Amali Cosmetics’ gel and lacquer collection officially launched on the 26th of February at the Nail Bar in Abuja, created and curated by Ameera Abraham, Spa Director at the Nail Bar. Amali was a labour of love and a 3-year process from conceptualization to actualization, the goal was to deliver to the industry a high-quality […]

The post Colour, Love & Laughter as Amali Cosmetics Launches Beautiful Gel and Lacquer Collection | See Photos appeared first on BellaNaija.

It’s nearly Christmas time and Amali Cosmetics is excited to bring to you a series of pop ups in various locations across Lagos from November 18th to December 16th 2017. Our first stop is the Emmanuel Chapel Fun Day tomorrow. We will be selling our range of brilliant shine nail lacquers. Date: Saturday November 18th 2017 Time: 12pm […]

The post Shop Amali Cosmetics at the Emmanuel Chapel Fun Day Today! appeared first on BellaNaija.

BN Making It! is a BN feature focused on young entrepreneurs. BellaNaija.com launched BN Making It! in 2009 and we are hoping to spotlight more upcoming entrepreneurs in 2011 and beyond. We will feature young African entrepreneurs both at home and in diaspora who are making an impact in their chosen fields. Technology, Non-Profit, Fashion, Media, PR, Music and everything else. From those who are just starting their first company to young Africans who have their companies listed on the stock market. The purpose of this feature is to promote and encourage entrepreneurship among young Africans. We aim to inspire the next generation to be enterprise builders.

Ameera is the owner of The Nail Bar, a boutique nail spa in the heart of Abuja. For this edition of BN Making It!, we catch up with Ameera Abraham 4 months after the launch of her spa.

Ameera talks to BellaNaija.com about growing up as a girly girl, using mai shanu (cow fat) to deep condition her hair and customers who refuse to believe The Nail Bar has such a young Madame, amongst other funny stories and of course, challenges.

Here’s what she had to say. Enjoy!

Hi Ameera, please tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Ameera Abraham and I am 22 years old. I am of Fulani and Yoruba descent, but I’m a lot more inclined to my Fulani side because I grew up mainly around my maternal side of the family.

Coming from two distinct Nigerian ethnicities, how did they influence your love for beauty?

Culturally, growing up in a fairly Hausa-Fulani set up I was exposed to using natural products for the beautification of the hair, skin and nails. I remember having my hair deep conditioned with mai shanu (cow fat) which is amazing for strengthening and moisturizing the hair, using shea butter as a daily moisturizer (and guess what I’m not ‘dark’ skinned after all these years), beautifying my eyes with tozali (a very fine eyeliner) and tinting my nails with lalle (henna dye for the nails, hand and feet). These very natural beauty routines have been a major influence in my fusion of professional spa treatments with organic beauty remedies to produce a unique experience with long lasting healthy results.

Where did you grow up?

I was born in London, I spent a lot of my primary school years moving around, I went to 4 or 5 different schools in Lagos, Jos and Kaduna respectively. After primary 5, I moved to England where I attended an all girls’ boarding school in Kent. After 3 years, I moved back to Lagos where I attended Atlantic Hall Secondary School for 3 years. In 2004, I moved back to England where I was for 6 years and it was during this time I discovered my love for professional beauty.

After spending 6 years in England, what differences did you notice between the Nigerian and foreign beauty scene?

My moving back to Lagos for secondary school definitely opened my eyes to the ‘Nigerian way’ of providing beauty services. I always felt the hair salons should be a totally separate entity from the nail salon but in many salons in Nigeria you find that there is no main area of specialization, everyone seems to be a jack of all trades when it comes to beauty – I never quite understood the concept of selling bags or clothes or non related items at a salon – which seems to be a huge trend in Nigeria even ‘til this day. Lagos has definitely played a huge role in creating the platform for other specialized beauty service providers to open up in Nigeria. The success of such places also served as encouragement to set up my own nail spa in the heart of Abuja.

What university did you attend and where do you currently work?

I attended Royal Holloway, University of London where I graduated with a 2:1 in Politics and International Relations. I am currently doing my primary assignment for the NYSC year in the department of political affairs at the ECOWAS Commission. It is totally unrelated to beauty but I do also have an interest in world politics and human rights in particular. However, if I had to choose my first love is and will always remain beauty!

What were your hobbies growing up?

I grew up being the youngest girl around so many older female cousins; as a result I was constantly intrigued by the fact that they always had different colored nails, lips, eyes, whenever they felt it necessary. Being exposed to beauty trends at such a young age played a major role in shaping my love for it. I remember always wanting a mani/pedi every time I accompanied my mum to the spa. She’d always say no but being that I tend to always get my way she’d paint my nails the same color as hers once we were home and even let me put on matching lipstick as a bonus! I’ve undoubtedly always been a very girly girl – obsessed with doll houses and Barbies, the colors pink and purple, princess type dresses – so for a lot of people that know me venturing into the beauty industry did not come as a surprise at all.

Despite my very feminine nature, I dabbled in activities that other “girly girls” wouldn’t typically take an interest in.  I spent a lot of time with my extended family and I think it is safe to say we were all very into horses and polo. Growing up I was constantly at the polo club and I was pretty good at horse riding but not so much at polo as the mallet probably weighed a lot more than I did. I had a bit of an athletic side during my school years, swimming, tennis and netball to be precise but there was always a feminine touch/balance to everything I did – in this case it was ballet. Despite being into sports I think it’s safe to say I was always a lot better at dressing up as my Barbie and having tea parties with my dolls.

Talking about the spa, why did you go into nail beauty amidst all others?

The idea for The Nail Bar came to me during a very casual conversation with my family; we all seemed to be complaining about how Abuja lacked anywhere that catered solely to providing professional nail services. Seeing as I had intentions of setting up something beauty inclined I thought to specialize in the nail care industry.

However, before then I think a lot of my friends and family saw me as the “go to” girl for quick beauty tips and tricks (especially natural remedies). I was always playing kitchen beautician; playing with numerous nail lacquers for the pure excitement of it and so I decided to take my hobby a little further and sign up for several beauty courses, I then decided to get professional qualification.

After discovering all the wonders and amazing secrets of the professional beauty industry I took it upon myself to share this with everyone and anyone who cared to listen.

Undoubtedly it is a highly competitive industry but what sets The Nail Bar apart is exclusive nail treatments that go beyond the norm. I have been able to come up with treatments that target specific problems and those that just make the whole nail pampering experience a lot more fun by appealing to all five senses!

“Bringing the dream to life”- Business Stuff

Who inspired you and helped you take the concept of The Nail Bar from dream to reality?

My mentor is my mother, although she has no experience in the beauty industry, she knows all there needs to be known about setting up and running a business as well as all that the law requires – being a lawyer. She’s had many years of experience in various business sectors and I wouldn’t have been able to set up The Nail Bar to the standard that it is today without her being there every step of the way.

I’ve also learnt a lot of life’s lessons from her and the other female figures in my life. I come from a long line of extremely independent women and it shows clearly in the decisions I take in regards to my choice of business and how I run the nail bar. 

Without sounding like I am only inspired by women, my uncle plays a major role in my day to day business affairs – especially the aspect of people management. I see him as my database of never ending knowledge. He’s an incredibly intelligent and gifted man and is one of those people that is the best in anything he sets out to do, he is a marine engineer, amazing at building ships, fabulous with computers, I could go on all day! He provides me with an alternative perspective to whatever my mother may suggest. I feel incredibly blessed to have my closest family members guiding me at this critical stage of the business and sharing their years of experience and intellect with me. I learn something new each day and it’s amazing how quickly I’ve matured since the start of the Nail Bar.

How did you execute your business plan?

The funding for the nail bar was sourced privately. I didn’t have to go through the process of applying for any government grants or loans; I did however have to put together a very detailed and well thought out business plan that was worth investing in. I’m thankful for this because I’ve been told that it’s extremely difficult to get financial assistance in Nigeria even before the current global financial crisis.

