Showing posts with label sisterhood of the spiraling strands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sisterhood of the spiraling strands. Show all posts
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Sisterhood of the Spiraling Strands: Jessica
Don't you hate her? I try to, but she's so sweet, I can't bring myself to do it. :o) I met Jessica about three years ago at my first NABJ conference. Learn more about her below.
JESSICA
Age 25
Freelance Journalist/
Grad Student
Brooklyn, NY
(photo by Richard Loussaint)
Describe the fabulousness of your hair.
I have a head of semi soft, blackish (yet red in the sun) pencil-width curls that at times touch the nape of my neck and at other times reach my back. They're defined when I first wash and style, but then, through out the week, they expand to a frizzy fro'.
What's your favorite thing about your hair?
I like that I only have to wash it once a week (maybe I shouldn't be broadcasting that). And there is no maintenance involved. When I used to have straight hair, I would spend at least an hour every day touching up the roots and ends. Now I just...well I wake up and that's about it.
What's your favorite product to use? Why is it great?
In the past I used Miss Jessie's curly pudding. But then I got with it and realized that I wasn't balling like that and had to stop. Now I use Eco Styler Alcohol Free Protein Gel (the brown one). It has the same effect as Miss Jessies but for 1/25 of the price. I use natural shampoo and lots of conditioner in the shower. Then once I get out I put some olive oil in my hair. Then I put on the gel, which helps hold the curl, and let it dry.
What's your favorite style to rock?
Mmmm. I beem really unoriginal lately and just doing the down doo. I am in dire need of some new styles though.
How long have you been natural? And how did you get there?
Wow. I think it has been four or five years now. I had a Japanese perm for a year (called thermal reconditioning). My hair was really long but the only way to get the perm out was to cut it all off. People said I was crazy and couldn't believe I would do that. But I was ready to embrace what god gave me. There was no stopping me from discovering my true beauty.
How would you describe your hair's personality?
Good question. My hair has multiple personality disorder. It literally looks different everyday. Right after I wash it is stiff and flat, and the curls are very defined. Then after a couple days it poofs out and starts to get frizzy, but there is still a lille bit of curl. By day four and five it is way poofed out and very frizzy, but in a funky way. By day six and seven it is one big poof and it starts locking up. Then it's time for a w-a-s-h!
What have you learned about yourself or your hair?
That I looked better this way all along and I wish I would have embraced my natural beauty a long time ago. But you live and you learn.
What has surprised you most?
That if you never straighten your natural hair your curls will look SO much better and be more defined. It also eliminates a lot of frizz.
What are you still trying to learn?
Where I can get a decent haircut without getting my locks effed up. I live in Brooklyn. Holla at me if you know!
And finally, tell us your favorite part about being natural. :o)
There are so many things (not being afraid of the rain). But I definitely love the comradery I have with other natural haired girls. There is a certain understanding there and it usually warrants an acknowledgment and a smile.
Jessica with the rest of the SquareRootz crew (photo by Richard Loussaint)
A reasonable-enough hiding place.
Blow-dryer + afro pick = big ass hair.
Jessica is one of the founders of SquareRootz, a lifestyle and media web site based in New York. Check out SquareRootz.net for more.
JESSICA
Age 25
Freelance Journalist/
Grad Student
Brooklyn, NY
(photo by Richard Loussaint)
Describe the fabulousness of your hair.
I have a head of semi soft, blackish (yet red in the sun) pencil-width curls that at times touch the nape of my neck and at other times reach my back. They're defined when I first wash and style, but then, through out the week, they expand to a frizzy fro'.
What's your favorite thing about your hair?
I like that I only have to wash it once a week (maybe I shouldn't be broadcasting that). And there is no maintenance involved. When I used to have straight hair, I would spend at least an hour every day touching up the roots and ends. Now I just...well I wake up and that's about it.
What's your favorite product to use? Why is it great?
In the past I used Miss Jessie's curly pudding. But then I got with it and realized that I wasn't balling like that and had to stop. Now I use Eco Styler Alcohol Free Protein Gel (the brown one). It has the same effect as Miss Jessies but for 1/25 of the price. I use natural shampoo and lots of conditioner in the shower. Then once I get out I put some olive oil in my hair. Then I put on the gel, which helps hold the curl, and let it dry.
