Check out Nikki’s cute vintage up-do/pin-up tutorial! Part 1 | Part 2
Archive for the ‘Loose Hair’ Category
Vintage Pin-Up Tutorial
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Gone Natural: Lindse!
Thursday, December 31st, 2009
1. Tell us about yourself.
My name is Lindse` M. Owens I am a native of North Carolina originally from/born in Hartford, Connecticut. I am a junior at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC majoring in Communications. I love to be the odd ball/corn ball; the different one. Why? Because that’s what makes me who I am!
My name is Lindse` M. Owens I am a native of North Carolina originally from/born in Hartford, Connecticut. I am a junior at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC majoring in Communications. I love to be the odd ball/corn ball; the different one. Why? Because that’s what makes me who I am!
2. What made you decide to go natural?
I always wanted to go natural, but never really coughed up the courage to do so. My relaxed hair was always so “healthy.” It was never damaged, but I wanted to do something different. I wanted to see my natural hair again! My first relaxer was at 8 years old because my hair was TOO THICK for my mom to handle it! My dad always always told me that I needed to stop putting those chemicals in my hair, so January ‘08 was my last relaxer! I embarked on a journey that will last a lifetime. Oh how excited I was, and still am.
3. What’s your hair routine?
My hair routine is very simple and not at all COMPLICATED! 
I two-strand twist it for the most part and keep it in for about a week. Or I will do different styles every week. I ONLY use shea butter for moisture and cholesterol to condition my hair. I like to change it up. I hate for my hair to be the same all the time! If I don’t feel like doing it and want to give my hair a rest, I will wear a wig, wrap my hair up, or wear hats…lol.
4. What are your least favorite products?
My least favorite products would have to be Creme of Nature. It strips my hair of all the moisture.
6. What do you like about being natural?
I like that everyone is amazed by my hair! I like the strange looks and the looks that envy my hair, but I especially like the “approval” looks! It’s me and I ADORE it!
Gone Natural: Niambi!
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
1. Tell us about yourself.
My name is Niambi, but everyone calls me Nia. I grew up in Bloomfield, Conneticut, went to college in Boston, and now reside and work in the DC metro area. I’m a full time graphic designer & internet strategist at a PR firm, and I am a general “visual artist” the rest of the time. Both of my parents are fair skinned African Americans, with fair skinned African American parents themselves, but there is a ton of native American blood in my family. Everyone who meets me seems overtly or covertly curious as to where I am “from.” Lol.
My name is Niambi, but everyone calls me Nia. I grew up in Bloomfield, Conneticut, went to college in Boston, and now reside and work in the DC metro area. I’m a full time graphic designer & internet strategist at a PR firm, and I am a general “visual artist” the rest of the time. Both of my parents are fair skinned African Americans, with fair skinned African American parents themselves, but there is a ton of native American blood in my family. Everyone who meets me seems overtly or covertly curious as to where I am “from.” Lol.
2. What made you decide to go natural?
I got soooo frustrated trying to keep up with the health of my hair after moving away from home. I got mismatched touch ups at irregular intervals for two years, then out of desperation and undergrad poverty, I decided to cull out ALL of the relaxed hair to start over. After living with my short, natural hair for about a week, I decided I didn’t need another relaxer or texturizer. Ever.
3. What’s your hair routine?
I wash my hair about once every 2 or 3 weeks and I co-wash it every 4 to 7 days if I’m wearing it out. I de-tangle in the shower with a large tooth shower comb and plait it in 4 sections for styling later. I rinse with cold water. I go back and forth between protective styles like twists and up-dos and wearing it out in wash and go styles. I use creams and leave in conditioners mostly, and apply oils and natural pomades last, or by mixing them in with my leave-ins. I use Ecostyler, IC Fantasia, or Kinky Curly for hold with my wash and go’s. I trim my own hair about every 6 months or more often if I have knots or issues de-tangling. I tend to cut scraggly ends as I find them with my pair of professional shears. I wrap my hair in a satin scarf every night, usually piling my hair on top of my head.
