Search Results: Alexandra Wilson
Editor’s Note: You hear a lot of “what did you put in your hair?” and “I love your shoes!” around the NaturallyCurly offices. Personally, I am always finding inspiration in what my colleagues are wearing to the office and on their Instagrams, so we’re starting a new series to share what we’re loving with the rest of our community – beyond our hair! #OOTD
I would describe my style as minimalistic, classic, comfortable, effortless and feminine. Though I admire great style, comfort is a priority I will not sacrifice no matter how fabulous an outfit maybe. So that means you’ll usually see me rocking a jumpsuit, midi dress, romper or jeggings. What’s the point of wearing an amazingly stylish outfit you can’t breathe in? Believe me, it’s not worth the hassle. Keep scrolling as I share my summer obsessions, tips on maintaining a blowout in sweltering conditions and how to take your look from day to night effortlessly.
What’s the point of wearing an amazingly stylish outfit you can’t breathe in?
I’ll admit, I’m slightly obsessed with jumpsuits. Can you blame me? They’re flattering, effortless and comfy. Jumpsuits take the work out of contemplating what to wear, it’s an easy one and done! Being that I have several jumpsuits in my closet, majority black, when I saw this one I knew I had to make it mine. I love the bold print, off-the-shoulder details, and it has pockets. I mean come on, it’s fully functional and sexy, I feel like this was seriously made for me!
What I love about this jumpsuit is the endless options it offers! It can be worn to work, on a dinner date or it would make for a stylish beach look on your next vacation. The palm trees print screams tropical vibes and is breathable enough to wear on even the hottest days of Summer. Depending on the occasion you can dress this jumpsuit up or down, by switching out your shoes. I wore open toe block heels, but if you’re looking to dressing it down a bit, you can wear a flat sandal or flip flops. I felt like the bold and colorful print was enough of a statement, so I added minimal jewelry with a red lip.
To get the most out of my blowout I wear a silk wrap at night. Being that I’m a lazy natural, I understand the struggle of getting the energy to wrap your hair, but believe me, by wrapping your hair you’re saving so much time styling your hair the next day.
I usually prefer to workout before I start my day which consists of a two-mile run around my neighborhood and a lift. Anytime I work out I wear a wrap to keep my hair up and to keep any residue from products from running down my face. I try my best to work up a good sweat and challenge myself, which also means that my hair gets sweaty. To keep from re-applying heat on my hair daily, I’ll blow dry my hair on low and add some edge control to tame my baby hairs. My go-to is the Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste, it leaves my edges laid without the flaky residue.
When I want to add volume to my bone straight look, I’ll wand or curl my hair once a week, then bobby pin it at night to hold the curls without having to put too much heat on my hair.
How do you rock your work look from day to night? I’d love to know, share your thoughts in the comments below.
For more style inspiration, follow Alexandra on Instagram @queensconquer
Jumpsuit: Melodrama
Shoes: Aldo
Photography: Cassandra J. Klepac
Even though it’s easy to fall into the comparison game on Instagram, I use it as a tool to find inspiration and connect with other naturalistas to share our journey’s to provide encouragement. Recently, I discovered @honebynaturalmagazine, a magazine Inspiring you to Rise, Create & Love Your natural self through empowering media. I was most intrigued by their mission to heal, inspire and honor natural beauty.
Being that I’m an advocate for women in business, representation and inclusivity in media I was inspired to find out who was behind this powerful movement that is reaching over 40k people socially. I had the opportunity to get an exclusive interview with the founder, I’sha Gaines and learn how she is utilizing the power of digital media to empower women of color to become comfortable and confident in their own skin and find power in becoming who they were created to be.
“HoneyBeNatural is more than a magazine, Instagram, Facebook page or networking entity. It is a lifestyle that strives to uplift spirits, empower those who feel powerless, motivate those who may feel discouraged, and to help all people, not just naturals, become naturally comfortable and confident in their own skin. We strive to ignite a fire in the souls of all people, exfoliate the fear of being the authentically you, demolish the definition of what society defines as beauty, and embrace all uniqueness of our very own individuality.
HoneyBeNatural is not just about hair, we are all about journeying with one to reach their full potential. Our ultimate goal is to support and respect one another on our personal journeys to becoming who we are naturally born to be.” -I’sha Gaines
Tell me about HoneyBeNatural and what inspired you to create your own brand?
HoneyBeNatural is a print and digital magazine that empowers women and encourages them to love themselves in their natural state. Our magazine attempts to capture natural beauty and aims for the emotional appeal versus high-fashion. We honestly love the everyday girl and her everyday beauty. I started HoneyBeNatural 5 years ago as a means to “BRING EVERYONE TOGETHER” at the time there wasn’t a publication that was dedicated to this!
I know you recently launched a series called, Much Need Affirmation. What is an affirmation you tell yourself that empowers you to keep going when you’re feeling discouraged?
I’m huge on FAITH and GOD’s GRACE. I believe this phase of my life has already been solved, planned and laced with great things. I just have to believe in the good coming my way. And at the times I completely fail at life, I know that God’s forgiveness is there, has been there and will always be there. Much Needed Affirmation is my way of sharing my business story with the world. I’ve done it without a playbook and stumbling sometimes, but you have to believe in your dreams before other people can!
What are the most enjoyable aspects of your job? And the most challenging?
Capturing the best sides of people has been a great joy in the creative business. The challenges I endure are the different ways to market the magazine. I’m still learning, but I feel like I’ve improved a lot this year.
Why is it important for African-American women to be accurately represented in the media?
Because no one else does it better! Black women, we glow . . . who better to capture these magical souls than someone else that’s glowing too?
Also, we’ve not known who we really were in history, we didn’t have a place, or character….. and if we did people have kept us from the truth. Someone else has been painting a terrible image of us that doesn’t accurately define who we are collectively. For the brands that are righting this wrong, cheers to them.
“Black women are multidimensional and it’s good the world is now seeing what we can do, how we can look, adapt and how we’ve been sprinkling black girl magic around this planet.”
How do you remain true to your purpose?
By remaining true to myself! I take a lot of reflection time to make sure I’m on target with the brand and at times when I feel like I’m off, I seek wise counsel and I take a break to regroup. I’m not afraid to fail in public, so being honest with myself helps keep everything on track.
What are some projects you’re working on and what can we expect from you in the future?
I’m working on an Internship program for HoneyBeNatural! Now that we have a studio in Dallas, TX, we can now host events and meet our community in person! The world of digital communication is great, but I want to have an office, meetings, events and connect with real people.
