Queen of the Week

 This weeks natural queen is one of my personal faves; meet Suburbanbushbabe, the unique beauty she has to bring to the natural world is her knowledge, wisdom and personal experiences. I remember being a newbie and freaked out when I had a negative encounter with devacare, I didn't know whether it was the beyond the zone curl creme or the devacare,I made a desperate thead on naturallycurly.com and  in came sub (along with dozens of other naturals) with endless info and  advises of what I should do. Up until that experience I did not know what silicone was or how it affect natural hair, I was glad I had sub and other naturals to hold my hands when I needed them the most.

1. How long have you been natural? how long did you transition?
I started my transition in August 2005 and became fully natural in October 2006 - a 14-month transition from being texlaxed.  For many years I was a "false" natural, not a true one, afraid of confronting, caring for and living with my natural hair texture.

2. What are the pros and cons (if any) of being natural?
Very few cons.   I saw this black woman with gorgeous gray/silver, bone straight hair on HGTV, and I began to salivate. But I'm afraid of the flatiron. I'm happier now with my hair than I ever have been in life.

3. Please describe your hair texture and its behaviors ex. kinky curly coarse coil very dry....
My curl pattern is 3c and 4a.  The texture of my hair is fine, volume is thin, and strands are fragile. It's in good condition, but can quickly become dry if I don't feed it enough moisture, especially during seasonal transitions.

4.What made you want to become natural?
I felt frustrated with the hairdresser who texlaxed and colored my hair. I was tired of the whole "hood" salon scene, her coloring skills left much to be desired, I was tired of being burned periodically, and felt I deserved better.  I had been getting my hair cut for awhile by another curl-centric salon, but it was that frustration that made me not go back for relaxer.  But to give her credit, the hairdresser who texlaxed my hair had suggested several times that I should let my hair go natural.

5.What is your hair goal?
Healthy, beautiful, easy to care for hair that grows well, increases my attractiveness and makes me feel great.

6. Name 4 fave hair products? 
4? You are such a kidder!  The products I use consistently are:  GVP version of Biolage Matrix Conditioning Balm, All-Nutrient ClarpHX Active Clarifying shampoo (sulfate-free), Onesta Moisture Balancing Conditioner, Qhemet Biologics Olive Honey Hydrating Balm, Kinky Curly Curling Custard, Vigorol Curls Curling Cream, Devacurl Set it Free, Aquage Illuminating Gellade.

7. What tips and advice would you share with us? 
 Aside from avoiding build-up, conditioning frequently, using a butter or oil on ends and sleeping on a silk pillowcase?

- Don't feel guilty about experimenting with products, unless you are blowing your budget, not paying the rent or mortgage or skimping on meals.  Product experimentation is how I got to know what works and what does not on my hair.  It's also how I know which $4 product works as well as a $20 one.
-  Find a good stylist who cuts many curly heads; I get a Devacut 3 times a year and would not have the shape or curls I have without my hairdresser's expertise.
- Have patience with your hair if you are new; it will go through many changes.  Even on a bad hair 
day, your hair doesn't look as bad as you think it does.
- You will find what works for you eventually - give it time. It took me years, but it is so worth it.

 
8. where can you be found?
Any of the sites below. If you are in or around the Boston area, come join the Boston Naturals meetup - a friendly group of naturals who meet at regular fun events, and we welcome new members.  You can find me on my blog and at my Fotki site -- but I haven't been as active with Fotki since the summer.  I also post frequently at Naturally Curly's Curltalk forum (some could say too frequently). And I occasionally write articles for them as well and for their professional site, Curlstylist.

http://www.meetup.com/Napptural/
http://suburbanbushbabe.wordpress.com/
http://members.fotki.com/suburbanbushbabe/about/
http://www.naturallycurly.com/
http://www.curlstylist.com/

9. what advice would you give someone who is considering becoming natural?  
One of my favorite sayings is, "I'm not ready, but it's time," and when I say that or feel scared of doing something that is going to benefit me, I know it's time for me to step outside my comfort zone.  It can really help us grow to do something outside of our comfort zones, as long as we don't have to stay there all the time. Natural hair can often put us there -- not everyone you know is going to like it, you may get snide or downright hurtful comments, your spouse or lover may say they prefer straight hair.  You may have days where you wonder if the transition is worth it.  You may have days where you long to reach for the relaxer.  Stay with your authenticity.  Make the stretch (no pun intended).  Free your hair -- your mind will follow.

10. would you say being natural affects your life? if so in what way? 

It has brought me in touch with real parts of me, and allowed me to reach out to others and share. And thank you for asking me to share with your blog readers.