Where do you live?
F: I live in Paris, I’m a beauty editor of a French magazine called Ghubar magazine. I’ve also been a beauty blogger for the past 4 years. My blog is dedicated to the beauty of black women around the world www.Blackbeautybag.com
I was born in Paris 33 years ago lol. My parents left their country to came to France to find jobs and get a better life for their family. My mother is a Nigerian native and my father is half Senegalese and Malian.
When did you go natural?
F: It was 5 years ago, when I was on natural hair websites and forums. To see those ladies share their tips and beautiful picture of fros… I was like, ‘OMG!! Natural hairs rocks! I have to try and stop relaxing my hair.’
I did my big chop on April 5, 2006! I will never forget this symbolic day for me. I took my scissors and cut off all my relaxed hair. When I did it friends and family around me said that I was a fool to do that. To be a nappy girl 5 years ago in Paris was very difficult because a lot of black women thought that nappy hair is not pretty.
What’s your regimen?
F: My regimen is very easy. Natural hair loves water and oils. I spray my hair with a mix of water and olive oil every night and twist it and protect it with a silk scarf every night. I’m a huge fan of Carol’s Daughter products like their new macadamia oil, the Kera Care Humecto Conditioner, Activilong Acti Repair olive oil and avocado, Jessicurl and the Chantilly Shea butter of Les secrets de loly (a French natural hair brand.)
I buy a lot of products via the internet because in Paris we can’t found some US products. Sometimes I buy some products in Paris in the beauty supply for black women.
What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from?
F: Using a lot of heat is not good for our hair, it causes breakage. That’s why I only straighten it once a month. And no more relaxers for my hair. It was always breaking!
What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
F: Oil treatments. My hair loves it! It leaves my hair soft and shiny.
What would you like to see in France in terms of haircare?
F: I wish one day we could have the same type of haircare institutes like the USA or London. And more stylists who know how to care for natural hair. That’s why I am so grateful for American Youtubers for sharing their hair care routine and secrets.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
F: Yes, you can find me on my blog: www.blackbeautybag.com and you can translate it into English:-)
Anything else you want to add?
F: I never imagined that one day I would say that natural hair is beautiful.
My first thought was she can not be 33! She looks about 21. My 2nd thought was omg i love her hair. I was thinking that I want my hair to look like that but I realized I never blow it out lol. Some girls look so cool with blow outs but I guess I never feel like I can pull it off, but she has inspired me to try it!
WOW her hair is Ahhhmazing!!
Love her hair, she’s so youthful its amazing
Ce ne serait pas notre Fatou national?
Yeaaaaaah this is our Fatou! She is the only french natural who inspire me XD !
Si c’est elle!!!! Ultra canon!
Yes! I’ve seen stunning pictures of this girl on blogs before and wondered if she had a blog. So pleased to see that she does! Because of her I started to wear red lipstick, now I’m hooked. A true inspiration 🙂
Fatou, t’es partout! Lol! She become a natural icon, follow her! 🙂
Man, I never thought she was 33! She’s got great genes and she’s totally gorgeous! I love the hair and fashion sense
Tres belle femme!
She is gorgeous and I love her hair.
My hair is the same texture as yours and I big chopped 1.5 years ago. I hope my hair can grow up to looks like yours. Beautiful!
She’s 33?!? Wow, she looks younger than me and I’m 21. Anyway the hair is fierce!
Seriously — do we age??
I am thinking exactely the opposite for US girls. You look older that your age! That’s crazy.
When I was in NY, people were telling me that I was 14 but I was 22!
hindaty, I have to respectfully disagree with your comment about US women looking older than their age. I’m 42, American, and get surprise replies when I say so. I’ve been mistaken for much younger, and it’s because I take care of my skin, wear sunscreen, drink lots of water and wear as little makeup as possible(if any). Fatou is lovely and youthful(she’s a baby! Thirty‐three isn’t old to me…I guess it’s all relative (lol)); That is some beautiful hair, and now I have a brand new blog to follow.
whoahhh, she’s 33? Wow, very youthful and beautiful. Skin care regime please?!?! 😀
She is a rarity. All of the African women I’ve ever known or seen in public have relaxers or braids. I have yet to see one with natural hair. She could/should be come the African women’s authority on natural hair!
I am an African woman with natural hair. There have also been many African women featured on this blog with natural hair.
Lol, we’re not rare 🙂 I’m African too, full nigerian and I’m natural, as well as most of the females in my family, and some of my friends! Like June said, there are lots of African naturals featured here 😀
P.S, I’m also young looking for my age, people gasp when they realise I’m not 15, I’m about to be 20 next month! XD
You guys need to move to Grand Rapids, Mich. or Fort Wayne, Ind. Quite a few African women in each, but not a single natural!
I know quite a few African women that have natural hair under those extensions or braids.