Where do you find healing and encouragement?
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My hair says I am a survivor and I have a beautiful story to tell.
I got diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease in 2011 and had to start a whole bunch of heavy medication, including a form of chemotherapy. Since my hair was changing and becoming more brittle and fragile, I decided to start transitioning. That’s when I rocked a sew-in weave and wigs for the first time in my life. I also stopped getting chemical relaxers, which I had been getting once a month since I was 5 years old.
As a pre-teen and teenager, I experimented with color and became addicted to the honey blondes and fire engine reds. I also got my hair braided by neighborhood friends and went to the salon for my relaxer appointments each month. I was known for having long stick-straight hair that fell down my back.
What made you decide to go natural?
My hair started changing due to chemo and other medication. It wasn’t able to withstand the strength of a relaxer anymore, so I transitioned for a few months until I finally did my first big chop in the salon. Then I did another big chop at home a couple of months after that and never looked back.
How has your family, friends, and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them?
My family loves my hair and they supported my decision because it was the obviously healthier one for all that I was going through. Every now and then my mother teases me for having ‘dry’ or ‘wild’ hair but then she always follows up with offering to help me to twist it.
What has been the most memorable moment of your hair journey?
Going wig shopping in my first year of treatment was fun and liberating. I felt like each style, color, and length transformed me in a matter of minutes.
What hairstyle(s”> made you feel the most confident?
I feel like a completely different person every time I rock Marley twists or an intricate braided style.
What was your transitioning hair regimen?
A lot of Moroccanoil Curl Definer to blend the two textures. I also loved (and still love”> Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I have literally hundreds of articles dedicated to this, so I won’t go into too much detail — but I definitely stick to all-natural, sulfate-free, silicone-free, water or oil-based, clean and reliable products to help retain moisture and just the amount of definition I like without weighing down my big volume. DevaCurl, SheaMoisture, and Camille Rose Naturals haven’t let me down for years.
Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase and need some encouragement?
Trust your intuition, do whatever makes you feel good. At the end of the day, it’s your hair — you have the right to rock it however you please.
What inspired you to go natural? We’d love to hear from you, comment below!
Want more fromDevri? Follow her on Instagram @devrivelazquez
I interviewed NaturallyCurly Editor Lauren Murray on her natural hair journey.
What made you decide to go natural?
I went natural partially because I thought it was in style, but mostly because I was a broke college student who couldn’t afford to get my hair done as often I liked. Haha. My freshman year of college, I chopped my hair into a pixie cut thinking that that didn’t require much upkeep. Unfortunately and fortunately, it required a TON of upkeep, leading me to consider transitioning. I transitioned for about 3 months or so and then did my big chop with about 1.5 inches of natural hair. It was a for real big chop!!
How have your family, friends, and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them?
Initial reactions were negative and took a bit of me standing my ground, educating my family, and growing some thick skin. Since my hair was so short, I was new to taking care of my new curls, and my family had never seen my hair before in this state, there was definitely some side-eyes going around. But thankfully, since I was away at school and experimenting with my style, I found a bit of solace there, because my friends were going natural also. Over time, when my fro started to grow out more and natural hair acceptance became more visible, the reactions from my family changed. Now, they are my biggest advocates!
What has been the most memorable moment of your hair journey?
Honestly, the most memorable part was having my mom do my big chop. She was so nervous, and I was all like “Girl, go for it! I feel free!” Hahaha. In Southern Black culture though, and I’m quite sure in others, there is so much value placed on the length and style of your hair, and for me to have my mom (with long, straight, permed hair”>, be cutting off my hair into the tiniest of TWAs was a really positive experience for me. There was definitely a shift in our dynamic that day.
What hairstyle(s”> made you feel the most confident?
Hands down, my favorite style is a braid out that is freshly frizzed from shower steam. Y’all, you can’t tell me nothing. My fro is fluffed to perfection. I still have good definition, and it is huge and glorious, and magical, and the perfect “Hello!” before I even speak.
My hair says that I am not afraid to be unapologetically me. It is an extension of the energy that radiates from my core
My hair says that I am not afraid to be unapologetically me. It is an extension of the energy that radiates from my core, and it is the perfect accessory on my journey to continued dopeness. My hair grows upwards for a reason, and as it continues to reach new heights, I am elevated in my love for myself and all that I am offering to the world by the power of the fro.
What was your transitioning hair regimen?
So I had no idea how to take care of my hair at this time, and I bleached and fried my hair a lot. I wish I could say I had a solid regimen, but by it being in the pixie cut I was forced to keep it straight. Most times, I washed and conditioned it, and then flat-ironed her.
What is your current hair regimen?
- Shampoo: DevaCurl Decadence Shampoo
- Conditione: AG Cleansing Conditioner ( I use this for every wash day, and only shampoo my hair once a month, or whenever I have just used a ton of products for a particular style”>.
- Detangle: Aunt Jackie’s Knot On My Watch – Holy Grail right here!
- Style: Mielle Organics Babassu Curl Cream
- Refresh: Aunt Jackie’s Hair Milk mixed with a little bit of alkaline water in a spray bottle
- Pick: A super cheap one I picked up from Sally’s that I have lost countless times, yet it always finds it way back to me.
Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase and need some encouragement?
The biggest piece of advice I could give for your hair journey would be to let go of all comparisons as early as possible. When embarking into new territory, it is very easy to compare ourselves to what someone else has or how they style their hair. And then when our unfair expectations aren’t met, we can sink into a spiral of negative self-talk. Your curls are uniquely yours, and they will manifest beautifully as long as you treat them with respect, care, and lots of love. <3
How do you remain confident along your natural hair journey? Share your thoughts below!
Want more from Lauren? Follow her on Instagram @whatsuplauren_
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My hair says I am fun, bold, and unafraid. I love who I am. I am confident. I have generations of strong, beautiful, fearless women in me. I don’t care what you think.
I went natural in 2008. I had taken out a weave and when I washed my hair it knotted up. So much so, I had to get it cut into a bob. There was no saving it. Instead of relaxing it again, I thought I’d just see what it was like to wear it curly. I still straightened it pretty often, but never relaxed after that.
How has your family, friends, and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them?
They didn’t really care. It was nice to know that. That I didn’t cause them some mental harm with my appearance. It wasn’t dis-arming. I come from a family that believed in the “good hair” doctrine, so they mostly thought I was just cute since my hair fell into that category. Clearly, I fight against this ideology. All hair is good hair to me.
