Welcome to my chair...
In December, I discovered a empowering blog called "The Daily Love" which I read daily. I cannot express how much this blog has impacted my way of seeing things and my new outlook in 2012. Well, in yesterday's featured reading on "The Daily Love", guest blogger Jenna Phillips post was titled "I Love Love Love Me!" Jenna states, "when was the last time you told the most important person (meaning you) that you loved him or her"...
Damn, I had to stop reading and think about this one and honestly, it has been a minute since I looked myself in the mirror and said, "Damn, I love my natural hair"!
So, now I am asking you, when was the last time you told the most important person in the world that you loved their natural hair? You had to think about it...didn't you?
So I decided to keep reading and then, Jenna even had the nerve to suggest that I give myself a hug. I am 0 for 2 right now, I can't tell you how long it has been since I did this one but when I did...OMG! It was great, like Tony the Tiger "Grrrrrreat"(lol).
I triple dare you to give the most important ______________ a big hug...I'll let you fill in the blank...lol.
After reading "I Love Love Love Me!", I take a look back on my natural hair journey and why I decided to go natural.
Do you remember the scene in "Waiting to Exhale" when Bernadine, played by Angela Bassett, was coming out of her marriage and decided to cut off all of her hair as if this action was somehow a symbol of freeing herself from the denial and deception that she had embraced.
Well, sisters this was me!!! When I did my big chop, I felt I was cutting away years of pretending to be someone I was not in order to keep someone else happy, and believe me, when the chop was over, I felt like Bernadine...free and ready for new beginnings.
Did you catch those last two words, "New Beginnings"?
I know many of you can relate to my Bernadine moments. I must admit though, it did include a little bit more than cutting my hair but I plead the 5th. What??? I was "Waiting to Exhale"...lol.
Seriously though, at that moment, I realize that what I allowed to happen to me was the result of me not loving myself and I wanted to learn to love myself again in the purest form and loving my hair natural was only the beginning...
Well, it has been almost ten years since I took my first big chop, (with no regrets) and reading "I Love Love Love Me!" reminded me of why I decided to go natural...my natural hair represents my right to fall in love with my gift and that gift is ME!
Each and every one of us have our own reasons for loving our natural hair, some may have been in the same state as I was and some may have not. Matter of fact, this may not be the first time you have read a blog post on this subject matter but it was in my heart to share this thought while you were in my chair.
If this post is not for you, pass it along to someone who may be having a "Bernadine" moment, it may be just what that person needs to hear to not feel like a victim of their circumstances. I took my life back and fell in love with my natural hair.
Damn, that was powerful enough to repeat...I TOOK MY LIFE BACK AND FELL IN LOVE WITH MY NATURAL HAIR.
Now for the side effects...Cutting your hair off or wearing you hair natural may not be what you need to do to fall in love with the most important person in your life, and that is YOU! But one thing I do know is this, if you are surrounded by people who are making you feel unworthy of self-love, cutting their asses off is definitely something you need to do. You will be amazed at the results!!!
Don't you just love my sense of humor??? I Do Because I Love Myself.
Now welcome back to my chair...
When was your "haha" moment and you learned the importance of loving yourself?
Children, Color, Cut, Locs, Natural Hair, Protective Styles, Transition, Twists, and Sew-In Weaves
Natural is Our Heritage
Welcome to my chair...
I remember growing up and watching my mom braiding her hair at night to wake up and have the most fabulous afro I had ever seen. My mom was my first mentor and role model that taught me to embrace my beauty as a black woman and celebrate my natural hair. I remember every saturday, my mom took the time and had the patience to shampoo and cornrow my natural tresses as well as my baby sister's hair into some of the most unique and beautiful styles. My mother was my first teacher in the art of afro braiding and natural hair creativity. Natural is definitely our heritage.
Stepping back in time, I remember black movies like, "Which Way Is Up", "Cotton Comes to Harlem", "The Cotton Club"; and television shows like, "Goodtimes", "The Jeffersons", and "What's Happening", where black actresses celebrated their natural hair like forms of art. One of my favorite characters was "Foxy Brown" played by actress Pam Grier.
