Ropfiwa’s Fresh Do…

You can imagine my reaction when my sister-in-law, Ropfiwa walked through my door rocking these chunky twists….

How ill are these! I love em.

Win: Sofn’Free HealthiHair Range

COMPETITION CLOSED

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It’s our 2nd birthday/anniversary and we’re feeling generous!!

November is our birthday month &  we thought what better way to celebrate  than to have a giveaway!!

Yes folks, we are giving away a beautiful hamper of the Sofn’free HealthiHair & HealthiScalp range. A few weeks ago I did a Sofn free HealthiHair and HealthiScalp review and some of those products I mentiond in that post will be included in the hamper 🙂

The hamper will include the following products:

1. Sofn’free Scalp Therapy

2. Sofn’free Hair Mayonnaise

3. Sofn’free Nutri-Feed Olive Oil Moisturising Spray

4. Sofn’free Scalp Tissue Oil

5. Sofn’free Shine Serum

So what do you need to do to win this fantastic hamper:

The theme for this competition is “Where were you 5 years ago?”

You need to send us a pic of your hair 5 years ago & your current look. Easy as that! Send your pictures to: frochic@gmail.com

The picture with the winning transformation will scoop the price.

Competition Rules:

• Pictures of weaves, wigs and any form of hair extensions (braids, plaits etc) will not be considered. We’re interested in your own hair.
• Your current look must be natural; relaxers are only acceptable in your before (5 years ago) pictures only.
• After we put pictures of the entrants up, readers will vote for the winner.
• The closing date is 12h00, Friday, 25 November 2011.
• Please note that this giveaway is only open for South African residents.
• Winners will be notified by email.

Win: Sofn’Free HealthiHair Range

COMPETITION CLOSED

*************

It’s our 2nd birthday/anniversary and we’re feeling generous!!

November is our birthday month &  we thought what better way to celebrate  than to have a giveaway!!

Yes folks, we are giving away a beautiful hamper of the Sofn’free HealthiHair & HealthiScalp range. A few weeks ago I did a Sofn free HealthiHair and HealthiScalp review and some of those products I mentiond in that post will be included in the hamper 🙂

The hamper will include the following products:

1. Sofn’free Scalp Therapy

2. Sofn’free Hair Mayonnaise

3. Sofn’free Nutri-Feed Olive Oil Moisturising Spray

4. Sofn’free Scalp Tissue Oil

5. Sofn’free Shine Serum

So what do you need to do to win this fantastic hamper:

The theme for this competition is “Where were you 5 years ago?”

You need to send us a pic of your hair 5 years ago & your current look. Easy as that! Send your pictures to: frochic@gmail.com

The picture with the winning transformation will scoop the price.

Competition Rules:

• Pictures of weaves, wigs and any form of hair extensions (braids, plaits etc) will not be considered. We’re interested in your own hair.
• Your current look must be natural; relaxers are only acceptable in your before (5 years ago) pictures only.
• After we put pictures of the entrants up, readers will vote for the winner.
• The closing date is 12h00, Friday, 25 November 2011.
• Please note that this giveaway is only open for South African residents.
• Winners will be notified by email.

Spring Into The New Season!

Post by: Zama Gqabu

So summer is upon us, my favourite season to be frank. This season is all about COLOUR, CHUNKY JEWELLERY, and PLATFORM SANDALS and so much more to mention. I will be giving you the 411 on what’s hot and what is so not.

COLOUR BLOCKING

Kicking it off this season is bright colours A.K.A colour blocking, which also made waves this winter. This trend is just great for this season; it’s bright, funky and so in-trend.

But what one needs to know about this trend is, if not done correctly you will look like a hot-clown mess. So I will be giving you 5 top tips on how to wear this fierce trend and rock it.

1. Select the right color combination. To apply this fashion trend, choosing the right color combination is the key. Bright colors that match when combined are pink with purple, orange with blue, cobalt blue with red.

2. Brighter is better. If you want to wear color-hit clothing from head to toe, you shouldn’t do it half-hearted. Select a bright ‘color block’ to get a maximum style. Pastel or pale colors can look half-hearted.

3. Pair with motive. An easy way to make you look more stylish in color blocking is to invest in light-colored clothing with stripes like the collections of Spring/Summer 2011 by Prada. Pair a plain green top with a line-motif black/yellow skirt, as an example.

4. Wear together with a white dress. If you wouldn’t dare to style in full-color, neutralize the bright color by blending  it with a white dress. It can also be a shirt, skirt or pants.

5. Apply ‘color block’ in the use of accessories. This is the easiest way to get the color block style. Black mini dress will be more exciting with an orange clutch bag, red shoes and a blue bracelet.

