Guest Post: Strutting Her Stuff

Name: Zannëta

Age: 25

Location: Now broadcasting from Maryland. Next stop, New York, NY.

Occupation: RN, Student, Freelance Writer, Blogger (A Girl's Guide to Naturelle-Chic)

"I've been sent here to change the world. How? I haven't quite figured it out yet . . . but I come in peace."

Gosh, I wish I looked that glamorous holding a spatula! lol... to submit a guest post, follow the info in the sidebar...

LITK in NYC!! We Need Suggestions.

The original post. 

Okay, so the venue is was Dallas BBQ.

They do not take reservations for Saturdays. They will not give a table until everyone shows up.

I think we should relocate.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Hair Thoughts

• Why is it that in my area in Brooklyn, there are at least three to five hairdressers per block? Every step I take walks me past yet another salon, where weaves proliferate. I don't even see regular relaxed hair that much anymore. Dayum. I guess living in a predominantly black area has opened my eyes to how prevalent the weave ideology is. 
• I would call out natural hair if it looked unhealthy, let me just say that. Natural does not always equate healthy. But I must add that since I've moved to NYC, comparing both natural and relaxed heads that I've scoped, natural wins on the healthy front. I honestly don't see that many relaxed heads  where the hair looks like it's not parched, breaking, or just deader than dead. It's understandable though, when I think of how much harder it must be to keep your hair healthy when it's under constant chemical warfare, I wonder how I managed it before I went natural. I thought of this cos I was admiring some girl's relaxed hair on the train the other day- it actually looked bright, shiny, soft, moisturized and not plastic. 
• Which brings me to plastic hair. I cannot for the life of me understand why some people go for weaves that are obviously synthetic plastic-looking things. I mean, woudn't you want it to at least look like real hair? And then they add the highlights/colored bangs/whatever. Yeah, purple rubber looks banging on your head. Don't even get me started on the hairlines. 
• I think natural hair likes to sabotage other types. I obviously look at folk's hair too much, but please tell me you've noticed this too. Someone's gone to the effort of relaxed and ironing the living shit out of their hair, going for that straight straight bone straight look. It looks, well, straight.   Then you get to the edges or nape of neck, and there are those sneaky naps!! Sabotaging their non-kinky look! Those pieces that were too short to get at with the iron, or those bits that just missed the relaxer application. It cracks me up, cos I imagine the natural hair being like "Oh, you trying to be all straight, huh? Well, all a body's gotta do is see me at your edges, and they'll realize that this straight thing is just a front!" It's like a fissure in the image. Yes, my mind really goes down these paths. Don't blame me, I ride the subway a lot, and I hair-watch. 
• Curly weaves. Lobster and I walked past a girl with a curly weave on, and he turns to me and says "Weave, right?" I was like "Mm-hmm". He turns back and says "This is a fun game". Lol! Weave Identification 101, for your entertainment. 
• I will always be curious as to people's reasons for straightening their hair. I always have a sneaking suspicion that majority of women just do it because it's what's done. I would love to be proven wrong. 
• I should really watch Good Hair. 
• Bet you I'm going to get lambasted and accused of hating weaves/relaxed hair, as usual. I still get furious comments on my post "Why Relaxed Hair/Weave Saddens Me"
• Bet you I won't care. 

That's all, folks! Share you recent hair thoughts in the comments :)

Guest Post: Strutting Her Stuff

My name is Ashley and I love your blog. I'm coming up on my second natural anniversary in March. My staple products are shea butter, olive oil, and braid sheen spray. I love being natural, it was one of the best decisions i made for myself.

Definitely drool-worthy hair... you can find out more about Ashley by visiting her blog. If you'd like to do a guest post, send us an email missfizz87@gmail.com or azemezi@gmail.com. :)

One blah day...

I need to learn to speak louder in my videos...

Poofy's Spa Day

I'm lazy. Truth. I've been trying to work on that when it comes to my hair because, well, she deserves it. I never went all out in taking care of her when she was longer, and I'm trying to break that habit now so that when she grows out, I'll already be accustomed to putting the time and effort into her.

Yesterday, I decided to get off my ass and give her some long-awaited treatments. She was calling for it. First of all, I have a tendency to dry scalp and dandruff if I don't shampoo often. Sometimes I wish I could go no-poo, but the facts are that I must use an anti-dandruff shampoo like 4 times a week, otherwise shit gets ugly. If anyone knows an anti-dandruff alternative (plain ACV ain't gonna cut it), do let me know. All this shampooing means I should be deep-conditioning her like once or twice a week, really.