What has been the most memorable moment of your hair journey?
When a lot more women started to go natural. At first it was lonely. Now, there is a whole crew of us. We are out here. We are everywhere. We are embolden. We are not afraid. Seeing that and being a part of this community is the most memorable part of my journey.
What was your transitioning hair regimen?
I did not have one really. I used the same products because I didn’t have resources or information. So, I used gels. It was mess. Let’s not talk about my transition. Let’s just agree that I got here and the road here was a mess.
What is your current hair regimen?
I wash and condition with Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo and Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner. The I deep condition with Ouidad Curl Immersion Triple Treat. Once that’s done, I use the Brown Butter Beauty Leave-In, then seal with Darshana oil. I have too many favorites to count.
Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase and need some encouragement?
Get some information and some curly friends. Find your favorite hairstyles that you can easily do for busy days. Try not to tie up all your confidence in your looks. Not every day will be a good hair day. Stick with it. Don’t be in a rush to grow your hair out. Once, it’s longer you most likely won’t know what to do with it. Trust me. Everyone thinks once they get long hair life will be a breeze. Then you realize you have to detangle it. Just saying.
What inspired you to go natural? We’d love to hear from you, comment below!
Want more from Nikki? Follow her on Instagram @nchanel
I began getting perms at the tender age of three years old. Growing up of mixed heritage, my mom had no clue how to care for my thick curly hair, so someone advised her to perm my hair so it would be easier to manage. I got perms faithfully until I was in high school and then began wearing sew-ins. I wore weave for about four years and started spot perming my leave-out which eventually lead to horrible breakage. During college, I was determined to get blonde highlights and my hair stylist bleached my hair. My hair was extremely dry and brittle from the bleach, plus I didn’t know how to care for color-treated hair so it was all bad. I let my hair grow out for a while, then I began cutting it until I was ready for the big chop in May of 2015. I went short – real short! I figured if I was going to start over might as well try a new look, so I decided to cut my hair in a pixie cut.
What made you decide to go natural?
After years of perming my hair, wearing sew-ins, and then bleaching my hair, I was determined to reinvent myself and embrace my natural hair. I never knew how to care for my hair until I cut my hair off, which gave me the opportunity to learn my curl pattern and texture.
How has your family, friends and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them?
My family honestly couldn’t even tell when I wore weaves, but once I cut all my hair into a pixie cut they were shocked by how short I went. They’re pretty traditional and feel women should have long hair, so at first, they didn’t like it and would make jokes, but they’ve grown to love it.
What has been the most memorable moment of your hair journey?
Most definitely the big chop! I didn’t tell anyone I was cutting my hair, it was something I wanted to do to prove to myself that I could.
What hairstyle(s”> made you feel the most confident?
Honestly, it took me a while to love my short hair. At first, I didn’t feel confident because I didn’t know how to style it, but now that I’ve been rocking my short cut for the past two years it’s definitely my favorite hairstyle yet.
What was your transitioning hair regimen?
While I was transitioning I had no clue what I was doing. I was still straightening my hair and tried wearing it curly, but couldn’t find products that worked for my hair and went back to what I knew: the ponytail.
My hair says I’m fearless, bold and courageous. It reminded me of the power and potential I hold.
What is your current hair regimen?
I’m a minimalist natural and prefer not to use too many products on my hair, especially since I have sensitive skin and some products cause me to breakout around my jaw line. I cleanse my hair about once a week and have a couple favorites that I’m loving such as the Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner or Camille Rose Moroccan Pear Conditioning Custard. Then, I apply a detangler or leave-in such as the Curl Girl Unwind Thermal Protector & Detangling Mist or Kinky-Curly Knot Today, which work great because they both provide great slip, plus a lightweight cream that defines my curls where I don’t have to apply too much styling cream. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with the finger coil method to have a more defined look and use the ORS Styling Smoothie, which is a heavy cream that is packed with protein and is great for finger coils, twists and braid outs. Each morning I refresh my hair with the Curly hair Solutions H20 Water Bottle that I love because it’s a continuous mist spray water bottle that gives my curls life without drenching them. Then, once I let my hair air dry, to add volume and definition to my look I grab my pick, fluff and I’m out the door!
Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase and need some encouragement?
Remember, direction is so much more important than speed. Don’t get caught up on what other curlies are doing, do what works for you! If a product isn’t working, try something else. If you weren’t satisfied with your twist out, keep practicing or try another heatless style. Luckily, there are tons of resources and products at our fingertips so take advantage of it. Like any journey, it’s important to set realistic goals, pace yourself, keep an optimistic mindset and celebrate your progress.
How do you remain confident along your natural hair journey? We’d love to hear from you, comment below!
Want more from Alexandra? Follow her on Instagram @queensconquer
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I never really experimented with my hair. Relaxers and braids in the summer. That’s it. There was never any negative talk about my hair growing up, I just thought chemical relaxers were part of general upkeep and “girl things”. From the age of 6 to 18, my hair was relaxed. But after over a decade of struggling to love my flat, straight hair, I realized…my hair probably does a lot more than this. Going natural opened me up to experimenting with styles, cuts, products, and even color. I’ve been every shade except pink!
What made you decide to go natural?
Half choice, half circumstance. Towards my later teenage years, I realized I was going to the salon and (1″> asking for a relaxer or press (2″> and then asking for curls to be put back in because I lacked volume. Basically, I was paying for a relaxed curly fro and that made no sense, but I didn’t know what else to do. I got my first sew-in for senior prom and didn’t take care of my hair at all. Swimming, sports, and all the other near-graduation activities = my hair broke so badly that I had to chop lots of it off. So I thought college would be the perfect time to make a change. I didn’t know much about my natural hair texture, but I knew it had to be better than this! I didn’t know what I was doing, I just knew I was going to stop getting relaxers and have braids for a year or so. Midway through, nerves got the better of me, and I got another relaxer. Fail! But second time’s the charm and I eventually did the big chop when I was about a sophomore in college. While I suspect lots of girls were natural, I seemed to be the only one actually wearing my hair out at that time!
How has your family, friends and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them?
The main reaction from family: “is your hair…done?” From friends: They actually all took turns cutting a piece of my hair when I big chopped in my dorm room! Coworkers: I was an intern at NaturallyCurly.com at the time so of course everyone was hype.
What has been the most memorable moment of your hair journey?