Another great look for this season is all about the retro 70’s look.

70’s fashion began where the 60’s left off. Mini skirts were popular and the flower power influence was everywhere, the 70s’ fashion took on a multitude of different styles and influences. As well as the hippy style of the late sixties, but the two trends that defined the 70s in a fashion sense was the flared trousers and platform soles. Which are doing a huge come back this season.

This is a typical look of the 70’s retro look, the flared pants, the blouse, platform shoes, huge sunglasses and wide brimmed hat.

The flared pants

With flared pants you can say good bye to the low-rise pants and hello to the high-wasted pants. What I love about these pants is that they can be worn from a casual summer day just chilling with friends with some sundowners or to a more formal office look.

Casual look

Formal look

THE PLATFORM SHOE

Which were also known as Disco Boots back in the 70’s have done a huge come back this season, and of course a little leopard never hurt no one.

These shoes can be worn with the flared pants or floral maxi dress to keep true to the 70’s look or just worn with your typical normal jeans.

Accessories

Accessories are actually my favorite part of an outfit; a little bracelet, earrings and statement ring can make a simple outfit go a long way. Today we will be focusing on the 70’s look, everything little accessory you will need to complement your 70’s inspired look.

Besides the 70’s inspired jewelry another BIG trend this spring/summer are CHUNKY BIG jewelry, which I totally love, now this is a statement piece.

 HATS

SHADES

Now a trend that has always been around are shades or stunners, what ever you wanna call them, this is the no. 1 trend piece that will never go out of trend. The only thing different about them this season is the shape, the new trend is of course the 70’s inspired look, and as well as the cat eye shade, which I think are so retro and ultra-fab.

And that my fellow fashionistas, is all you will need this spring/summer to keep you on trend and of course looking fabulous.

P.S Always stay true to yourself. Now that’s hot!!

FroChic Makes It To Destiny Magazine!

Beautiful cover – Khanyi looks gorgeous!

That’s us in the November issue of Destiny magazine, under the Women Fulfilling Their Destiny section, page 99. Woop!

We would like to thank Destiny magazine for the recognition & exposure they’ve given us. We are truly LOVING our feature!

Also, we would like to give a big THANK YOU to you our readers and subscribers for making FroChic what it is today – thanks for the love!

 

Back On Our TV Screens: Bonnie Henna

Tell us a little about yourself – who is Bonnie Henna?

I’m a wife, mother, sister an every type of woman.I live my life passionately. I’m adventurous, quirky and introspective; also quiet generous. I’m an entrepreneur, actress, motivational speaker and a budding writer.

You started acting from quite a young age. What was your first gig and how was that like?

Wow, my first gig was many yeas ago. It was a show called Viva Famalies2 on TV 2 at the time, starring Hlomla Dandala who played my older brother. I recall it being quiet challenging as I was not as comfortable on camera as I am now, but it was fun too.

You are also such a natural in front of the camera. Did you ever have any formal training to be an actress?

I haven’t had any formal training as an actress at all, everything I’ve learnt has been by doing. I never had an opportunity to train because of financial constraints, it’s obviously a privilege to train but if one can’t, it’s still possible to pursue the dream.

You and your husband, Sisanda, recently came back to SA after spending some time in the States. How long did you stay there for and how was life that side?

We didn’t stay there for too long; we spent time there in 2006 for three months and in 2007 for 6 months. It was a really intense time of self discovery; coming face to face with the reality of what our dreams would cost and deciding if that was a price we could afford or not. I didn’t enjoy the American social landscape; I found it limiting and too American; by that I mean closed to other cultural influences.

On the movie Invictus, you got to act alongside big industry names such as our very own Tony Kgoroge and internationals Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. Please tell us about the experience. 

I really enjoyed watching the movie, making it was quiet challenging as I was pregnant, tired and very emotional. Most of my scenes were with Morgan Freeman, I respect him as an actor but found him quiet unfriendly as a person.

Survivor SA Maldives. How was that like? 

Survivor Maldives stands out as one of the most memorable events of my life. It was very challenging, its timing was perfect as I needed a bridge to help me walk back into public consciousness. Physically, I was still packing a lot of extra weight from the pregnancy and I lost 10kg while on the island, couldn’t have asked for a better diet. Spiritually and emotionally very trying but all in all an extraordinary experience.

What projects are you currently busy with?

I am currently working on Rhythm City. I joined the show as a new character, her name is Nozipho.

Now, on to your hair. For as long as we could remember you’ve always worn your hair short. From the bald look to the TWA (teeny-weeny-afro). Why the choice to wear your hair naturally?

