FAB FRIDAY FEATURE: Kalevia

I've been natural for almost 5 years now. It was a slow process as I stopped perming, cut my straight hair to shoulder length and kept cutting it to maintain that length as my natural hair grow in and the all straight ends were completely gone. During this time I flat ironed my natural hair so that it would "blend in" with what was left of my relaxed hair. Once, all straight ends were gone I wore my hair naturally from 2008-2009 but struggled to find products that would keep my hair moisturized and tangle free. I used mostly tea tree oil and Garnier Fructis curl scrunch gel which left my hair sticky. 

My journey to dreads began in August 19th 2009 and I've been extremely happy about the process. I had my brother as a mentor who suggested products that would keep my locs clean, neat, moisturized and those that would maintain strength.  A few products that captured my heart were the organic twist and loc gel, to tree oils, and tea tree mint shampoo and conditioner (sulfate free) by organix. I wash and palm roll my locs every three weeks. I love my locs and love trying new styles with them each time I get a retwist. They're easy to manage, maintain and are versatile!

*Ms Kalevia Hamilton

 

FAB FRIDAY FEATURE: Levenia

I’ve always been known to have a long, healthy, head full of permed hair. I was anti-natural (lol). I would tease and say that some girls head be looking like brillo (the thing that you use to scrub dishes). In fact… I would hear girls saying “I’m going natural” and I would think to myself, “that ain’t for everybody”.

And then it happened; I moved to Tampa Florida, where perms cost $65, washes cost $35 and I was a broke college student hustling my way through. Forgetting that I was no longer in the beautiful Turks and Caicos where water from the tap is soft and drinkable, I decided to take care of my hair at home. #Epic fail. My hair was not use to the hard water and my hair quickly disappeared from back length to neck length.

Ahhhh!!! What to do? What to do? Did I mention that I am IN LOVE with LONG HAIR! I decided to ignore it and the hair just kept on dropping. Finally; I put my foot down and said girl you got to do something. So I decided to do the unthinkable!!! Oh no, I’m gonna be a brillo head! L I transitioned for a total of 9 months and I was loving what I was seeing, my hair was BEAUTIFUL, not the straightest, not the curliest, but it was my OWN hair and it was beautiful.

But the two textures of natural and permed hair were whooping my butt! What to do? What to do? Someone suggested TEXTURIZING (Dunt, dunt, dunnnn). So I found myself at a Dominican salon sitting in the chair sweating like a hooker in church, asking ONE question over and over and getting different responses from everybody, “How long will it take to grow out?”  “Oh 5 month” another “No no, 1 month” another “No worry, ju’ll be fine”. Well I came out of that chair and my hair was BONE STRAIGHT! All of my 9 month new growth was history!!! I cried and ran to my hairapist, Ida’s child herself and mourned over my lost progress. She told me to be encouraged and to continue on.

Well I did, I let my hair grow out for a mere 4 months and decided to grow a pair! BIG CHOP DATE: September 9^th, 2012. OMG, I’m worst than a brillo chick! I’m bald headed!!! I’m a chicken head, Ahh!!!!!! Sent my hairapist (Ida’s child) a pic and she said “Girl you rocking that TWA”. I felt a little encouraged to continue on but I braided for a month out of insecurity.

 It has now been 6 months since I made the BEST decision in my life, my hair is already back at shoulder length when stretched (I have major shrinkage). I am not just the owner of natural hair, but I am NATURALLY pretty, NATURALLY beautiful and NATURALLY ME. <3

FAB FRIDAY FEATURE: Dwinessa

 

 

 

I've been on this natural journey since 2005. I did the big chop at 14 years old and I was so scared to come to school with my "lil fro" but,it was the best decision I've ever made! 

At first it was a challenge for me to find the right products for my hair and I had no clue about how much maintenance natural hair takes. I thought that once I went natural it would "naturally" take care of itself lol but of course I was wrong!!!! 

After years of testing products I eventually found some that was right for me which is a very important step in your "natural journey". Finding out what works for you makes this hairstyle choice more adventurous I think! After my initial 3 years into natural hair I found that it had started to grow at a really slow rate and now i believe it was because of the products I was using such as "beeswax and other thick greases and gels". So I got interested in dreadlocks and began to lock my hair in January of 2009 and I love it!

Natural Hair Rules!!!!