Pam Grier (The Original "Foxy Brown")
Source: Gregorys Shock Theater
For some of us, (not telling our age), wanted to wear our natural hair like Pam Grier, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, and of course let's not forget political activist and professor Angela Davis. These are just a few of the most dymanic women who placed an impact on our natural hair culture. Once again...Natural is Our Heritage.
Do you remember the black comb, the afro pic, and the red cardboard container of royal crown hairdressing?
Share your memories today?
I remember growing up and watching my mom braiding her hair at night to wake up and have the most fabulous afro I had ever seen. My mom was my first mentor and role model that taught me to embrace my beauty as a black woman and celebrate my natural hair. I remember every saturday, my mom took the time and had the patience to shampoo and cornrow my natural tresses as well as my baby sister's hair into some of the most unique and beautiful styles. My mother was my first teacher in the art of afro braiding and natural hair creativity. Natural is definitely our heritage.
Stepping back in time, I remember black movies like, "Which Way Is Up", "Cotton Comes to Harlem", "The Cotton Club"; and television shows like, "Goodtimes", "The Jeffersons", and "What's Happening", where black actresses celebrated their natural hair like forms of art. One of my favorite characters was "Foxy Brown" played by actress Pam Grier.
Pam Grier (The Original "Foxy Brown")
For some of us, (not telling our age), wanted to wear our natural hair like Pam Grier, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, and of course let's not forget political activist and professor Angela Davis. These are just a few of the most dymanic women who placed an impact on our natural hair culture. Once again...Natural is Our Heritage.
Do you remember the black comb, the afro pic, and the red cardboard container of royal crown hairdressing?
Share your memories today?
Transition Is Not Only for Natural Hair in 2012
Welcome to my chair...
As 2011 was coming to a close, I took a few moments to reflect on how I would begin my transition in 2012 as a person, a natural hair diva, and as a natural hair professional.
Instead of making a bunch of resolutions for 2012, that I will probably only commit to for a couple of weeks, I decided to reflect on what doors I needed to closed once 2011 was over and begin making my transition in 2012.
In my search for closure, I found two great sites during the month of December 2011, thedailylove.com and 101 daily wealth affirmations.
I am please to announce that the above sites are making a difference in my journey as a person.
I am pretty sure many of us could us a little bit of transition to walk through 2012 in success and well-being. I know I definitely did.
For example, over the past year, I questioned my vision and love as a natural hair stylist and if I should pursue another career in 2012.
Well, through meditation (and it is important to have a quiet moment everyday), I reminded myself that I became a professional stylist because I love the challenge of enhancing your natural beauty, helping you maintain a healthy head of hair, and seeing the smile on your face once you leave my chair.
In conclusion, I would like to continue to encourage, recommend, and help you embrace your true natural beauty. I pray and hope that your natural hair journey continues to be a prosperous one in 2012.
Transition means new beginnings...and ours begins today.
As 2011 was coming to a close, I took a few moments to reflect on how I would begin my transition in 2012 as a person, a natural hair diva, and as a natural hair professional.
Instead of making a bunch of resolutions for 2012, that I will probably only commit to for a couple of weeks, I decided to reflect on what doors I needed to closed once 2011 was over and begin making my transition in 2012.
In my search for closure, I found two great sites during the month of December 2011, thedailylove.com and 101 daily wealth affirmations.
I am please to announce that the above sites are making a difference in my journey as a person.
I am pretty sure many of us could us a little bit of transition to walk through 2012 in success and well-being. I know I definitely did.
For example, over the past year, I questioned my vision and love as a natural hair stylist and if I should pursue another career in 2012.
Well, through meditation (and it is important to have a quiet moment everyday), I reminded myself that I became a professional stylist because I love the challenge of enhancing your natural beauty, helping you maintain a healthy head of hair, and seeing the smile on your face once you leave my chair.
In conclusion, I would like to continue to encourage, recommend, and help you embrace your true natural beauty. I pray and hope that your natural hair journey continues to be a prosperous one in 2012.
Transition means new beginnings...and ours begins today.
She Loves Her Bohyme Brazilian Weave and I Do Too!
Welcome to my chair...