Wow, I’ve worn my hair short for about fifteen years now, from the bald look to now. I love my hair natural as I feel it best expresses my personality. It’s a true reflection of what I’m about, its simple, truthful and with no fuss. I’m not the type who enjoys going to the hair salon every week, can’t stand the smell of relaxer, the health of my hair is at its best when my hair is worn naturally.

Do you find there is a lot of pressure in the film/entertainment industry for one to relax or weave their hair? How do you deal with this pressure?

Internationally, yes. I found in L.A, people were very hostile to the idea of me wearing my hair natural. For them, it seemed quite a shameful thing. I definitely stood out. It seemed the industry only understood black women in a weave or relaxed hair context. Locally I find there isn’t as much pressure, although you would still need to stand your ground if you want to keep your hair natural, especially on a soap or regular series because it appears much easier to maintain. I just don’t see it that way.

Congrats again on winning the DStv Style Award for the best hairstyle. Which hairstyle won you this award?

Thank you. It was a very simple hairstyle, it was just  two long braids,using synthetic hair fibre, plaited real long down the back .

You always go for the hairstyles most people wont dare to try (eg your current one & previously chiskop), but you manage to pull them off so well. What inspires your look in terms of hair?

The way I wear my hair is a very important part of my creative expression. I love playing around with ideas and trying new things and I do this with my clothing and my hair. I don’t see why I should keep doing what’s been done before. I also find that my hair changes or lifts my mood and even influences the way  I dress; so it has to compliment everything I’m about. I’m very daring and bold with my style.

How do you take care of your hair? What is your hair regimen?

I wash my hair twice a week and drink lots of water. My hair grows healthier and my hairline is stronger when I drink lots of water. I moisturize it everyday. I lean more towards natural oils e.g coconut and olive oil; I do regular treatments and I love my hair. When I handle my hair, I speak to it; I tell it that it is beautiful and that I love it just the way it is. I need to do that because it speaks to a deeper place in me that has been filled with messages from my environment which reinforce that black hair is not good hair or that it is high maintenance. Through regularly speaking positive affirmations about my hair to myself, I’ve grown confident in wearing it any way I wish, despite what people might think or say.

 

Any particular hair products you use and love?

 

I do a lot of braids because my hair grows faster that way, so I use Sta soft-fro braid spray, Ladine hair renewal (with tea tree oil and yang yang oil for my hairline and medicated MPL oil for my scalp.

 

Any plans to lock your hair in the future?

 

I do have plans to lock my hair in the near future, I haven’t decided on a specific time but i’ll know when its time, I still want to experiment some more with my hair as it is. I’m working on a healthy afro right now.

 

What piece of advice could you give to other young people trying to make their mark in Mzansi?

 

Do what you love; what you’re passionate about; don’t shy back from your passion because you haven’t seen others succeed at it; dont let others failure or success determine how far you can go; most of all be yourself; ,trust in the Lord your God with all your heart, acknowledge Him in all you do and He will direct your path.

Sofn’ Free HealthiHair & HealthiScalp Range

Sofn’ free recently introduced their HeathiHair and HealthiScalp range of products which have Olive Oil and Coconut Oil as one of the main ingredients (props to Sofn’ free for introducing natural ingredients in their products!). I’ve so far been using their Hair Mayonnaise, Scalp Therapy and Nutri-Feed Olive Oil Mosturising Spray.

I used to use Sofn’free products back in the day, when I used to have relaxed hair, but I always used to find the products to be very greasy. Now I can honestly say this HealthiHair range is farrrr better. Not only does it smell divine but I can actually feel it moisturizing my hair.

I must say the Hair Mayonnaise is my fave and I use it when I do my co-washes (washing the hair with only conditioner) or for my deep-conditioning treatments. Its very thick, smells great and lathers on quite well. Once I’ve washed my hair, it feels soft.

While my hair is slightly damp, I lather on some of the Olive Oil Mosturising spray and this keeps my hair soft (and smelling good) throughout the day. It also works well on my twists when I want to do a twist out, they usually come out nice and soft.

I plaited my hair recently and its been itching like crazy, yerrrr 😦 but I find the Scalp Therapy (with coconut oil) helps a lot to relieve some of the itching. The top part of the bottle has a pointy nozzle, so its easy to apply the lotion directly onto your scalp. Wow, I kid you not –  this product does a great job in “cooling down” my scalp and minimises the itching. You can almost feel the cooling effect it has on the scalp. Sadly though, once it dries up, the itching is back but at least for a few hours you are able to give your hands some rest 😉

Has anyone tried this HealthiHair and HealthiScalp range from Sofn’free? What do you think?