What's your favorite style to rock?
Mmmm. I beem really unoriginal lately and just doing the down doo. I am in dire need of some new styles though.
How long have you been natural? And how did you get there?
Wow. I think it has been four or five years now. I had a Japanese perm for a year (called thermal reconditioning). My hair was really long but the only way to get the perm out was to cut it all off. People said I was crazy and couldn't believe I would do that. But I was ready to embrace what god gave me. There was no stopping me from discovering my true beauty.
How would you describe your hair's personality?
Good question. My hair has multiple personality disorder. It literally looks different everyday. Right after I wash it is stiff and flat, and the curls are very defined. Then after a couple days it poofs out and starts to get frizzy, but there is still a lille bit of curl. By day four and five it is way poofed out and very frizzy, but in a funky way. By day six and seven it is one big poof and it starts locking up. Then it's time for a w-a-s-h!
What have you learned about yourself or your hair?
That I looked better this way all along and I wish I would have embraced my natural beauty a long time ago. But you live and you learn.
What has surprised you most?
That if you never straighten your natural hair your curls will look SO much better and be more defined. It also eliminates a lot of frizz.
What are you still trying to learn?
Where I can get a decent haircut without getting my locks effed up. I live in Brooklyn. Holla at me if you know!
And finally, tell us your favorite part about being natural. :o)
There are so many things (not being afraid of the rain). But I definitely love the comradery I have with other natural haired girls. There is a certain understanding there and it usually warrants an acknowledgment and a smile.
Jessica with the rest of the SquareRootz crew (photo by Richard Loussaint)A reasonable-enough hiding place.Blow-dryer + afro pick = big ass hair.Jessica is one of the founders of SquareRootz, a lifestyle and media web site based in New York. Check out SquareRootz.net for more.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Sisterhood of the Spiraling Strands: Elena
I kinda love Elena. She's smart, driven and has already accomplished a lot at just 25. She's traveled the world, going all sorts of places from Nicaraugua to Tanzania, and got her Master's degree in Public Health from Yale. Now she's in med school in South Carolina. She's pretty much your all-around bad-ass chick (although she'll probably shake her head and start chuckling when she sees this)... and, oh yeah. She has gorgeous locs. :o)
ELENA
Age 25
Professional Student
Charleston, SC
Describe the fabulousness of your hair.
Well, I have thick, medium length (just past my shoulders) locs. My hair is black and the texture is more wavy than anything else, which made for a very interesting year-long locking process!
What's your favorite thing about your hair?
The color… its naturally jet black. I love that and really can’t see myself coloring my locs.
What's your favorite product to use? Why is it great?
Anana shea butter... It’s a honey and vanilla shea butter that’s light, doesn’t buildup and smells great! I also never have problems with my scalp; I think this product has something to do with that.
What's your favorite style to rock?
Ummm… I mostly wear my hair pulled back. Not necessarily because its my favorite style, but because its easy and I know how to do it.
How long have you been natural? And how did you get there?
Well, my last perm was in December of 2002. I cut my hair (the drastic, going natural cut) in December 2003 and started locs June 2006.
The journey??? I had only permed my hair for 2 years. I was out of the country for 6 months (January through June 2003) and couldn’t get a perm. When I got back, I was like, “Why am I perming my hair again?” and just didn’t get another perm. I cut my hair on a dare! My friend (to remain nameless) was like, "You’re a punk, you won’t do it." I told her to make the appointment -- and the rest is history. I rocked 2-strand twists and the let out until I decided to loc. I started my locs with 2-strand twists (the length was beyond my shoulders) and it took a year, mostly because of my hair texture.
How would you describe your hair's personality?
Defiant; diva-like; refuses to get in line; determined to maintain its identity as wavy; frustrates the hell out of me at times....
I think my hair is like a confident woman who knows who she is, is comfortable with that and says to hell with anyone (including me) who seeks to change that!
What have you learned about yourself or your hair?
