Mark your calendars on February 2, 2016 for a digital reality series unlike any you’ve seen before.
photo courtesy of Kraig Adams
My Life Offline is about women who are transcending their digital profiles towards a bigger platform with the universal appeal of taking their online persona and brand to the next level. We recently caught up with one of the stars of the series, Chime Edwards (@haircrush“>. She, along with Nina Ellis-Hervey, (@beautifulbrwnbabydol“>, and Vaughn Monroe (AKA MsVaughnTV“> will all co-star in next month’s series.
1. Why did you choose to be a part of this series?
I really loved the concept of the show. The Executive Producer, Maureen Aladin, explained that the show would focus on Black hair vloggers who are building their brands and it would give the subscribers we love so much a glimpse into our lives outside of Youtube. I felt like it was a great opportunity to show Black women in a different light on reality television. It is the type of show that I would tune in to, so it was amazing to have an opportunity to be a part of the cast.
2. Were you hoping to change any specific perceptions of vloggers?
I honestly didn’t think about that much. My hope was that it would change the perception of Black women in general. Many people from other countries watch reality shows like Love and Hip Hop and The Real Housewives of Atlanta but have never actually met a Black woman. So, their perception of Black women is skewed because of the limited programming they have access to. I want everyone to see that we are beyond the stereotypes out there and more relatable than some might think.
I think the next step has already begun for many vloggers–breaking out beyond the digital world.
3. What did you learn from the process of creating this series?
It is important to be authentically who you are in every situation (even if a camera is all up in your grill”>. On the business side, I got to learn about the process of filming and pitching a reality show. It definitely takes a lot of hard work and diligence.
4. What do you see as the next step for natural hair vloggers who have found popularity online?
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I think the next step has already begun for many vloggers, which is starring in TV shows and commercials–breaking out beyond the digital world. There are some Youtube vloggers that have been in major commercials and campaigns so I believe the possibilities are endless.
I want everyone to see that Black women are beyond the stereotypes out there–and more relatable than some might think.
5. Do you plan to continue a career in natural hair vlogging or are you looking to expand into other areas?
I consider myself as an artist and a creator. I love to express myself in a variety of ways and I don’t like to be put into a box. I’m interested in anything that allows me to express my creativity whether it’s acting, modeling, art or music. I am ready for whatever the universe bring my way.
You finally decided to start your healthy curly hair journey with the Curly Girl Method. “Embrace my curls” or “Curly and proud,” you repeat to yourself. A few website clicks later, and you find products that are labeled “Sulfate and Silicone Free“. You take the plunge and purchase them without checking the ingredients because you trust the labels. Now you have $70 worth of hair product on its way. Recommendations continue to pop up on your social media feed, and $300 later, you still haven’t found what works for YOUR HAIR!
“You’ll just have to try it and see if it works for you!” or “This is all about trial and error!” others would gently say.
I am here to tell you that there is another way to choose your products instead of trying everything that is on the market. Understanding how to read ingredient lists has transformed my curly hair journey without decimating my bank balance!
In the very early stages of my journey with the Curly Girl Method, I made these mistakes several times. A shampoo would have the label “Sulfate Free” at the front, and then later, I would have a hard time dealing with dryness and would finally see a Sulfate listed in the ingredients. From my experience over time, I came to understand that when advertisers label “Sulfate Free” at the very front, they are referring to one of the harshest Sulfates: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. However, this does not mean that the product is entirely free of Sulfates. On several occasions, I have found other drying Sulfates in the list, despite the “Sulfate Free” label.
Curly Girl-friendly ingredients to look for
In the Curly Girl Method, we avoid harsh Sulfates and drying Alcohols (they dehydrate the hair), Silicones, Waxes, and Mineral Oils (they build up). As replacements, we look for ingredients that are mild, moisturizing, and soluble for curly hair in order to minimize dryness and foster better moisture retention.
If you are following the Curly Girl Method like me, look for cleansers that are mild for curls, such as:
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Coco Betaine
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate or Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
Slip is very helpful for detangling curls because it decreases friction. Silicones are used in traditional mainstream products to add slip and shine. The issue with Silicones is that they don’t penetrate the hair shaft to make it better and they also build up.
They are removable with Sulfates, but in turn, the frequent use of Sulfates dehydrates the hair. It becomes a vicious cycle. Soluble ingredients for lubrication, on the other hand, make the hair better over time. They also add shine and flexibility to curly hair. If you follow the Curly Girl Method like me, you can replace Silicones with soluble ingredients that are located near the top of the list, such as:
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Behentrimonium Chloride
Dicetyldimonium Chloride
Distearyldimonium Chloride
Polyquaternium 55
Cetrimonium Bromide
I came to learn this helpful information from Wendy (a scientist) on the Hair Science-y Blog and Tonya Mckay here on NaturallyCurly.
Ingredient amounts in products
The Natural Haven Bloom Blog has helped me to understand the importance of ingredient concentrations in products. For example, just because a product is advertised with an “Argan Oil” label doesn’t mean that this product has high amounts of this oil. When ingredients are listed, they appear in descending order, calculated by either mass or volume.
As a result, when we read lists, we should always focus on the first five ingredients because they are the main ingredients (in higher amounts). A product that is labeled “Argan Oil” may well have some Argan oil included in the list, but the amount should be the most important thing to look for. If Argan oil is included near the end of the list, the amount is very small and insignificant.
If you have an allergy to a specific ingredient, relying only on front labels is likely to cause problems. Here I am sharing four steps that you can take to safeguard yourself:
Read ingredient lists very carefully;
Try a single new product at a time. This is helpful because if something unusual happens, you will know that the only difference in your routine is the brand-new product;
Patch test the product on your skin before using it for the first time, even if you can’t spot any ingredients that are harmful to you: Apply a small amount of the product on a patch of skin that is located on the inner, lower arm. Rub it in and allow it to dry. Avoid washing the area for at least 24 hours and then watch for signs of a reaction;
Observe closely how your scalp reacts after product application, even if the product has passed the first three steps above. If you notice a burning sensation, itching, redness, lumps or anything unusual on your scalp, you will know that this product isn’t suitable for you.
Always remember: If you happen to have a serious allergic reaction to a product, please seek medical attention immediately.
In summary, if you are looking for a product that is healthy for curls, focus on mild cleansers that won’t dehydrate your hair. Choose conditioners and styling products that have soluble ingredients for slip and elasticity. Reading ingredient lists is a good habit when caring for your curls and overall health. It also saves money and time. The more you practice, the easier it becomes.
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