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.