About my hair... I thought my hair was nappy! From all the hair stories and memories from my childhood, I thought my hair was nappy and difficult. That’s not the case. My hair is thick and has pretty much been long since it started really growing around age 2. I’d had a standing hair appointment every two weeks since I was 10. I thought my stuff was nappy and required serious reigning in. When I went natural, I discovered it was difficult because of its thickness and length. The actual texture (wavy) kinda eases some of the pain when dealing with it.
About me... I’m not as attached to my hair as other people are (to my hair). My mother didn’t speak to me for almost a whole day when she saw my first cut. I think hair is hair; it’ll grow back or not. I love mine, but its just hair.
What has surprised you most?
My locs... they look and behave nothing like what I expected. I've learned to love them though.
What are you still trying to learn?
I need to learn how to style my locs.
And finally, tell us your favorite part about being natural. :o)
My favorite part of being natural is allowing my hair to have a personality.
Before the locs or the twists
Twist mode.
More twists.
Formal locs.
Inauguration weekend with twin sister Marlena.
ELENAAge 25
Professional Student
Charleston, SC
Describe the fabulousness of your hair.
Well, I have thick, medium length (just past my shoulders) locs. My hair is black and the texture is more wavy than anything else, which made for a very interesting year-long locking process!
What's your favorite thing about your hair?
The color… its naturally jet black. I love that and really can’t see myself coloring my locs.
What's your favorite product to use? Why is it great?
Anana shea butter... It’s a honey and vanilla shea butter that’s light, doesn’t buildup and smells great! I also never have problems with my scalp; I think this product has something to do with that.
What's your favorite style to rock?
Ummm… I mostly wear my hair pulled back. Not necessarily because its my favorite style, but because its easy and I know how to do it.
How long have you been natural? And how did you get there?
Well, my last perm was in December of 2002. I cut my hair (the drastic, going natural cut) in December 2003 and started locs June 2006.
The journey??? I had only permed my hair for 2 years. I was out of the country for 6 months (January through June 2003) and couldn’t get a perm. When I got back, I was like, “Why am I perming my hair again?” and just didn’t get another perm. I cut my hair on a dare! My friend (to remain nameless) was like, "You’re a punk, you won’t do it." I told her to make the appointment -- and the rest is history. I rocked 2-strand twists and the let out until I decided to loc. I started my locs with 2-strand twists (the length was beyond my shoulders) and it took a year, mostly because of my hair texture.
How would you describe your hair's personality?
Defiant; diva-like; refuses to get in line; determined to maintain its identity as wavy; frustrates the hell out of me at times....
I think my hair is like a confident woman who knows who she is, is comfortable with that and says to hell with anyone (including me) who seeks to change that!
What have you learned about yourself or your hair?
About my hair... I thought my hair was nappy! From all the hair stories and memories from my childhood, I thought my hair was nappy and difficult. That’s not the case. My hair is thick and has pretty much been long since it started really growing around age 2. I’d had a standing hair appointment every two weeks since I was 10. I thought my stuff was nappy and required serious reigning in. When I went natural, I discovered it was difficult because of its thickness and length. The actual texture (wavy) kinda eases some of the pain when dealing with it.
About me... I’m not as attached to my hair as other people are (to my hair). My mother didn’t speak to me for almost a whole day when she saw my first cut. I think hair is hair; it’ll grow back or not. I love mine, but its just hair.
What has surprised you most?
My locs... they look and behave nothing like what I expected. I've learned to love them though.
What are you still trying to learn?
I need to learn how to style my locs.
And finally, tell us your favorite part about being natural. :o)
My favorite part of being natural is allowing my hair to have a personality.
Twist mode.
More twists.
Formal locs.
Inauguration weekend with twin sister Marlena.Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Sisterhood of the Spiraling Strands: Tara
This features Tara, one of my besties (hey boo!), and is looooooooooooooooooooooooong overdue. And because just because it's her, the answers come in pink. :o)
TARA
Age 26
Marketing Professional
Cincinnati, Ohio
Describe the fabulousness of your hair.
short.brown.fabulous.thick.spirally.curls.
What's your favorite thing about your hair?