We Are Loving These Hairstyles!!

We came across these FIERCE looking hairstyles on Essence.com and just had to share with you. You’ve got to love the versatility of our hair!!

Feast your eyes…and draw some hair-inspiration for your next look 😉

Our fave hairstyle!

Those earrings….*faints*

(Images via Essence.com)

Mover ‘n Shaker: Gontse Malope

Now can we please start with that big Afro you twitpic’d on Twitter (for those who aren’t familiar with twitter language). How long have you been growing it? We most certainly didn’t see that one coming.lol

I think it’s about 5 years now. 🙂

How are you loving natural journey so far?

I am hey. Although I do not keep my afro for long in between braids, I have no desire to relax my hair again at all.

If your Twitter avatars are anything to go by, you hardly ever wear it out. Is that your way of protecting it?

Partly protecting it but I must admit, I mostly don’t wear it out because it is immensely high-maintenance. I tried to master the wash-and-go but find myself blowdrying it out because it looks so good that way. Plus, I can comb it!

 

Have you always been natural? If not, when & why did you decide to go for it?

Nope. I decided about 5 years ago. First I went natural and started locks. My locks were doing okay, I spent a bit over a year with them but it just wasn’t me. I need variety and my afro helps me do that. I can switch up braids and still keep my afro. So I spent a weekend painstakingly combing my dreads out. They hadn’t completely locked yet so a whole lot of conditioner helped me out.

What products do you swear by?

Organic Root Stimulator’s Olive Oil Sheen Spray & Organic Root Stimulator’s Tea Tree Oil.

From your working experience, have you had any challenges in the workplace regarding your hair?

Not at all. As long as I keep it professional and neat, there really is nothing for anyone to complain about. Do things like that still happen?? Wow.

Do you always wear it in a polished, blowdried manner or sometimes rock your wash ‘n go’s?

Wash-and-go only when I don’t have a choice (I don’t have time or energy to blow it dry). But what I have now learnt is to blow it dry and then I can go two weeks without having to blow it dry again, if I plait it into 6 small plaits every night before I go to bed. See what I said about high-maintenance? SMH.

Are you planning on locking it in the future?

Nope, I’ve gotten that curiosity out of my system. You never know what the future may hold though.

Your hair regimen?

With my afro, see above. With my braids, I wash them once every two weeks, base my scalp and from there I can go on with spraying every third day.

And your favourite hairstylist or salon?

The lady who does my hair is Gift. She co-owns Ethnic Hair Masters Unisex Hair Salon at Fourways Gardens shopping centre.

Ok on to some serious business now…your book, The Reality Of Our Freedom

You’re one of the youngest authors in SA. How did the idea of writing a book (this one in particular) come about?

I’ve always loved reading, writing and books in general. It was really the culmination of my life-long dream.

I’m sure there were negative thoughts, doubts, unsupportive friends & family. How did you deal with that?

The negative thoughts and doubts were mostly mine. My friends and family were, as always, very supportive. I dealt with my fear by deciding to stop thinking and start doing. I just thought “Eff it, I’ll never know until I try”, stopped talking about it and just started writing. After that, it simply poured out of me. There was no stopping myself once I got started.

South Africa is seen as a country that doesn’t have much interest in reading. What is your perception, do you think this is true? How has your experience been so far in terms of readership?

For the most part, yes, I think as a nation we don’t read nearly enough but this is changing slowly by surely due to the efforts of writers, authors, publishers and organisations such as ReadSA and the National Library of South Africa. I’ve been fortunate to be able to reach the target market I was aiming for with The Reality of Our Freedom – young and Black. Charity starts at home.

How’s the book doing so far, in terms of sales?

It’s doing quite well. They always say the first book is not for money, the first book is to get your name out there and to hone your craft as an author – mission accomplished!

Are you planning on becoming a full-time author one day?

Hmmm, not at the moment but I would love to… one day.

How would you encourage those young women out there who have a lot to write about, but don’t have the courage to pick up a pen and paper (or sit in front of that computer) and run with it?

Just do it. You’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the things you did. That’s not license to get reckless – do your best, get someone who is unbiased and has a good track record in writing to look at your material but whatever you do, just write. Do it. You have the opportunity and right to express yourself.

Any words for the youth of SA?

In our journey to finding ourselves and fulfilling our destinies as individuals, let’s not let that deter us from putting back into our communities and making our country a better place to live. We all have different talents and passions, let’s make those work for our country and continent as a whole.

 

Nipha’s Fresh Do

Love it!! Absolutely fierce.

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