4. What are your least favorite products?
I hate Luster’s products, like Pink Lotion. I used them when I was relaxed, and they probably worked against me then too. I also dislike all Creme of Nature products, except for their rosemary and lemongrass leave in for some reason. Cantu products also disagree with my hair.
5. What do you like about being natural?
I love that I can accept a compliment on my hair or looks with total dignity and honest gratitude. I like that I can be an example for so many peers and young women who need to know about alternatives to conforming to mainstream beauty standards. I love that I am free to swim, or dance/work out, or smell fresh from head to toe, or go from daytime to dramatic in 2 seconds. I love being free from any costly alterations or routines that effect my self esteem.
Gone Natural: Khari!
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
Tell us about yourself.
Well, around Fotki and the hair boards, my name is Sugarysnowpea, but my real name is Khari (which is an African name that means Kingly). I’m from Harlem NYC! I’m a student set to graduate May 2010! And as always, I am representing for all my LEOS! Hehe!
What made you decide to go natural?
Well I initially joined fotki.com because I’d seen all these women with lengthy relaxed hair and wanted to link
up to them and find out how they were caring for their hair because at the time, my shoulder length relaxed hair was just acting ugly! It was on fotki that I saw my first few natural inspirations and was completely stunned! I couldn’t believe how beautiful their hair was. I started researching natural hair and I was instantly converted after joining Nappturality.com and hearing all the powerful statements sistahs were making about being natural. At the time, my sister was going natural and that was the extra push I needed, I was sooo on board!
Well, around Fotki and the hair boards, my name is Sugarysnowpea, but my real name is Khari (which is an African name that means Kingly). I’m from Harlem NYC! I’m a student set to graduate May 2010! And as always, I am representing for all my LEOS! Hehe!
What made you decide to go natural?
Well I initially joined fotki.com because I’d seen all these women with lengthy relaxed hair and wanted to link
up to them and find out how they were caring for their hair because at the time, my shoulder length relaxed hair was just acting ugly! It was on fotki that I saw my first few natural inspirations and was completely stunned! I couldn’t believe how beautiful their hair was. I started researching natural hair and I was instantly converted after joining Nappturality.com and hearing all the powerful statements sistahs were making about being natural. At the time, my sister was going natural and that was the extra push I needed, I was sooo on board!
What’s your hair routine?
My routine is all about giving my hair what it needs, nothing more, nothing less. In the beginning, I didn’t really know what was going to work and what wasn’t, so I put myself on a pretty strict routine that mirrored other naturals. 
Now, if my hair is dry, I do this, if my hair is too moisturized I do that…etc. The basics of my haircare are pretty much condition, washing every week, or every other week. Moisturizing and sealing my hair everyday with my spritz. Deep conditioning every other week and giving myself a good detangle. Protein deep conditioning has become a must every month now that my hair is colored, and when I do one, I include a good shampooing with a gentle shampoo that really deep cleans. I never comb my hair unless it’s soaked with conditioner and I don’t do many trims. I decided annual or bi annual trims will be just fine.
What are your least favorite products?
Least favorite products…OOOH boy! There is such a long list! I mean, being a first time natural is really trial and error. 
There are two product lines that do absolutely nothing for my hair though. One is Tresemme, and the other is Pantene’s Relaxed and Natural. I’ve learned all about choosing products based on their ingredients. NO SULFATES, NO ALCOHOL! I think a lot of women think being natural and choosing great hair products has to be expensive and honey, it sure doesn’t! None of my products are ones that I can’t pick up at any beauty store or even the local drug store EXCEPT for my beloved shea butter and my Verifen Moisture Shampoo!
What do you like about being natural?
I’m always talking about the incredible freedom there is in being natural. You have limitless options. You really don’t have to conform to the general standards of beauty. There are people out there who could never consider having huge beautiful fierce and unique natural hair, and I feel really sad for them. The confidence that has come along with being natural has a lot to do with accepting myself for who I am. Sure, I wear make-up sometimes and I love fashion, but even when I’m stark naked and don’t have a single styler in my hair I feel damn good! Being natural has so much to do with that. Beyonce looks great with her blonde wigs and tracks flowing, but Khari doesn’t need nor want that to feel just as fly.
