Nika’s Hair Story

Q: What is your hair story? What kind of hair styles have you rocked, before embracing your natural hair?
A: I started out natural until the age of 10 yrs old. I got my first relaxer at the age of 11 yrs. old. When I was in high school I wore my relaxed hair long, short, in an asymmetrical bob, and then I grew it back long.

Q: When and why did you decide to start wearing your hair naturally?
A: I chose to return back to my natural tresses on September 24, 2011. I didn't like my relaxed hair because it was very thin. It never held a curl, and it would literally be stuck to my head from chemical burns. I didn't want to go through that anymore so I chose to transition for 7 months from February 5, 2011 to September 24, 2011, and I did the big chop. I really enjoyed my short natural hair. It was so easy to manage. I just did wash n go's. I'm so glad I chose to go natural.

Q: Did you have any big fears about going back to your natural texture?
A: Yes!! I was always told the myths that natural hair can't be combed or detangled, and it was hard to manage. I was so afraid to go natural because of those myths I heard, but I went natural anyway. I found that I was able to comb, detangle, and manage my natural hair.

Q: What are three products you can't live without for nurturing/styling your hair?
A: I love Olive oil because it penetrates the hair strand, and it leaves my hair so soft. I love Giovanni Smooth
as Silk Conditioner because it has great slip, and it leaves my hair very soft also. I also love Eco Styler Argan oil gel because it lays my edges down really well.

Q: What would you say to someone who's thinking about embracing their natural hair, but scared about being rejected in various parts of their lives?
A: My advice to other naturals is to love the hair that grows from your scalp. Natural hair is beautiful. If you are thinking about going natural I think you should go for it because going natural is the best decision I have ever made, and my scalp is healthier. My hair has grown longer than it has ever been, and it's because I went natural. It's an awesome feeling to be a natural. You can go from curly to straight and right back to curly. Natural hair is very versatile, and that’s what I love about it. Natural hair is definitely not boring because you can do so much with it. I say go for it and tune out all negative opinions around you.

Q: How can we keep up with you and your journey i.e. blog, twitter, facebook, fotki, tumblr, personal or professional website?
A: You can find me on my YouTube channel named PiecesofNika;  Instagram: @MsNikaR Twitter; and MsNikaR

Posted by Unknown 06:00 0 comments

Effortlessly Hunni

This natural hair beauty, "Effortlessly Hunny" shares her natural hair story - 

Q: What is your hair story? What kind of hair styles have you rocked, before embracing your natural hair? 
A: As a teen I had long relaxed hair, everyone would ask what I did to get it long, the reason it was long was because I didn't use heat on it much and stretched my time in between relaxers. Stretching soon led to me becoming fully natural.

Q: When and why did you decide to start wearing your hair naturally?
A: My sister went natural, and I thought it looked beautiful on her, I wondered what mine would look like, and also how fast it would grow without a relaxer. I had went through a "healthy" relaxed regimen for longer hair, but I wanted to see my potential with my own texture. My last relaxer was late Jan/early Feb 2012, I ended up transitioning long term because it was easiest for me. After my birthday (June 2013) I had my sister chop off the remaining relaxed ends and was left with the shortest hair I've had in my life(around ear length)-so I bunned and bunned. My hair now, in less than a year, comes past my collarbone again and I love it!

Q: Did you have any big fears about going back to your natural texture? A: Yes! Unlike my sister I have very thick hair. I figured it would be too much for me to deal with and that I would end up giving back into relaxers. But I found out how to conquer the beautiful mass.

Q: What are three products you can't live without for nurturing/styling your hair?
A: Cantu Shea Butter Leave in Cream, Coconut Oil and ORS Replenishing Conditioner.

Q: What would you say to someone who's thinking about embracing their natural hair, but scared about being rejected in various parts of their lives?
A: Never change yourself for anyone, or in favor of someone else's high opinion. Do all things to make you feel better about yourself! Also, don't you want to learn what your beautiful, natural, God given hair that grows out of your scalp looks like? If you don't like it, for whatever reason, you can always go back. Just give it a chance and do you!

Q: How can we keep up with you and your journey?
A: My instagram is Effortlessly Hunni and my blog is Effortlesslyhunni.blogspot.com

Posted by Unknown 06:00 0 comments

Aisha's 30 Day Updo

I love Aisha's 30 Days Updos!  If I didn't have locs, this would be something I would print out and put on my daily to-do board. Her looks are too cute. This photo was featured in an article on BHI.  To see Aisha's blog, go to My Fro & I. 

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Before Selfies was a Thing

I made this video about 4 years ago, in my office, when I was still doing corporate work. I was bored out of my mind and instead of getting up and going for a walk, I posed for a bunch of silly photos using my PC's camera. It was fun and I entertained myself for that moment in time. And who knows, when I am old and crusty, I can look back at this and laugh at my younger self.  

"Selfies", was voted by the Oxford Dictionary as the 2013 word of the year. Crazy as that sounds - I can believe it. Taking photos of yourself is nothing new, it is just recently that people have been really talking about it.  I for one, think it's harmless fun.  With social media being such a huge thing - Twitter, Facbeook, Instagram and more - selfies is just a one way for people to express who they are and what they are doing at that exact moment in their life.  A lot of people would say that posing for selfies is obnoxious and self absorbed. But I for one... love a good selfie, especially when I get to show of my gorgeous natural hair.  Have a good weekend everyone.