The thing that I love about my hair now is the same thing that I have hated about it for 25 years....the thickness. I always grew up hearing that my hair was too thick to do anything with, hence the relaxer that I wore from age 12-25. It wasn't until I got to college and a friend (hey Jazz girl!) looked at my hair after I had washed it and yelled at me after running her hands thru my hair that I realized that maybe I really didn't need the relaxer. From that moment on she made a point to inform me that "you don't need a perm, look at how soft and pretty your hair is". It still took a while before I gathered the courage to stop relaxing, but now that I have I love, love, LOVE running my hands thru my head full of curls. I promise there are millions of them, and I catch myself throughout the day twirling them around my fingers. I suppose it's just the newness of them but I love it all the same!
What's your favorite product to use? Why is it great?
Ha! Seriously are you asking me of all people this? I love sooooo many! Right now I have worked Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-in, QP Elasta's Mango Butter, Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-in, and coconut oil into my daily regimen. The combination seems to work to tame the frizz monster that resides at the crown of my head, gives me great shine, makes my curls soft to the touch and they smell FABULOUS together. It can't get much better than that!
What's your favorite style to rock?
My fav style right now is a coil out. I guess that's what you would call it. I let the back and sides air dry and I coil the top of my head around my finger, let it air dry half way and then use a hand dryer to get it the rest of the way dry while adding a bit of volume to it.
How long have you been natural? And how did you get there?
I chopped the last bit of relaxed pieces out in late October 08, so that means it's been just about 5 months.
How would you describe your hair's personality?
It definitely has a mind of it's own, but with a bit of tlc my curls lay just right.....until the warm humid months come. When this happens I just let it do it's thing and make sure that it has plenty of moisture.
What have you learned about yourself or your hair?
I've learned that natural hair, hair in general really, it not easy....and it shouldn't be. I think there is a myth that hair should be low maintenance and that the less you do the better it will be. Not true. Just like maintaining a healthy body, hair takes work and I'm learning that it's actually really fun to learn what my hair likes and what it doesn't like. It's also taught me to be more patient...and that's a hard pill to swallow!
What has surprised you most?
The fact that I can actually do this was the biggest surprise of all. I've talked about it forever but never felt that I was devoted enough to stick with it. I'm at the point now that I love my curls and couldn't imagine getting rid of them.
What are you still trying to learn?
A fast way to do my hair each morning!
And finally, tell us your favorite part about being natural. :o)
I love that fact that I don't have to be so anal about my hair any more. Anyone who knows me knows that I have always been more than touchy when it comes to my hair. If it doesn't look good, if it's raining, if it's humid, if the wind is blowing too hard....I'm not leaving the house....for fear of ruining my perfectly coiffed roller wrap. As corny as it sounds it's freeing to know that I am no longer a slave to my hair.
TARA
Age 26
Marketing Professional
Cincinnati, Ohio
Describe the fabulousness of your hair.
short.brown.fabulous.thick.spirally.curls.
What's your favorite thing about your hair?
The thing that I love about my hair now is the same thing that I have hated about it for 25 years....the thickness. I always grew up hearing that my hair was too thick to do anything with, hence the relaxer that I wore from age 12-25. It wasn't until I got to college and a friend (hey Jazz girl!) looked at my hair after I had washed it and yelled at me after running her hands thru my hair that I realized that maybe I really didn't need the relaxer. From that moment on she made a point to inform me that "you don't need a perm, look at how soft and pretty your hair is". It still took a while before I gathered the courage to stop relaxing, but now that I have I love, love, LOVE running my hands thru my head full of curls. I promise there are millions of them, and I catch myself throughout the day twirling them around my fingers. I suppose it's just the newness of them but I love it all the same!
What's your favorite product to use? Why is it great?
Ha! Seriously are you asking me of all people this? I love sooooo many! Right now I have worked Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-in, QP Elasta's Mango Butter, Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-in, and coconut oil into my daily regimen. The combination seems to work to tame the frizz monster that resides at the crown of my head, gives me great shine, makes my curls soft to the touch and they smell FABULOUS together. It can't get much better than that!
What's your favorite style to rock?
My fav style right now is a coil out. I guess that's what you would call it. I let the back and sides air dry and I coil the top of my head around my finger, let it air dry half way and then use a hand dryer to get it the rest of the way dry while adding a bit of volume to it.