Anyway, I've also had a bottle of Bragg's Liquid Aminos sitting around, ever since I tried the Cherry Lola treatment, which Poofy hated, by the way. So I said, hey, why not make up something and use it anyway. Poofy could do with a protein treatment. I mixed the liquid aminos with some coconut milk and a little oil, then whipped it all together.

I washed Poofy with the anti-dandruff shampoo, rinsed it out and saturated her with the protein treatment, then slapped a shower cap on. I left it on for 5-10 minutes, while I mixed up the deep conditioner- Organix and VO5 conditioner, coconut milk, herbal oil, and baking soda. After I rinsed out the protein, Poofy had curled up some and felt a little brittle, which I expected. I put in the deep conditioner, shower capped, and left it in for 45 minutes.

When I took off the cap, Poofy had curled up like no man's business!

Poor baby, I need to be doing this more often. I rinsed it out under cold water and took some pictures of the result before applying my shea butter + coconut oil moisturizer.

New resolution- do this every week!

Does anyone have a hair recipe involving liquid aminos? I'd love to try one out.

Quick Word

If we hold a giveaway and you happen to be the winner, do check in with us and let us know if you got your prize yet or not. It makes it easier to fix situations if there are problems or at least put our minds at rest that you got your prize. Some of our giveaways are sponsored by other people and so the prizes come directly from them. Either way, keep us in the loop.

Thank you.

Don't call it a comeback!

Guess Who's Back!!!

It's Stef!!! It was after midnight when I finished taking Undead out. I was tired and it shows, but I'm so happy to have my hair back *hugs hair* I'm also wearing my one of a kind for me only Akwaeke veil :)

Upcoming Product Review for UK Naturals

I will be trying two products by Crown Pride, an EU based company as soon as I take out undead. I can't wait!

The two products I ordered are the Organic Hair Milk and the Mowrah and Coffee Butter. I'll use the hair milk after co-washing and then use the butter as a sealer I guess.

I tried the butter on my skin and oh my gosh!! it loves it!! I only hope my hair loves it as much. The butter is light and creamy melts into my skin and leaves it moisturized but not greasy. It has an almost translucent colour. I was sitting in the library idly stroking my shoulder when I realised that it felt just like silk. I had to gush to Zara about how gorgeous my skin felt. It is almost odourless with just a faint coffee smell that fades very quickly.

The ingredients of the butter are:

Madhuca latifolia (mowrah) butter, Magnifera indica (mango) butter, Ricinus communis (castor) oil, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil (and) Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (coffee butter), Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, Tocopherol

In a few weeks I'll post about how it works on my hair.

Guilty Post

I haven't posted much on here, shame shame, mostly because nothing's really going on with Poofy. My mum asked if I'd lost weight because my face looks thinner, but I think that has to do with the new cut.

I slipped the LITK card to a few people I've seen, but there are so many naturals in NYC!! Why they haven't RSVP'ed to the meet-up is beyond me *faints from confusion*.

For all y'all who don't know yet, the event is now on the powerful Facebook, so RSVP!! :D

Miss Fizz is busy with exams, because her school actually gives exams after the holidays. I think that should be outlawed.

I'm expecting some Curlicious Diva and BC stories (Tricia, Chaypo, Makxxy, I am looking at you). However, until then, I need ideas for posting!!

And any suggestions for activities at the meet-up. Should we make crafty little name tags?

Oh, and if anyone was wondering about how I feel about Undead, my response is ugh. I love my Miss Fizz to pieces, but I also love Stef, and I can't wait till she returns and Undead is weeping itself to sleep in a waste paper basket. Down with teh weave!

American Curlies Shouldn't Have all the Fun!!!

So I don't know what our UK readership is like, but I would like to do something since I'm based here. I will be in London at the end of February or early March and I would love to meet some naturals. We could maybe meet for coffee or lunch or dinner... anything works. So It would be either the last Saturday in February or the first Saturday in March. I will come with goodies and products to swap and samples from my accessories line.

I also hope to meet Errol and get my photo taken for the "Do you have an afro" series. Should be a fun weekend in all.

So what do you guys say, would any Curlies in London be interested in coming out for this? If I get enough interest, I will update with the ideas I have *rubs hands in glee*

So comment and let me know :)

Sometimes I Wonder...

If you prefer characteristics on others that are different from the ones that you possess, does it mean you hate yourself? If you alter your features in some way, does it mean that you hate yourself?