Interestingly enough, it wasn’t my initial big chop. It was my second one! After growing my natural hair out for a few years, experimenting, trying to keep up with length checks and product reviews, I cut my hair into a taper. Just chopped it off in my bathroom. And now I think I finally look like myself. Short hair don’t care! Also: dying my hair all the colors of the rainbow. I never know how things turn out. Sometimes it’s a fail, sometimes it’s a win! Memorable either way.What hairstyle(s”> made you feel the most confident?
Since my hair is short, I don’t really style it, but when I get a fresh lineup, nobody can tell me ANYTHING. I am unstoppable. Get out the wayyyy *Ludacris voice*
I can decide how masculine or femme I want to look on any particular day. Snapback or headwrap? Sharp edge up or grow out my sides? My hair helps me shift between all the things I’m trying to serve the world! *twirls*
What was your transitioning hair regimen?
It was in braids most of the time! When I would experiment with products on loose hair, I quickly became a fan of Kinky Curly Knot Today.
What is your current hair? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
Pretty simple regimen of detangle, wash, condition, and style. Trader Joes Tea Tree Tingle to detangle and Alikay Naturals Black Soap Shampoo to cleanse. I love deep conditioners, so I rotate a bunch! Obia Naturals, Camille Rose Naturals, Brown Butter Beauty…I love trying new masques and treatments. Then on soaking wet hair, I quickly run leave-in conditioner through my hair. No shingling, raking, etc. I usually use Kinky Curly Knot Today, Camille Rose Coconut Water Leave-In, or Brown Butter Beauty Leave-In. Then I run a loose/slippery gel through my hair – the Bumble Gel Oil is great! Then – SHAKE!
Here’s my hair routine
Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase and need some encouragement?
Thankfully, the social media-driven natural hair movement is nearing a decade old. You are no longer at a loss for information! We’ve pretty much blogged, recorded, and shared everything you need to know. Hit up Google, sis! We gotchu!
What inspired you to go natural? We’d love to hear from you, comment below!
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One of the biggest struggles women deal with is finding a stylists they can trust, especially when moving to a new city. Where do you start?
Brandelyn Green created Voice Of Hair to give women an opportunity to find the best hairstylists in their area, and to provide access to examples of their work and reviews before they book their appointment. She has grown her social media audience over 530k+ followers in less than 3 years and is continuing to share her passion of hair, beauty and entrepreneurship. Learn more about Brandelyn Green and why she chose to create Voice Of Hair.
What’s your hair story?
I have been “natural” my whole life. However, I started going to the hair salon at about 5 or 6 years-old, so I didn’t learn how to style my own hair until I went to college. After college, I worked for a global healthcare company and had a chance to live in Sweden for 6 months. While I was there I learned how to take care and style my natural hair because the stylists in my town did not know how to work with “afro hair.” It was frustrating at first, but it was also liberating because I was able to try every natural style I could think of. Some failed and some didn’t. This is when I actually grew to love wearing my natural hair. Now that I live in Texas, I like to go back and forth between wearing blowouts and roller set styles. I love having versatility!
Tell me about the Voice of Hair and what inspired you to create it. . .
Voice of Hair was created out of my personal burden of struggling to find trusted stylists who could style my hair. I have lived in 8 states and in Sweden in my lifetime and in almost every place I have lived I have had struggles with finding trusted stylists. Voice of Hair strives to connect women of color with kinky, coily or curly hair with the best stylists and hairstyles for them. We utilize social media and our website to identify and highlight different stylists and hair tutorials to share with our community. Our goal is to help women have a trusted hair experience. Voice of Hair is a platform for all hair types: we don’t just focus on natural hair and we don’t just focus on straight hair. Women like to change up their hair so we try to provide inspiration and information for everything, regardless of hair type.
What challenges have you endured and how did you push through?
One of the biggest challenges was figuring out what to do with this massive community that we created. Yes, it’s great to have a lot of “followers”, but I wanted to build a profitable business, not a just a social presence. I decided to start a website, but I had a lot of issues with getting VoiceOfHair.com up and running. I hired web developers who were not qualified and I ended up wasting thousands of dollars. When that happened I felt defeated, but then I decided to dig in and figure it out on my own and I was able to build my site on my own.
Profit over popularity—always remember that!
What advice would you give women in business trying to leverage their social media to be profitable?
Start where you are, with what you have. More specifically, if you’re just starting a social media page then start with the end in mind. Know what you’re creating for your community before you start and think about how you will be able to monetize it in the future. If you already have an established brand on social media, take time to listen to your audience to see what they need and then develop products and services that can help them. You should not think “what can I do to make money”, but think “how can I help my community achieve what they want?”
I know that you’re a new mother, how do you balance business and motherhood? How do you prioritize your passion?
OMG yes, I absolutely had no idea how hard it is to be a working mom! I have so much respect for mothers everywhere. Initially, it was really hard finding balance because I felt guilty when I was working, but then I would feel guilty when I was spending time with my daughter and I wasn’t working. Now that she’s 8-months-old I take her to daycare a few days a week and that gives me time to get work done so that when she comes home I can give her my all. I think many women fall into the mindset that “I can do it all, I don’t need help” but the reality is that we all need help.
What are some projects you’re working on and what can we expect from you in the future?
We’re planning to do more live events so that we can connect with members of our community in person. We’re also launching a site to be an extension of our Instagram page to help our community find the featured professionals—that will be ready by the summer! Lastly, we’re doing some Instagram workshops for those who want to know how to grow their business using social media.
Be sure to stay connected with the Voice of Hair to gain resources and hair inspiration from hair stylists across the country.
Want more from Alexandra? Follow her on Instagram for all things hair, beauty and fashion.
Who would have thought it would have taken me 25 years to crack the curly code?
I decided to go for the big chop in May 2015. I was in need of a fresh start and was ready to let go of anything holding me back. I remember seeing so many bomb short cuts that season and I was inspired to go short- real short! I used to perm my hair and wear sew’ins, but then realized how much that was costing and I was in need of something new and low maintenance. So, I cut my hair in a stylish short style where I can wear it as a curly fohawk or a sleek pixie. I have 3c, medium porosity hair that requires moisture. I’m definitely a minimalist natural that thrives off the “less is more” mantra.
Oddly enough before I became apart of the NC fam, I felt like there weren’t any products out there to suit my curly hair needs, until now! Here’s my curly hair routine that takes less than 10 minutes, featuring this year’s Editor’s Choice plus a few of my new found favorites.
