Transitioner's Talk: Curl Envy....you know you've tried it!

The best thing I can say to any budding naturalista eager to let her mane shine & let her afro rise is just like my favorite board game, Monopoly - you gotta start from GO. And where is "GO" located? Prominently placed between "Reality Blvd" & "What Did I Get Myself Into Lane." In other words, you cannot transition from relaxed to natural hair without being real with YOURSELF.

When I worship God through dance, I am coming from a place of reality. It may sound strange, but that's the same place of hibernation I had to find on the map of my journey.

For starters, no amount of Cover Girl or Maybelline is going to transform Drew Carey's Mimi into Halle Berry. (Or in Mimi's case, how much makeup she scrapes off. But I digress). This is the same for natural beauty. We can't force our hair into something it simply ain't. For 17 months, I thought I had Curly Nikki's tremendous coif attached to my struggling noggin. Until I chopped off my relaxer, revealing....just plain ol' ME. And MY hair didn't look like HERS. Or anyone else's I'd seen for that matter.

Let's just say I began my transition pleasantly perched in a place of dreams: What if my hair is as long has hers? What if it's wavy like that model's? Good googly-goo, what if THAT mass of beautimousness is shooting out from my very own skull?
My thoughts traveled to all those places because as I researched what to do to serve myself a well-planned, meaningful, EASY transition - I fell in love with every head of hair I came across. Not a good look; you can drive your curls to drink doing that! My personal reality set in quickly, upon my first (and only) nightmare detangling session. If I was going to renew a realtionship with my hair, I was going to have to romance it first. And the first step in a successful romance is ACCEPTANCE - without conditions. Quickly followed by getting to know one another. It takes time to find out what makes your curls rock & what makes them throw up a little. Trust me, I KNOW.

So, Tip #1 - Don't try to recreate someone's curls because you might just achieve their drama coming along for the ride.

#2 - Find a great conditioner to co-wash &/or deep condition. (Two of myown staples: Aussie moist & V05 Strawberries & Cream Moisture Milk. Both cheap & leave me feeling secure in their loyalty to my strands.
#3 - Ditch the heat. Point blank period. (Yes, I watch The Braxtons). Air drying helped my shoulder length tresses bloom to bra strap length during my transition.
#4 - Find a styling method void of high manipulation, & easy to maintain. Braid outs were my saving grace during this time. Lots of folk thought I was already natural, which was a super A+ !
#5 - Mositurizer is you best friend...find different ways to keep those thirsty locks out of the desert!
#6 - Commitment! Without it, you may as wel slap on a Dark & Lovely now.
#7 - Accesorize! Don't be afraid to dress up your coif with headbands, flowers & the like. Our dance company had a craft party for Christmas, creating our own delicious hair candy that we rock all the time! Glue guns, fabrixk & old earrings can turn out a mean headband!
#8 - You Tube it! While yoy can't take guru's every word as the gospel, you can find some mighty fine hairdo's to tickle your frizzies.

I'll continue giving you curlies ideas/tips & pictures along the way. While our hair may not be the same, the stage is. And if you'd like to share our own tale of transition, contact the Frizzness; we'd love to have you!

There's 2 sides to every Frizz,

natural dancer

Getting Down To Frizzness: TAYLOR!

How wonderful it is to see so many teens embracing their natural glory! So get ready to meet the awesomeness of Taylor: confident, gifted, talented, caring & cool! She's a Child of GOD going for what she wants in life & rocking a pretty fantastic TWA as she steps her way into success. She's not the girl next door....she's the girl you need to know!

Tell us about you:
-My name is Taylor Davis, and I am a 17-year-old senior, class of 2012. I am a dance major at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts. I’m originally from New Orleans, La., but I was raised in Woodville, MS. I moved to Texas during the summer of ’05. I enjoy singing, dancing, hanging out with friends, and worshiping. God is the number one man in my life and always will be. I plan to attend LSU and major in Child Psychiatry! That’s where my heart is. The decisions I make reflect my life goals and strong faith. I am a very confident young lady, and I have God and my FRIZZNESS to thank for that!
How long have you been rocking your frizzness?
- I’ve been natural for only 2 and half months now!

Did you desire a second date following your BC/End of transition, or did you make reservations for a party of ONE? -
I’d definitely have to say I made reservations for a party of one. Cutting my hair and going natural was a great decision. I say that because I’ve through many haircuts and this is the most beautiful and inspiring one!

Natural Hair doesn't define who you are BUT… it most definitely gave me a boost of confidence. Being in high school, the first thing my mom said when she saw it was, “No matter what the kids say, don’t let them discourage you.” Fortunately, I have great friends and peers. I love my hair!

