Black Girl Hair In Italy (S.O.H Save Our Hair!!)
So yea, if you follow me on facebook or twitter you have probably seen me complain from time to time about my hair stuggles in Italy. About a year after moving here I think I’ve finally got my problem figured out and I’d like to help you all as well! Check out the video and the associated links to save yourself time and hair related heartaches!
FULL AND EXPANING MILAN AFRO HAIR RESOURCE LIST: http://bit.ly/1K7Z9VA
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H A I R
Ali Moda Hair Company
24" 24" 22" 22" 16"
F A C E
NYC Eyebrow Pencil
MAYBELLINE Fit Concealer
RIMMEL London Eyeliner Pencil
REVLON Liquid Eyeliner
MAC Matchmaster Powder Foundation
MAC Careblend Powder Foundation
M U S I C
Hey youtube its Tia and today I'm going to be doing a video for you guys all about my hair and my hair experiences in Italy, because I've been getting a lot of questions mostly from African American girls that are coming study here or looking to move here Or to Europe in general, asking me about my hair and what do I do about it and what are the resources like around here, so I wanted to do a video for you guys, basically just explaining everything that I think. First, let me just tell you a little bit about this hair that I'm wearing right now. Umm this hair was a hair that got sent to me by a company on Aliexpress. I'M gon na do a review for them soon, but yeah. This is a new hair and I actually made a wig, and this is just a wig that I put on my head, like that's all um yeah, but when I first moved to Italy, one of the biggest challenges I faced was what the heck was. I going to do with my hair because, as I said before, there aren't a lot of black people here, even in a city like Milan, where of course there are black people here, we're not a significant majority, we're not a significant like demand, apparently. So when you go to a supermarket or a regular hair store, they don't usually have products meant specifically for our afro hair, and I mean it's rough because right now I wash my hair with like the store-brand shampoo, and it does absolutely nothing for my hair. Luckily, I had brought some products from the US to moisturize and stuff, but there are pretty much nothing there's pretty much nothing in terms of getting products specifically for our natural hair. I just recently like last week, found this store run by some Chinese people downtown. That has some stuff, but it's so expensive, it's so expensive compared to USA. So um the best thing first piece of advice, I'd tell you is bring hair products from home like stock up on it. If you're going to be doing study abroad for like six months, just fill up your luggage, let's talk about where you can go to get your hair done, because, just like there being a lack of hair products for your hair, there's also a lack of places to Get your hair done now in a big city like Milan, there are places, but it's not so easily advertised. You really have to look for them they're. Only in the like really like the neighborhoods, where there are more or less mixed cultures, because when I first got here and around like the Bocconi area, where I go to school and everything, of course, again there's nothing. But if I go to my course of one s, eries and Loretto in that area, there's a lot more mix of immigrants and so there's more availability. In terms of like there's this shop that just opened up next from Rico's house, they do African hair braiding. They do weaves and everything and they also sell hair extensions. My biggest thing before also was that since I don't I speak Italian, but I don't. I never really could get the word for wig. It'S like parquet or peruca. My thing and like I didn't. I can never remember the verb for so so I was always just intimidated to go in there and ask them what to do for my hair, but I finally got the courage to go in and ask and it was actually kind of a sketchy experience, because I Was telling them what I wanted to do and they were telling me that I had to call this girl that worked there, but wasn't there right now when I called her it, she was like really pushy to have me get my hair done like the next day, But I didn't want to I wanted to plan it forward the next week or something. Needless to say, I didn't end up getting my hair done by her. I didn't get my hair done by anybody, but it's good to know that there is a place. There is somewhere where you can get it recently. I'Ve become friends with a lot more like afro Italian youtubers, which is cool because they've been giving me all the resources and the places because, ok, it's not to say there are no resources for black hair and Italy they're, just you have to search for them. There aren't they aren't as advertised in USA, they aren't like walk down the street and you can find a hair place and it's not like everybody around. You knows how to do hair, because in USA, like more or less, everybody knew how to do hair but, like I said, there's not that, like a huge concentration of black people or not all in the same place, and so a girl that does hair might live. 40 minutes away from