Refresh
Curly girls, know the importance of refreshing your curls and instead of dumping your head in the sink to rewet your hair, you can use the Curly Hair Solutions H20 Water Bottle . What I love most about this spray bottle is it’s a continuous mist spray, it refreshes and moisturizes your hair without leaving you soaked.
Detangle
Style
Add Volume
What are your essential hair products? Find out what other brands, products and collections made the 2017 Editor’s Choice.
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Last night, Kara McCullough, Miss District of Columbia, took home the crown at the Miss USA 2017 pageant. Yes, she had some questionable responses that left us scratching our heads, but there are a few things that I admire about the 25 year-old scientist and it definitely stems from her decision to remain true to herself and embrace her naturally curly crown! If you’ve ever watched any pageant, you know how most of the women look the same and wear their hair bone straight, sleek or teased to perfection. So, I was inspired by Kara’s reasons to use her platform to go against the grain and wear her natural hair, she told refinery29, “When I chose to wear my hair natural I had a lot of support from many people, essentially, I decided to embrace what made me feel comfortable, embrace what makes me feel the best and brightest on stage. But also embrace what other people can relate to.”
As we slowly start to witness more diversity and inclusivity in mainstream media it’s showing young women that we have the power to be our own role models. Kara explained, “No one looked like me on television, no one looked like me in commercials, no one looked like me on stage. When I didn’t see anyone in competitions with my hairstyle, I decided I wanted to be the mold.” This resonates with me because growing up I used to watch the Miss USA pageant and I realized how majority of the women didn’t look like me and had little to no authenticity about them, so I no longer tuned in because I couldn’t relate. As a biracial woman, I feel it’s essential that all women are represented in media, no matter their ethnicity, body type, hair texture or skin tone. Representation matters. The more diverse role models we have, the more opportunity we’re given to be exactly who we were created to be and live limitlessly. You go girl!
Another thing I appreciated from this years Miss USA pageant were the beautiful shades of women in the top 10 who represented women of a variety of backgrounds and industries, reminding us that we are LIMITLESS!
We all move forward when we recognize how resilient the women around us are.
Lastly, what topped it all off was the genuine love that was shown from the Former Miss USA, Deshauna Barbers (who also rocked her natural hair”> when she crowned Kara McCullough, pure magic! No matter your outlook on the Miss USA pageant, I hope we can all clap when our sisters win and express genuine love for each other because when one wins, we all win! As one of my favorite poets Rupi Kaur says, “We all move forward when we recognize how resilient the women around us are.”
Did you tune into the Miss USA pageant? Share your thoughts with us below.
What’s Next: 6 Rebellious Ways to Celebrate Body Positivity
Starting your own business can be an exciting and rewarding experience doing what you love. There are many advantages in entrepreneurship such as having a flexible schedule, being your own boss and getting paid to do what you’re passionate about. Before you quit your 9-5 and dive into entrepreneurship, there are a few things that I wish I knew that I’d like to share with you before you take the plunge and create your business.
Start With What You Know
One of the hardest parts of starting a business, is getting started! It can be very overwhelming having what seems like a million ideas in your mind and not sure where to start. Before doubt and fear creep in and convince you otherwise, take a moment and write down your thoughts. Write down your vision and how you envision impacting the world through your business. Then, narrow it down, be specific with your goals. Ask yourself questions such as, “What is your mission? What problems will you solve? Who is your competition? How will you stand out from others in your industry? What do you want to accomplish in 3 months? 6 months?” Once, you can define these things you can move forward knowing the why of your business and what you’re working towards.
Invest in Yourself
There are several things needed in order to start a business and one of the essentials is taking care of the legalities to protect you and your business. Once you decide on a name, do thorough research to be sure no one else is using that name. Tip: Namechk is a great resource to use to check to see what’s available across different domains and social media platforms.
Register your business under a Doing Business As aka DBA name. Not all states require a DBA, but most do if you’re a sole proprietor and want to use another name rather than your real name or have an existing Limited Liability Company (LLC”>. Forming an LLC, is crucial to keep your personal assets separate from your business liabilities. With technology being at the touch of our fingertips, anyone can copy your logo, so invest in your brand and trademark your logo, not just in your state, but across the country to be safe.
Tell Your Story
Once you’ve chosen your name and taken care of the legalities, create a website to tell everyone what you offer and how you can help them! First, you’ll purchase your domain, then create a website. If you’re anything like me and have no HTML experience, you can create a template site from Squarespace or Wix to get started than can add custom features later. Creating a website is a great way for people to find out about your business, share your story and explain what purpose you’re serving through your work. Start with one page at a time, write out your thoughts and add images to help tell your story. Be sure to update your site frequently with new blog posts and images to drive engagement. You can also integrate your social media on your website to connect with your community consistently. Also, be sure to register your business through Google Business which helps people find your business and learn more through a free Google listing.
Secure The Bag
Now that you have a website, how do you get people to visit and purchase your products or services? Give yourself a monthly marketing budget that you strictly use for marketing purposes. Even if it’s $100, start small and promote your brand to reach more people. This may include boosted social media posts, business cards, signage and photography / video services. Ps. these are all tax write-offs for your business, so know that it’s worth it in the end!
Also, Google AdWords is by far one of the best resources to utilize in marketing your business and reaching the right people online who are looking for what you offer. It’s important to keep your business and personal finances separate, so I recommend setting up a savings account to help make tax time easier and have a clear perspective of what’s what. (Learn from my mistake, it’s not worth the headache.”>; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>listened. Don’t make my mistake. It’s not worth the headache.”>Embrace your journey, it may not be perfect, but it will be worth it.
Start Now
Besides the business aspect of starting a business, it’s important that you’re mentally prepared to invest in your business. There is no blueprint. There are no shortcuts. You will have to be confident in your vision, bold in your actions and authentic in your story. You will make mistakes, but your resilience will carry you through. Remain faithful along your journey and be a student at all times. There’s always something to learn. Be open for change, feedback and criticism.
I started my business Queens Conquer, two-years ago to give women in business a starting point. I wanted to provide them with the support and opportunity to conquer their dreams by offering one-on-one branding consultations and public relations services to build awareness to their business and/or organization. I’m still learning and conquering new obstacles everyday. I encourage you to challenge yourself. Do what you love. Surround yourself around positive souls. Create what you wish to see exist. Take risks & enjoy the ride. Remember, big things often have small beginnings.