How long have you been natural? And how did you get there?
I chopped the last bit of relaxed pieces out in late October 08, so that means it's been just about 5 months.
How would you describe your hair's personality?
It definitely has a mind of it's own, but with a bit of tlc my curls lay just right.....until the warm humid months come. When this happens I just let it do it's thing and make sure that it has plenty of moisture.
What have you learned about yourself or your hair?
I've learned that natural hair, hair in general really, it not easy....and it shouldn't be. I think there is a myth that hair should be low maintenance and that the less you do the better it will be. Not true. Just like maintaining a healthy body, hair takes work and I'm learning that it's actually really fun to learn what my hair likes and what it doesn't like. It's also taught me to be more patient...and that's a hard pill to swallow!
What has surprised you most?
The fact that I can actually do this was the biggest surprise of all. I've talked about it forever but never felt that I was devoted enough to stick with it. I'm at the point now that I love my curls and couldn't imagine getting rid of them.
What are you still trying to learn?
A fast way to do my hair each morning!
And finally, tell us your favorite part about being natural. :o)
I love that fact that I don't have to be so anal about my hair any more. Anyone who knows me knows that I have always been more than touchy when it comes to my hair. If it doesn't look good, if it's raining, if it's humid, if the wind is blowing too hard....I'm not leaving the house....for fear of ruining my perfectly coiffed roller wrap. As corny as it sounds it's freeing to know that I am no longer a slave to my hair.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sisterhood of the Spiraling Strands: Katie
KATIEAge 23
Grad Student
Miami, Florida
Describe the fabulousness of your hair.
Thick…I mean thick fro (the kind of thickness that deceives the novice braider and make the thought of pressing seems like suicide). It's tightly coiled and super kinky. And it gets tighter and tighter as it dries and as the week wears on.
What's your favorite thing about your hair?
It's wash 'n' go. Since I live in Miami I can fully enjoy the beach, swimming pools and nature without fear of what I will look like tomorrow. I can sweat my hair out at the club without the fear of the morning after look. Also, its thickness…no volumizing products for me.
What's your favorite style to rock?
Twist-outs and faux-hawks... honestly those are the only two styles I have (unless putting on a head band counts). Omg... I should do a faux hawk after a twist-out!
What's your favorite product? And why is it so great?
Kinky Curly Leave in Conditioner/Detangler. It really helps with the tangles. Anything that makes combing my extremely thick hair easier is a God-send. Oh and Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding and Buttercreme. Its makes my twist-outs sooo much better.
How long have you been natural? And how did you get there?
I did the big chop in March 2008 after three months of braids, though I had my last relaxer in August 2007. As a broke grad student in a new city and new bills, I figured going natural would save me time and money. I had punked out before because (black) guys love long straight hair and my hair was usually chin or shoulder length... even though I have forever been jealous of girls with natural hair. They always seemed more confident and fresh (that is probably a bit of projecting on my part, but whatever). At some point, I realized I had a relaxer and still no dates... so chopped it all off and said let's go.
How would you describe your hair's personality?
A little lazy and sneaky misleading. It's much softer and more manageable than people think. That's why people love to play in my hair and can't seem to stop themselves.
What have you learned about yourself or your hair?
Beauty is all about perspective. After the chop, I wished my entire head looked like my kitchen...go figure. After all those years of fighting the naps, I wanted full nappiness.
What has surprised you most?
How soft and nice my kinks are. And how fast my hair grew.
What are you still trying to learn?
Which products I should be using, and how to make it shine. Really ya'll, how do I make it shine?
And finally, tell us your favorite part about being natural.
Water is no longer my enemy. Freedom to be me, regardless of the weather report. And finally feeling as free and strong and confident as all those girl rocking those awesome and bold natural always seemed to me.
On the beach, two days after the big chop
Friends playing in the hair
An attempt at the faux-hawk
Big drinks, big hair at Nellie's on U Street. :o)Thursday, February 19, 2009
Sisterhood of the Spiraling Strands: Talia
One of the coolest things about being natural is sharing the journey with your sisterfriends. Ever since my curls made their debut in 2001, I've watched a number of my friends go natural too. It's been great, seeing my girls discover their textures, and seeing just how many textures there are! And the best part is that we're all encouraging each other, simply by standing confident in ourselves.
