Natural Hair

1.21.2015 / , , , ,

Big Chop Experience| Christina




I wanted to highlight a few young people who cut off most (if not all) of their hair to start their new hair journey. I have noticed that many people highlight long, curly natural hair way more than those with short, kinky hair. In no way am I saying one is more beautiful but what I am saying is that they are all beautiful. I really think that more people should display more inspiration for short hair. It really is a constant battle trying to find some empowerment for your short hair - especially when you are a teen trying so hard to be yourself but you find yourself wanting more in terms of looks. Hopefully she inspires you!


Christina (17 years old):  I transitioned for 6 1/2 months & BC'd July 13, 2014 & boyyyy oh boyyyy was that the BEST decision I ever made! I started getting relaxers at like 6 or 7 so I had no clue what being natural was or that I could even grow curly hair since it's been chemically straighten for years! I remember flat ironing my hair EVERYDAY in middle/high school without a heat protectant. My hair usually stayed at collarbone length my whole life. I was sooo addicted to the creamy crack, I just had to relax my hair every month & I never gave it time to really grow.

Transitioning was easy-peasy, giving up the flat iron was pretty hard but I was committed to healthy hair. But gurrllllll when I got to months 3 & 4 Jesus had to take the wheel because I wasn't having it with my hair. I wasn't a fan of short hair & I didn't even know what my natural hair looked like. I used to cut little snippets of hair & play with my curls all the time. I decided I was going to cut my hair during the summer so I could start my junior year [of high school] new & improved. I spent half of the school year looking like the struggle. In July I flew out to Boston & I knew for a fact I was going to get my hair cut since my mom wasn't with me! When the day finally came I decided I was going to cut my hair myself because like I said before, I spent half the year with my hair looking like "who did it & why?" & this was my hair journey!

When I had those scissors in my hand I had no hesitation whatsoever. I was cutting chunks of hair at a time. When all the hair was finally cut off I just had the biggest smile on my face. I never ever had hair this short. Growing up, my relaxed hair was always boring. I couldn't do anything with it since it was so lifeless - so seeing my hair short was something different & I didn't feel like the same boring girl anymore. When most girls big chop their hair, it's usually very traumatizing for them but gurlllll for me I was ready to go to a party & get downnnn with my new hair. The amount of happiness I had was indescribable! After my hair dried it felt like a straight up carpet! Like no lie, if you would've touched it you could've got rug burn!

I know this sounds crazy, but sometimes after I washed my hands I would wipe them in my hair since my hair soaked up the water like a dry sponge, but I was still in love with my hair even though I didn't get the curl pattern/texture I desired - I was just happy to be nappy!!! After some love & patience I was able to work with it. I'm not going to front, this hair put me through hell & all across the 7 seas & back but my hair was my baby & you're suppose to love your baby! I always thought having short hair was easy, but man oh man when I tried to do a twist-out on 3 inches of hair I was sitting there for HOURS! I started reevaluating life as if doing a twist-out was worth it (I even gained some biceps).

Now I'm learning more about my hair & I just stick with Wash n Go's (even though it's not really a "wash n go" it's more like a "wash, put gel for 2 hours, let it dry 10 hours, THEN GO). When I flew back home from Boston on August 1st my parents weren't really big fans of my hair, they didn't know it was going to be that short! My mom got a little mad, but she said it's my hair & if I'm happy than that's okay! My little TWA makes me feel wayyy more confident & I can't wait to see it turn it to a big afro. I'm in no rush now; I'm so taking advantage of my short hair! Sorry I wrote a lot - hope I didn't bore you!















Some parts of this story have been omitted due to page space.
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Big Chop Experience| Christina

1.21.2015
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10.22.2014 / , , ,

Natural Hair Feature| Tamika




 

Tamika was born and raised in Dover, DE. and is the youngest of four siblings. She is the founder of a 501 (c) 3 non profit mentoring organization for girls called Be B.O.L.D., Inc. She loves shopping and creating a trend with her natural hair rather than following one.