the center, so anyways yeah, my friends, have been hooking me up with some resources and I'm going to leave the links and stuff down below and also make a blog post on where to get your hair done in Milan. Like a compilation, a compilation complete, I don't know it's going to be a list of like stories and addresses that I know do: hair, sell, hair and blah blah blah. I think, though, the best route you can really go is to learn how to do your own hair because, like I said, I make this wig and I just I braided my hair, like not amazing, it braids my hair, but it's good enough to last. For a month, or so you just braid your own hair, put the wig on and you're all set to go. It'S the most low-maintenance cheap thing you can do like you can order your hair from aliexpress it'll be 100 euros, 200 max. That hair will last you six to seven eight months. If you will you just got to keep making the wigs and keep putting them on? It'S not so demanding and I think for an African American girl coming here. That would probably be your best bet, because even if you go to the Italian hairdresser, you might not be able to communicate to them what you really want. If they don't speak English, you can't communicate to them what you really want, which was another reason why I didn't get my hair done by this lady, because the last thing you want is for there to be a lack of communication between you and your hairdresser and Then they end up doing something to your hair that you don't like, and you can't change it and you're gon na end up being pissed. So the best thing I think you can do is just learn how to make your own stuff and to help with that. I'M going to make like a DUI Y video on how I saw my wigs and how I install them, because I think that would be a really great help um. I know this video is kind of all over the place. I just wanted to touch on it. Real quick, you know the black girl, hair situation in Italy because um it's something that any black girl coming to continental Europe will have to deal with. I mean unless you're going to like France or UK, where there's a huge population of black people you're going to have to adjust to your surroundings, and I mean it's not that big of a deal because, like I said it, was a struggle in the beginning. I was always stressed out about my hair, I'm like oh, my gosh. This hair has to last me until I can go back to USA and get it done and Keisha make sure you bring all the stuff from my hair. When you couldn't visit, you got to do my hair. When you come girl like it was, it was pretty stressful, but um. Now that I know how to do my own hair, it's nothing you adapt and you live, and I mean I like my hair. It'S not anything special, I'm not this master, wig maker master hairdresser, but I'm comfortable with it and that's all it really matters. I must say, though, don't let Pere be in your fear of taking care of your hair, be something that I don't know blocks you from traveling or blocks you from coming to Italy, because there's been resourceful and stuff that you can follow to get your resources in Italy, it's some. The network is building. The network is building Italy's getting there in terms of like black girl hair, but it's not quite there yet. I just really wanted to warn you guys about some stuff, but I wish I had knew before I came here because yeah, like I said the first few months were a struggle. So bottom line is bring your haircare products with you, because they're super expensive, when you get here, if you can find them, um teach yourself how to do some stuff with your hair. Because again, the hair salons are here, but you have to find them and you have to communicate what you want to get done. Um and that's pretty much it that's pretty much it if you're, a african-american girl that has travelled to Italy is living in Italy or is in Italy right now and has any hair experiences you want to share. Please leave them down below and also, if you're, an afro Italian girl, and you know any resources that US african-american girls can use while we're in Italy. That would be great same thing for, like British girls and um franco, afro frame, afro, French, I'm sorry! I just want to be really politically correct and not piss anybody off, but all the black girls of the world. Let'S all share our information. Let'S share our resources and help each other out, because it can be a struggle when you're out there on your own. So yeah this video is getting a little bit longer than I expected it to be. I hope this video is helpful, keep stay tuned for my DIY video. It should be up within the next few days and um yeah. That'S all I got to say like and subscribe and talk to me on social media I'll see you guys next time, bye,
Comments
RoxyRocksTV: I bring my sulfate/silicone free products with me when I travel back home in Italy XD When I was there my hair was a disaster hahaha in the US I learn all about how to take care of my wavy.curly hair and now it's so much healthier !!! I hope they start selling these products there too! I have a lot of subscribers that would like to use more natural products but they can't find them!!