So, friends, I'd like to share these fabulous women with all of you with a series of posts called "Sisterhood of the Spiraling Strands." ...okay, it's silly, but that's part of my charm. :o) First up... Miss Talia from Rhode Island.
TALIA
Age 25
Newspaper Reporter
Providence, Rhode Island
B&HT: Describe the fabulousness of your hair.
Talia: My hair is the quintessential afro from the 70s - tightly coiled, nearly symetrically shaped and otherwise fantastic. I have major shrinkage if I let it airdry, but stretched or pressed, it hangs about midneck.
What's your favorite thing about your hair?
That it's mine, the way God intended it. I haven't figured out everything about it, or really, how to care for it properly, but sometimes, I feel a little prouder walking into a formal event with my fro at full tilt because it's kinda like I'm giving God a fist pump like, "you did good, Homie." (and yes, I capitalized Homie.)
What about your favorite style?
My favorite style, hands down, is comb twists. I don't rock them often, and don't dare do them myself -- my head is entirely too large, but I love looking in the mirror and seeing the little black coils on my head. Plus, they feel cool when I run my fingers through them. :-)
What's your favorite product? And why is it so great?
Cream of Nature detangling/conditioning shampoo for dry hair. We used to use it when I was younger, so when I first went natural, I washed it using that familiar yellow/green bottle. While I was washing, I could actually run my fingers through my hair (this is before I discovered the need to detangle and properly moisturize). Now that my hair has gotten longer, it still gets the knots out and leaves me with a great base to slather my conditioner atop. Plus, the smell reminds me of childhood. :-)
I'm also a fan of olive and castor oils. Olive was my junk when I first started because 1) I had it on hand, and 2) it seemed to quench my thirsty locs. I recently got put onto castor oil and I'm feeling it as well. I've been using that for the last month, especially because the olive oil seemed to not last as long as it used to. Castor oil is thick and really keeps my hair moisturized. Only thing is, sometimes at the end of the day, I can reach my hand into my afro and it comes out greasy. Still working on adjusting the amount I use, lol.
Honorable mention: Jane Carter Nourish and Shine
How long have you been natural? And how did you get there?
I big chopped on June 24, 2006, so that means I've been natural, goodness, going on three years. Wow. It does not feel like that long at all.
I got here, in part, because I moved to Rhode Island. Prior to that, I had the ill wrap for years, parted on the side and tucked beneath the ear (sigh, oh so safe). I'd literally worn the same hairstyle since high school. In college, only the people with curlier hair let theirs go (and I envied) or the artsy people who had more style in their pinky finger than I will ever have in my entire life. The one exception is my sister -- though she too has a style I envy. She'd been natural ever since I'd known her and I loved how her hair always looked when I saw her. Anyway, fast forward to 2005. I'd graduated and had been in Rhode Island for about a month. I'd gone to a friend's hairdresser - a Dominican salon - and gotten a great blow out. But I didn't trust her to perm my hair and I knew I couldn't just put heat on it every two weeks like that. I got what would turn out to be my last perm that Thanksgiving mostly out of frustration and suspicion. I didn't trust these people with my hair and I couldn't go around looking crazy. So I figured it'd be easier to just cut it off and do it myself.
That winter and spring, I began my transition. I knocked down unruly roots at first with a flat iron. Then hid behind roller sets. Around Easter, I got box braids. Took those out and went back to roller sets, which were becoming harder and harder to keep looking neat with my now two textured hair. That spring, I went to NYC to visit my sister, and by that time I was thorougly frustrated. A lot of my decisions come out of frustration, I see. Anyway, it was raining, my hair was a horrible poofy mess with straggly ends. We headed up to Brooklyn and I got my TWA and my first comb twists, which I fell in love with instantly. Been natural ever since.
Just in case you want some links... here's the story of my big chop, and some pics of it too.
How would you describe your hair's personality?
Ohh! Let me write it as a personal ad:
"Not so TWA seeks major moisture to get through harsh New England winters. Style variety desperately needed. Prefers freedom, but spends most days tightly bound. Regular trims a must."