Hm… I guess it depends on where you are? I can’t really talk, I live in London, UK! XD
I am African with natural hair too :). Fatou N’Diaye is one of my inspirations. I’ve been reading her blog for a long time now
Stunning big hair and looks half her age as well?? Bloody hell!! I’m living in the wrong country!! LOL!
Her hair is amazing…beautiful! I love the versatility shown in her styles here.
Her lips, skin,hair.….Perfection!
I’ve seen so many pics of this lady floating around the internet, on natural blogs and what not tumblr, etc. And I have always wanted to know who she is!! Of course BGLH gives the delivery to my question. Interesting to know she is more than a pretty girl with beautiful hair, Her personality and interest seem cool and interesting as well!
Love her hair! She is beautiful!!
We are buying into western society’s lies about ageing and being for the scrap heap after 25 which only apply to Caucasian people by their own rules. Of course most black people age well. Her style is cool and youthful and her hair is great. Wish I could see a tutorial on the updo. She’s really much more creative with her blowouts than I’ve seen on the net before.
Gorgeous hair and skin; simply beautiful!!!
She is sooooooooooooo PRETTY and so is her hair!
She reminds me of Erykah Badu in one of her pics! Stunning girl!
33!!!… (what you talking bout Willis face)…i thought she was gonna say Im 15 or i just finished high school.…Damn she looks great, her hair is gorgeous!
I asked my Sister “how old do you think she is?”. She replied “19”. She looks soooo youthful , and I love her hair!
Beautiful! Love, Love, Love!!!
wait.…should that say 23 years ago? girlfriend doesn’t look 30 anything.….what a stunning chica, just loved this writeup. fabulous hairstyles and hair. she’s a beauty
Vonnie of Socialitedreams.com
Beautiful hair, beautiful woman.
I refuse to believe you are 33!
Tell me your beauty secrets!
I thought you were 14! Wow!
Lucky you!
I LOOOVVVEEE those updo hairstyles and I will be mimicking them. I’ve been trying to figure out some new updo looks for the office (and frankly out of the office as well) and I will definitely be referring to those photos, especially the second to last one!
Absolutely Gorgeous!! I’m inspired 🙂
Sublime!!!!
33? Shut the front door!
Gorgeous!!!
Ohh what a surprise to see our french beauty guru on BGLH !! She is a good example for all the french african girl here in france. Here in france a lot of people think that we african girl are doomed to stuck to fake hair , and call us derogative names beacause of that! She shows that natural hair is not only a “west indian girl thing”, and that there is no need to be mixed in order to have beautiful hair ! Bravo Fatou !
So she is beautiful! The wavy blown out hair is too hot!
Lovely pics. This is my hair!! But it shrinks and tangles too quickly. I’m tired of struggling with it as if it is some kind of enemy. Maybe I should try the straightening thing once in a while also. Do you wear your hair out during the winter too?
When you stop trying to force your hair into doing what you want it to do and start becoming passionate about learning what you have to do to make your hair cooperate, you will be successful. If your growing tired braid it or do another protective style and come back to your hair with more patience. Being natural is not easy because you must learn patience while learning yourself ?
Hi,
Love your hair darling!!! Is your picture with a hat a wash n go? I’m thinking we have similar hair, but I can’t tell.
WOOOOOOOW gorg hair!!!!! i am so inspired
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OMG Fatou!!! I discovered Ghubar Mag a while back and I have always adored her hair. Glad to see BGLH giving her some love!
Also, if you want to read a great African fashion mag in the vein of Arise or Pop’Africana, Ghubar is the place to go. Their editorials are clutch.
HEy Girl I Love Your Hair ITs AWESOME…
Loveeeeeee her hair!
i love love LOVE her hair!
So many hairstyles! Girl you gave me some ideas!
Merci bcp!
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[img]http://bglhonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/06.jpg[/img]
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Beautiful hair!!!!!!
Its awesome to stumble upon knowledge you can use in your own situation. Cheers!
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Salut Fatou,
Where can I find natural hair products in Paris?
Merci en avance.
Salut !
J’ai essayé plein de fois les produits de Secrets de Loly (Chantilly et Smoothie à l’ananas ): ils sont plutôt pas mal mais parfois un peu cher… Va voir sur leur site ils ont plein de produits.
Sinon tu peux passer une commande à Aromazone ou aller directement dans leur boutique (à Saint germain si je ne me trompe pas…). Tu pourras alors faire tes propres produits !
Bon courage !
And yes, Fatou’s hair and blog are awesome !!
I sell natural hair products from the U.S in Paris! Here’s my email whitneybcarnes@gmail.com and website for Naturals in Paris! http://www.naturalsinparis.bigcartel.com
Email me any questions about products ect ?
How To: My Aruba Twist look with Crochet Hair https://youtu.be/CooLpBmVLQE