Suad: Would going natural be anything you'd be interested in? When I spent years abroad going natural was 100 times easier for me. Just a suggestion.
Zoeyw1: although I am Black British, there is a massive black community in the uk . I experienced the struggle to find black hair products, as I because moved to white area to attend to a white dominated university. Like you said Tia, i would advise all black girls international students and black girls students moving to white dominated areas for university/college; please learn how to do your own hair. I can not stress how important it is to be able to braid your and how braiding my hair saved me in times of crisis.
Sonya Brown: COCONUT OIL WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE haha so serious tho my family went on a two month vacation to France and almost died when my conditioner ran out but i just used coconut oil as conditioner and apple cider vinegar as shampoo it was actually waaay better for my hair and i could find it at the market
OliviaZao: Had this same struggle in Bologna! Luckily I've been able to take regular trips back to London to see my hairdresser, but maintenance in between has been so hard. I have managed to find 1 black hair shop but it's also ridiculously expensive :(
Shania O. Mason: This is absolutely great! Thanks so much for sharing :D
Awuraa Abenaa: Ciao Tia, I'm an african italian studying in Milan.. u can find hair products n extensions not too expensive in african shops in stazione centrale.. as for hair dressers there are some saloons in stazione centrale, repubblica n loreto.. but they are too expensive for the quality.. when I came here I attended an african pentecostal church n that helped me to get in touch with many black hair dressers n I spend between 30 € to 50€ (extension included) to get my hair done very beautifully every month.. it's important to get some black friends when u come here else these kind of things will be a real problem.. if u see black ladies with their hair done, u stop them n ask them who did it for them, many ladies stop me n ask such things..
SK E: Same here. I feel your pain. I’m Afro-Caribbean living in Germany for the last 10 years. Black hair salons do not exist here. What I do is at home Relaxer kits. I relax my hair by myself 1 to 2 times a year. I recently bought a U-Part Wig on Amazon. Amazon is my go to place for all my hair care products.
Djifa72: I have been in Sicily for 4 months now and the struggle is indeed real! I hope you do an updated video soon. Have you been to Catania?
StefaniniStefano: Hey Tia you just have to go to african shops! I don't really know Milano but in Turin (my hometown) there are many african africa hairstylist and african shop who sell products for black hair n black skin! I'm sure you can find something similar in Milan. BTW... if you'll ever wanna come to Turin, just go to Porta Palazzo and you'll find whatever yoi want and it's in the city center!
Brooke Walker: Have you ever thought about doing vlogs? I would love to see what everyday life is like in Italy. Love your videos!
K. B: this video and comments would have been great 2 years ago when i lived there. i had relaxed hair then... it was a lot easier for me. my natural hair is really thick with tight curls so i don't like people manipulating it. i wish i remembered the name of the products i used while there but they worked miracles and my hair became more manageable. it was in a pink container with purple writing per capelli ricci.
Adassa Ndombasi: Hi...I appreciate that you shared your experience with other black girls in Italy...I understand your situation.....anyway in Milano Centrale you can find some chinese store that sell African products for hair or you can order from eBay....
LilyBeauty: You look beautiful and I love your hair!! I really want to visit Italy!
Protective cover up weave cap hair time: Thanks for your information,I always wondered what it was like to be African American in Italy!
keenanboy3000: My wife and I are moving to Italy in 6 months. A great way to obtain black hair care products is to order them online from the States and have them shipped to a military APO address (if you can meet someone in the military). You will only pay for that Item to be shipped to the East Coast of America. The military will ship it the remainder free of charge. We are moving to an area right outside of Venice...we are extremely excited.
zama luthuli: I know this may seem weird but since you were living with people who may or may not have been familiar with afro hair or black girl hair and the whole taking off of your wig at night and wearing your cornrows around the house. Did your roomies react, what was your general routine and feeling about that? btw love love your channel xx
Tracey Griffin: Liked your video about black girl hair experience in Italy. I had the wonderful pleasure of visiting Italy a few years ago and couldn't style my hair like I wanted, because wasn't able to plung my curling iron into their socket. As you know their sockets/outlets are different than ours in America. Next time I travel to Italy, I'll bring an adapter with me. Outside the hair issue, my vacation to Italy was one of the best experiences of my life! The culture, food, people, history, art, and MEN were amazing. Wow, the MEN! Didn't know how much a black woman is appreciated in Italy. Anyhoo, enjoyed your video.