How did you find all the skilled nail technicians? Did you get them from a Temp agency, by word of mouth or did you ‘take’ them from all your favourite salons?

Most of the staff were referred to me, while others simply responded to my adverts. I didn’t “poach” any staff so as not to have the same thing happen to me a few months down the line. I’m a strong believer in “doing unto others as you would want them to do unto you” so I try to be as “clear” in my business decisions and dealings as possible, despite the fact that every other customer could be a potential “poacher” and it being a “dog-eat-dog” world out there.  I am extremely confident in my abilities and ideas for the nail bar. Thankfully my staff share my vision which is a very essential aspect to the success of any business.

“Already a Pioneer”

Are there any services unique to your spa?

I can comfortably say the nail bar is a pioneer in the nail care industry particularly in Abuja and dare I say Nigeria as a whole. I’ve focused in creating treatments that go beyond the average mani/pedi. We offer very high-end spa treatments for the hands and feet that allow you to have a truly relaxing and uplifting experience at the same time targeting specific problem areas.

In addition to our bespoke luxury treatments we have also introduced Tom Bachik’s “21 Day Manicure” – a favorite for the likes of Victoria Beckham, Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez. It’s a gel-based color (with 36 shades to choose from) that lasts up to 21 days and doesn’t take as much time to cure as the traditional gel overlay. It is the perfect treatment for ladies who usually wrap their long nails and those who generally hate the sight of chipped nail polish! There are several benefits to the treatment that go beyond long lasting color, e.g. stronger and healthier nails.

In order to also enhance our clients experience outside of the spa, we have recently just launched the nail bar blog which can be found on our website. We basically have a range of beauty tips and tricks and quick-fix remedies available to our clients and people who are just in need of this information to keep them looking good in between their regular spa treatments.

We also have an exclusive treatment arriving later this year that is bound to take nail care to a whole new level in Nigeria as a whole so watch this space *wink wink*!

With the luxury services you provide, which can make every woman feel special, can every Nigerian woman – from the average Nigerian University student to a working woman – afford to feel special at The Nail Bar?

The services we provide at the nail bar suit a wide range of pockets. Our classic services start from N500 and go only as high as N2500 (for our classic pedicure – which is a 9 step treatment). Our luxury services are equally as thorough in the sense that its also a 9 step treatment for the feet and a 7 step treatment for the hands. These treatments start from N4000 depending on what products are being used and what problems are being remedied.

Our hair services I would say are competitively priced. Again our classic services are very affordable. The treatments that would be considered on the high-end are our custom made organic hair treatments and this is because of the in-depth consultation process that takes place before hand.

Talking about the hair salon, word on the street tells us this section attracts a lot of customers. What sets The Nail Bar apart in hair? Please tell us where you get all the fabulous hair extensions from?

The unique aspect of the hair section at the nail bar is the organic treatments we offer. A lot of customers feel that natural products are just for natural hair but that isn’t the case. We have shea butter treatments, hair loss, anti-dandruff, itchy scalp and deep moisturizing treatments using a range of carefully sourced organic products. In addition to that we also offer a custom product service where we create products exclusive to the client that addresses any hair concerns she may have for use in between professional treatments.

Although we focus on promoting healthy treatments for healthy natural hair (both chemically and non-chemically processed hair) mainly, we also provide services and retail goods that cater to the demand for human hair extensions, braids, etc. Our human hair collection is of extremely high quality and is sourced from a well kept secret destination 🙂

Despite our high level of quality and service we have also tried to keep our prices very affordable and I think this plays a major role in setting us apart from our competitors.

Since you opened your business, have there been any funny stories or incidences you would like to share with us? Any cases of mistaken identity perhaps?

I find that the most recurring incident would be people not expecting me to be the “Madame”. I’ve had instances where people ask to see the owner and when I’m pointed out they say “No, your ACTUAL madame”. A lot of the older and surprisingly even the younger customers seem to find it difficult to believe that The Nail Bar is all mine – the décor, ideas, treatments, etc.

A lady once walked right past me and asked to one of the staff to see me, she wasn’t so much shocked by my age but more my race, she said “I expected you to be white or mixed-race at least”. I’m still trying to get my head wrapped round that one! Some people are a lot better at hiding their shock while others not so much.

Without sounding like it’s a negative reception more than a positive one all the time there are people who love what I do and commend me for doing such a great job running a place like The Nail Bar at such a young age. If there’s anything I love the most in all this, it’s being an inspiration to like-minded young ladies and men who just need that extra push to make their dreams a reality.

What challenges have you faced since you opened your business?

First of all being a sole owner of the nail bar – as much as I love it – has its downsides, mainly that it’s a lot of hard work as all the weight is on your shoulders, it’s very time consuming and tiring as I’ve had to train myself in all aspects of running the business which doesn’t come to me as easily or naturally as the nail and beauty treatments part.

My biggest challenge at the start of the business was the staff. It took a lot of time and effort to train them and get them to understand the importance of customer service and professionalism. The Nigerian work culture does not in any way centre around the importance of customer service and this I feel is what makes or breaks a business like mine. I consider my team of nail techs and beauticians a success story thus far, they are my pride and joy and without them delivering “the ultimate nail spa experience” would be a nearly impossible task.

The ongoing challenges I currently face is nothing short of what other private business in Nigeria face, the lack of constant electricity, water supply, and all those other basic amenities that we are all very aware of. As a result of this the running costs for a business like mine are ridiculously high. I am thankful that I have the financial capacity to provide these services privately, however it is a disadvantage for those who are looking to set up small businesses in and around Nigeria as the start up and running costs end up being extremely high.

Where do you see The Nail Bar, and yourself, in a few years?

The Nail Bar is a boutique nail spa that is centered on providing luxury nail treatments as well as catering to the total wellbeing of men and women – spa treatments, facials, massages, waxing, hair treatments, etc. I intend for the nail bar to be a chain of boutique nail spas around Abuja and the major cities in Nigeria providing the very best and up-to-date treatments in nail care with unrivalled levels of quality and expertise.

I have had a lot of advice from family and friends, suggesting that it’s best for me to have some work experience in my related field of study (Politics & International Relations). However I believe that once you have found that one thing that you are truly passionate about its best for you to pursue that until you become the very best you can be in your chosen field. I love what I do and this is what drives my passion and zeal for The Nail Bar to stand out as the best in its field.

Wanna find out more about The Nail Bar?
Follow The Nail Bar on twitter here: http://twitter.com/thenailbar_ng
The Nail Bar’s website: http://thenailbar-ng.com/

Address: 124 Aminu Kano Crescent, (Opposite Glo Head Office. Beside Oceanic Bank), Wuse 2, Abuja, Nigeria.
Contact Numbers: 08168680860, 09-8707648.
Opening Hours: 9am-8pm
Kindly note, The Nail Bar is closed on Sundays.

Photo Credit: Attah “The Canon” Switch
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Nkechi Eze is an Editorial Assistant at BellaNaija.com. You can visit Nkechi Eze’s photography website at inksimages.com

The post BN Making It!: Ameera Abraham of The Nail Bar, From ‘Kitchen Beautician’ to Luxury Spa Owner appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

When it comes to skincare we often view it as something that’s part of a luxurious lifestyle. This is where we are all wrong because taking care of your skin is just as important as taking care of any other part of your body. We all book appointments to see our dentists approximately every 6 months, or get our eyes tested every 2 years. Taking care of our skin should not be any different, it is a reflection of our age, inner health and well being amongst other things. It is not a luxury but a necessity.

What are the functions of the skin? – The skin covers the entire surface of the body that creates a boundary that separates our internal organs from the outside world. It is an organ of protection that maintains body temperature. It  protects against disease, harmful UV rays and the invasion of bacteria amongst other things.

