This weeks natural beauty knows the meaning of natural hair journey, this experienced natural has mastered how to treat her gorgeous full head of loose tresses. The unique beauty Kamara has to bring to the natural world is her strength, determination and patience throughout her journey, I am sure you all will enjoy her interview and most importantly get inspired!!
1. How long have you been natural? How long did you transition?
I think my last relaxer was sometime around New Years 2007. So, I'm heading up to 4 years without a relaxer. As for the transitioning, that's a little more complex. I'd say I transitioned for 8 months, just because that's how long I went without hacking off parts of the relaxed ends. I just used to snip pieces randomly over the course of about 6 months, so by April 2008, I was more or less natural.
2. What are the pros and cons (if any) of being natural?
Pros: I definitely feel more in touch with my hair. When it was relaxed (from age 11 to 19), my hair styles consisted of buns, buns, the occasional fancy hairdo after a visit to the salon, and oh, more buns. Going natural definitely upped the necessity to get creative. I lived in Claire's and other accessory shops :) Another pro is that I don't have to fear the weather; if anything, a little rain shower keeps the tresses moist, you know what I mean? Also, I feel different, like I stand out with my natural hair. I can do styles now, I'm not style-challenged anymore.
Cons: Natural hair is more work for me. There, I said it. Now, hear me out. It is more work, but it is more enjoyable, so it doesn't seem like work. Also, my hair gets everywhere! Man, it's annoying sometimes, especially when cleaning the shower. So not a good look.
3. Please describe your hair texture and its behaviors ex. kinky curly coarse coil very dry....
My hair is kinky. 4a, 4b, call it what you will. It's got split personalities too. The back will curl when wet, the front will barely manage a wave, and the crown.. well, that just says "who you tink you dealing wit?" and stays as wiry and coarse as ever. My hair tend to get dry as well. Even while relaxed, I had that problem. It also fuzzes/frizzes like crazy. My twists stay decent for like a week tops. Then they get the "halo effect". Good thing I don't mind it, or I'd be bald (or relaxed) by now.
4. What inspired you to become natural?
I'd always want to do it while I was in secondary school, but never had the courage. Then while studying in Canada, the second winter, my relaxed hair was like "peace", and left the building. It broke so bad, I was like.. I could as well get rid of it. I went home for summer (back to lovely warm Barbados), and I just cornrowed for 4 months. So I fell into the natural thing.
5. What is your hair goal?
My hair goal is healthy hair and a healthy scalp. Not so much length. With my kind of hair and my kind of temperament, my current length of about shoulder length in shrunken twists is quite enough. If it grows longer, and I can manage it, then great.
6. Name 4 fave hair products?
This is a tough one, I don't use many products right now. But I'll try. Hmm, shea butter is number one. Number 2 would be water. The third is ORS Olive Oil hair creme. And the fourth, any conditioner that smells good and gives slip for detangling. Back in the day, I used Giovanni Direct-Leave In, but I didn't use it long enough for it to be a fav, though I did like it.
7. What tips and advise would you share with us?
a) Be patient. A watched pot never boils, and watching your hair everyday or week to see it grow, is torture.
b) Try to have some kind of routine, but don't let your hair mess with your life. It is only hair after all. And vanity is vanity; the same way you shouldn't let money, or your job, or whatever else be your centre, it's the same with hair.
c)On a lighter note, being natural gives you so much leeway in being creative with your style. Even me, who was kinda plain before, has gotten some extra flair :) So have fun with it.
8. Where can you be found?
9. What advise would you give someone who is considering becoming natural?
In addition to no. 7 above, remember to do it for you. It's not a trend. Going natural is more like returning to natural. You aren't really going somewhere that you've never been. It's just a place you visited a long time ago, and now you have to figure out the way around. There are great resources out there open to you, so use them :)
10. Would you say being natural affect your life? if so in what way?
Definitely. I think all the answers above can illustrate it, but mainly it's taught me patience and a bit of confidence as well.
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