What was the moment of epiphany in your journey?
-I’ve gone through a lot at such a young age. I’ve questioned God and myself. I didn’t have an identity, or at least I didn’t think I did. I began cutting myself and then my hair. I went from long, relaxed hair to a shoulder length cut to a short bob to a “shaved off in the back” bob to a Mohawk. And now, I’m here and HAPPY!

Because natural manes are so unpredictable, how do you combat feeling defeated on days when your crown seems less than stellar (based your OWN criteria)? -On days when I just feel like my hair isn’t curly enough, or it’s too dry, or it’s too short I pray, thank God for what I have, throw on a cute outfit, and start my day : )

Do random people attempt to lay hands in your mane? -Yes! OMG. It drives me insane! Especially when I’ve just picked it out.

Do you find your mane becoming the grand topic of conversation? -Yes, it always seems to merge its way into becoming topic of a conversation. I’m always being asked or told ‘What made you do it’ and ‘Not too many people can pull that off’. It never fails.

CONFIDENCE CHECK: Has natural hair allowed you to dance as if no one is watching, or has your aurora remain unfazed since your relaxed days? -Because I am a dancer, I’ve moved like I never have before. This cut signifies answers I’ve always needed. It means that I will always be loved. It says I can only move like Taylor, sing like Taylor, and love Taylor.

Share some secrets leading to a fabulous, happy, HEALTHY mane...promise we WILL tell! -Honestly, I knew nothing about natural hair but now I keep it moisturized with Cantu products as well as conditioned with Doo Gro products.

What was the WORST mistake you’ve made along the way?
-I’ve been doing pretty well, but word of advice; never let too many people cut your hair. Choose one barber. I went to someone else once, and he went too far up in my hair line. NEVER AGAIN!

What advice can you bless new, transitioning or frustrated kinky curly queens with?
-All I have to say s GO FOR IT! Don’t let anyone stop you. Be YOU for YOU and I promise it will make YOU happy!

What natural experiments put the glam in your crown? Which ones ended up filed under Campaign EPIC FAIL?-Luckily, I haven’t experienced any CEF yet. But the glam in my grown comes from the curl my oils and moisturizers give it.

What's the most fabulous part of your journey to frizzness?
-The confidence I’ve gained most definitely!

Outside of your gorgeous mane, what inspires you? -My inspiration comes from children. Little girls seem to light up my heart when I see then dancing for the Lord. I’ve had a lot of experiences with then being that I work with them. So I get all kind of stories that are just amazing to me. But because I work with them and I am a very observant person, their actions and reactions tell a lot. They are the reason I want and need to be a part of the child psychiatry. I want to help as many of them as I can.

How can our beautiful readers find you on the web?-Facebook; Taylor Davis, email taylor_davis2012@yahoo.com

Many thanks & blessings for getting down to frizzness!

Getting Down To Frizzness: Saleemah of Hydratherma Naturals!

We have been blessed to travel with her from her stunning BC to the sheer awesomeness of her versatil, swoon-worthy mane! Now the voice behind Healthy Hair Journey & Hydratherma Naturals takes time out of her hectic schedule to get down to Frizzness!

Tell us about you:
My name is Saleemah Cartwright. I am the co-owner of the Hydratherma Naturals Healthy Hair Care Product Collection. I am a former cosmetologist and hospice registered nurse. Hair is my first passion and I’m doing what I love.

How long have you been rocking your frizzness?
I have been natural and relaxed numerous times however, this time I am here to stay I did my big chop in 2008 and I transitioned for 5 months. Prior to that, I was relaxed for a number of years.

Did you desire a second date following your BC/End of transition, or did you make reservations for a party of ONE?
I transitioned for 5 months before doing the big chop. I did it myself. My hair was about 1.5 inches long. Going from long hair to short was a big adjustment for me but I loved my natural kinks. After 2 days I was totally in love with my short do!

Natural Hair doesn't define who you are BUT.....
It definitely does give me more confidence.

Because natural manes are so unpredictable, how do you combat feeling defeated on days when your crown seems less than stellar (based your OWN criteria)?
On less than stellar days, I typically wear a bun or a puff. You can’t go wrong with this type of style….no matter what the weather is like outside 

Do random people attempt to lay hands in your mane?
I actually don’t have many people touching my hair without asking first. Once in a while someone may touch my hair without asking and it doesn’t bother me at all. I was one of those people who touched without asking because I would be so excited to see and feel lovely healthy hair. I have since made a conscious effort to ask first 

Do you find your mane becoming the grand topic of conversation?
Lol…sometimes. Especially when I wear my hair BIG!!! Big hair is always an attention getter. People always ask me how I maintain my hair and what products I use.

