Faith Ariremako has built a reputation strong enough to earn her the title “Hair Queen.” What began in 2020 as a simple experiment during the COVID lockdown has now grown into RoyalPrissHairHub, an inspiring brand that’s reshaping how women see hair care. In this interview with Rita Oyiboka, she tells her story from mixing her first products at home to expanding into the UK market.
So, first of all, tell us about yourself and why you are called the Hair Queen.
My name is Faith Ariremako, and somehow, in 2020, during the COVID period, I was lying on my bed, thinking about the virus, and I realised some people were out there looking for solutions they could provide. So I asked myself: what solution can I actually offer the world?
At that point, I was trying to grow my hair, so I experimented with different things before I even knew people were posting about hair on YouTube and all those platforms. I saw that what I was doing worked. By September, when schools resumed, I was in my 300-level. Then, I took some money from my dad, made some products, and took them to school. I gave them to my friends, and before I knew it, everybody was saying, “Oh, I want to buy, I want to buy.” That really interested me. I loved the impact I was creating for people.
From 2022, I started selling more consistently, and I still do today. I later found LinkedIn after attending a programme where people talked about it. When I got on LinkedIn, I discovered very few people talked about hair. Most people were just talking about their HR skills, what they do, how to grow on LinkedIn, and all that. But nobody was really working in my niche.
So I decided to enlighten people, because a lot of issues come from people not being enlightened. That gave me visibility, and one of my friends started calling me the “Hair Queen” because I was taking authority in that field. I embraced that name, and honestly, it has opened doors for me.
You mentioned that you got some money and mixed some products that gave positive results. But where did you learn what to mix and how to mix it? Did you learn this skill from anybody?
I wouldn’t say I learnt directly from anyone when I started. Over time, I picked up the skill and developed it. Initially, it was just an idea that dropped into my mind. I had been mixing different things personally for my hair and saw that it worked.
I would say it was a skill I picked up myself, partly from things I had seen others do. So, it wasn’t like I picked it up from anywhere specific; it was more about getting ideas and then developing the skills over time.
You started your business during the pandemic, while you were still a student. How were you able to balance your academics with running RoyalPrissHairHub?
I think it’s about organisation. What I did was make enough products during the holidays, and during school time, all I had to do was sell them. I attended a private university (Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan), so I had time to myself. We didn’t cook or do much apart from academics. I would go to class, return to my hostel, attend to orders, and that was it. It wasn’t very difficult because my products were already prepared. All I needed to do was advise people and sell, while also using the products myself and earning money.
So far, your business is five years old. What are some of the biggest challenges and mistakes you have made along the way, especially at the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey?
One of the biggest mistakes was expecting that I would make so much profit immediately. Sometimes I didn’t even know how to separate my profit from my capital, even though I was studying Accounting. If I got broke as a student, I would take money from the business to eat. Whenever I had extra cash, I’d restock.
There was even a time the business almost collapsed, which taught me a big lesson. I had to start again. But meeting people and getting opportunities helped. For instance, I got a grant last year that allowed me to penetrate the market better. Now, we also sell products in the UK, thanks to visibility and networking with like-minded communities.
You have mentioned financial mistakes, but did you make any mistakes in marketing your products, or errors in product formulation?
When it comes to marketing, I wouldn’t say I made mistakes. I had a friend who was a marketing expert, and he helped me from the beginning. So I never made a major marketing mistake, though of course, marketing always needs improvement.
As for product formulation, every business goes through baby steps. There are always areas of improvement. For example, I might create something and later realise it’s too light, so I add something to make it thicker and more premium for clients. I wouldn’t call those mistakes; just necessary improvements along the way.
The debate over natural versus relaxed hair never ends. Natural hair advocates insist it’s the healthiest choice. But is the stress of maintenance really worth it? Beyond the hype, what are the real benefits?
I always say this: if you think you can maintain natural hair, it’s the best. If relaxed hair works better for you, that’s fine too. The most important thing is having healthy hair. Hair can be long but unhealthy. What we want to achieve is healthy hair.
Natural hair is more delicate and requires more care, but whichever you choose, be intentional and ensure your hair is healthy.
You’ve had some controversial views about industrial shampoos and wigs as “hair killers.” Can you expand on that?
Yes. Industrial shampoos often contain chemicals like sulphates that strip hair of its natural oils. That’s why many people end up with dry scalps. In the African community, most of us already have dry scalps because of our hair type; many of us have type 4 hair. Using harsh industrial shampoos worsens the problem.
As for wigs, I don’t think wigs themselves are “hair killers.” It’s the excessive use, especially of those glued-on wigs. The glue damages the edges over time, and constant use can lead to hair loss. But there are safer options, like glueless wigs, which you can remove daily without damage.
In Nigeria, the average woman’s hair care is just washing and styling. Many don’t see the benefit of consistent care. Have you been able to convince people to adopt a lifestyle of hair care and even pay for it?
Yes, but it often starts when people already have a problem. For example, when their hair is breaking, thinning, or not growing, they look for solutions.
The real issue is education. Growing up, our parents taught us to brush our teeth and bathe daily, but they didn’t teach us to tie our hair at night or care for it consistently. Hair care should be part of body care. We need to build that foundation for children so they grow into adults who value hair care.
When people see that consistent care works for them, they are willing to pay. Spending becomes easy when they see real results within 14–21 days.
For people who want healthy hair, what is the biggest “no-no”?
Inconsistency. Many people want healthy hair, but are not consistent. They might use products once and stop for weeks. Consistency is key to getting results.
What are some common mistakes people make with their hair that you’d like to debunk?
One mistake is loosening hair, especially after four to six weeks, without softening it first. People just grab a comb and start, which causes breakage. The right way is to apply a leave-in conditioner first. It softens the hair, reduces friction, and prevents unnecessary breakage. This step is not only necessary when removing extensions, even taking down cornrows on natural hair, especially when they’re tiny. People keep complaining that their hair gets shorter and shorter, but it’s often because they don’t understand these things.
Are there foods people can eat for healthier hair?
Yes, vegetables and fruits are great. Pineapple, cucumber, and protein-rich foods, not just junk, generally help. Eating healthy overall contributes to healthy hair.
What about natural remedies people can try at home?
There are many DIY remedies. For instance, avocado, honey, and aloe vera strengthen hair. In fact, I share different DIY recipes for hair care every month in my newsletter.
Your business is now five years old. You’ve received grants, expanded to the UK market, but what are your goals for the next five years?
I have several goals. First, I want to be in every Nigerian university, providing employment for students with relevant skills related to hair care, empowering them, and giving them a platform to grow without starting from scratch.
Secondly, I want to build an app that helps women diagnose their hair type and issues, and recommend the best solutions for them.
You’ve said industrial shampoos aren’t ideal, so what is special about your brand?
What’s special about my brand is that I provide balanced products using natural methods. For years, we were told that natural products are bad and that what we have isn’t good enough. But that narrative came from outside cultures whose hair types differ from ours.
For Africans to have healthy hair, we need products that are specifically made for us. One of the things the white people gave us was relaxers, to make our hair straight like theirs. And it’s okay if you want your hair straight, but you should have the choice to do so without compromising the health of your hair. My brand offers safe, natural, high-quality products that protect hair long-term instead of damaging it with chemicals.
Finally, what is your advice to entrepreneurs going into the hair care industry?
The market will shake you, but don’t let it shake you. Mistakes are part of the process. Don’t beat yourself up when you fail, learn from it, accept feedback, and improve. Nobody starts as the best. Even Indomie noodles weren’t this good when they started; they kept improving. That’s how every product evolves.
