Friday, September 24, 2010

Featured Friday *Jade*






1. How long have you been natural?
I BCed in January 2010. So 9 months.

2. What made you decide to go natural?
A.      I didn’t enjoy getting relaxers.
B.      I don’t find straight hair attractive.
C.      I didn’t want to be a slave to my hairdresser every couple of weeks for
the rest of eternity.
D.      The chemicals in a relaxer are NASTY and probably carcinogenic.
E.      I wanted to show people that long, straight hair isn’t what made me
beautiful. It’s my eyes, my lips, my nose, my voice, my smile. Hair is
just meant to frame my most beautiful features.

  

3. How long did you transition and what was your routine?
About 9 months. Well I heat damaged some of my new growth. Then I tried a
weave for the first time in my life, but that caused major breakage.
Eventually I grew some cojones and bit the bullet.

4. How did you BC? Self BC, salon or a friend/family member?
I went to my scissor happy stylist at his salon. And he’s clueless about
natural hair. He didn’t detangle properly, used too much heat on my virgin
hair, and he threw some alcohol based gel on my head, thinking he was
doing me a favor by giving me crunchy helmet hair.  But I smiled and
tipped and conditioned and moisturized my hair properly that night.



5. Do you have any hair goals?
Yeah, I want to be able to hide a kitten in my ‘fro. And block people from
seeing the dry-erase board in class.

6. Whats your favorite natural hairstyle and how do you achieve it?
I like making a frohawk out of an old twist out. I just pin up the sides
and walk out the door.







7. How did your perception of beauty change once you went natural?
       It didn’t. I’ve always liked highly textured hair. I was just a sheep and
wanted to fit in when I got a relaxer. But I quickly exhausted the few
manipulations you can do with relaxed hair, and ended up with my hair
hanging limply around my face or thrown into a ponytail. I looked boring.
Now my hair reflects who I am: brave, gravity-defying, confident, sweetly
scented, earthy, creative, flexible, and though people think I’m hard,
I’m just a big softy.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Featured Fridays *Natural Nina*

Life Time Natural

1. Whats your favorite way to style you hair?



Over the 10 years that I have been natural, my hair has seen many styles and colors. My favorite way to style my hair used to be messy updos, when I had locs in my hair. Now that I have done another big chop, I'm anxious to get back to those types of styles when my twa gets a little longer.

2. What are your favorite products?

My favorite products for styling my hair are Knot Today and Kinky Curly Curling Custard from the Kinky Curly line. When I use my Knot Today and KCCC on my twa, I get the best curl definition my hair has ever had. 

3. How do you keep your hair healthy?

Keep my hair healthy by staying away from products that are made from mineral oil, petrollium, and other cheap ingredients that my hair doesn't like. I keep a tight regimen, of weekly deep conditioning treatments, scalp massages 3 times a week with castor or coconut oils,  I sleep in a satin bonnet,  I stay away from all hair weaves, extensions, and braids to prevent traction alopecia, and I drink lots of water.

4. Do you have any hair goals?

My current hair goal is to grow bra strap length healthy hair, and I gave myself a realistic time period of 5 years to reach my goal.

5. Have you ever felt pressured to relax your hair? If so How did you overcome the pressure?

I have been pressured to relax my hair several times over the years, on both a professional and personal level. I overcame the pressure by sticking informing those around me that my natural hair is a natural part of me that will not change. I would be willing to replace the people around me, including my work environment, before I put creamy crack back in my hair. I prefer that people respect my choice, as I respect theirs. It's not my fault if anyone around me is intimidated by my natural stance. My suggestion is to get over it because however I choose to wear my hair, does not make or break anyone else.  We are all naturally beautiful, and I choose to not to hide my beauty with chemicals and fake hair.




Check out Natural Ninas  blog

Friday, September 3, 2010

Featured Fridays *Tara*


1. How long have you been natural?

I have only been natural for two weeks! I’m very “newly natural”. :)

2. What made you decide to go natural?

Many reasons! I’ve had relaxers for most of my life – since third
grade! It’s been so long that I had previously forgotten what my
natural hair texture was, especially since before my relaxers, my hair
was often pressed and curled. I was intensely curious about what my
natural hair would be like, so I decided to find out.

I also looked forward to what I thought was a more low-maintenance way
of keeping my hair. While it’s a new challenge to learn how to style
and care for my natural hair, it’s a huge relief not to run and hide
at the first sign of water!

I’ve also never enjoyed getting relaxers – to me, the process was
downright excruciating, so it was a relief to never have to get them
ever again!


relaxed


3. How long did you transition and what was your routine?

I planned to be a long-term transitioner at first – I was so attached
to my hair that I planned to cut it, inch by inch, until I had grown
my natural hair to approximately the same length. I should have
figured that wouldn’t cut it because I tend to be extremely impulsive.
I ended up transitioning for about six months.

My routine was pretty simple: I moisturized with coconut oil and olive
oil. For two of the months, I had braids. When it came to washing, I
left it to my stylist because I was afraid too much manipulation would
cause breakage at the line of demarcation. About a third of my
transition time was spent wearing braids. I planned to wear braids for
longer, but I got too impatient!

4. How did you BC? Self BC, salon or a friend/family member?

I went to my regular hairstylist. It was amazing watching her cut off
my hair. I thought I would be highly upset, but I was really just
excited! I also thought I would have a rough transition period as I
got used to having short hair for the first time, but I loved it
immediately!
Transitioning


5. Do you have any hair goals?

At this point I don’t have any goals, at least not in terms of growth.
I want to learn how to style and care for my natural hair and I’ll be
happy with whatever happens!

6. What’s your favorite natural hairstyle ad how do you achieve it?

At this point, I’m still mastering the wash-n-go. But honestly, I love
playing with my hair and seeing what it does – every day is a new
learning experience. I couldn’t be more excited!

7. How did your perception of beauty change once you went natural?

I have admired natural hair for a very long time – I just didn’t have
the bravery necessary to cut my own hair. However, I think I have an
even deeper appreciation for natural hair and it makes the glaring
lack of diversity in media representation a whole lot more jarring. I
make sure to compliment the fly naturals I see on the street for some
positive reinforcement. :)

Finally Natural :)
Check out Taras blog at http://xoxotara.wordpress.com