I install a sew-in weave using Bohyme Brazilian Wave today; unfortunately my client does not like taking pics, but trust me, she loved it and I did too! Imagine this… jumping into a pool of water, getting caught in the rain, taking a long steamy bubble bath all without worrying about your hair! For any woman who has extremely curly hair who loves her natural curls but just would like more of it. If you are growing out your relaxer Bohyme Brazilian Wave is your dream product. Bohyme Brazilian Wave resemblems 3a/3b curl pattern.
Bohyme Brazilian Wave hair resembles natural African American curly hair. Bohyme Brazilian Wave has a natural, soft curl yet is extremely versatile. When you wet Bohyme Brazilian Wave hair and use styling products or let it air-dry, it develops a strong spiral and textured curl pattern. When you flat iron Brazilian Wave it looks like Yaki-textured hair.
Bohyme Brazilian Wave is a wonderful choice for women who have natural pressed hair, or have or desire a heavy textured hair.
FAQs:
How many packages will I need?
I suggest 1 1/2 to 2 packs.
What type of hair is this?
Asian Remy hair that has been processed for color and texture.
Can I split the tracks?
I suggest that you do not split the tracks for this type of hair because it will become tangled and difficult to managed daily.
Can the Brazilian Wave be straighten?
Yes. But once wet again, it will return to its normal curl pattern.
Bohyme Brazilian Wave can be purchased locally in the Atlanta Metro Area.
I install a sew-in weave using Bohyme Brazilian Wave today; unfortunately my client does not like taking pics, but trust me, she loved it and I did too! Imagine this… jumping into a pool of water, getting caught in the rain, taking a long steamy bubble bath all without worrying about your hair! For any woman who has extremely curly hair who loves her natural curls but just would like more of it. If you are growing out your relaxer Bohyme Brazilian Wave is your dream product. Bohyme Brazilian Wave resemblems 3a/3b curl pattern.
Bohyme Brazilian Wave hair resembles natural African American curly hair. Bohyme Brazilian Wave has a natural, soft curl yet is extremely versatile. When you wet Bohyme Brazilian Wave hair and use styling products or let it air-dry, it develops a strong spiral and textured curl pattern. When you flat iron Brazilian Wave it looks like Yaki-textured hair.
Bohyme Brazilian Wave is a wonderful choice for women who have natural pressed hair, or have or desire a heavy textured hair.
FAQs:
How many packages will I need?
I suggest 1 1/2 to 2 packs.
What type of hair is this?
Asian Remy hair that has been processed for color and texture.
Can I split the tracks?
I suggest that you do not split the tracks for this type of hair because it will become tangled and difficult to managed daily.
Can the Brazilian Wave be straighten?
Yes. But once wet again, it will return to its normal curl pattern.
Bohyme Brazilian Wave can be purchased locally in the Atlanta Metro Area.
Back to Basics: Natural Hair
Welcome to my chair...
The natural hair craze has taken off like wildfire in the past few years.
Just recently, I was reading an article posted by the New York Times on how many of us are struggling with wearing our natural or transition hair as well as maintaining the health of our hair.
So a lot of times, out of frustration, we tend to revert to relaxing again or subjecting ourselves to other techniques that are damaging to our hair.
And let's not mention, the millions of how-to videos online that can become time consuming and, most of the times, turns us into product junkies.
And finding a natural hair salon that does just that...natural hair!!! Remains far and few.
No wonder the online d-i-y videos are receiving millions of hits daily.
What if I want a natural hair style that is creative and celebrates my outer beauty?
A natural hair stylist should be just that; one who creates styles for natural hair as well as educates on how to care for natural hair.
Yes, going natural can be a daunting task due to our busy lifestyles, but it can also be a fulfilling one with the right education and the right tools.
Think about it, our mommas use hair grease and water (lol) and our ponytails were long and gorgeous and HEALHTY.
Listen, let's get back to basics: "going natural" is a decision to improve our well-being and "Celebrate Our Beauty".
Just recently, I was reading an article posted by the New York Times on how many of us are struggling with wearing our natural or transition hair as well as maintaining the health of our hair.
So a lot of times, out of frustration, we tend to revert to relaxing again or subjecting ourselves to other techniques that are damaging to our hair.
And let's not mention, the millions of how-to videos online that can become time consuming and, most of the times, turns us into product junkies.
And finding a natural hair salon that does just that...natural hair!!! Remains far and few.
No wonder the online d-i-y videos are receiving millions of hits daily.