A friend of mine who has the same type of hair as I do (but is relaxed) mentioned that she loves guys with wavy hair and can't stand nappy haired dudes (I think she was joking) and looked at me as if waiting for me to agree but I couldn't. I proudly rock my naps day in and day out and I had hoped that I was at least setting a good example for type 4 hair, but if she could say that around me I guess I'm not doing a good enough job.

My hair is "nappy". Extremely. Tough Nigerian hair and all that. I would be very hurt if I was rejected because of my naps and would never want to cause that feeling in anyone else.

If I had made that statement, would I be projecting self-hate? Is it as deep as black guys only liking light skinned girls or guys saying they prefer women with real hair and then listing people like Beyoncé as their ideal girl in the looks department?

I brought this question up with the Hunk and he said, "I don't think they're really looking at the hair, they're just hot." Is this true? He also said "natural hair just doesn't suit some people".

That made me pause. I don't believe that natural hair doesn't suit people. There is a natural style for everyone so that is not an excuse. In my head, I compare it to someone saying, "the nose I was born with doesn't suit me, I'll get a nose job", or "my dark skin doesn't suit me so I'll bleach it."

He added that in the world we currently live in, society and technology have made it easy to make changes so you don't have to live with your flaws. Shouldn't society be teaching people to love themselves for who they are, flaws and all?

Nobody is born with self esteem issues, people are conditioned as they grow and are taught to reject aspects of themselves. This is not something I want for my children. I would love for them to grow up confident and strong and sure of who they are. I want them to realise that physical beauty is not the be all and end all and that they are perfect the way they are, flaws and all. As a parent, I have to arm them with the assurance they need to face the negativity in the world, but it may not be enough. They will be bombarded with other people's opinions and the media's views and society's take on everything. Unless I decide to ban TVs in my house, and home school them, how will I help keep their self-image intact?

Now these are just my personal opinions and you're welcome to disagree with me (in a civil manner) but I would really like to know what you guys think.

300 Followers!! Quick Giveaway

The giveaway will be ending tomorrow, Friday the 15th at midnight eastern. :) Click the picture of the necklace on the sidebar to enter.

Undead...

And this is pretty much how I always wear undead. In a hat or under a scarf. Blah...

Campus Curlies- I didn't get her name...

I finally got my business cards so I raced up to this nice lady and asked to take her photo and she was kind enough to oblige. I didn't ask her name, silly me. Miss if you read this, please comment and let us know who you are. Expect more of these to come :)

Mini Hair Update

I haven't shown my real hair in a while, so here's a picture of what my hair looks like dripping wet, and without any product. Look at the shrinkage!!

Now here's my hair stretched out.... incredible how shrinkage can hide length isn't it?

I Finally Found a Use for Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue

I bought this item when I was still transitioning. I was searching for a product that would turn my kinks and coils into curls and waves and this product (like all Miss Jessie's products) promised to do so. The container claims that it "transforms frizzy fros to bodacious, volumized curls". This was before I decided that I didn't care if my hair had defined curls or a curl pattern. Now I just want healthy hair in any form. I love my hair the way it is.

So anyway, I bought this item and tried it out after my BC. It did nothing at all. My hair came out dry and crispy enough to start a bush fire, it didn't hold my twists and left residue. I don't really like the smell either so it just sat on my shelf for months. I would have swapped it for something but haven't been to any meet ups in a while. I would have tossed it but it was pretty expensive.

Now, my weave was getting kinda ratty from sleeping with it uncovered and generally ignoring it. It's undead hair, I ain't too bothered about it. However, I will be surfacing from my self-imposed hibernation in a few days and will have to actually see other human beings. I decided to "refresh" my undead hair.

I sprayed sections of it with my conditioning spray to make it damp, brushed the sections out with my denman (another thing that doesn't work on my real hair) and then applied the Curly Meringue and scrunched. It worked really well on the undead hair which is, I guess, type 3.

I'm dying to get this thing out of my hair but my exams don't end till February and I know I will be all up in my hair if it is out. Also it's been unusually cold here and I know my hair is glad to be hidden away. *le sigh* My camera and my computer are still not friends so I can't upload pics to share but I will as soon as I can.

Just an aside, I noticed that the second thing on the list of ingredients is paraffinium liquidum for anyone interested. I wonder why their stuff is so expensive when it's got cheap synthetic stuff and cones. I'd rather use Cantu Shea butter leave in which costs like $5 for 16 oz. Miss Jessie's stuff is overpriced in my opinion and I believe that CURLS' products are better as they are pretty much all natural and cost less than Miss Jessie's.

