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.

HAir UpDates

My hair is sprouting and I am getting even more excited about my 2 years anniversary, I have been wearing it stretched (TEAM STRETCHED!!!) the entire week and I am surprised at how easy it is to manage. My regimen has changed a lot to accommodate the colder weather; instead of washing my hair weekly I try to co wash bi weekly or even once monthly, I use my whupped shea butter mix more, seal with EVOO and stay away from wash n gos (never liked them). I learned that keeping my hair braided or in some sort of a wrapped up style locks moister  for as long as I keep the style in (without having to refresh w/ spritz). I also swear by kimmaytubes leave in concoction (THANK YOU KIM).

I don't know if it's a combination of the products I use and the knowledge i have gained from being natural, but I have managed to keep my hair moist and soft for days without having to add anything to it since last Sunday night. Moister is very important to me and it is one thing I thought I would have a hard time figuring out, it's nice to prove myself wrong.

Today I realize I can put my hair in a ponytail...(and Im not talking about the bobby pin ponytails either) I did so using a hair tie, I don't know why I am not as enthusiastic as i thought I would be when this day would come but I guess I am looking forward to  bigger accomplishments like 12''  hair, or the day I can look down on my chest and see my hair. Although ultimately we all want healthy hair, I also look forward to the length that comes with its health (without getting obsessed with it). I have heard and read too many stories of a scissor happy stylist or heat damage; it happens to the best of us and although I take lots of precautions, my hair is not invincible. It's great how my hair seizes to amaze me.You can never go wrong with natural hair :-D hope my story is inspiring to some if not all.

post advice: "highlight the features in your hair that makes you happy in your current phase, look to others for motivation and inspiration not to compare and contrast; no two heads of hair are alike, be patient and focus on moister and giving those ends TLC, your time will come to be amazed(..if you aren't already)''

Merry X-mas Queens

Two days ago I went against my original plan and took out my braids. I made the mistake of trying a brand I never used before, it was too silky and slippery, by the first month my hair was a complete frizz ball and  it was so obvious where my real hair ended..YIKES!! Granted  I missed my hair crazy I was not too bummed, now I get to spent the holidays with it...YAY!!! Tomorrow I plan to wear one of my fav classic styles; the Marylin Monroe inspired do (currently in Bantu knots as preparation) Although I do not miss the braids I plan to put them back in come January before spring semester starts.

I love the holidays because I spend it doing what I love the most; spending quality time with my family; no presents, no Christmas trees just quality time watching movies, joking and enjoying one another presence.  I am at MOST grateful that I have each and every single one of them to cherish and care for. I don't take a single moment for granted. I thank God for that. 

Happy Holidays to you all share your holiday hair story with me! Luv you all. Peace & blessings

In case you are wondering i am still here

I have been M.I.A with putting my life back together, God has been so good to me and I would love to share and plan to when I can catch my breath. Although I am not on here as often as I use to be, I will stay committed to what gives me a piece of mind and makes me happy. I have realized that I may break from online natural community but the community keeps going no matter what so I have to keep that in mind and  stay true to my subscribers on ytube, new friends on fotki and followers on here. I appreciate and love each and every single person who take the time to join my pages to inquire about what I am doing. So if yo have been wondering, I am blessed and well. Toodles for now queens

Natural Queen of The Week: Gabrielle

This weeks natural beauty is truly a beauty, meet Gabrielle the unique beauty Gabby has to bring to the natural world is her creativity with styles and just her confident in embracing her gorgeous natural tresses. I love browsing through Gabbys' photos for inspiration and if you are seeking to be inspired you will find it with her.

1. How long have you been natural? How long did you transition?
I have been natural since September 2006.  My last relaxer was in March of 2006 and I transitioned for 6 months.

2. What are the pros and cons (if any) of being natural?
Pros:
Natural hair is low maintenance
Cheaper than my relaxed hair was
My hair is healthier than my relaxed hair
Having natural hair forced me to not be dependent on a beautician to style my hair for me

Cons:
Okay, thinking of any cons was a little challenging!
If you don't like frizzy hair, then trying to keep your natural hair looking "fresh" is going to drive you nuts!  I personally don't mind frizz
It might take you a while to get a solid routine down
Shrinkage sometimes is annoying when you want to show off your length, it is something you definitely have to learn to love.


3. Please describe your hair texture and its behaviors ex. kinky curly coarse coil very dry....
My hair is mainly very coarse.  However, I do have fine and normal hairs as well.  My hair is naturally dry and it is wiry.  On the LOIS hair typing system, my hair strands are mainly "O" and "S".

