BEAUTY: HOW TO TIE A GELE

Hello lovies mi (trying hard to sound razz). Happy democracy day o. I remember I used to love public holidays (a break from the daily activities).. but now I just don't seem to care seeing everyday is holiday for me. Anyways, I got a request from a friend asking me to teach her how to tie the female head gear (gele) after she saw Aunty Temi's makeover (you can check it here). So to honor her request,  I'm going to show us how to tie the gele, step by step with pictures. Don't mind the camera and the camera man. Ok, now go  get your gele (aso oke, singele, segoe, damask,even wrapper sef) and let's get to work. For my illustration, I used the gele called Singele also known as wire gele. Let's get to work.

STEP 1: Get hair out of the way. Pack hair to the back or clip it if you can. Do not tie gele with fringe or hair in front (else you might look like you're carrying load...LOL). I have my hair in braids so I just packed it to the back.

 

STEP 2: Fold half or the edge of the first quarter and it should be the same from top to bottom so that the front of gele is smooth and tidy.

 

STEP 3: Place on the temple (forehead) and on top of both ears. Put gele over head and make sure it is very firm and flat in front.

 

STEP 4: Ensure that one end of the gele is longer than the other. The reason you have a longer side is because it's going around the head. Then take the short side in and the long side out (place the longer end under the shorter end) and pull really tight so it doesn't fall off.

 

STEP 5: Take the longer end round in one straight line.

 

STEP 6: At this point, you can decide to tie it first before you make the layers or make the layers before tying. The choice is yours. The layer is what im pointing at. Its a fold made when tying gele. Ensure your layers are really flat and you can make as much layers as you want (but exceeding 10 layers would be aseju).

 

STEP 7: Make a knot (usually at the middle) according to how big you want your gele to be at both ends (the short end and the end that has gone round).

 *end that has gone round

*the short end waiting since morning

STEP 8: Tie both ends preferably twice.

 

STEP 9: Set layers very well. I don't have a big mirror so I use the window. Serves the purpose of a good mirror well.

Use pin where necessary. And we are done. Yipeeeeeeeeee..

 

*NOTE: You shall sweat like this by the time you are done.

 

 Try to make the back as neat as much as possible.

You may not get it well right now but don't beat yourself up. Don't worry, you don't have to be perfect on your first try. Just keep practicing... The more you practice, the easier it becomes. I've been tying gele since I was little.. like 9 years old (believe it.... if you don't, call my mum on 08034084xxx). So if my gele looks this good now,  then you know sey no be beans *smiles*( no be today mata, it haf tay'd LOL). So go and keep trying and if you need another tutorial, then send me a message on moby.amusu@gmail.com. Love you loads.