Cold weather is bad, it makes me extra hungry. I just ate 3 sugary jam donuts in succession and I'm about to start on the fourth, then I'll wonder why I get break outs *O_o self then shrugs and pops donut in mouth* I need the insulation!

A Note On Length

So, right after I cut Poofy, both Miss Fizz and Lobster immediately asked me "What are you going to do with your hair for the wedding?"

The basis for that question is because I'm growing my hair out for the wedding, and my reply was- I plan to do the same thing I was planning to do before I got the haircut. Basically, most people view the haircut as a loss of length that could be detrimental to the general plan of growing hair out. I've heard the sentiment echoed in comments- I would get a haircut, but I'm trying to grow my hair out.

My initial reaction was one of confusion, because I too am growing my hair out. Getting the cut never changed that plan for me. And yes, it may seem contradictory, I just cut my hair and I don't see how that interferes with growing it out.

For me, the main reason is that I didn't touch the top of my head. So in effect, the longest portion of my hair is still the same length that it was before I cut my hair. Which translates to me not losing any length whatsoever.

Here's why it makes sense to me. We always measure our length by the longest part of our hair. Therefore, Poofy is the same length as she was before the cut. Secondly, when I consider my hair's length, I always consider the hair at the top and front of my head, rather than the back or the sides. I mean, if the hair at the back was down to the middle of my back, that's great. It just happens to be geographically closer to my bra strap anyway. But assuming all my hair is the same length, then the hair at the front probably stops at the base of my neck. When the hair at the front reaches to the middle of my back, eh heh, now we're talking.

These are just my standards for measuring my hair. In my head, measuring length from the front of my head makes more sense. I blame my love for pulling my hair back. When pulling hair back, it kinda doesn't matter how long your hair is in the back, if it's not long enough in the front, that shit will not hold in a hair tie. You get me? Unless you like your puff/ponytail at the top of your head. Which I don't fuck with.

So in my plan of growing my hair out, Poofy is right on track. I don't know how the shape will evolve as she grows, that should be fun to find out. However, cutting my hair did not affect my quest for length.

Also, if I hadn't cut Poofy, she would have just stayed with her nondescript shape in the name of preserving length, which makes little sense to me. Yes, my hair would have been uniformly long, but if she looks meh, what's the point? Cutting her was a way I could avoid getting that dependency on length for the sake of length alone. You know what I mean. Miss Fizz and I were talking about it the other day- if you grow your hair out to ridiculous lengths, but constantly keep it wrapped up, or baggied, or whatever style that doesn't let it out- what was the point? Personal satisfaction? The right to brag about hair length? For me, when my hair grows out in a couple of years, best believe that shit will be all over the place, in your face, smacking you on the subway, lol.

Or, to be honest, and knowing me, it may be rolled up into the biggest bun in Christendom. It is hard detangling that much hair.

iDigress. My point was, a haircut can style your hair without sacrificing the length you're trying to keep. So fear not, and go get your hair did, if you've been wanting to.

Just looking back on the last few days, the cut is just so damn funky (at least in my head). I feel like more of my personality shows with it, I could walk around in sweats with that haircut and still feel like the coolest cat on the block.

I encourage you to go for it, if that's what you want. It's worth it. It is sooooo worth it.

Curlicious Diva- Chioma

1. Why did you decide to go natural?

      

I got tired of straight hair. The last two years of me being natural, I very rarely wore my hair straight. I always had it in some braid/twist out style. My first attempt at going natural was in '06. I was in my second year at uni and had just discovered hair boards. I lasted all of 3 months before I gave up. My next attempt was the following summer, it played out pretty much the same with me relaxing by the end of summer. Finally, in summer '08 I made a firm decision and got my final relaxer on October 26. I made a promise to myself to BC if I ever felt like relaxing and that was just what I did!

Relaxed

2. What was the experience like? Did you transition? Was there any opposition? Support?

I transitoned for 8 months, I had initially intended on 12-18 months. It was pretty much stress free as I wore braids for the duration. After my first attempt at kinky twists, I had more curly hair than straight hair and the tangles were KILLER! I got tired of attempting to detangle so I grabbed my shears :O I headed straight out the house after my BC...lol...I was so chuffed with myself. I got called a nubian queen..hilarious! 

Transitioning

4 days post BC

3. How long have you been natural?

I've been natural just over 6 months now. 

4. How has being natural changed your outlook on life?

It hasn't really changed me much. I've always believed that it's just hair so this is just another experience in my life. Having said that, I have no desire to relax my hair ever again. I attempted to straighten it a while back and gave up half way through..I was NOT feeling my hair at all.

