blunt and not allowing myself to suffer<br />
fools gladly. That is an accusation I will gladly<br />
wear out in the open.<br />
Images Courtesy of "Office of the First Lady Kenya Facebook Page"<br />
Members of the Women Bikers’ Association-Kenya (WBA-K) join the First Lady of Kenya,<br />
Her Excellency Margaret Kenyatta for photo outside the State House in Nairobi.<br />
WBA-K Chairlady, Sarah Githinji presents Her Excellency, the First Lady of Kenya,<br />
Margaret Kenyatta with the official member’s shirt and scarf for this year’s<br />
edition of the International Female Ride Day.<br />
Her Excellency, the First Lady of Kenya, Mrs Margaret Kenyatta greets the WBA-K,<br />
Chairlady, Sarah Githinji on their visit to State House, Nairobi, Kenya.<br />
38<br />
39
One day, while stuck in Nairobi traffic for over 4<br />
hours, I made the decision to enroll for motorcycle<br />
lessons. I had been talking my friends’ ears off for a<br />
number of months about motorbikes and I’m sure<br />
there was a collective sigh of relief when I stopped<br />
talking and finally sat astride my first bike.<br />
In a month or so, I acquired my first motorbike, an<br />
Apache 160 and less than a year later I had<br />
upgraded to a Honda CBR 250R and started<br />
touring the country. I also joined the Women Bikers<br />
Association of Kenya (WBA-K) in 2014 and<br />
volunteered to represent the women bikers at the<br />
Motorcycle Kenya Association, the umbrella body<br />
for all private motorcyclists in Kenya. <strong>The</strong> WBA-K<br />
was founded on the need to provide lady riders<br />
with a safe and secure environment from which to<br />
learn from each other and ride. We accept all kinds<br />
of bikers and even if you don’t own a bike, join us<br />
and learn because it’s only a matter of time before<br />
you get one.<br />
archiesoasis<br />
Recently, the WBA-K were invited to the Kenyan<br />
First Lady’s residence to chat about issues affecting<br />
motorcycle safety in Kenya and in particular, a<br />
cause that we are spearheading as an association<br />
to ensure everyone on two wheels wears a helmet.<br />
<strong>The</strong> WBA-K members took the First Lady and her<br />
team through their idea for motorcycle safety and<br />
told her about our helmet liner initiative that one of<br />
our members discovered. We’ve all been there, at<br />
one time or another- staring at the bodaboda<br />
helmet in horror, thinking about all the nasty things<br />
crawling in them. <strong>The</strong> helmet liners are imported<br />
and WBA offered to subsidize the costs incurred by<br />
the commercial bodaboda riders, so as to ensure<br />
the liners are available to riders who need them.<br />
It was great meeting Her Excellency, Margaret<br />
Kenyatta as we got to see a softer albeit tough side<br />
of her that lies beyond her nice motherly smile. She<br />
told us that she admired us but she’d never get on<br />
a bike herself even though we saw pictures of the<br />
President sitting on one of the Jubilee Riders’ bikes<br />
when they were being flagged off on their charity<br />
ride to South Africa in 2013 to raise money to assist<br />
the underprivileged with school fees.<br />
For many, the idea of motorcycles may seem<br />
daunting at first but I must say I took to the road<br />
like a fish to water. Motorcycling for me grew from<br />
a need to get around conveniently and affordably,<br />
to a passion I am certain I won’t give up any time<br />
soon despite the challenges motor vehicle road<br />
users present on a daily basis.<br />
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40 41<br />
RUZENA_NATURALS
OFFICIAL DESIGNER<br />
FOR HAIRPOLITAN<br />
THE<br />
hairpolitan<br />
NATURAL HAIR & LIVING MAGAZINE<br />
ADVERTISING SIZES<br />
BACK COVER<br />
297mm high<br />
x 210mm wide<br />
TYPE AREA<br />
TRIM SIZE<br />
BLEED<br />
FULL PAGE<br />
Type Area:<br />
270 x 184mm<br />
Trim Size:<br />
297mm x 210mm<br />
Bleed Size:<br />
303mm x 216mm<br />
Allow 3mm possible<br />
loss into the spine<br />
HALF PAGE<br />
LANDSCAPE<br />
134mm x 200mm<br />
HALF PAGE<br />
PORTRAIT<br />
277mm x 102mm<br />
QUARTER<br />
PAGE<br />
135mm x 93mm<br />
BOTTOM<br />
STRIP<br />
200mm x 65mm<br />
PRINTING<br />
COVER sheet-fed offset<br />
TEXT web offset<br />
BINDING saddle stitched<br />
STOCK COVER full colour<br />
PAPER bond paper 100gsm<br />
DOUBLE PAGE<br />
Type Area: 280mm x 400mm<br />
CLASSIFIED<br />
ADS<br />
53mm x 62mm<br />
PLEASE NOTE: ALL<br />
SIZES ARE SHOWN<br />
AS HEIGHT X WIDTH<br />
ABOUT BLEED<br />
When any item is required to run up to or over the side of the page, it is necessary to extend it by at least<br />
3mm beyond the normal trim size of the page. This is to allow for a 3mm margin of error when the printers<br />
trim the final book, and will prevent any unprinted white paper showing around the edge of the page.<br />
Please be careful to ensure bleed is included on your final print-ready PDF.<br />
Allow 5mm possible loss<br />
into the spine<br />
ABOUT LIVE MATTER<br />
‘Live matter’ is any text or image that is necessary to be seen on the final advertisement.<br />
It is recommended that these items are placed at least 5mm in from the edge of the normal trim area<br />
(more on the sides going into the spine) to prevent them being trimmed out should the final book trim<br />
be slightly inaccurate.<br />
RATE CARD<br />
DOUBLE PAGE KShs. 350,000<br />
BACK COVER KShs. 240,000<br />
INSIDE FRONT OR<br />
INSIDE BACK<br />
PAGES 3 & 5<br />
FULL PAGE<br />
INSIDE PAGE<br />
HALF PAGE LANDSCAPE<br />
OR PORTRAIT<br />
QUARTER PAGE<br />
BOTTOM STRIP<br />
CLASSIFIED<br />
KShs. 150,000<br />
KShs. 150,000<br />
KShs. 110,000<br />
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42 43
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