 

1.   Why did you go natural? Or why are you natural?

To be honest I went natural by accident. When I tell people this story they laugh. But it was 2004 and I was finishing up college. During my college years I wasn't able to afford to keep my hair done via the salon so I would get what we call home salon hairstyles. My sister would keep it braided or I would rod-set it. Well in 2005 I was the maid of honor in a wedding and I was told everyone’s hair had to be straight. I knew I did not want to get a perm so I chose to get my hair “pressed out”. It had been over a year since I had chemical and my hair was the healthiest and shiniest it had been in years. That was all the proof I needed to remain chemical free. Now I still had permed hair but I transitioned by continuing to rod-set my hair and wear protective styles.
 

2. What is your go-to hairstyle?

My go-to hairstyle is protective styling, especially box braids. However when I want my hair to breathe I wear my famous pineapple bun.
 

3. What are your top 5 favorite products?

My top 5 favorite products KBo e’Scentials Oil & Pudding, Alikay Naturals, Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Shea Moisture. Ohhhh and I can’t forget my favorite moisturizer H2O J
 

4. What is the best part of having natural hair? The worst?

The best part of having natural hair is the versatility of it. I love that my hair has a mind of it’s own and compliments my personality.

 

5. What advice would you give to people who are natural or who want to be?


A lot of naturals or those thinking about going natural think that it is stronger than chemically treated hair when it is actually more fragile. So the more TLC and the less manipulation along with keeping your hair moisturized helps with obtaining and maintaining healthy hair and length.
 
 
6. What do you like/love most about this blog?

I love that it is a free space for natural women to encourage and embrace one another.

 
 
 

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Natural Hair Feature| Tamika

10.22.2014
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6.24.2014 / , , , , , ,

Natural Hair Feature| Kiara





Meet Kiara. She’s originally from Hampton, VA, but recently moved to Little Rock after finishing graduate school in December in Nashville, TN. She has degrees in Civil Engineering and she currently works in the transportation field. She enjoys traveling, “It has become my new guilty pleasure.”  Engineering is her dream job considering it's what she’s wanted to do since she was 4 however; she would love to be a stylist as well!


1.   Why did you go natural? Or why are you natural?

 

I was actually motivated by a skin condition I found out about right before I went away to college in 2007. That didn't stop me from getting relaxers, as I was on a quest for the straightest hair one could possibly achieve while I was in school. My junior year after another relaxing session, while rinsing out my hair, I realized that my entire scalp was chemical burned. My skin condition had spread to my scalp, and I didn't know. That day, I vowed to never get another one, and to start my natural journey. The condition has cleared up since that time, but I am so in love with my hair that I would never go back.
 

2. What is your go-to hairstyle?

 

When I originally submitted this post, I was a braid out girl. And I also stated that my go-to hairstyle changes every year just about. I have now become a perm rod set fanatic!!! I can set my hair once, and not have to touch it again for 5-6 days. That includes workouts, everything! It is one of those hairstyles that gets better with time for sure.


3. What are your top 5 favorite products?

 

1. Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar

2. Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner

3. Bentonite Clay

4. Coconut Oil

5. ORS Twist and Lock Gel


4. What is the best part of having natural hair? The worst?

 

The best: I love the versatility of my hair. I can literally change my style in some way every week if I desire, and I believe that is the beautiful thing about natural hair. Learning what works for you all while experimenting and not putting yourself into a box.

 

The worst: As with anything in life, dealing with those who don't understand your choices has been an interesting task. Negative people are always around, and that to me has been the most difficult part. Not because it hurts my feelings, but because it tends to get old really quickly. I just recently transitioned from graduate school to the real world, and the attention my hair has received since beginning my career less than 5 months ago, has been enough to make anyone want to change their mind. The first week I was asked "How do I get my hair so nappy?" and "How do I manage it with all of its tangles?" I have have had a least 7 people reach for my scalp without asking while walking through the halls or while in the restroom. I have to remind myself that this is how God created me and that regardless of what others may say, I did this for me and I love every strand!