Tiga4359: Hello Tia. I found you while looking for salons that cater to black relaxed hair in Milan. I am moving to Milan next year, 2019, to study at Bocconi and I would love to keep my short pixie cut. However I am still hesitant because I am certain I would be able to find someone who could relax my hair and style the way I have it in Montreal. Have you seen any changes because I have seen more black Women moving there in the last couple of years ? Thank you, any suggestions will be welcomed. Love your channel Gaële
OsamaFigher: I'm an Afro-Italian who lived all her life in a dominating White community. It has been always difficult finding or being in contact with other Afro people in my area and it has been very difficult for me to look for any kind of products directed to Afro people here in Italy (as you said mostly for lack of advertising and because the African community is very closed and apart from rest of the population here, so unless you have contacts with them it's difficult to find on your own any useful information). Only in the last 10 years things have started improving (like seeing in my town few shop selling darker shades of foundations) but it's not enough. Italy is still far away from countries like UK or US.
Nasira: This is perfect because there is nothing in Pavia so whenever I want anything I always have to ride the train into Milan. For the winter months I just rely on braiding my own hair haha
C: Tia , help. I'm Italian living in the U.S. and I grew up surrounded by white girls with straight blond/brown hair. My hair is dark, and curly, frizzy. What do Italian girls in Italy do to style and keep their hair healthy? TY
Brittaney Allen: Thank you soooooo much for this video!
R Alexander: I am a black girl who is studying abroad in Italy this coming June ! I perm my hair but for my time abroad I will do braids but I was just wondering if there were any salons that do perms in Italy ?
ParisNextDoor: I'm about to move to Milan and this was really helpful
La Xi: Let's all go natural!!! Ciaoo dal veneto!
Lauren Winston: Good thing you know how to do your hair! Maybe you could order products online?
Delia D: I wore mostly wash and goes and a beanie hat (on my lazy days) for 5 months while I was there. I did bring some products with me and stretched out my wash and go over a few days. Could not find any hair resources where I was (in Padova). Even my caucasian class mate had difficulties somewhat due to the language barrier.
Fah Valen: hie Tia im a new sub and I love love your videos. please do a video of how you make your wigs.
StefaniniStefano: ps_ all my african-italian friends go to this amazing hairstylist in Turin called Amina near Porta Nuova station! ;)
Rina: which is honestly surprising, Italians (especially southern Italians) have curly hair to the point of being coily. I wonder if they have similar beauty standards like in America where it's more popular to have it straight
Khadijah Farrell: I went to Italy with a weave and bearly any products because I thought... hey threre should be some black hair places around~ Lol no there wasn't it was the worst 2 months for my hair lol. I also noticed that the water was alot different then in America it made my hair very frizzy... it was so bad i went to london to get my hair braided. But after that experience i taught myself how to do my own hair. Now i feel very independent and a complished.
Raquel alves gomes: Thank you for your help
Harriet Aseru: I just moved to Italy and this is my challenge. My hair.. Is the challenge. Thanks dear
Sne Nomvete: Girl! The best place to get your weave and wigs done is a place in porta venezia, it's number 14 on via Felipe Casati, and they have a really good deal where you get a free installation after 10 appointments with them. It's pretty much a legit salon, you won't have to wait for anyone or have to call anyone and most of the brazilians get their hair done there, they're quite busy so you usually have to make an appointment.
Helen H8TS FauxNews: I would have to do my own hair in Italy.