Posted by Unknown 11:51 0 comments

Update - Winner!!!! Fashion Accessory Giveaway!! The GirlyGoGarter®

I just received my new GirlyGoGarter® and I love it!  It is a cute way to keep your keys, ID, cash and more, with out having to carry a purse. I tried it on and it feels so comfortable.  Here is more about the garter belt that seconds as a purse -  "The GirlyGoGarter® is a sexy, lacey garter with pockets that adheres to your upper thigh with patented GentleFlex™ Grippers. There are two types of pockets on the GirlyGoGarter®: easy-access (on the outside, just within the lace) and lock-flap (on the inside, against your thigh). Both types of pockets keep your money, I.D., lip gloss, mobile phone, keys, passport and all of your essentials safe, secure and right at your fingertips." - GirlGoGarter

The GirlyGoGarter® is giving away one Hot Pink GirlyGoGarter® in size 1 (fits sizes 14 to 18).  To enter this contest, follow these two steps:

• Be a subscriber to this blog
• Reply to this post telling us why you love the GirlyGoGarter®

The contest ends in two weeks on January 1, 2014, which is New Years day.  Good luck everyone!
_________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you to everyone that entered the contest. The winner is BeauTi_Renee!  Please contact me at naturalhairbeauty@gmail.com to claim your prize and provide your shipping address.  

Posted by Unknown 11:33 0 comments

Melissa's Hair

"My name is Melissa, and I've been natural for 2 years. Prior to doing my big chop (12/31/11), I transitioned for 9.5 months. I decided to go natural because I wanted to improve the condition of my hair. When I was relaxed, my hair "looked" healthy, but I wasn't able to grow it pass a certain length without experiencing a lot of breakage. Subsequently, whenever I grew my hair out, it looked thin and fragile, which caused me to keep my hair cut in a bob. And, to be honest, I love short and sassy hairstyles, but I don't like feeling trapped; I like to have options when it comes to my hair (if you know what I mean).

My last relaxer was in March of 2011, and in April of that year, I met a natural who's hair was bone straight. I was addicted to straight hair at the time, so when I realized you could be natural and have straight, HEALTHY hair, I was sold (have cake + eat)! As you can see, I started off desiring to maintain my straight look. That quickly changed when my best friend challenged me to fast the flat iron for 6 months. During that time, I fell in love with my curls, and now I only straighten my hair once a year. Going natural has really impacted my life. Being someone who struggled with low esteem growing up, it was just want I needed because it boosted my confidence. I no longer feel like I have to modify or change my appearance in order to be beautiful. It's one thing when others can see your beauty, but it's another thing when you discover it for yourself. It's priceless.

Hardships With Being Natural: The only hardships I've faced are learning my hair (which is an ongoing lesson) and other people's opinion of my hair. I wish I could say that the latter didn't phase me, but it doesn't bother me nearly as much as I thought it would. It might agitate me for few minutes, but then I'm over it. I guess when you love something enough, other people's opinion carry very little weight. Go-To Style: I love wash-n-gos! Favorite Products: Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner (detangler), As I am Coconut Co-Wash Conditioner, Camille Rose Naturals Algae Renew Deep Conditioner, Paul Mitchell's The Conditioner (leave-in), and Eco-Styler Gel." - Melissa

 To learn more about Melissa, go to Fruit of Branches and see her 2 Year Journey on Youtube.

Posted by Unknown 06:00 0 comments

Cynthia Jackson Natural Hair

Q:  What is your hair story?  

A:  I have always had long hair, but after a while it just got a little mundane, every one had straight hair and I wanted something new... a fresh start. Truthfully the cause was a midlife crisis, a bad break up, and a new baby on board. I was just a flat iron girl before I went natural. My relaxed regimen was much simpler than my natural hair journey. After I gave birth to my first son, I chopped off all my hair, and was ready for the new me. Over the past 3 years, I have had 2 big chops and I am currently growing out my second big chop. Going natural the first time, I just got tired of doing my hair, having to re due my twist outs almost every night, so I got a s-curl perm trying to loosen my curl pattern,... then months later I got a regular relaxer and my hair turned out uneven and limp, and that's how my second big chop came along.

Q:  Did you have any big fears about going back to your natural texture?
A:  Honestly I thought I would, but since I was at a stage in my life where I really didn't have conversation with anybody or close friends, I didn't care what people thought and I was ready to do my first big chop. And watching you tube videos, it gave me the confidence and inspiration to pull through with it. I was more ready than fearful.

Q: What are three products you can't live without for nurturing/styling your hair?
A: I am learning to keep things very simple, unlike my first big chop experience.. I love olive oil, Cantu shea butter leave in (want to try Giovanni) and tresemme naturals, olive oil gel.

Q: What would you say to someone who's thinking about embracing their natural hair, but scared about being rejected in various parts of their lives?
A:  You know this is still a problem occurring today and its sad. I would say do you and if somebody has anything negative towards that then its best to just move around. You will always run into people that will have something to say, just remember that the world is going to keep on moving whether they like what you do or not. But never change the way God intended you to be. Be of truth, love, and freedom. My mom used to talk about my natural hair, and how dry it was looking... but after a while she was like "i want to get my hair likes yours, its really cute." :}

Posted by Unknown 06:00 0 comments