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!

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.