HAIR WHAT I’VE GOT TO SAY’

Hi my lovely friends, I have inspiring women  today on my blog.  I would like you to all meet Niyonu she is taking over the ‘HAIR WHAT I’VE GOT TO SAY’ segment.

Niyonu Agana-Burke is a journalist  who worked at Pride Magazine– Europe’s leading magazine for women of colour. Having begun her role at 23, she is among the youngest women to have taken on the role of Entertainment Editor at the monthly lifestyle glossy.

In her first year at PRIDE Niyonu has secured interviews with some of Hollywood and Britain’s biggest and brightest names including Gabrielle Union, Ciara, Jill Scott, Brandy and Leona Lewis. Niyonu’s other passion is writing insightful and engaging features on issues that are close to the hearts of women in the UK-everything from politics to relationships.

My name is Niyonu Agana-Burke, until recently I was Entertainment Editor at Pride magazine for more than two years, where I did the celebrity cover interviews, features writing and a number of other lifestyle bits for the magazine. I’ve recently moved on to become a freelance entertainment and features writer. I’m also on a mission to promote true and unequivocal self love, and body positivity, particularly among women of colour and plus size women.

It has honestly been the privilege of my life to write specifically for and about women of colour. Pride was a publication I had in my house growing up, as many black women did, so that has been amazing to be involved with it. Generally, as an intersectional feminist I’m really passionate about representation in media; racial and body diversity, so I love being able to share my perspective on issues affecting women.

Are you natural or relaxed? (is that your natural hair colour and texture)

I’m currently transitioning! I started after a bad relaxer experience last year. Until then I actually had quite long healthy relaxed hair. My hair is very thick and even when relaxing my experiences with hairdressers were pretty stressful. I found I was relaxing it but then either wearing weaves or styling it to have a lot of texture and body, so it makes more sense being natural.

Cantu Shea butter leave in conditioner is a God send. My hair thrives on water based moisture. I use olive oil to seal. When I was relaxed Kera Kare shampoo, conditioner and moisturiser for colour treated hair was amazing at adding moisture to my hair. Now I love Palmer’s coconut oil shampoo and conditioner; they smell amazing and are sulfate free.

What is your all time favourite hairstyle?

Wavy long bob. Wether it’s with my own hair (styled by sleeping in two cornrows over night, which is my second favourite do) or a weave, I think it just really suits my face and can look so glam.

1. Take regular weave breaks. Even if you don’t have leave out, even the stitches in your hair can be a bit of a strain if you do it incessantly, in my experience.

2. Learn how to do your hair yourself. I lived in France for a year at university and had to do my own hair, I can now do box braids and a number of protective styles, it means my hair will always be cared for and look good!

3. Put health of your hair above it’s appearance. Preserve your hairline at all costs!

Honestly not really, I’m really lazy with my hair I like it low maintenance! When I have it out I find I need to wash it at least once every two weeks else it gets unmanageable. My hair responds better to Bantu knots and braids than being tied down or wrapped around.

Honest, outspoken, over the top!

Women! Honestly I think women are amazing and I make a point to surround myself with formidable women in my personal, professional and even online lives, I find that they inspire me. I’m motivated by a desire to contribute something, I want to add to the conversation about female/human experience.

What are the top 3 things on your bucket list?

1. Launching my cake company! It’s something I’m so passionate and excited about, I hope to have my own store one day.

2. To live and work abroad, ideally New York, that’s my spirit city.

3. To be an Editor at a monthly women’s lifestyle glossy in the U.K. The US is making strides with women of colour like Elaine Welteroth as Editor of Teen Vogue, the UK needs more WOC promoting inclusivity from the inside out of media.