Are you new to entrepreneurship? Share your experience and questions with us below.
If you’re in need of branding advice, women in business tips, hair + fashion inspo follow me on Instagram @queensconquer.
; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>motivation and more follow Alexandra
There comes a point in a woman’s life when we’re no longer living for attention, validation, or applause, but simply living to be happy and at peace with our choices. We’re simply doing what feels good instead of what looks good. With mainstream media constantly showing us how the “perfect” woman should look, I could only imagine being a celebrity and having to be in the spotlight at all times under constant scrutiny. In honor of National #NoMakeUpDay we are shining a light on one of our favorite natural Queens, Alicia Keys. She has sparked the no make-up movement by using her platform to inspire, educate and empower girls and women that we are enough with or without make-up.
Alicia Keys is a music icon, activist, mother and judge on my favorite TV show, The Voice. She is sharing her truth and using her voice to speak on the importance of being real with who she’s becoming and choosing happiness rather than perfection. In a recent interview with Allure she says, “I am all about woman’s right to choose. I think a woman should do anything she wants as it relates to her face, her body, her health. Whatever mode of expression that empowers you, that’s what you should do. What I am not down for is this ridiculously high, unrealistic expectation about appearance that we as women are held to.”
I think make-up can be self-expression. I have no intention to shame anyone at all who chooses to wear it.
It all began last year when she did a photoshoot for her latest album and showed up to the set straight from the gym in a sweatshirt, head scarf and fresh face. The photographer loved how she looked and felt her images should be just as real and raw as her music. Alicia Keys said she was uncomfortable at first, but agreed and said the pictures made her feel more comfortable in her skin. She wrote on Lenny Letter, “I felt powerful because my initial intentions realized themselves. My desire to listen to myself, to tear down the walls I built over all those years, to be full of purpose, and to be myself! The universe was listening to those things I’d promised myself, or maybe I was just finally listening to the universe, but however it goes, that’s how this whole #nomakeup thing began. Once the photo I took with Paola came out as the artwork for my new song ‘In Common,’ it was that truth that resonated with others who posted #nomakeup selfies in response to this real and raw me.”
I’m not a slave to make-up. I’m not a slave to not wearing makeup either.
I’ve always been a fan of Alicia Keys, but by her going against the grain to redefine society’s beauty standards she’s beyond empowering. She has definitely encouraged me to be bold and rock my fresh face today! I used to be one of those girls, who would not be able to leave the house without make-up, but the older I’ve gotten the more I don’t care what people think. It’s a beautiful feeling becoming exactly who you thought you could be. I hope today and everyday you’re living your best life and owning your truth. Continue to embrace your journey and let your light shine from within, because you are enough.
Are you celebrating National #NoMakeUpDay? Share with us below how you’re striving to redefine beauty.
What’s Next?
Read how the NaturallyCurly team is rebelling against beauty standards and celebrating body positivity.
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Growing up as a biracial girl, I remember how much I yearned to be accepted by society’s black and white standards of beauty. I found myself looking up to women who I felt looked like me such as Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey and Halle Berry. As I got older, I was exposed to so many intelligent, brave and beautiful women who weren’t only celebrities, but normal women celebrating their individuality and sharing their stories. Being that we have an unlimited amount of media at the touch of our fingertips, it can have an empowering, yet draining effect on us. I can honestly say that I’ve caught myself scrolling through a stranger’s Instagram profile comparing myself to them feeling as if I wasn’t enough. The truth is most of the images we see in magazines, even on Instagram, aren’t real.
Recently, our NaturallyCurly content team recorded a FB live and we discussed how our images of beauty has evolved and how the power of social media has given us the opportunity to be inspired by women from all over the world who are a variety of shapes, sizes and skin tones. I was curious to find out how each of us celebrates our bodies and where we find inspiration? Get to know a few members of our content team and find out how we are going against the grain to redefine beauty.
Devri, Content Editor
“In my adulthood I might have gone against the grain more times than I count. From the moment I turned 17 or 18 I started seeing my body as a form of self-expression and so, my tattoos and smiley piercing might be a dead giveaway for my carefree spirit. I also started dressing completely unique to my personal taste once I went off to college and explored different hobbies, like spoken word poetry and traveling. That is when I truly let go of what others thought of me. I celebrate my body by not being afraid to be sexy, intellectual, and artsy all in one. I don’t typecast myself and I wish other women wouldn’t, either.”
I follow accounts like @Soulpick, @melanin.art, @blackgirlinom, and @i_d for endless inspiration of women and humans with similar lifestyles and mindsets.
Cristina, Managing Editor
“I go against the grain by wearing exactly what I want to, when I want to. In fact, if someone tells me they don’t like what I’m wearing or the way I cut my hair (which happens a lot more than it should”> that makes me want to wear it even more. I know everyone says “I don’t dress for guys, I dress for myself,” but it’s these moments that prove to me that I’m truly not trying to meet anyone’s beauty standards but my own. I celebrate my body by moving it. To me, the ultimate celebration is dancing! I dance whenever I can – alone in my bathroom (a lot”>, in my friends’ living rooms, and in dance classes. I also do yoga in the morning before work, which is a practice that’s very intentional about giving gratitude to our bodies for everything they do for us.
I follow @Writeslikeagirl and @alex_elle who radiate absolute body positivity in my feed, and their posts always seem to find me at just the right moment.
Leslie, Social Media Manager
“I’ve stopped placing value in what others think of me based on my appearance. Instead of looking for guidance on how to be beautiful, I’m creating my own definition by celebrating my bushy eyebrows, decorating my skin with tattoos, rocking my wavy frizzy hair, embracing my soft tummy, wearing clothes that may not be “flattering” for someone who is 5ft and loving the tan skin I’m in. I celebrate my body doing things that bring me joy such as, thrifting and decorating my body with unique clothing and accessories. I’ve been thrifting since I was in high school and it’s something I’ve carried into my adulthood.”
Accounts I follow for inspiration include @TheGirlMob: A website that celebrates and highlights women of color, @JillianMercado: Model, Actress, creative and overall dope human, @Remezcla: Digital publisher, creative agency, and entertainment company, @SaintHeron a collaborative music and arts collective that celebrates diversity and innovation, @Colectivacosmica – an art collective of self- identifying women creating collages, photography, workshops and zines and last but not least @Browngirlswebseries: This is actually a web series that everyone should watch, but I enjoy staying in the loop with what the makers are doing by following their IG.