Having regular facials and a good at-home skincare routine goes beyond our physical appearance alone. It  promotes healthy skin which is less susceptible to premature aging, wrinkles, acne, rashes, infections, diseases or sores. When the skin is healthy it heals and regenerates itself effectively and is less likely to scar as badly as an unhealthy skin. Regular facials aid the functions of the skin and allows it to work at its optimum level.

What is the purpose of a facial? – All skin types benefit from regular facials as it allows for a deep cleansing of the skin, relaxes tense and tight muscles, improves the general condition of the skin (e.g acne, psoriasis, dehydration, wrinkles), and aids in relaxation.

I understand that it is easy to get confused particularly as the beauty industry is at its peak with a million and one products on the market and beauty treatments that offer quick-fixes to every and any skin concern. It’s important to go back to the basics when it comes to skincare and this involves four basic steps – cleanse, tone, exfoliate and moisturize. In order to do this effectively you must first identify your skin type (this is genetic and cannot change) and particular skin conditions (these are subject to change and are driven by hormones, stress and other external factors) to enable you invest in  the right products and facial treatments.

Oily skin

Skin conditions can affect any skin type and can change on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Having regular facials will enable you to get professional advise on how to treat your skin conditions and provide you with the right products to use in between professional treatments.

 Remember that your skin conditions are subject to change and so it is important you check your skin regularly to ensure that your conditions are treated and your daily skincare routine changes according to your skins needs. Your at-home skincare routine is very important as this will help you yield better results from your facial and help maintain your skin.

 What facial treatment is best for me? – All good facials will be tailored to your specific skin condition which will be determined after a skin consultation. The difference between a professional facial and regular skin care products you use daily is that the products used in your facial treatment contain higher levels of active ingredients thus yielding almost immediate visible results. The basic steps which are common in most facial treatments include a deep cleanse, exfoliation, extraction -if necessary, toning of the skin with masks and toners, facial massage and moisturizing of the skin.

 If you have special skin concerns such as acne, dry skin, aging, etc your facial will include specialized masks, toners and moisturizers and in some cases unique facial massage movements will be used alongside advanced tools and equipment. Examples of specialized facials include Oxygen Facials, Thalassotherapy, Vitamin Facials, AHA Facials, amongst many others.

In my next article I will have be sharing DIY facial tips for various skin conditions. In the mean time find your nearest day spa and speak to a qualified beautician about your skin concerns and desired results.

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Ameera Abraham is the Creative Director at The Nail Bar, a luxury nail spa and wellness centre located in Abuja. She’s a qualified aesthetician and is passionate about all things beauty!

The post BN Beauty Nest With Ameera: Understanding Facials 101 appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

It’s the festive season and looking good and feeling good! I have compiled a list of fun facial tips and tricks – that won’t break the bank – to leave you with clear, healthy, glowing skin from the comfort of your home.

Step 1 –

Every facial should start with clean skin so it is important to use a cleanser suitable for your skin type. Invest in a good cleanser and do not use soap or shower gel as a face wash.

Why is soap so bad? Our skin’s ph balance is more acidic while soap is more alkaline. It breaks down our natural lipid barrier and ultimately dries out the skin leaving you with a “tight” feeling.

My top 5 cleansers are:

• Khiels Ultra Facial Cleanser for Normal skin
• Origins Checks and Balances for Combination skin
• Dermalogica Essential Cleansing Solution for dry skin
• Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit for oily/acne skin
• Clarins One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser for all skin types

A natural alternative is the lemon facial cleanser. It is easy to make, and delightful to use. It doesn’t lather though but it gives a deep clean and it is suitable for all skin types.

What you need:
1 tablespoon natural yogurt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 drops essential lemon oil

Mix all the ingredients together and apply to the face and neck with a cotton pad in a circular motion. A double cleanse effectively takes off oils, dirt and make up. It leaves you feeling refreshed and uplifted with the lovely lemon scent.

Step 2 –

To get healthy glowing skin it is imperative to exfoliate. Dead skin cells leave your skin looking dull and feeling very pasty. I would advise you exfoliate once or twice a week. Slough off dead skin cells to reveal new skin with these top 3 exfoliators:

• Origins Modern Friction for Normal/Combination skin
• St.Ives Apricot Scrub for all skin types
• Neutrogena Visibly Even Skin Polishing Enzyme Treatment for Acne prone skin

The best at-home exfoliator is easy to use and all you need is some water and some baking soda and voila you’re as smooth as a baby’s bottom!

Moisten your face with water, apply the mixture (it should be of a paste like consistency) around your face avoiding the eye area in circular motions and rinse off with warm water.

TOP TIPS: a teaspoon of baking soda can be added to your cleanser for a deeper clean and gentle exfoliation

The water and baking soda paste serves as a great mask for acne prone skin!

Step 3 –

Always apply a face mask after you exfoliate as this will restore your skins lost nutrients and will also help heal or repair existing concerns as well as refreshing your skin. Masks are a great way of feeding your skin with nutrients on the outside and toning your skin.

I enjoy using home made masks because of their freshness and high nutrient content. Below are a few recipes that I’ve tried and tested, I’m sure you’ll love them too!

Moisture Mask

What you need:
1 teaspoon Honey
1 whole Avocado
1 teaspoon Flax seed oil (optional)

Mash the avocado and mix with the honey and flax seed oil. Apply on face avoiding eye area. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and rinse with warm water.

Honey Avocado Mask

Brightening Mask

What you need:
1/2 cup Unripe Papaya
1 teaspoon Plain yogurt
1 teaspoon Honey

Blend all ingredients together and apply on face avoiding eye area. Leave on for 8-10 minutes. This mask tends to have a tingling sensation so don’t panic if you feel it. If your skin is sensitive you can use ripe papaya instead, however this contains less papain – the active brightening agent. Rinse off with cool water.

Clarifying Mask

What you need:
1 tablespoon Rose Water
1 tablespoon Sandalwood powder
1 tablespoon Turmeric

Mix into a paste and apply on face avoiding eye area. Leave on for 15 minutes then rinse off with cool water.

Step 4 –

All good facials end with the application of a suitable moisturizer. It is important to keep the skin moist and supple to prevent premature aging. Even oily skin needs to be moisturized.

My top 5 moisturizers are:

• Dr Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion for Oily/Acne skin
• Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion for Dry skin
• Estee Lauder DayWear with SPF15 creme for Normal skin
• REN T-zone Balancing Day Fluid for Combination Skin
• Philosophy “Hope in a jar” moisturizer for All skin types

TOP TIP: Always wear sunscreen on your face and body regardless of the season to protect yourself from harmful UV rays. A teaspoon amount should be applied over the face and reapplied throughout the day. For the body, the equivalent of a shot glass should be applied. I would recommend an SPF of at least 20.
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Ameera Abraham is the Creative Director at The Nail Bar, a luxury nail spa and wellness centre located in Abuja. She’s a qualified aesthetician and is passionate about all things beauty!

The post BN Beauty Nest with Ameera: Let Your Skin Glow for the Season appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

It’s been a wonderful holiday season for me! I broke all my strict dietary rules and “pigged” out on Christmas eve, Christmas day, Boxing day right through till January 2nd! I knew it was wrong but I told myself “Ameera, you only live once…you’ve been good all year, treat yourself a little”! Let’s just say my treating has left me feeling sluggish, slightly chunkier and not as energetic as I usually am. This is not how I planned to start my 2013!

So I decided to kick start my journey to weight loss with a complete body detox plan, it’s my third day and I feel well on my way to my old self, if not better….my skin is thanking me for it too! Here’s the 411 on starting your detox plan.

What is Detoxification? Simply put: it’s the process of removing toxic substances from the blood stream. Your detox plan is designed to aid your body’s natural cleansing process. The kidney and liver naturally excrete and detoxify many toxic wastes in the body, the purpose of a detox is to boost the function of the two organs and also other excretory organs, namely – your lungs, intestines, lymph and skin.