Brett Strong: Just ROCK THE AFRO ... sounds simple enough to me ;-)
Li Dia: I will go on vacation in italy next year( i am black german lol) and i think i will either go natural or do braids
Sierra: Do you know any hair companies other than the one you mentioned I could buy kinky curly hair from? I’m currently in Italy with my husband and I need a protective style. Any response would be helpful! Thanks
kensome kelly: There were so many places in Rome where I lived that did hair. They were Ethiopians. I never had an issue. Also I did bring all my products from USA. If I ran out of any I could take a plane to London and stock up. My family lives in the UK so it was perfect.
KessieTheArtist: What eye shadow did you use in this video ? It's so pretty .
Lauren: Help! i'm going to Bologna,Italy in the January for a few months. I currently have a half weave and relaxer. I'm trying to plan what to do with my hair before hand. I don't do my own hair so if anyone had any suggestions where to go to get it done or what to do help!
Cynthia Storm: Wow that is a great wig! Usually with white men love us natural and here in the States the white men to gravite towards your skintone.
Flairelle: Afro Caribbean girl in France. It is the same although where I live there are a lot of blacks it is not the same as I am used to. The best and safest bet is in Paris. They do hair differently. Also its crazy expensive. Honestly on youtube it is done so much better and with taking good care to save our hair. Here it must be done very very tight they use little product or products like grease, pommade and certain gels to make the braids neat and tight and the techniques are limit. I went once to get my hair done because i was too tired the hairdresser tossled and tracked through my weave and said she does not know how to do it. Girls get weaves and keep it for 6 months. I started getting clients because I would do my own hair but its more about style than care of their hair. They keep the sew in for 6 months to a year. I am still baffled over this and its 4 years im here. So if you are coming to France your best bet is to find a stylist in Paris and maybe maybe Toulouse. Or do your own hair if you want your natural hair to be healthy that is
Nox: Lace wigs cost so damn much and they only last 8 months? Wtf even. For that price they have to last forever at least.
Cynthia Storm: You do not need the wig your so beautiful.
Kaylah Joseph: Have any of you guys considered having youre stuff shipped to you. Also you can take a short trip to paris to stock up like twice a year. They have students rates the cost shouldn't be too horrible. Don't forget that the hair oils are the same things you get at the market. Sunflower is the best and can be mixed in with your conditioner. I lived on a island without much access to the outer world and these are great ways for hair survival.
IDONTEVENKNOW33: go to stazione centrale there are loads of places that sell afro hair products
OsamaFigher: Is the resources list still available? The link in the description is not working anymore. I'm an Afro-Italian university student living near Milan and I have been struggling for years in finding products for Afro Hair or Afro hairdressers that they are not too expensive where I can weave or braid my hair. Now I mostly rely on my mother in making my hair through tutorial videos on YouTube or ordering hair products in AliExpress or Amazon (imported from US and incredibly overpriced).
Janine Channer: Hey tia! Great video! I have a question. Do you know any great black MUAs in Italy..Amalfi Coast. or Naples I’m getting married and I am struggling
Cynthia Storm: Its tough though I get it!
Issanaa: If you're in the military can someone just go on base to get their hair done?
Darra Roberts: I'm moving to Novara, in 6 days. any ideas or tips. Your videos have been like really helpful for my expectations.
Jack Maverick: English = Wig Italian = Parrucca You are right the second way you pronounced it.
Jael Berry: So true Tia Taylor when I worked in Rimini last summer I found no hair products now I will be working this summer again in Italy but Palermo this time I have to figure out how to do my hair after going in the Ocean lol sea water and 200 dollar hair dont mix.
Sokhna Ndiaye: In Porta Venezia there is a very good store for Hair they make wig, install weaves and braid the name of the store is J'Adore Extension❤️
Allison Babii: Can you do a video of your makeup and how you apply it thank you
Cynthia Storm: It is stressful and time consuming has your man seen you without the wig?
Daleana aa: just go organic. make your own DIY PRODUCTS you know.