Gerilyn, Senior Copywriter
“Being on the fringe of social acceptability has been my modus operandi for the better part of my life. Whether mirroring the fashions of artists I admired growing up (e.g., Grace Jones, Iman, Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Kravitz, et. al.”> or shaving my head bald (yes, I was a bald chick for close to a decade”>, I have been rabble rousing with the best of them. This was all before hash tag campaigns so my opposition was more about defining my identity, for and by myself, not for a particular lens or gaze.
Fortunately, this mindset and these actions have carried over into my adult life, leading me to be an active participant in a movement that has been defying the odds long before I even knew about it: the Natural Hair Movement. I believe that many people in this fold have been saying #EffYourBeautyStandards for decades; I’m happy to be in a space to amplify those voices and magnify perspectives.”
One way I celebrate my body is by moving it. By plane. By train. To a drum beat, a guitar riff, a soul stirring rhyme. Jumping, running, on foot… doesn’t matter. I enjoy movement. In terms of beauty, I like to wear well made leather boots and firm-brimmed hats. Maybe it’s be the wannabe-rockstar in me :”> What I’d like to think is the best way I celebrate my body is by filling my mind with knowledge… only time (and younger generations”> will tell me if it is a worthy cause or failed attempt.
In addition to @NaturallyCurly, I follow these accounts on Instagram: @bossbabesatx, @amyparksphoto, @mad_free_, @lenoxii, @afropunk and @blackgirlbeautyfuldotcom
Cara, Graphic Designer
“I just do what I want. I don’t wear a lot of make-up, I wear clothes that make me happy. I don’t try to be the prettiest person on instagram, I’m just trying to be my genuine, and genuinely silly, self. If I don’t like the way I look in an outfit, I will change my clothes before I go anywhere. I guess that’s celebrating my body—to wear what I am comfortable in. Also, I love art, and tattoos, and when I can I like to add to my body art collection.
I don’t follow as many accounts that aren’t for an individual person. One of my favorite brands is @ModCloth—they do a good job of showing the bigger picture of the female population—at least the part that dresses in their style of clothing. I do follow @TessHolliday and am a fan of her #EffYourBeautyStandards creation. @ProjectGirlCrush is a project from my native Seattle—they focus on career women. @BossBabesATX and @ATXStreetStyle are cool local accounts that feature women I find inspiration in. Mostly, I see the representation from my beautiful friends.
How do you go against the grain to redefine society’s beauty standards?
One of our curlfriends and top natural innovators, Richelieu Dennis, founder of Sundial Brands, was very busy during SXSW this year, from speaking on panels to beautifying the festival goers with a mobile salon reminding us that #everybodygetslove. Dennis continues to utilize his platform to share his mission of healing that strives to break barriers in the beauty space.
In case you didn’t know, Richelieu Dennis is the mastermind behind natural product brands such as Shea Moisture, Nubian Heritage and Madam CJ Walker Beauty Culture. He’s built an empire that is cross-cultural and innovative, serving countless families for over 25 years. Dennis believes in the power of commerce to change the world and created a Community Commerce Program that serves over 700 women. At SXSW I had a chance to hear about his inspiring mission to alleviate poverty by investing in the communities who help source the key ingredients in his products and supporting women-led businesses to create a better way of life for generations to come.
Serve With a Purpose That’s Bigger Than You
Dennis was inspired by his grandmother, Sofi Tucker, to continue the legacy of crafting African black soap and Shea butter to heal families through natural resources. In memory of his grandmother, he created the Sofi Tucker Foundation, which provides grants to organizations that seek to empower women, their families and communities in the United States and throughout Africa to provide a more efficient way of life. “We moved them from being at the bottom of the pyramid, to now being value-added providers of finished product” Dennis at SXSW. “We then, started making products and partnering with our retailers such as Target, Walgreens, CVS and Ulta to sell products where 10% of each purchase is re-invested in those communities, but also in this community. Those women who are far away from us, 98% of them are able to send their children to school, have health insurance and own businesses.”
To learn more about the Community Commerce Program, watch the video below.
With entrepreneurship being a core pillar of the Sundial Brands, Dennis has led the initiative to provide minority women executives, business owners and entrepreneurs with an opportunity to attend Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and be able to define their business strategy to prosper and scale their business. Sundial has also partnered with Babson College to give a full scholarship to rising female junior and senior high school students from underserved communities all over the world to attend a summer entrepreneurship program. “We’re now able to provide scholarships to women entrepreneurs to attend two of the top business schools with an opportunity to learn more about entrepreneurship and running a prosperous business.”As an entrepreneur that supports women in business, I immediately gravitated toward his story and felt inspired by his humble beginnings of selling Shea butter on the Harlem streets to now being one of the top natural leaders on the market. He is not only changing the way we are represented in beauty, but in business. Women’s History Month may have come to an end, but we will continue to shine a light on all the women blazing a trail of greatness and the men that support us to make sure our voices are heard.
On behalf of NaturallyCurly, we commend Richelieu Dennis for creating a platform that empowers, educates and inspires women all over the world.
You don’t always have to take the same path you can try something different, as long as the intentions are there.
Women are constantly being scrutinized for how we look, talk and dress. Unfortunately, much of this sexist behavior takes place in a professional setting, which puts us in a tough place of questioning if we should speak up or walk away to secure our job position. We have proven our power over and over again in the workplace, yet still are being objectified and disrespected for simply being ourselves. Well, Congresswoman Maxine Waters wants to remind us that we will not be intimidated by the ignorance of others, but instead use our voices and stand firm in our beliefs.
On Tuesday, U. S. Representative Maxine Waters was asked to comment on her anti-Trump stance and Fox News host Bill O’Reilly bypassed her thoughts and made jokes about her hair. “I didn’t hear a word she said,” O’Reilly said on Fox & Friends. “I was looking at the James Brown wig. If we have a picture of James, it’s the same wig.” Then, later that day, U.S. Press Secretary Sean Spicer told journalist April Ryan to “stop shaking her head” in response to an answer he gave.
What’s so irritating about this is that condescending comments and actions like these happen so regularly. The media has now normalized this type of behavior and it’s unacceptable. As a way to shine a light on these issues, activist Brittany Packnett encouraged black women online to share some of their real-life experiences at work and created the hashtag #BlackWomenAtWork. Packet told Huffington Post, “I wanted the hashtag to make the invisible visible, to challenge non-black people to stand with black women not just when this happens on television, but in the cube right next to them,” she said. “I’m also glad stories of triumph and achievement got shared through the hashtag as well.”