Anyone and everyone can benefit from a detox plan. However, I would not advise nursing mothers, children or individuals with degenerative diseases, cancer or tuberculosis to start a detox plan. The key detox indicators are fatigue, irritated skin, allergies or even mental confusion.

What do you gain from detoxification? First and foremost your detox plan will help you maintain optimum health, protect you from diseases and leave you with beautiful glowing skin.

There are five major steps and major benefits of your detox plan:

• FASTING – by fasting you rest your organs.
• STIMULATION – the liver is stimulated to drive toxins from the body.
• ELIMINATION – promotes the intestines, kidney and skin to eliminate toxins from the body.
• CIRCULATION – improves your blood circulation.
• NUTRITION – your body takes in healthy nutrients.

How do you go about starting a plan that seems so complicated? As little as 7 days is all you need to a new and improved you. Simply incorporate these basic steps into your daily routine.
Step 1 – Go Organic! Minimize your use and intake of chemically processed foods and products.

Step 2 – Start a healthy/balanced diet. Take recommended amounts of Vitamin C, drink water, green tea, fresh juices and eat fruits and vegetables. Super foods such as Cranberry, Pomegranate, Cabbage and Broccoli are packed full of antioxidants and tasty too!
Please note for this to be effective you must cut out alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, processed foods – saturated fats and refined sugars.

Step 3 – Exercise. Yoga is a fantastic way to detox the body and mind. You can also take up running for at least 20-30 minutes daily. Remember start at a pace that suits you.

Step 4 – Steam-Sauna sessions are a relaxing way to stimulate the body and eliminate wastes through perspiration.

Step 5 – Change your way of thinking! Cleanse your mind of negativity…positive thoughts = positive emotions!

“Juicing” has become a huge part of the detox culture, many detox plans recommend a strict fast in which you drink only juice daily and eat no solids. I find this rather drastic and such an extreme change can be harmful to your health. In order not to plunge myself into the deep end, I have included the following juices into my daily diet rather than starting a strict fast. They are easy to make and taste delicious too!

You should try any of the following:
Pure Cranberry juice. It is packed full of antioxidants and is oh so refreshing!

The Detox Lemonade (this is known as the master cleanser made famous by Beyonce)

Recipe:
2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 Tablespoons of maple syrup
1/10 cayenne pepper

Mix the above ingredients in 220ml of water. Drink with every meal.

The Carrot Cleanser

Recipe:
4 Carrots
1 Apple
A handful of spinach
Juice from 1/2 a lemon
1 Celery stalk

Remember that a healthy weight loss involves a gradual process, a quick-fix diet can leave you worse off than you started as it could result in a slower metabolism making it easier for you to gain more weight. This is because your initial weight loss is water weight and not fat.

I’ve come across quite a few horror stories while writing this article and would love to hear from you with your experiences from the strict “juicing” detox plans if you’ve tried any.
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Ameera Abraham is the Creative Director at The Nail Bar, a luxury nail spa and wellness centre located in Abuja. She’s a qualified aesthetician and is passionate about all things beauty!

The post BN Beauty Nest With Ameera: Lets Talk Detox! appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

On Sunday 17th February 2013, one of Abuja’s foremost nail spa and wellness centre, The Nail Bar officially opened the doors to its new store in Wuse II to beauty enthusiasts and loyal clients.

Guests enjoyed freshly made smoothies, cupcakes and savoury treats, and were given a tour of the new spacious flagship store, which consists of:  a nail studio with 5 pedicure and manicure stations, a private pedicure room with 3 stations, a sauna and massage room, a couples Ayurveda room, a facial and waxing room, a Blo hair studio, a fitness studio, a retail section currently stocking designs by MsMakor and Sunny Rose and a make-up station by Glam Make-up.

Carefully and stylishly decorated with hand-picked furnishings by its Creative Director & Founder – Ameera Abraham, The Nail Bar is the ideal getaway for a serene rejuvenating experience.

Check out photos from the event!

Invitation

Arrivals

Ameera Abraham (Creative Director, The Nail Bar Abuja)

Chigurl

Ogwa Iweze

Uma Mohammed

Jamila

Mrs Abraham & Thomas Etuh

Tata & Hyeladzira

Ofure Alive & Ameera Abraham

Aisha & Shaibu Baiyee

Amina Jambo

Member Feese & Ameera Abraham

Mrs Abraham & Hajiyah Nura Batagarawa

Zafira, Ameera Abraham & Farida

Sombiri & Isiona Chukkas & Ameera Abraham

Kike Karunwi, Ameera Abraham & Doyin Dokpesi

Halima, Mrs Abraham & Mrs Umar

Mulikat Akande Adeola, Mrs Abraham, Fatima Bamidele & Mrs Cole

Hauwa, Ameera, Munir & Amina

Inside the Nail Bar Abuja

Reception

Waiting Lounge

Nail Bar

Polish Station

Pedicure Spa

Ayurveda Room

Facial Room

Massage Room

Private  Pedicure  Room

Amina & Hanifa

Captain Baiyee & Ameera Abraham

Hajiyah Zainab Mohammed & Khadijah Mohammed

Ameer & Hairat Yashe of Glam Make-up

Ameera, Najib & Mrs Abraham

Maryam Tallen, Aminu & Rahama Baloni

To find out more about Ameera Abraham, check out our BN Making It feature with her

The Nail Bar Abuja – Say Yes to Happy Feet & A Happy You!
The Nail Bar offers a wide range of classic and luxury treatments. Its classic pedicure and manicure are priced at 3,000 and 2,000 Naira respectively.
Contact: For more info and general inquiries,

• Visit The Nail Bar Abuja, 26 Monrovia Street, off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja
• Log on to their website – www.TheNailBar-NG.com
• Follow them on Twitter @TheNailBar_NG
• Like their Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Nail-Bar/205261256174065

Photo Credit: George Okoro – www.georgeokoro.com
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Sponsored Content

The post All the Pampering You Need! Stylish Photos & Scoop from the Opening of Luxury Nail Spa & Wellness Centre The Nail Bar’s Flagship Store in Abuja | Photos appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

After battling with weight issues for the past year I managed to find my perfect healthy eating plan. I have always been petite and slightly underweight so I went on a mission to gain some weight and at least look “normal”.

So, I took a lot of nutritional supplements and exceeded my desired weight and for the first time in my life I was trying to lose weight and not gain it.

I signed up for yoga and started swimming which helped me lose about 3kg in 3 weeks. I had reached my ideal weight after 2 months and discovered that eating only 1500 calories daily helped me maintain my “perfect” weight.

Not only did it fit in perfectly with my new healthy lifestyle, I feel lighter, refreshed and energized after every meal.

I have put together a sample meal plan which is exactly 1500 calories and completely healthy and tasty too. I hope you have as much fun trying out the meals as I did putting them together.

Breakfast

1. Oats or Wheetabix with semi skimmed milk topped with raisins or bananas.

2. Glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice or cranberry juice

Lunch1. Roast chicken salad with brown bread. (Salad base is iceberg lettuce, cucumber and tomato) chicken should be skinless.

Snack

1. Low fat natural yogurt topped with swirl of honey 2. Sliced pear

Dinner

1. Basmati rice with grilled salmon or croaker fish and spicy tomato sauce. 2. Fruit salad with fresh mint purée (blend mint leaves with lemon or lime juice)

I would love to hear how you get along with your own diet meal plans. Remember to also exercise. Choose something you enjoy doing so it doesn’t feel like punishment or a chore. Happy weight loss!

Photo Credit: Hellobeautiful.com | Forum.bodybuilding.com | Redelf.hubpages.com | Thesundaydinnerrevival.com | Goldteef.blogspot.com | Aforaubergine.com |Madhungrywoman.com | Recipe.com 
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Ameera Abraham is the Creative Director at The Nail Bar, a luxury nail spa and wellness centre located in Abuja. She’s a qualified aesthetician and is passionate about all things beauty!