Make sure to check out Khari’s fotki by going here!
Vintage: New Guinea (Part 2)
Monday, June 22nd, 2009
In part 2 of the Vintage: New Guinea series, I gathered some pictures of New Guinean men. The ones in this post were used on postcards in the early 1900’s. Here is some neat tidbits about men in New Guinea around this time:
Typically, adult men of the Iatmul tribe, lived in men’s houses, while the women and children lived in a separate home. Men’s houses were created as a means to protect their communities from other groups. The house is similar to both a church and a club. In this house, men did things like perform rituals, socialize, and debate over political matters. Although women aren’t allowed in this house, they are meant to listen outside whenever the men prepare for rituals. If women are to ever step foot in this house, it’s taken as a sign that their community is disintegrating. (Keep in mind that some or all of the men in these pictures may not be of the Iatmul tribe, or even of a tribe that have men’s houses. The postcards were not specific in what tribe these men were from, and being that there are many tribes who have similar styles, it’s hard to tell. I just thought this was a neat tidbit on some of the men of New Guinea.) If you want to read more about men’s houses in different places of the world, a good book to check out is Women and Space: Ground Rules by Shirley Ardener.
Gone Natural: Taranika!
Thursday, June 18th, 2009
Tell us about yourself.
I am a twenty eight year old mother of three.
I am a twenty eight year old mother of three.
What made you decide to go natural?
I decided to go natural because I just was not happy with the overall health of my hair. Whenever I would get a fresh touch up, my hair just looked thin, flat, and boring. My sides were also thinning from too tight braids prior to that and a scalp infection from chlorinated water (My mom later admitted she believed she took too long to wash out my hair after exposure). I first tried to transition at the age of seventeen, but was both impatient and unsuccessful. I also tried two more times before getting it right in 2004. I also wanted my daughter to see that women with their natural hair can be beautiful. She was always fascinated with my straight hair and wished hers, which was natural, could look like “princess hair,” as she called it, also.
What is your hair regimen?
My hair routine consists of washing and deep conditioning once a week. I only detangle on wash day when I apply conditioner and my hair is soak and wet (best hair advice I have ever received!). I then two strand twist or shingle my hair and let it air dry. I finger style and fluff once dry. At night I either two strand twist in six sections or put my hair in a loose high pony and sleep with a satin bonnet. In the morning I apply Miss Jessie’s Buttercreme and fluff again. I’m pretty boring in the style department. I’m just so happy I don’t have to fuss with my hair and wearing a big fro makes me feel liberated, seriously!
What are your least favorite products?
My least favorite products would be: gels, heavy greases, and any shampoo containing sodium lauryl sulfate. I pretty much stick to Miss Jessie’s products and I love to dabble in Karen’s Body Beautiful and Oyin Handmade products. I love Aveda’s Be Curly shampoo and Jane Carter’s nourishing deep conditioner.
What do you like about being natural?
What I love most about being natural is the freedom from being a slave to my hair. I don’t worry about the rain or getting my hair wet and I definitely don’t miss those bi-weekly visits to the hair salon. Since I was seven, I’ve been sitting in someone’s salon chair having my scalp burnt. I never thought that I could wash and take care of my hair myself. I also use to suffer from dry scalp but not anymore. I love the fullness of my hair and all the curls, waves, and coils that surround my head.
Make sure to check out Taranika’s Fftki album by going here!
Afro Hair in 1930’s Eritrea
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009 
Eritrea is a country located in Northeast Africa. It’s bordered by Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Sudan. Aren’t these photos something? If you look at the arrows that I put on some of the pictures, you will see that they’re pointing at hair sticks. These are typically carved out of bone, ivory, or wood. Throughout history, they have either been used to part and pick out the hair, or as a hair accessory. In Egypt, the more flashy hair pins (sometimes carved out of gold) adorned with jewels showed a status of wealth. The theory that Africans didn’t have tools to groom their hair is a myth, as hair picks and combs have been around in Africa since around 5500 B.C. (I’ll be making a post on that soon.)