4.What inspired you to become natural?
I was at school one day back in 2005 and I saw a girl with a gorgeous high puff! I decided I wanted one after I saw hers and after one failed attempt of going natural in late 2005 I finally did it in late 2006.

5. What is your hair goal?
Having healthy hair is a goal of mine.  I try to do everything I can to keep my hair  healthy.  If you have healthy hair first then you can have any other hair goal you set for yourself.  The next goal I would like to reach is waist length.

6. Name 4 hair products you cannot live without?
My favorite moisturizer is Worlds of Curls Curl Activator gel and Worlds of Curls Comb Out Spray.  I like to use Aloe Vera gel for hold.  My favorite conditioner is Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose (good stuff!). 

7. What tips and advise would you share with us?
I have been natural for 4 years and I am still learning about my hair!  Yes, trying to get a routine together is very frustrating but do not give up. Also, work with your hair and not against your hair.  What I mean by this is that you will drive yourself crazy trying to get your hair to do things that it cannot do.  If you don't have any curls naturally but you are constantly trying to find some way to get defined curls then you are going to get very frustrated!  Learn to love your hair and work with what you have naturally, it will make your natural hair journey a lot more pleasant.

8. Where can you be found?
Everywhere! lol
My blog is: http://www.frostoppa.com/
Fotki album: http://www.fotki.com/ms-gg
Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/FroStoppa
And on Nappturality.com I am Ms-gg :)



9. What advise would you give someone who is considering becoming natural?
I will give you the same advise I gave myself:
Try it out.  Cut off all of your relaxed ends when you have enough hair that you are comfortable with.  If you don't like it, they sell perms Walgreens, Wal-Mart, CVS, they are everywhere.  If you don't like your natural hair say after a year, then go back to the relaxer.  It is that simple.  How will you know relaxed hair is not for you if you never give it a try? 
That is the advice I have myself four years ago and I have not looked back since!

10. Would you say being natural affect your life? if so in what way?
Yes it has.  It made me realize that I do not need to wear my hair straight and that my natural hair is beautiful and I do not need the approval of anyone to wear my hair natural. 

Product of the week: Green tea

One of the many beautiful things I admire about being natural is learning new discoveries that become  life changing practices and part of my everyday lifestyle. I discovered green tea earlier this year while researching online about natural hair.  Here are some facts about green tea; Green is very high in antioxidant, in fact it contains more antioxidant than any of the other herbal teas. The following illnesses are a few of the many cures green tea have been proven to take care of. 

• cancer
• rheumatoid arthritis
• high cholesterol levels
• cariovascular disease
• weight loss
• impaired immune function
  
  

  
  

  It's No wonder the Chinese call this tea the miracle tea. Here is how I use it;
  
  
  

  Drinking Green Tea: As for the hair, green tea is known to stop hair loss and restore skin cells. In my opinion it promotes growth, during my last braid set I noticed my hair literally sprouting in a rapid pace to the point where i had to take my hair down 2 weeks before expected (this is all after re braiding my edges). Although I would like to give drinking 2-3 cups of green tea daily sole credit for this remarkable progress I can't , in any circumstance; TLC=positive results and I think that's what contributed to my success. I do however think drinking the green tea added to it.

  
  

  Hair/face  Rinse: My hair loves green tea rinse, I usually do this rinse as my final rinse on the days of my DTs and I don't rinse out. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  I purchased my tea from China town in Los Angeles, it came in a cool container and the herbs were nicely wrapped in a bag (as shown in the above pix). I used about tablespoon amount and put it in roughly 2 cups of bowling water for about 5 mins then strained it, next I transfer the tea into a  pitcher and add cold water to cool down and dilute the tea some. When I am done the tea is the color of the first pix. I drink it daily as water replacement. I do not add anything to it. This may be somewhat bitter but anything this beneficial is worth it. You can add lemon juice, honey or sweet and low to minimize the taste.
  
  
  *I like my tea in the herb form vs bagged because I can taste the difference, the herb is stronger and more effective. Green tea herb can be found at any local Asian super market.
  
  
  
  
  

Congrats to my natural queen Janelle Monae for winning the soul train award

Tonight while watching The Soul Train Awards my girl Janelle monae won the Soul Train Award YAY!!!! 

Her speech was so empowering and I couldn't help it but to think she was referring to being natural when she said Black young girls should embrace what God gave them and take advantage of what makes them unique. Of course I could be wrong but that's what I got from it. Any way, CONGRATS Janelle, you are the face of unique in a beautiful way and in the music industry, I am so glad you are finally starting to get recognition for your talent. We need more woman such as Janelle in the industry promoting positive self image for our little Black women growing up in a euro centric worldview of what beauty is. 

http://www.centrictv.com/photos/Soul-Train-Awards-2010-photos/10139/