 

5. What advice would you give to people who are natural or who want to be?

 

Just do it! Don't think about what the next step will be, or how fast your hair will grow. Enjoy the process! The quickest way to ruin anything in life is living in the future. It is a journey and each day will present something new. Enjoy the TWA wash and go days, because they will fade away. Focus on your total health, and the rest will fall into place.


6. What do you like/love most about this blog?

 

I love the fact that it is a platform for us to come together and share what we know and ask about what we might not know. It was really difficult a few years ago making this change, as I wasn't aware of places like this to come for inspiration and guidance. Seeing other young women who are in the same boat as me helps me on the days when I just want to slap a relaxer in my hair and call it a day. It has been a great help to me, and I know too many others who are making their way through this natural journey as well.
 
 
 



Instagram // Kiara's Blog
 
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Natural Hair Feature| Kiara

6.24.2014
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6.05.2014 / , , , , , , ,

Natural Hair Feature| Char'nae

 



Meet Char'nae. A 20 year old born in Denver, Colorado and raised in Charleston, SC. She's a Nursing Major, soon to be a neo-natal nurse. She is half of noïre on YouTube, formerly known as Whoisnaenky. Her and her best friend Kylin make beauty, natural hair, and relationship videos. She says, "I blame everything on being an Aries." She's just here to spread happiness, and soak up all the positivity this world has to offer.

 

1. Why did you go natural? Or why are you natural?

I decided to return to my natural roots simply because I was tired of the thin/damaged hair I inevitably got from relaxers. It was my freshman year of college 2011, and I happened to come across Naptural85 on YouTube and feel in love with the beauty of natural hair. Ultimately after a few months, I got a fresh bob cut and my last relaxer and from there my journey back to natural began.

 

2. What is your go-to hairstyle?

I am a wash-n-go kinda gal, I love my natural curls. I've tried twist outs and braid outs, but that is entirely too much work. I've even tried Bantu Knots, that was a horrible fail. If you were to have seen me, I'm sure you'd of gotten a very good laugh.


3. What are your top 5 favorite hair products?

GIRLAAA, once upon a time I was a pj (product junkie) if there ever was one. I tried everything; only to find most things I tried did nothing for my curls. But through my trials and errors I have found some winners. My Staples are Aussie Moist Conditioner (guaranteed to have your curls pop-pop-poppin), I use this as a leave-in. I also use Aloe Vera Juice, Glycerin, Castor Oil, Olive Oil and Beautiful Curls: Curl Activating Shampoo.


4. What is the best part of having natural hair?

First and foremost being Free!!!!! Being respected for flaunting what God has blessed me with is such an amazing feeling. Letting the next generation know that having nappy hair is not a curse, it's a blessing. We are such a unique race, there's really no other race that compares to us in dynamic. We're like an exotic sun flower, I love everything about being natural.. being black.


5. What is the worst part of having natural hair?

The one thing I hate about being natural and something that has quickly become my biggest pet peeve... Being asked "Is that all you?", "Oh I love your hair, do you twist it?", and the ever popular "How did you get your hair curly"? It'll be one thing if I was being asked out of true curiosity. But it's always like a negative connotation behind it when I'm being asked about my hair, as if it's so unbelievable to see a black girl with curly hair. Ironically I'm only asked this question by Black folks. Most other races rant and rave about my curls.


6. What advice would you give people who are natural or who want to be?

For those of you that are already natural, I'd like to say embrace your natural curls. Stop looking for a magic product that'll make your hair look like someone else's because it doesn't exist. Moisturize your hair- that is the key to true curl definition, not those drying gels and "miracle" curl makers, but good old fashioned water and conditioner can really make a difference in your curls. I'm a walking testimony. Sure, maximum curl hydration doesn't happen overnight, but in the long run your curls will thrive even without the use of stylers.For those of you seeking to return natural, I'd say do it, like they say "It's only hair" and it'll certainly grow back, healthier and stronger than ever. You'll learn that being natural is one of the most liberating feelings this world has to offer.

 

9. What do you like/love most about this blog?

I love the fact that you are putting on for us naturals, and most of all I'm glad to see fellow hard working young black women doing them zamn ting. Thank you for blessing me with this opportunity.
 