Gone Natural: Tassanee!
Saturday, June 13th, 2009
Tell us about yourself.
Hi! My name is Tassanee!!! I’m a 22 year old, Jamaican, New York-born Floridian who loves having natural hair! Sorry, I’m kinda excited…lol.
Hi! My name is Tassanee!!! I’m a 22 year old, Jamaican, New York-born Floridian who loves having natural hair! Sorry, I’m kinda excited…lol.
What made you decide to go natural?
I wanted to get my hair relaxed for years before my mom finally caved the end of my 8th grade year. I was so happy and thought I could take care of my hair; well that was half true. I knew things like deep conditioners were a good idea, so I did them kind of often, but I didn’t know enough about black hair care to see that it was doing more damage than good by: not knowing how to wrap my hair, not taking care of my ends, knowing s*** about moisture, constant use of HEAT, relaxing my hair BONE straight. Yeah, deep conditioners weren’t cutting it. Eventually, my once thick hair had thinned out, and I had so many broken and split ends that I had to cut my long hair right above my shoulders. Everyone kept saying “it’ll grow back,” but it reached my shoulders and sometimes just passed it, but never got any farther. Most of my growth would always end up chopped off by some insane beautician. My aunt who has the same type of hair as me randomly decided to go natural while I was in high school, and I admired her for it. I thought about going back too, but I was so used to living the lye, I didn’t wanna give up what I thought was so easy. It wasn’t until my fiance told me about a dream he had of our wedding, and how my hair was down my back that I made my decision (because I knew my hair wasn’t growing nowhere if I stayed on that creamy crack). I told him I wanted to start over and he said he would support me and that was all I needed. Thank you baby for being my naptural inspiration!
What is your hair regimen?
I don’t really have one yet, but I’m trying to get on that level. If I can remain consistent, and the results do also, this will be my regimen:
Starting on Sunday- Part my hair into four sections and apply Bentonite Clay mixed with equal ACV (apple cider vinegar), BS (baking soda), and EVOO (extra virgin olive oil). Let sit uncovered at least 20 minutes, or covered for longer. Rinse with warm water. Apply conditioner of choice and detangle (still in four sections). I will either rinse the conditioner, do an ACV or BS rinse, and apply a leave in sealed with an oil, or leave the conditioner in and seal with an oil. I cover with a plastic cap, satin scarf, and satin bonnet and sleep on a satin pillow case (extra insurance…lol).
In the morning, I apply Crisco, and Coconut Oil, and I.C. Fantasia gel if I need it. I will do the Bentonite Clay on Sunday and use Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap (peppermint) on Tuesday and Thursday. On Saturday, I will deep condition either for moisture or protein, based on what my hair wants. Now let’s see how long this lasts…lol.
What are your least favorite products?
Luster’s Pink Oil Moisturizer ironically always dried my hair out. Harsh sulfate shampoos. (I think anything else I really disliked I blocked form my memory because I’m drawing a huge blank.)
You’re popular among the naturals on Facebook. What made you decide to network?
I love talking to my fellow naturals in person and online, but most many forums require a subscription to interact with other members. I wanted to be able to share and receive info easily and for the freeski! So I figured Facebook is free, it’s not hard to learn how to navigate through a profile, and there’s practically limitless photo storage! I love the share button, and everything I come across that I think the ladies would be interested in…I share it! It’s just a very simple way to stay connected, motivated, and inspired by my peers and I LOVE THOSE GIRLS!
What do you like about being natural?
I LOVE being natural! It’s made me so much more confident in myself! It’s brought about changes in me that I didn’t know were possible from a simple hairstyle change, and made me very proud of myself for making such a big leap in a different direction from society’s standards of African American women. Most of all, I love how much the love of my life respects my decisions and adores my hair. P.S. He now wants me to wear my natural hair up in a puff on our wedding day instead of straight…tear.)
Check out Tassanee’s facebook by going here!