The post BN Beauty Nest With Ameera: Stay Healthy but Eat Yummy! This Meal Plan is for You appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

On the 14th fabulous day to 2014, BellaNaija gave to me – 4 Beauty Packages for 4 LUCKY readers ! – from The Nail Bar, Abuja.

We announced a fortnight of fab giveaways, and this is our 14th and FINAL one! To learn more, click HERE! To see other giveaways, click HERE.

Till next year guys! But for now…

***

BellaNaija Weddings & The Nail Bar, Abuja are teaming up to bring you 4 amazing prizes – open to Abuja and Lagos residents on Instagram.

If you’re in Lagos and you win any of the beauty treatments, that’s alright, just be aware they need to be exchanged for services by the last day of March – 31st March 2014.

***

THE PRIZES!

The 4 packages – beauty goodies and services, cover everything beauty – from nails (of course!) to hair and skin. The winners will be chosen at random, from the posts on Instagram.

The brands include OPI, Essie, Keracare, Bahiyah, Ours by Juliada, Organics and more!

1. Body Special Package
Body Bliss Massage (30 Mins) Voucher for service at The Nail Bar Abuja – expires end of March 2014
Emi And Ben Body Butter
Ac: Organics Body Polish
Ac: Organics Body Cleanser
Zum Goats Milk Soap
Hhamana Body Mist
Hhamana Argan Oil And Shea Body Lotion

2. Happy Feet Package
Express Mani And Pedi Voucher  for service at The Nail Bar Abuja – expires end of March 2014
Bahiyah Organics Lemongrass Foot Scrub
OPI Nail Lacquer
Essie Nail Lacquer
OPI Nail Treatment
Bahiyah Organics Foot Butter
OPI Avojuice Hand Smoothie
OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil

3. Haircules
Wash & Blow Dry Voucher  for service at The Nail Bar Abuja – expires end of March 2014
Keracare Hydrating Shampoo
Keracare Essential Oils
Bahiyah Organics Deep Moisture Hair Mask
Ours By Juliada Hair Butter
Neriah Naturals Leave In Conditioner

4. Tranquility
Pukka Spa Tea
Hhamana Soy Candle Trio
Room Diffuser
Organic Honey Pot

***

TO WIN! – STEPS
1. You must follow both @BellaNaijaWeddings & @TheNailBarNG on Instagram
2. You must repost the first image in this post AND use the hash tag to win –  #TNBandBNWgiveaway

Very Important: If your account is private, send a screenshot of the image posted on your Instagram account to weddings (at) bellanaija.com with #TNBandBNWgiveaway in the title, if not your entry will not be seen or counted.

CONDITIONS
1. Open to Nigeria – Lagos and Abuja only – you must be able to pick up the beauty good from either location. If you won a service, you are responsible for transportation to The Nail Bar, or you can transfer to a representative.
2. Competition length – 1 week.

It’ll end on January 14 2014 at midnight!

Winner will be chosen using a random name generator online, then contacted shortly after, via Instagram or e-mail (if you have a private account).

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To find out more about The Nail Bar!

Web: http://www.thenailbar-ng.com

Facebook: TheNailBar

Twitter: @TheNailBar_NG 

Instagram: @thenailbarng

Address: 26 Monrovia Street off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, Nigeria

Phone: (+234) 818 259 5009 | E-mail: info (at) thenailbar-ng.com

Walk ins are welcome but you are HIGHLY encouraged to make an appointment before hand.

The post BellaNaija presents 14 Fabulous Days to 2014! Day 14: The Nail Bar – WIN Nail, Beauty + Hair Packages! appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

In my quest for beauty perfection, I have spent a copious amount of time and money tying to figure out what skincare and makeup products work best for me. It’s been even more difficult in recent times because of the numerous amounts of products out there claiming to perform one miracle or the other.

Thankfully the beauty industry experts have also realized this and we’ve had a shift from makeup as a cover-up to makeup as skincare. As a result I’ve also taken a back to basics approach to my beauty regimen and my skin has thanked me for it. My essential beauty checklist is tried and tested and I absolutely cannot do without these …

1. Facial Cleanser: Everyone’s bathroom cabinet should have this. If you don’t use anything else on your face, this is a must have! Make sure you use the right one for your skin type to effectively take off dirt, grease, makeup and also control any skin conditions you may be battling such as excess oil, dryness, acne or hypersensitivity.

My Top Cleansers: VIDerm Cleanser for all skin types, Origins Clean Energy cleansing oil for all skin types – this is also great for make up removal.

2. Tinted Moisturizer: This has got to be the greatest beauty invention of the century. In summary it’s a hydrating moisturizer, liquid foundation, primer, sun protection (usually SPF15 and above) and highlighter in one. Some also have correcting serums built in such as dark spot correctors or pore minimizers. Although it doesn’t give you the full coverage that a foundation would, it’s a perfect all in one for those days we want a break from the layers of makeup or for those who don’t have hours to apply makeup on a daily basis.

My Top Tip: If you want a little more coverage without the weight of an actual foundation, I would recommend a beauty balm also known as a BBcream. It has all the benefits of a tinted moisturiser with just a little more coverage. Smashbox and Nars have a wonderful range of colours for dark skin tones.

3. Lip Conditioner: There’s nothing more unappealing than chapped lips. The main cause of this is dehydration and also using the wrong lip balms; a lot of lip balms contain alcohol, phenol and camphor. The upside of this is that it gives you instantly softer and shinier lips but on the downside it is actually stripping your skin of its natural moisture oils and so in the long run your lips end up even drier than before. The aim is to drink lots of fluids and apply a lip conditioner that exfoliates dry skin while restoring moisture.

My Top Tip: Soft and plump lips are an instant beauty booster and can be achieved with Elemis Minty Moisture Lip Balm, EOS Lip Balm or Dermalogica Climate Control Lip Treatment. Some brands also make tinted lip conditioners that add a little colour to your pout; my personal favourite is MAC’s Tinted Lip Conditioner in Fuchsia Fix, it also contains SPF15.

4. Hydrating / Brightening Mist: I never leave my house without this because it’s a “pick me up” for my skin especially during the later hours of the day. I usually spray it on after applying my tinted moisturizer as it gives my skin a dewy finish and subtle glow. Usually I re-spray after 4-5 hours or whenever I feel like my skin needs a boost. Two sprays give instant hydration and radiance that leaves you fresh-faced all day long.

My Top Mists: Dermalogica Multi-Activ Toner and Circadia Brightening Mist.

5. Eye Drops: I know this isn’t your typical beauty must-have but it’s one of my top essential grooming products. Your eyes highlight your beauty and so it’s important they are bright and sparkly at all times. Two drops before applying my mascara makes such a huge difference. My favourite is Optrex Brightening Drops.

6. Mascara: Your eyes are the windows to your soul, and there’s nothing that frames those show stoppers better than a good mascara. There’s a mascara for every look you’re trying to achieve ranging from volume, to length and to curve. Personally I use an all-in-one mascara that gives me all three simply because it saves me time and also when it comes to eyes…bigger is better!

My Top all-in-one Mascaras: YSL Shocking False Lash Effect, MAC Opulash and Eyeko Black Magic.

There you have it! Now tell me, what beauty fixes can you not go a day without?

Photo Credit: www.vipeel.com | www.origins.com | www.imabeautygeek.com | www.beautifulmakeupsearch.com | www.beautyzine.com | www.shopcinemasecrets.com | www.ulta.com | www.circadia.com | www.superdrug.com | www.johnlewis.com | www.maybemouse.wordpress.com |

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Ameera Abraham is the Creative Director at The Nail Bar, a luxury nail spa and wellness centre located in Abuja. She’s a qualified aesthetician and is passionate about all things beauty!

The post BN Beauty Nest with Ameera: The Essential Beauty Checklist appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

I’m sure we can all agree that being a woman is no easy task and being a beautiful woman is an even greater task! After acne, uneven skin tone and stretch marks; cellulite must be number 4 on the “unwanted list”. It affects us all,whether slim or on the fuller side.