What if I want a natural hair style that is creative and celebrates my outer beauty?
A natural hair stylist should be just that; one who creates styles for natural hair as well as educates on how to care for natural hair.
Yes, going natural can be a daunting task due to our busy lifestyles, but it can also be a fulfilling one with the right education and the right tools.
Think about it, our mommas use hair grease and water (lol) and our ponytails were long and gorgeous and HEALHTY.
Listen, let's get back to basics: "going natural" is a decision to improve our well-being and "Celebrate Our Beauty".
How to Stay Fit and Keep Your Natural Hair In Shape
Welcome tomy chair...
As the Christmas holiday are approaching and we begin to enjoy our favorite holiday foods, we will be looking to lose those extra pounds in 2012. The following tips on how to stay fit and keep your natural hair in shape was provided by Janelle Richards (www.thegrio.com).
theGrio worked with Whole Lifestyles trainer Lisa Priestly to find out what the best exercises were for black women who struggle to keep up their natural hair and to work out. Below are the workouts featured in the video. Remember, you can go to the gym, just decide how intense to make your workout.
Exercises:
Squat Press: Strengthens all major muscles of the lower body and tone and shapes the shoulders.
1. Squat down and sit back like sitting in a chair 2. Weight mostly in heels 3. Keep your back long and chest up 4. Push into your heels and stand up 5. Press the dumbbells over your head
Lunge Curl: Strengthens all major lower body muscles, but adds the element of balance with the legs in a staggered position. Also tones the upper arm.
1. Step one foot back a little more than a strides distance with dumbbells in hand 2. Keep the back long, and Torso slightly angled forward 3. Bend the rear leg knee almost to the floor. 4. Curl the dumbbells as you come up. Push- up: Strengths and tones upper body and core
1. Starting in plank position knees up or down on the floor 2. Keeping the body in one straight line 3. Leading with the check lower the body 1 fist distance from the floor or at least been the elbows to 90 degrees 4. Press back up, keeping the body in one line
Single Leg One Arm Cable Row: Strengthens balance and core musculature and well as the mid- back muscles that are good for posture.
1. Standing on one leg with cable in the opposite hand 2. Extend opposite leg back. 3. As you pull the cable handle back to side ribs, you draw your back leg in and stand up.
Stay Fit ! : According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention - people need two hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate intensity aerobic activity and two or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms).
Watch the video now...
As the Christmas holiday are approaching and we begin to enjoy our favorite holiday foods, we will be looking to lose those extra pounds in 2012. The following tips on how to stay fit and keep your natural hair in shape was provided by Janelle Richards (www.thegrio.com).
theGrio worked with Whole Lifestyles trainer Lisa Priestly to find out what the best exercises were for black women who struggle to keep up their natural hair and to work out. Below are the workouts featured in the video. Remember, you can go to the gym, just decide how intense to make your workout.
Exercises:
Squat Press: Strengthens all major muscles of the lower body and tone and shapes the shoulders.
1. Squat down and sit back like sitting in a chair 2. Weight mostly in heels 3. Keep your back long and chest up 4. Push into your heels and stand up 5. Press the dumbbells over your head
Lunge Curl: Strengthens all major lower body muscles, but adds the element of balance with the legs in a staggered position. Also tones the upper arm.
1. Step one foot back a little more than a strides distance with dumbbells in hand 2. Keep the back long, and Torso slightly angled forward 3. Bend the rear leg knee almost to the floor. 4. Curl the dumbbells as you come up. Push- up: Strengths and tones upper body and core
1. Starting in plank position knees up or down on the floor 2. Keeping the body in one straight line 3. Leading with the check lower the body 1 fist distance from the floor or at least been the elbows to 90 degrees 4. Press back up, keeping the body in one line
Single Leg One Arm Cable Row: Strengthens balance and core musculature and well as the mid- back muscles that are good for posture.
1. Standing on one leg with cable in the opposite hand 2. Extend opposite leg back. 3. As you pull the cable handle back to side ribs, you draw your back leg in and stand up.
Stay Fit ! : According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention - people need two hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate intensity aerobic activity and two or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms).
Watch the video now...
