Tolu talks hair

Hey Beauties, Tolu here!

I’m only a few months into my role as Cantu Ambassador and to say it’s been a whirlwind is a total understatement. So thought I’d pop in to say hi, and let you all know what I’ve been up to.

First Stop: Hair Crush Event

Hair Crush is a brilliant Afro hair destination, where women can go and learn about amazing products, read articles about hair maintenance and be introduced to women doing phenomenal things in the industry. They recently held a late summer event and I was lucky enough to be invited as well as be interviewed live about my role as Cantu Ambassador. The event was hosted by Antoinette, who is also founder of the platform and one phenomenal woman. For the panel discussion I sat in the audience and was so taken aback by the wisdom, candour and sheer drive of the women being interviewed which included Trina from Curlture, celebrity hairstylist Dionne Smith and Zita Ebunam, lead stylist at Dyson Beauty. Later on during the event I was called upon for a quick Q&A with Antoinette about my role as ambassador for Cantu, and was grateful to connect with the wonderful audience about the work we’ve been involved in so far, as well as exciting plans for the future. Well done to Antoinette and team Hair Crush for organising an excellent event.

Superdrug #ShadesofBeauty Event and Panel Discussion

So just a weeks later, I was invited onto a panel to discuss the beauty industry’s attempt to be more diverse and whether or not we felt that things were changing swiftly enough. The discussion was hosted by the amazing Tolly T from The Receipts podcast and I was in great company, seated alongside Yewande from Love Island, Daisy Boateng from L’Oreal and Sarah Gardner, Superdrug’s Head of Beauty. I was in my element talking about my passion for natural hair, looking out to the receptive audience, it really put fire in my belly and reminded me that my role as Cantu ambassador is bigger than me. Thank you Superdrug for inviting me onto a panel full of such esteemed and accomplished women.

Appearing on Channel 5 to celebrate FroTober

Becoming an ambassador for Cantu has led to so many amazing opportunities already, and I’ve met so many influential people in just a short span of time. A few weeks ago, I received a DM inviting me to appear live on Channel 5 on a segment they were planning on black hair to celebrate FroTober. I, of course, jumped at the opportunity and what then ensued was a pretty manic couple of days, with messages back and forth and having to clear my schedule so I could be available to attend the live airing, which would be hosted by channel 5 news presenter Claudia Liza Armah. Appearing alongside hair entrepreneur and FroTober founder, Tammy Facey, we had four minutes to pack in all the issues facing those of us with curly, coily, textured hair, such as being judged or discriminated against for going against the grain regarding the prevailing beauty standard. I think we managed to get our points across despite the time constraints. This was really a new and exciting opportunity for me and I’m so glad to have been given the opportunity to represent being a proud naturalista on such a national scale.