I often wondered how I could have cellulite despite being so slim but it turns out cellulite is determined by hormones, genetics – meaning its hereditary, and an unhealthy lifestyle.

These four easy DIY remedies work perfectly on their own but deliver spectacular results when done together.

1. Dry Body Brushing: Circulation is important in reducing the appearance of cellulite. Brushing affected areas for 3-5 mins daily will promote blood circulation, get rid of toxins, aid in skin cell renewal and break up cellulite.

Step 1: Brush affected area from left to right

Step 2: Shower to wash away dead cells

Step 3: Massage a blend of coconut oil or olive oil with 12 drops of juniper oil or grapefruit oil deeply on affected area.

2. Coffee Scrub: This is the only scrub you will ever need. It works like a charm after dry body brushing or can be done alone as an alternative treatment (1-2 times a week).

Simply mix finely ground coffee in any carrier oil of your choice, e.g. olive oil, almond oil, coconut oil or jojoba oil. Let the coffee sit and infuse in the oil (roughly 5-8 minutes). Scrub the affected area in circular motions (apply a little more pressure than you would usually).

Top Tip: This scrub can be used all over the body as a body scrub as well. Simply apply after taking a shower. Rinse off with warm water.

3. Body Wrap: My DIY Lemon and Honey Wrap is so easy to make and is easy on the pockets too.

Here’s what you need:

5 Tablespoons of Honey
1 Lemon ( squeeze the juice of the entire lemon)
Lemon Rind (grate the skin of the lemon)
2 Tablespoons of Sea Salt

Mix all four ingredients to form a paste, apply to affected area, wrap tightly with cling film and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Top Tip: The wrap should be applied after the coffee scrub for the best results. This can be done once or twice a week.

4. Eat Clean: It is important that you’re not fueling cellulite by eating the wrong foods! In order to win this battle you must avoid eating processed foods which contain additives, preservatives and chemicals. Foods with high sugar content should also be avoided as these cause the worst case of cellulite. Substitute these with fresh and green salads, balanced portions of Vegetables and Protein and for even more visible results incorporate a realistic work out plan.

Sample Meal: Grilled fish with Sweet Potato Mash and a side of spinach (efo-riro).

Top Tip: Cook all meals with pure olive oil.

The post BN Beauty Nest with Ameera: 4 Steps to Banishing Cellulite the Easy Way appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

The holiday season is a wonderful time; so wonderful in fact that we tend to forget our diet restrictions and embrace everyday as a cheat day. As such, it’s no surprise that we all start off the year determined to be healthy. We are so desperate that we don’t realize how unrealistic these fitness routines tend to be so we fall off the wagon before we can even begin to adjust to our aspiring healthy lifestyles.

The trick is to find a routine that is easy and works for you all year round so you never have to set another fitness resolution again! How amazing is that!

As I always say I get better results when I ease myself into new routines rather than starting at the deep end. I have a serious dislike for drinking water so I find myself going days without it and instead juicing non stop which can be problematic. This sparked my interest in flavoured waters which inevitably led me to the discovery of detox waters. This alongside my weekly yoga routine has got to be the best thing that has happened to my skin and more importantly my health.

I’ve decided to share my top 3 most effective and favourite recipes. Please note these recipes are for 1 litre of water. I’d be glad to get more recipes and their benefits from any of you detox water gurus.

1. Lemon, Cucumber, Ginger & Mint: this is a super detox combination because the lemon and ginger help to cleanse and alkalise the body, mint aids in digestion, while cucumber boosts re-hydration. This is great if you’re looking to reduce belly fat.

What You Need
– 1/2 lemon
– 1cm of ginger
– 4-6 mint leaves
– 3 slices of cucumber

2. Lemon, Strawberry, Apple, Mint & Cinnamon: The major ingredient for craving reduction is the cinnamon; mainly because it improves circulation and manages blood sugar levels. The skin beautifiers are the strawberry and apple as they boost collagen production and boost anti-ageing. This is great to curb any cravings and give you beautiful skin.

What You Need
– 1/2 lemon
– 1 strawberry
– 1/4 apple
– 1/4 tsp cinnamon
– 4-6 mint leaves

3. Watermelon, Lime & Mint: this is a great way to boost the productivity of your liver. Watermelon is great for filtering ammonia from your liver. Lime like lemon is a great cleanser and helps to thin out bile aiding in better digestion.

What You Need
– 5-7 cubes of watermelon
– 1 lime
– 4-6 mint leaves

Top Tips when making your detox water
1. Use room temperature water. I find that this allows the flavours infuse much faster than if the water is ice cold. You can also add ice when ready to drink or refrigerate over night.

2. Pour all fruits into jar before adding water. Again this is great for infusion.

3. You can squeeze in the juice of the lemon or lime if you’d prefer a more citrus taste. I prefer to use slices but I remove the peel as it can give a bitter taste after a while.

4. I would recommend you change the fruits after 2 or 3 refills so you are getting the maximum benefits.

Photo Credit: Dreamstime/Anna Sedneva | Dreamstime/Maceofoto | Dreamstime/Felinda | Dreamstime/Valentyn75 | Dreamstime/Omkr |  Dreamstime/Anna Sedneva

The post BN Beauty Nest with Ameera: Go from Glum to Glam with 3 Detox Water Recipes! appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

It seems I always have moments of clarity whenever I am at the airport. Arriving at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport today and experiencing the chaos that was disembarking from the aircraft, going through immigration and collecting luggage left me asking so many questions.

1. Why is our INTERNATIONAL airport worse than a standard domestic airport? When it was being constructed, did they not take into consideration that we would need multiple conveyor belts, ample space between arrival docks, immigration lanes, trolley ports, waiting areas and more importantly exits? If there was a fire outbreak I’m pretty certain it would consume everyone and everything in there.

Last time I checked the master plan of the international airport is nothing like the structure that stands before us today. The international airport is supposed to span across numerous hectares of land with just as many buildings/terminals. Why is nobody asking questions?

I then thought about the airport in Dubai which has gone from being a mere desert landing strip to the busiest airport in the world and felt extremely ashamed of my country. As the “Giants of Africa” are we not supposed to put in place structures that support this title of ours? Forget Dubai, even Kenya has a better airport than we do! An airport is the first impression a visitor or potential investor has of a country. Is the message we are trying to send across that of chaos, corruption and classism? Why are the foreign nationals being hustled for money before their passports are stamped? Why are non-diplomatic officials jumping immigration queues? Skipping customs? Have we ever considered “goods to declare” and “nothing to declare” exits? Do our leaders ever think of ways to lessen our burden rather than solutions that only put more money in their pockets?

2. Speaking of domestic airports, whatever happened to the one in Abuja? Why are domestic flights now departing from the international wing? Because the people who own private jets now deserve an entire wing of a national airport all to themselves? Do we actually have any leader that is genuinely passionate about Nigeria? It’s unfortunate that I can’t say that we do. They all seem to be in it for themselves. They travel to the West and admire its beauty; its development, but never do they say my country must be like this. Instead they ask to go to the poshest parts of town so they can buy themselves houses and have a safe haven when Nigeria is no more.

3. Why is corruption so rife in our society? Our leaders have failed us and the evidence is before our very eyes at the airport of all places! The elections are coming up, despite going to pick up my PVC on 3 different occasions, I have been told it’s not ready. INEC has refused me my right to vote… I cannot elect the man I feel can bring this said change to my beloved country. I’m not interested in a leader that is marrying off his daughters when over 200 girls have been kidnapped and are still yet to be found. Neither am I interested in a leader who could not tackle Boko Haram in 6 years but all of a sudden is making “progress” in 6 weeks. A leader who can spend millions of dollars on exquisite parties yet only boast of “101 scholarships” in a country of over 100 million people is not good enough! It’s time to put an end to the mediocrity and local minded politics. We need someone who looks at the bigger picture, has a global mindset and genuinely cares about a better Nigeria for you and I.