Transition
I receive many calls regarding transitioning from relaxed to natural hair. I do understand how the process of transition from relaxed hair to natural hair can be frustrating and unsightly without the proper client services. So I decided to give each and every one of you a few tips on how to make a smooth transition from relaxed to natural hair. I know this advice is not new and is available on every natural hair website and blog out there but a refresher course is always good. For my transition clients, I personally use Design Essentials Salon System which is designed to infuse hair with a natural balance of vitamins, proteins and organic ingredients that promote movement, manageability, and styling ease of healthy hair.
As your natural hair grows in, you can have it thermally straightened once a month and trimmed. This will give your hair the appearance of being straight as you grow out which will allow for a seamless transition. After a while you won't even notice that half your hair is natural. Applying heat more often than once a month, may cause you to lose your natural curl pattern but if you plan on wearing your natural hair straight, I guess this is fine. But for those natural divas who want to flaunt their natural curl pattern, ONLY FLAT IRON YOUR HAIR ONCE A MONTH OR LESS. This is best achieved with regular salon visits with the proper moisturizing treatments and thermal styling tools which will make a huge difference in the ease and look of your hair. Ionic ceramic blow dryers with far infrared technology will allow you to quickly dry while maintaining hair's moisture, and ceramic flat irons will give hair the best degree of thermal straightening, leaving hair soft, silky and moisturized in the process.
Another great option to transition without the frustration is wearing sew-in weaves. A sew-in weave gives you a fabulous look instantly, protects your hair from heat damage, and can be worn for at least six to eight weeks. With proper trims and hydration treatments during this technique, you should be able to transition to your natural texture with minimum hair breakage.
Transitioning Twist Outs (PAM'S JOURNEY):
My client Pam want to transition from relaxed hair to chemical free natural hair. Well, here is Pam's dilemma, Pam spends her lunch time 5 days a week jogging through Piedmont Park in Atlanta. So as you know, Pam's hair is not holding a silk press because of her daily excercise regiment. Unfortunately, Pam could not do the "Big Chop" because her natural her would be too short, and there may be possible backlash due to her corporate job. Yes, these silly rules still exist in corporate america. So with Pam's hair, we had to come up with style variations that were appealing and acceptable at her job but still be able to accomplish the transition. With this in mind, we trimmed the relaxed hair at least 2 inches every month and give Pam the option to wear natural twist hair styles, straw sets or twist outs until the relaxer was hair was completed removed.
As your natural hair grows in, you can have it thermally straightened once a month and trimmed. This will give your hair the appearance of being straight as you grow out which will allow for a seamless transition. After a while you won't even notice that half your hair is natural. Applying heat more often than once a month, may cause you to lose your natural curl pattern but if you plan on wearing your natural hair straight, I guess this is fine. But for those natural divas who want to flaunt their natural curl pattern, ONLY FLAT IRON YOUR HAIR ONCE A MONTH OR LESS. This is best achieved with regular salon visits with the proper moisturizing treatments and thermal styling tools which will make a huge difference in the ease and look of your hair. Ionic ceramic blow dryers with far infrared technology will allow you to quickly dry while maintaining hair's moisture, and ceramic flat irons will give hair the best degree of thermal straightening, leaving hair soft, silky and moisturized in the process.
Another great option to transition without the frustration is wearing sew-in weaves. A sew-in weave gives you a fabulous look instantly, protects your hair from heat damage, and can be worn for at least six to eight weeks. With proper trims and hydration treatments during this technique, you should be able to transition to your natural texture with minimum hair breakage.
Transitioning Twist Outs (PAM'S JOURNEY):
My client Pam want to transition from relaxed hair to chemical free natural hair. Well, here is Pam's dilemma, Pam spends her lunch time 5 days a week jogging through Piedmont Park in Atlanta. So as you know, Pam's hair is not holding a silk press because of her daily excercise regiment. Unfortunately, Pam could not do the "Big Chop" because her natural her would be too short, and there may be possible backlash due to her corporate job. Yes, these silly rules still exist in corporate america. So with Pam's hair, we had to come up with style variations that were appealing and acceptable at her job but still be able to accomplish the transition. With this in mind, we trimmed the relaxed hair at least 2 inches every month and give Pam the option to wear natural twist hair styles, straw sets or twist outs until the relaxer was hair was completed removed.
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