Sad Guy: you are gorgeous! do you have native American heritage? you can use olive Oil for your hair, it is the best! roman empresses used olive oil for their hair!!!!
Sina LaJuana Lewis: wondering about barbers? i wear my hair short and need the clippers to clean the sides. how are those spots?
Erin McCarthy: thanks this video answered my questions before.
Joe Moschetta: i love black women and i m 100 pct italian from new york
Grace Adefemi: Hi, is there a place I can do a silk press in Milan
Cathy Berry: Great video, if you know were to get other product let me know ;)
Jennelle Smith: What about relaxed hair?
Tina Lawson: I thought you could not bring liquid products on a flight or if so a certain size.
Joe Cam: SHOP ON E-BAY!!!
A T: You are so right... Big challenge as a black woman.. Are you still in Italia. Would love to get your friendship because it's lonely as a black American.
Maranda Brenton: Mix olive oil with your conditioner or with any of the other moisturizing shampoo or conditioners that you purchase there. Wash your hair with a mix or eggs or olive oil with the shampoo. Do not buy any thing to strip the hair oils. Do a hot oil treatment often and keep you hair protective styles and take you hair pieces or wigs off at night and wear silk wraps or caps to bed. Leave in conditioners mixed with olive oil can help tame your curls when you want to go natural. Rinse your hair with water or conditioner with oil mix on occasions and do not always wash with stripping shampoos.
Cynthia Storm: I think it is easier to be you and your natural self because straight indicates more of a Eurocentric form of beauty.
Meerahs Closet: aww.. sorry boo, your suffering. Dublin isnt as bad but i feel your gist on cummunication
Douglasville Darling: I thought it would have been easier to find product to work because I am American and have sicilian hair. lots of black hair products work better on my hair. Unless, you want to find specific products.
Erin McCarthy: doesn't look like a wig great work.
ShadyBrooks: just wear your own hair and stack up on products :)
Anita C. The Gregorian Princess: I live in Italy too There is a great place in Porta Venezia You bought your wigs in America or here in Milan?
NEW YORKER on the go: When I lived in Milan, I went to Black Diamond
TooMe: the struggle....
Tessy D’Aquino: Wow I love your channel. What part of Italy are you? New sub
Fatou Alhya Diagne: Hi! Can you please do an update of this video
OsamaFigher: Does somebody know any black hair saloon in Milan?
eve saida: where can we get the link of where to get some of the product....
Gisele Marcelle Findjeu: Hello, are you always in Milan? or do you know some black girls here in Milan?
B P: I knew you had a video. I just asked this is another video. Yay
Khai: Can mixed girls do this my hair is textured like a white girl but its really kinky and frizzy
gaetano di giorgio: Nice and fine girl
Auri Gh: mettete in pausa a 4:48
S. B.: Can I ask you something? Mmh.. do you always wear a wig? Like.. that lighter hair you had last year and the pink hair you have now, is it yours or a wig? And.. sorry for asking but I really don't know, why do you wear a wig? By the way this color is perfect for you :)
Yinet Martinez: Ciao tia pecato che non parlo inglese Serebbe bello poder parlare inglese. Per che non fai qualche vidio in italiano. ? Ciaoo
Raw LawGirl: Why not just wear your own hair and save the money and effort.
Henga: Hey you can hit me up for drink im also in Milan... whats your IG?
Fave z: I don't know about Milan but Rome was not bad. There were numerous african salons downtown, and there are products available too but more expensive, but it is cheap to get your hair done. I paid 15 euros to have my hair washed straightened and styled. You just have to search but in Rome there are a lot of Salons that do black hair to choose from, you just have to go downtown. So this video doesn't apply to all of Italy at least not Rome...but I agree about the products part. :)
Sarah: well the link doesn't work...
bigred: I never understood the problem with black women hair ♀️
Everywhere Alicia: What's your job?
Sokhna Ndiaye: In Via Rosolino Pilo 9
comedy girl: passa da me
BT: it would be a lot easier if black women just accepted their hair the way it grows out their head