Photo Credit: Dreamstime | Kadettmann 

The post Ameera Abraham: Which Way Nigeria? appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

This week, these 10 women put their best face forward, delivering hair and makeup looks that gave us major inspo. From the continent and the diaspora (via Instagram) and in no particular order, see our top beauty looks this week.

Bella Michelle 

@onlybells_

Lungile Thabethe

@lungilethabethe

Mihlali Ndamase

@milhlalii_n

Ameera Abraham

@ameeree_

Rebecca Nengi Hampson

@nengiofficial

Ayanda Thabethe

@ayandathabethe_

Lorna Maseko

@lornamaseko

Jackie Aina

@jackieaina

Yvonne Victoria

@yvonnevictoria

Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe

@melissaswardrobe

Vote For Your Faves Here 

The post BellaNaija Style’s Best Beauty Instagrams of the Week: Ameera Abraham, Ayanda Thabethe, Lorna Maseko & More appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

This week, these 10 women put their best face forward, delivering hair and makeup looks that gave us major inspo. From the continent and the diaspora (via Instagram) and in no particular order, see our top beauty looks this week.

Kitan Akinniranye

@kiitana

Leslie Sidora

@lessance

Azuoma

@azuoma_

Bella Michelle 

@onlybells_

Ameera Abraham

@ameeree_

Khanya Mkangisa

@ilovekhanya

Nyane Lebajoa

@nyane

Dora Owusu

@doraowusu

Aghogho Ogunsanya

@imakeyoubeeliv

Queen Hadassah

@thequeenhadassah

The fun doesn’t stop here, visit www.bellanaijastyle.com for more on African fashion and lifestyle now!

The post BellaNaija Style’s Best Beauty Instagrams of the Week: Kitan Akinniranye, Leslie Sidora, Khanya Mkangisa & More appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

2020 has been a year filled with uncertainty. The pandemic and the protests have led to an atmosphere of general unrest across the country. However, through these trying times, a handful of businesses have adapted and adjusted to this “new normal”, whilst implementing innovative strategies.

This year’s 14 Brands We Love features businesses that exemplify all this and so much more and at this time we want to acknowledge and commend; Temitope Jebutu of AACE Foods, Ore Runsewe of Arami Essentials, Gbenga Agboola of Flutterwave, Boye Oshinaga of Gradely, Babs Ogundeyi of Kuda, Pelumi Aboluwarin & Yinka Adewale of Kudi, Temie Giwa-Tubosun of Lifebank, Nkem Okocha founder of Mamamoni, Yele Bademosi of Microtraction, Ada Osakwe of Nuli Lounge, Mazi Ukonu of Recycle Point, Adesola Ladoja of Simply Green, Ameera Abraham of The Nail Bar and Oluwatomisin Kolawole & Caleb Oyolola of Vinsighte.

AACE Foods | Temitope Jebutu
Temitope Jebutu joined AACE foods in 2014 as Managing Director. Temitope holds a BSc in Estate Management from Obafemi Awolowo University and has 15 years’ experience in business operations focused on developing and implementing high-impact strategies, managing budgets, raising funds, and recruiting and supervising managers.

AACE Food Processing and Distribution Limited (AACE Foods) is an indigenous Nigerian company established in November 2009. The company processes packages and distributes nutritious and tasty food products made from the best of West Africa’s fruits, herbs, vegetables, and cereals. Our product line consists of spices, seasonings, flours, and complimentary food that excite and satisfy institutional, commercial, and retail customers.

AACE Foods sources its produce from over 10,000 smallholder farmers in rural communities across Nigeria and West Africa in value chains. The company invests resources into cultivating relationships

Arami Essentials | Ore Runsewe
Ore Runsewe is the Founder of Arami Essentials, a natural beauty brand based in Lagos, Nigeria. Ore graduated from the University of Manchester with a BSc in Computer Science with Business and Management.

Arami was established due to Ore’s enthusiasm for beauty, and her strong desire to see real improvement and make a tangible impact on African’s beauty and wellness sector. Ore was forced to very quickly adapt, and build on some of her existing DIY routines which amazingly led her to discover a whole new world of natural, African beauty solutions. Coupled with the ease of accessing raw materials and their affordability in Nigeria and other parts of Africa, Ore identified an
entrepreneurial opportunity.

Flutterwave | Olugbenga Agboola
Olugbenga Agboola is the Founder and CEO at Flutterwave. A serial entrepreneur with two exits under his belt, he has over 15 years of experience in building scalable financial technology firms. He has contributed to the development of fintech solutions to several companies and financial institutions such as PayPal, Standard Bank, Google, among others. His last fintech venture focused on easy APMs scaled quickly and resulted in an acquisition by a bank.

His software engineering background and expertise in enterprise architecture and payments helped steer initiatives with institutions such as the Royal Bank of Scotland as a Business Entrepreneur and Africa Fintech Foundry as the Senior Entrepreneur in Residence.

Among GB’s well-rounded background includes Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Wharton School of Management, and the University of Westminster.

Gradely | Boye Oshinaga
Boye Oshinaga graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University and holds a degree in Computer Science with Economics. Boye is an Educationist and Technology Entrepreneur and co-founded Gradely in 2019.

Boye has strong experience in starting and growing technology companies and is a two-time founder who previously co-founded Riby Finance, one of Nigeria’s topmost fintech companies, and helped grow the company to more than $1 million in revenue in 4 years.

Boye is passionate about education and has worked in Edtech for about a decade gaining domain expertise across instructional design, content development, education software, education sales, and learning communities. While working as VP in the Education division of a Technology Group, he helped launch the first local online MBA program in the country with nearly 1,000 students in its inaugural class.

Kuda | The Bank Of The Free | Babs Ogundeyi
Babs is the CEO and co-founder of Kuda, Nigeria’s first full-service, digital-only bank licensed by the Central Bank with a mission to make banking more accessible, affordable, and rewarding.

Babs graduated from Brunel University London, with a degree in Business Studies and Accounting. He has strong expertise in the financial services sector, with previous experience auditing and advising some of Africa’s biggest banks as an Engagement Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Kuda is a full-service, digital-only bank with a mission to make banking more accessible and affordable for every African on the planet. With offices in London and Lagos, the bank raised $1.6 million in pre-seed funding in 2019. In 2020, Kuda launched a COVID-19 fund to provide relief to vulnerable groups in Lagos, a city of over 20 million people.

Kudi | Pelumi Aboluwarin and Yinka Adewale
Pelumi Aboluwarin (CTO) and Yinka Adewale (CEO) both graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University with degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Electronic and Electrical Engineering respectively.

The duo are the brains behind Kudi, a Nigerian based Fintech that provides banking services for Nigerians in underserved communities with an Agent network of over 50,000, processing millions of naira in daily transactions. Pelumi and Yinka founded Kudi to help millions of unbanked individuals across Nigeria perform banking transactions safely and effortlessly.

LifeBank | Temie Giwa-Tubosun
Temie Giwa-Tubosun is the Founder and CEO of LifeBank; Africa’s healthcare supply chain engine. The company helps hospitals discover essential medical suppliers and delivers them in the right condition and on time. LifeBank is a platform that makes blood available when and where it is needed in Nigeria to save lives. We mobilize blood donations, take inventory of all blood available in the country, and deliver blood in the right condition to the point of need.

Temie holds a degree in International Public Management from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. She has over 10 years of health management experience with the Department For International Development (DFID), World Health Organization, UNDP, and the Lagos State Government. In 2014, the BBC listed her as one of the 100 Women changing the world. She was also recognized as an African Innovator by Quartz and the World Economic Forum.

Mamamoni | Nkem Okocha
In 2013, Nkem Okocha, an award-winning serial Social Entrepreneur with a degree in Banking and Finance from Lagos State University founded FinTech social enterprise, Mamamoni.