Yeah. That works.
What have you learned about yourself or your hair?
Well, I'm a shy person anyway, and at times, insecure. When I first BC'd, I was forced to reevaluate the way I saw myself. My hairstyles in the past were very conformist -- no color, no crazy styles, toward the end, my hair was so trained, I could wash my hair and could find the place I normally put my part using only my fingers. Though afros and natural hair are much more mainstream these days, going natural made me feel like a rebel. And it forced me to be more confident as well because I had to -- well, I chose to -- defend my decision to cut my hair. I remember my mom, when she saw my TWA for the first time, scrunched her face up and said she didn't like it. I was slightly hurt, but had peace because I knew it was my decision and I liked it. Months later, when I returned and my hair was maybe an inch or two longer, she said she liked it. I thanked her, but it wouldn't have mattered if she'd said she didn't like it. It was my hair and I was cool with it and the way it made me look. So in a way, I credit my hair for forcing me to become more confident in my own skin and with my own choices (though I slip from time to time, still).
What has surprised you most?
At first, I thought that since my hair was natural, since I didn't use heat on my hair, that I wouldn't have split ends. Ugh. I'm so mad I was wrong about that. I tried to straighten it once in a fit of frustration and it came out nasty. I figured it was just my lack of skills. But when my trusted hairdresser at home pressed me for the first time last Christmas, she exposed my jagged ends. I told her to cut as much as possible and, since, have been trying to stay current on my trims every six weeks. It's made a difference. My hair is less fragile and seems to look much better than it ever did.
What are you still trying to learn?
Man, at times it feels like everything. Still coming up with a set regimen and I desperately need some more styles to add to my arsenal (see personals ad).
And finally, tell us your absolute favorite part about being natural.
I like knowing this is how I was intended to be -- and having the flexibility to wear it as I choose. And really, I like being able to stick pens in it and not having them fall when I whip my head around. *pulls ballpoint out of coils and places it on her desk* Though it can sometimes be embarrassing when I forget they are in there.
On the job, covering the opening of the Hillary Clinton campaign office in Providence.
Primping for the the Follies
Follies cast headshot
Partners in crime, 2008 UNITY conference in Chicago
So, friends, I'd like to share these fabulous women with all of you with a series of posts called "Sisterhood of the Spiraling Strands." ...okay, it's silly, but that's part of my charm. :o) First up... Miss Talia from Rhode Island.
TALIA
Age 25
Newspaper Reporter
Providence, Rhode Island
B&HT: Describe the fabulousness of your hair.
Talia: My hair is the quintessential afro from the 70s - tightly coiled, nearly symetrically shaped and otherwise fantastic. I have major shrinkage if I let it airdry, but stretched or pressed, it hangs about midneck.
What's your favorite thing about your hair?
That it's mine, the way God intended it. I haven't figured out everything about it, or really, how to care for it properly, but sometimes, I feel a little prouder walking into a formal event with my fro at full tilt because it's kinda like I'm giving God a fist pump like, "you did good, Homie." (and yes, I capitalized Homie.)
What about your favorite style?
My favorite style, hands down, is comb twists. I don't rock them often, and don't dare do them myself -- my head is entirely too large, but I love looking in the mirror and seeing the little black coils on my head. Plus, they feel cool when I run my fingers through them. :-)
What's your favorite product? And why is it so great?
Cream of Nature detangling/conditioning shampoo for dry hair. We used to use it when I was younger, so when I first went natural, I washed it using that familiar yellow/green bottle. While I was washing, I could actually run my fingers through my hair (this is before I discovered the need to detangle and properly moisturize). Now that my hair has gotten longer, it still gets the knots out and leaves me with a great base to slather my conditioner atop. Plus, the smell reminds me of childhood. :-)
I'm also a fan of olive and castor oils. Olive was my junk when I first started because 1) I had it on hand, and 2) it seemed to quench my thirsty locs. I recently got put onto castor oil and I'm feeling it as well. I've been using that for the last month, especially because the olive oil seemed to not last as long as it used to. Castor oil is thick and really keeps my hair moisturized. Only thing is, sometimes at the end of the day, I can reach my hand into my afro and it comes out greasy. Still working on adjusting the amount I use, lol.