5. What’s a typical hair day like for you? What are your go to styles?

Wash and go's all day everyday! If I can't do a wash and go, I'm all about a puff...hehe...I'm too lazy to twist my hair mostly because it takes so long and doesn't last a long time on my hair.

4 months

6. What are 3 products you can’t live without?

•       Castor oil
•       Herbal Essence Hello Hydration conditioner
•       CHI Silk infusion leave-in conditioner.

7. Do you have a goal length that you’re aspiring to?

Nope. My hair is growing at a steady rate and I'm very pleased.

8. What treatments have you tried, colours etc.?

I would usually do a light protein reconstructor once every 4-8 months because I'm trying to use up some Joico stuff I've had for a while. Other than that, I don't do much to it. I deep condition when I remember to.

I tried henna over the summer. My hair turned out really dry and my curl pattern loosened some :( It took about 2 weeks of daily co-washing to get my hair back to where it needed to be. 

9. Have you got any advice for prospective naturals?

Do it! Make sure you know why you're doing this and have a plan! Seriously, if I had not promised myself that I'd cut before I relax I don't know that I would have gone through with it. There is a ton of natural hair resources on the web for transitioners that you should take advantage of...watch as many youtube videos as you can, find a hair board, read blogs, whatever! Just stay in tune with your hair and what it needs and ENJOY the process, even when you're going through a rough patch. Good luck!

10.  Do you have a website or space where ppl can find you?

I live on twitter...lol...http://twitter.com/c_u_o

11. Anything else you'd like to add?

     

Thanks ladies for having me on here :) I love love love the blog! 

6 months natural

Poofy's New Cut

First of all, I would like to blame give thanks to the following entities:

1. Sunshine
2. New York City

I know Sunshine's probably cackling with glee right now, lol. I surrendered to her lures and visited the barbershop next door. I had dropped by earlier to find out if they could indeed trim my hair, and they said sure, so I popped back in the evening and climbed into a chair.

By the way, I might have mentioned thinking about trimming Poofy, but this morning, I felt it was time to start becoming me, more. And suddenly, having my hair cut was vital. And happening. Today.

I told the barber I wanted it low on the sides and not to touch the top, but not to round it out. I didn't want a mini-microphone going on up there. Lobster had said to make sure I didn't come home looking like the Fresh Prince :P

He busted out a set of clippers, and my mind went "What??! What do you need clippers for? I expected scissors!"

Fortunately, my mouth kept shut as he picked out Poofy (which, by the way, was an uneven and hilarious sight). When he started on the sides, I was worried that he was taking too much off, and it would be too low once I added water to the mix. But dude seemed to know what he was doing, so I went with it. Trust is a difficult thing, but when getting a cut, it's kinda hard to micro-manage.

He used all kinda guards on the clippers, shaped it without a guard. By the way, when clippers without a guard are being used on your hair- do not fucking move. Unless you wanna be missing a chunk of your afro, that is. I just held my breath and tried not to laugh (try being in a black barbershop and not laughing).

One close call though, he was working near the top, and I took the moment to inform him that I wanted the sharp angle at the top kept. Which turned out to be a marvelous thing, because dude was about to shave that corner right off to shape it out *palpitations*.

Memo to all: speak out. Make sure you get exactly what you want. Abeg.

It took under an hour, and cost $15. I may never go to a stylist to cut a TWA again. Seriously. I got home and I was so infatuated with my hair that I had to take pictures of it before washing it. I love a cut that has a great shape when picked out. So all the shots so far are of Poofy freshly cut and picked out.

Oh, and he was about to line me up, when he thought to check with me first. I said no. I can't do lines. That shit needs to be maintained, and my baby hair is rebellious as fuck. I know it's extensive on the sides and back, but I don't give a fuck :D

I washed her with my anti dry scalp stuff, then slapped on some Organix (I swear by this stuff) and let that sit for a while. I was too impatient to properly deep condition her :P

So the pictures below are with the curl pattern back. The flash shows the hair better, and makes me look washed out. Ugh. Yeah, I'm vain like that.

And in my pajamas.

And I never wash eye-liner off properly. No, I don't have make-up remover yet. I know, I know.

Just check out the hair. *sigh*

So far, I'm absolutely loving the cut. No more waking up in the morning distraught because my shape's all fucked up. No more patting down the sides. I can't wait to put bantu knots in the top.

Also, this is my third cut in the past seven months. Addictive......