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Natural Hair Feature| Char'nae

6.05.2014
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5.27.2014 / , , , , , , , , ,

Natural Hair Feature| Shanelle


Meet Shanelle! She's a fashion merchandising major born in Boston, MA. She loves anything that allows her to be creative. She's also a lyrical dancer and a lover of drawing and old school music.

1.Why did you go natural? Or why are you natural?
My aunt and I, who everyone calls my "train" decided to go natural together because perms were damaging our hair and it seemed harder if I didn't do it with someone else.
2. What is your go-to hairstyle?
I love the flat twist with a Bantu knot at the end, the big messy bun and my saver, the wash 'n' go!
3. Do you have any hair crushes?
I always say I have a reincarnated originality! I'm an old soul. I love Lauryn hill and Solange Knowles 'fros.
4. What are your top 5 favorite hair products?
I can't live without coconut oil, Shea Moisture Black Soap Shampoo, Thickening Shea Moisture Leave-in Conditioner, and lastly I make an avocado and tree oil mix as a deep conditioner.
5. What is the best part of having natural hair?
I love being natural! I have endless amounts of things I can try and be versatile with when it comes to my hair.
6. What is the worst part of having natural hair?
You know sometimes you just wanna go to sleep but you'll regret it in the morning because you'll just look crazy so you take the time as much as you don't want to do your hair.
7. What advice would you give people who are natural or who want to be?
Oh my gosh, do it! You have to have patience and truly want it! Your going to go through phases but at the end your going to have healthy and beautiful hair!
8. What do you like/love most about this site?
It’s  relatable and unique. It's super cute and can work with all types of natural! I love the adorable tips and fashion ideas, I'm always looking for more.
 

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Natural Hair Feature| Shanelle

5.27.2014
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5.08.2014 / , , , , , , ,

Natural Hair Feature| Melanie




1. Why did you go natural? Or why are you natural?

I went natural for two main reasons: 1) I wanted to try something new 2) People kept telling me what a terrible decision it would be for me to go natural. Supposedly, natural hair acts as a blockade to a woman’s capabilities and beauty in the eye of the people with the potential to help them achieve success in life. I wanted to accept this challenge and disprove it, so I chopped it all off. I had to prove to myself that other people’s opinions (despite their experience) aren’t always right. I was also so comfortable with myself that I wanted to see if I could love myself as much with a different (and not as widely accepted) look. I do! I’ve been natural for about 2 &½ years now, and I remain natural because I want to be role model for those who need inspiration to embrace their unique qualities and recognize the beautiful potential these qualities possess. Once you recognize it, so will those around you!

3. What is your go-to hairstyle?

FRO-HAWK.

4. Do you have any hair crushes or inspirations?

Hmm… I would say Elle Varner (LOVE those curls).

5. What are your top 5 favorite products?

Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Milk Hair Mist, Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner, Cantu Shea Butter Natural Hair Lotion, Head and Shoulders shampoo(with almond milk) and my “Fight the Power” afro pick (not a product, I know… but that’s all I have!)

6. What is the best part of having natural hair?

There is sooooo much to do with this hair. It goes through stages and the styles change dramatically with growth. I’m just excited to get to know my hair better and try different looks. Dreads could be next, you never know!



7. What is the worst part of having natural hair?

The worst part about natural hair is to combing it out! It takes a lot of patience to avoid ripping everything out. Also, after you do your first chop, finding the right product/s can be a hassle.

8. What advice would you give to people who are natural or who want to be?

Naturals: Rock on my sistas! (Not Naturals: Rock on as well!). Advice to transitioners: Water hasn’t been a good friend to my hair as many websites say it should. Don’t believe that everything a natural hair website says is supposed to work for you. You have to figure out your hair for yourself. No one can know your hair like you do.



10. What do you like/love most about this blog?

It doesn’t promote naturals and shame those that aren’t. It’s a blog that shows the wide acceptance of different ideas of the definition of “natural”. I also adore the work and effort Sarah has put into this website. It gives me hope and shows me that I can achieve anything that I put my mind to.
 
 

 
 
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Natural Hair Feature| Melanie

5.08.2014
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