Honorable mention: Jane Carter Nourish and Shine
How long have you been natural? And how did you get there?
I big chopped on June 24, 2006, so that means I've been natural, goodness, going on three years. Wow. It does not feel like that long at all.
I got here, in part, because I moved to Rhode Island. Prior to that, I had the ill wrap for years, parted on the side and tucked beneath the ear (sigh, oh so safe). I'd literally worn the same hairstyle since high school. In college, only the people with curlier hair let theirs go (and I envied) or the artsy people who had more style in their pinky finger than I will ever have in my entire life. The one exception is my sister -- though she too has a style I envy. She'd been natural ever since I'd known her and I loved how her hair always looked when I saw her. Anyway, fast forward to 2005. I'd graduated and had been in Rhode Island for about a month. I'd gone to a friend's hairdresser - a Dominican salon - and gotten a great blow out. But I didn't trust her to perm my hair and I knew I couldn't just put heat on it every two weeks like that. I got what would turn out to be my last perm that Thanksgiving mostly out of frustration and suspicion. I didn't trust these people with my hair and I couldn't go around looking crazy. So I figured it'd be easier to just cut it off and do it myself.
That winter and spring, I began my transition. I knocked down unruly roots at first with a flat iron. Then hid behind roller sets. Around Easter, I got box braids. Took those out and went back to roller sets, which were becoming harder and harder to keep looking neat with my now two textured hair. That spring, I went to NYC to visit my sister, and by that time I was thorougly frustrated. A lot of my decisions come out of frustration, I see. Anyway, it was raining, my hair was a horrible poofy mess with straggly ends. We headed up to Brooklyn and I got my TWA and my first comb twists, which I fell in love with instantly. Been natural ever since.
Just in case you want some links... here's the story of my big chop, and some pics of it too.
How would you describe your hair's personality?
Ohh! Let me write it as a personal ad:
"Not so TWA seeks major moisture to get through harsh New England winters. Style variety desperately needed. Prefers freedom, but spends most days tightly bound. Regular trims a must."
Yeah. That works.
What have you learned about yourself or your hair?
Well, I'm a shy person anyway, and at times, insecure. When I first BC'd, I was forced to reevaluate the way I saw myself. My hairstyles in the past were very conformist -- no color, no crazy styles, toward the end, my hair was so trained, I could wash my hair and could find the place I normally put my part using only my fingers. Though afros and natural hair are much more mainstream these days, going natural made me feel like a rebel. And it forced me to be more confident as well because I had to -- well, I chose to -- defend my decision to cut my hair. I remember my mom, when she saw my TWA for the first time, scrunched her face up and said she didn't like it. I was slightly hurt, but had peace because I knew it was my decision and I liked it. Months later, when I returned and my hair was maybe an inch or two longer, she said she liked it. I thanked her, but it wouldn't have mattered if she'd said she didn't like it. It was my hair and I was cool with it and the way it made me look. So in a way, I credit my hair for forcing me to become more confident in my own skin and with my own choices (though I slip from time to time, still).
What has surprised you most?
At first, I thought that since my hair was natural, since I didn't use heat on my hair, that I wouldn't have split ends. Ugh. I'm so mad I was wrong about that. I tried to straighten it once in a fit of frustration and it came out nasty. I figured it was just my lack of skills. But when my trusted hairdresser at home pressed me for the first time last Christmas, she exposed my jagged ends. I told her to cut as much as possible and, since, have been trying to stay current on my trims every six weeks. It's made a difference. My hair is less fragile and seems to look much better than it ever did.
What are you still trying to learn?
Man, at times it feels like everything. Still coming up with a set regimen and I desperately need some more styles to add to my arsenal (see personals ad).
And finally, tell us your absolute favorite part about being natural.
I like knowing this is how I was intended to be -- and having the flexibility to wear it as I choose. And really, I like being able to stick pens in it and not having them fall when I whip my head around. *pulls ballpoint out of coils and places it on her desk* Though it can sometimes be embarrassing when I forget they are in there.
Primping for the the Follies
Follies cast headshot
Partners in crime, 2008 UNITY conference in Chicago
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