Her passion to effect change through investing in women of underserved communities prompted her to establish Mamamoni, which empowers low-income rural-and-urban slum women with free vocational and financial skills, and small loans.

In the last 2 years, Mamamoni has been able to set-up a liquid wash enterprise, Levantar, which is fast becoming a household name. Low-income women in the community are trained and employed in the enterprise as factory workers. Since inception over 7000 low-women have been impacted.

Microtraction | Yele Bademosi
Yele Bademosi is the CEO /Co-Creator of Bundle and Founding Partner of Microtraction. He is also a Former Director at Binance Labs. Yele studied Medicine at King’s College London before opting out to focus on technology entrepreneurship.

Microtraction was launched in 2017 as an investment platform that provides seed capital to technology entrepreneurs at the earlier stages of their ventures. Its mission is to accelerate Africa’s economic growth by enabling innovation and supporting technology entrepreneurs.

Yele is a self-taught designer and he has created multiple apps and products over the last 5 years. His mission to accelerate Africa’s transition into a sustainable and developed economy by leveraging innovation, capital, and policy.

Nuli | Ada Osakwe
Ada is an award-winning food entrepreneur, investor, and passionate African development advocate. She holds a BSc in Economics from the University of Hull, an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, and an MSc in Economics and Finance from the University of Warwick.

Ada founded Nuli in 2015 and it is Nigeria’s fastest-growing farm-to-table beverage brand and restaurant chain that utilizes only locally grown agricultural produce. She is also the Founder of Agrolay Ventures, an investment firm focusing on early-stage innovative food companies in Africa.

Ada serves on the Board of the One Acre Fund, and Infinite Foods, a leading plant-based food company in Africa. She is a member of the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Presidential Youth Advisory Group and serves on the Advisory Group of Generation Africa, an initiative to invest in young African agripreneurs co-catalyzed by Econet and Yara International. She is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow.

Recycle Point | Mazi Alison Ukonu and Chioma Ukonu
Chioma and Mazi are both graduates of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, they founded Recycle Point in 2012, a waste recycling and social benefit venture.

Chioma, a Social Impact professional holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Physics with a certificate in Social Sector Management from the Pan Africa University Lagos. Mazi a Materials Engineer, and Supply-Chain Manager holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Materials & Metallurgical Engineering.

Chioma currently runs operations at Recycle Points and is the COO. She has over eight years of experience in grass-root development projects that focus on youth employment, women empowerment, community engagement, and environmental sustainability. Mazi has over 15 years of experience in Procurement and Logistics Management in the Oil & Gas industry. He earned an Executive Certificate in Technology, Operations, and Value Chain Management from the MIT Sloan School of Management and has attended numerous MBA courses in Supply-Chain and Project Management. As a materials expert, he privately sought to build a viable model for waste recycling cum social enterprise that will suit the Nigerian ethos and the result is RecyclePoints.

Simply Green | Adesola Ladoja
Adesola Ladoja is a practical farmer with a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the New York Institute of Technology.

He used his vast knowledge of greenhouse and open-field crop production to establish Simply Green which specializes in the cultivation, processing, and packaging of vegetables. Under his leadership, Simply Green Limited has been successful in its mission to reduce imported vegetables in Nigeria which has led to higher than expected revenue for the company.

Adesola is currently a consultant for Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) with the responsibility of creating the Oyo State Agribusiness Policy and Governance Programme, Agribusiness Development Programme, and Youth in Agribusiness program to propel the same as the pacesetter in modern agriculture in Nigeria.

He has received several awards for entrepreneurship in agriculture and was recognized by renowned international experts and Forbes Magazine for this dedication to agriculture in Nigeria.

The Nail Bar | Ameera Abraham
Ameera Abraham is the CEO & Spa Director of The Nail Bar, a luxury nail spa and wellness center, and the founder of Nigeria’s premier professional nail care brand Amali Cosmetics. She also serves as the Director of Communications at the Spa and Wellness Association of Africa.

She is a qualified beauty therapist, holds a BA in Politics and International Relations and a CIDESCO Diploma in Spa Management.

Outside of her professional life, Ameera enjoys reading, yoga, and volunteering for charity work. She is an advocate of women and children’s rights & enlightening and empowering women in their various fields of life.

Vinsighte | Oluwatomisin Kolawole and Caleb Oyolola
Alumni of the University of Ibadan, Oluwatomisin Kolawole, and Caleb Oyolola founded Vinsighte in 2016. Vinsighte is a digital health company that uses Artificial Intelligence and assistive technology to prevent visual impairment and aids visually impaired persons to read books and printed materials conveniently.

As CEO, Oluwatomisin is in charge of securing essential partnerships and mapping out structures and strategies for growth and development at Vinsighte. Under his leadership, Vinsighte has won numerous accolades. Caleb serves as the Chief Business Officer (CBO) of Vinsighte and is responsible for the administrative, financial, and operations management of the organization. He is currently the project head of Viszione by Vinsighte, a new brand under the company involved in building and marketing preventive eye wears.

Vinsighte has received several awards including Union Bank’s 2018 best innovation award in Nigeria, Hult Prize’19 Dubai Regional finalist, 2019 Honorable Mention Award by the World Bank Group, Global Student Entrepreneurship Award for 2nd best student entrepreneur in Nigeria for 2019, Facebook Accelerator Program 2019 cohort MERCK’s 2019 top 20 health-tech startups in Africa, amongst others.

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Over the past ten years, I have read, studied, and taught the theories from over 100 business and entrepreneurship books to tens of thousands of entrepreneurs across Africa. The hardest part of doing this is contextualising the content for the Nigerian market.

Ameera Abraham’s The Full Set unpacks a wide range of important topics that impact the competitiveness of businesses in Nigeria and offers a lighthearted depth of insight – one that gives even the most advanced business owner a rare 360-degree view of the Nigerian business landscape, and enables them assess their preparedness for the obstacles and hindrances that may make or break their chances of success.  

The book covers valuable lessons and tips for the 21st century beauty entrepreneur, it’s a full crash course on everything that beauty school doesn’t teach you about business.

Collecting her experience as a beauty professional, Ameera gives more insight to her struggles as an everyday Nigerian woman in business, ranging from motherhood, postpartum depression to daylight robbery. The Full Set aims to guide beauty enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and mompreneurs through business. She shares all her business and beauty industry insights. It is a Nigerian entrepreneurs’ handbook towards sustainability via her captivating experiences cutting across family, business and lifestyle, the successes and obstacles that come with it.

Ameera highlights the importance of self-development and training and explains why business owners need to prioritise both learning and unlearning for their employees. Her masterful storytelling and use of personal anecdotes and vignettes from the get-go makes readers feel a connection to the book. In this book, she shows and not just tells.

The reader’s takeaway is best summarized by the ancient African word, ‘Ubuntu’ or ‘humanity to others’ – the very idea that I am because of who we all are. Community, structure and vision – these are the secrets to Ameera’s business success and now each and every one of us can replicate that for ourselves.

This book is well written and easy to understand; I was pulled in from the beginning on this one. The theme of this book is engaging, in fact, it has highlighted the areas one needs to focus on while planning for starting and managing their business. One of the most important points that was discussed in this book was not just “telling the readers what to do” but “mentioning how to do it”. It speaks from the experience of the author on issues raised in the book and hence, it comes out as the most practical need for readers.

I love how Ameera wrote this book, it feels like you are not reading a book but having a one-on-one session with her. I appreciate how effectively Ameera has managed to give an inspiring message through this book.

The Full Set is a tell-it-as-it-is, no-holds-barred memoir on the intricacies of running a beauty business. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to be an entrepreneur or set up a business in the beauty space; it will help you each step of the way.

The post BN Book Review: The Full Set By Ameera Abraham | Review by Comfort Avunze Sakoma appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.