CONFIDENCE CHECK: Has natural hair allowed you to dance as if no one is watching, or has your aurora remain unfazed since your relaxed days?
Honestly…. as I have gotten older, I can care less what others think. I now have the confidence to wear my hair how I want. Some people were a little angry with me when I cut off my long relaxed hair. I posted a video of my big chop on my youtube page and some people left negative comments about me cutting off my long relaxed hair. I’m really happy with my hair and that is all that matters.

Share some secrets leading to a fabulous, happy, HEALTHY mane...promise we WILL tell!

1. Maintaining a great moisture / protein balance in the hair to prevent breakage and promote length retention.
2. Protecting the ends of the hair because they are the most fragile.
3. Regular trims have also helped because split ends break.
4. Avoiding heat damage.

What was the WORST mistake you’ve made along the way?
The worst mistake for me was wearing very tiny single strand twist and leaving them in almost 2 weeks. I then unraveled the twists and wore a twist out for a few days. This resulted in numerous single strand knots which I eventually had to cut off. Many others have used this style as a great protective style. It just didn’t work for me. I prefer chunky twist outs and braid outs. It results in less fairy knots.

What advice can you bless new, transitioning or frustrated kinky curly queens with?
I suggest that all transitioners keep their new growth well moisturized and sealed with oil. I transitioned for 5 months and it was not terribly difficult. I have a 4a / 3c mix hair type. Keeping the new growth and line of demarcation well moisturized will help prevent some of the breakage that most transitioners experience.
I also suggest that the transitioner wear curly styles. This will camouflage the difference in texture and will make things easier.

What natural experiments put the glam in your crown? Which ones ended up filed under Campaign EPIC FAIL?
Chunky twist outs and chunky braid outs always work for me.
The banding technique was a definite EPIC FAIL!!!! lol

What's the most fabulous part of your journey to frizzness?
Total acceptance of self was and still is the best part of my journey.

Outside of your gorgeous mane, what inspires you?
I desire to help others. Being able to help others is what motivates me the most. Philanthropy is the foundation of the Hydratherma Naturals line and we support many charities. Our goal is to expand with our philanthropic efforts.

How can our beautiful readers find you on the web?
http://www.HealthyHairJourney.com website
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hydratherma-Naturals/186951174658?ref=ts facebook
http://twitter.com/Hydratherma twitter
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Healthy Hair Journey Enterprises L.L.C.
SAY GOODBYE TO DAMAGED, DRY AND LIFELESS HAIR!
HEALTHY HAIR CAN SOON BE YOURS!
www.HealthyHairJourney.com
Hydratherma Naturals on facebook
Hydratherma Naturals on Twitter
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Natural Cutie of the Week: KeKe!

My adorable dance twin, KeKe...a brilliant teen who knows who she is & embraces her natural glory!

Happy Memorial Day!!!!

Just having a little frizzy fun on a beauti-mous Texas day! :)

No, not my nails!!!!!!!

Ok, I am finally embracing my coils.
I'm even having fabulous fun with my Frizz.

But there is one travesty, a single act of disrespect, a blip on the horizon of my natural bliss unnerving me to the core of total unacceptability: my styling sessions done mangled my manicures, ya'll!
And I am not happily dancing about it, ggggrrrrr!!!!!

Don't get me wrong, as we all know I am slowly recovering from HIH Syndrome; you know: Hand In Hair. (Admission is the first step to peaceful, well sealed ends).

But I also LOVE using my nails as a relaxation playground, if you will. See, they're long & strong from my paternal Granny's side of the family & I dig experimenting with colors & designs. In fact, if I wasn't called to dance on weekends, I might've looked into working the whole nail shop thing. But I LOVE dancing for God WAY MORE.

So how come every time I hook up a banging set of twists or faux-n-go deluxe (fake a wash-n-go) my beautiful nails end up looking like the "Man Hands" chica on Seinfeld? No, really. And it's not cute. I ABHOR chipped nails!!!! I once stopped watching Brenda on General Hospital because of a scene showing her grabbing the bars of her jail cell, & all my little shocked & appalled eyes could focus on were her horrific, I-chewed-my -BLACK-polish hands nails, destroying the very canvas of the show.

It was that serious.

So in the battle of hair vs. nails, I suppose the hair wins the Rocks-Paper-Scissors toss. But one day, I vow that my hair AND hands will reside together in peaceful harmony.

Until such time....I'm off to the nail ER. (Oh by the way: it took me about an hour and a half to hook up that mani in the photo....and less than 10 minutes to tear it apart.)

There's 2 sides to every Frizz,
natural dancer

It's a Wonder Curl Day!

Hey, Curlies!

You saw the stunning pictures. You witnessed the glorious crown. And you were blessed by the inspiration of the journey. Now, head on over to wondercurl.com because Frizzness readers have been blessed with a 15% discount off your entire order! There's many to choose from....go get your blessing! <3

Promocode: frizziness

Doing my curly dance,

natural dancer