Black women are more than just our woes, we are triumphant.
Read some of the tweets below to experience the reality some black women face in the workplace:
It’s beyond empowering to see women all over the world share their experiences and stand together with both of these women. Thank you for using your voices and encouraging other women to do so. This type of demeaning behavior should not be tolerated and should definitely not be normalized. We must continue to show up for ourselves and each other.
Have you experienced a situation like this in the workplace?
If so, please share with us below to continue to show people that this is not rare.
True sisterhood cannot be forced, it takes time, patience, love and reciprocity. Being your sister’s keeper shouldn’t feel like an unwanted responsibility, but a reflex. The beautiful thing about sisterhood is it requires no limits, no race, no class or geography. Sisterhood is a rare connection that transforms us as we mature from young girls into women sharing our struggles, experiences and learnings. Unfortunately, we learn early on as girls that other girls are our competition instead of our strength. We have the power to empower generations to come by treating other women like we want to be treated with an abundance of love, empathy and respect.
Now more than ever, we must embrace our “sisters” (biological or not”> and remind them of their magic. So, I ask you, how can you support other women?
Show Up & Show Out
If your friend is hosting an event, speaking on a panel or showing her unique products at a trade show, make it a point to stop by and show your support. There’s no better feeling than looking out into the crowd and seeing familiar faces that know how hard you’ve worked to get where you’re at today. Obviously, you can’t make every event, but if you can’t go, take a moment to share with your friends who you think would be interested in going. A simple share can go a long way!
Give Without Expectations
Make time to catch up and check in with your sisters. When is the last time you made plans to have a girls night, grab lunch or attend a workout class together? It’s important to share space with your sisters because you never know what struggles they may be battling. Ask them how their week is going and see how you can help. Sometimes we simply need a listening ear to vent to and share our struggles with, with no judgement.
Sincerely congratulate women on their successes and understand that their success is OUR success.
Choose Collaboration Over Competition
If you have an idea and want feedback, reach out to your sisters who you think can help and provide insight. Often times, we feel like we can conquer the world (which we can”>, but we can’t do it alone. If you’re working in the same industry as someone, instead of competing, ask them to join! There is room for all us to win, let’s win together!
Take Your Power Back
It’s no secret that women hold a majority of the buying power, but are we investing in woman-owned companies? If you know someone who is making cool stuff, buy it without asking for a discount. If you can’t afford it, share their website or refer their services to your friends. It’s time we take our power back and start investing in ourselves and sisters who are doing what they love to keep the legacy of women in business going!
Be the Change You Want to See
It’s our responsibility to show our daughters, nieces, cousins and neighbors what sisterhood looks like. We hold all the power for the changes we want to see in how women treat one another. Many of us have been treated badly by nasty women, but don’t let that cycle continue. Treat her as you want to be treated. Once we can let go of our own insecurities, fears and doubts we can progress individually and collectively.
True non-competitive, unconditional support comes from loving yourself first. Once you are okay with who you are, you are able to be honest and supportive with other women without having an agenda or expecting something back in return.
Whether it be collaborating, listening without judgement or supporting a woman-owned business, there are many ways women can support each other! Being that March is Women’s History Month, let’s celebrate the importance of sisterhood and take the opportunity to share ways we can authentically support each other, not only this month, but any given opportunity!
There is nothing I value more than sisterhood. The type of sisterhood that is transparent, authentic and empowering. We’re all fighting so many battles within that sometimes, we simply need a reminder of our magic, a shoulder to lean on, an advocate to support us when we don’t have the energy to and lastly sisters that believe in our vision. Continue to conquer from within and let your light shine bright!
If we don’t help each other, who will? And if not in this time, when?
What do you do to support women in your community?
There’s no doubt that the natural hair movement is taking the hair industry by storm and encouraging women to rock their natural born crown, unapologetically. Big businesses such as Pantene and Dove are interested in reaching the natural hair community by switching up their marketing to be more inclusive and creating products for relaxed and natural hair.
Pantene introduced their Gold Series campaign this week with an impressive and powerful commercial shining a light on all the beautiful styles of natural hair. The minute-long video showcased a variety of women of all ages, skin tones and textures embracing their hair that is a source of confidence. From the sculptural updos, voluminous curls, and bold afros, to edgy bobs, and striking dreadlocks the video demonstrated all the dynamics of natural hair which have been ignored for so long by mainstream media. Let’s not forget about the empowering spoken word that shares our journey of how we’ve been encouraged to conform our beauty standards to fit in. “We are proudly born with hair that grows strong as a storm and doesn’t conform to a beauty norm that isn’t our own. Because whether we choose to wear it relaxed or natural, every strand is testimony to our history. That makes us stronger,” the narrator concludes. “And strong is beautiful.”
Without further ado, check out the video below.
I appreciate their poetic presentation representing the ode to our African history and how we’ve turned our pain into power, but social media reaction to the campaign questions the brand’s intentions. For as long as I can remember Pantene has been representing straight and sleek hair, and the change has naturals begging the question: are they trying to reach the natural hair community simply for monetary purposes?
Regardless, representations matters and it’s important for all women to be represented in the media no matter their skin tone, hair texture or age. I truly hope these mainstream companies can utilize their platforms to redefine the beauty standards and empower all women to love the skin they’re in.
The natural hair movement is not a trend. This is our lifestyle. This is our history.
What are your thoughts? Will you be trying out the Pantene Gold Series?
When I moved to Austin almost two years ago, it took me a while to find a natural hair stylist that I could trust to care for my curly hair. Through many recommendations and the law of attraction, I connected with Kenya Kirk, the owner of Kenya Rynea Salon, who strives to educate her diverse clientele on the importance of #hairgoals. I remember the first time I walked into her salon, she asked me, “What is your daily hair routine?” I immediately got nervous and gave a blank stare because a stylist had never asked me that before. Honestly, I was never educated on how to maintain my natural hair and didn’t have a hair regimen. Being of mixed heritage, my mom wasn’t aware of how to care for my naturally curly hair and was advised to perm my hair at the tender age of three years-old. It wasn’t until in my early 20’s that I started rockin’ my natural hair, free of chemicals and extensions.
When I found out that Kenya does not only educate her clients on ways to maintain their natural hair, but she also created a program called Mommy & Me, for mothers to provide a solution to care for their daughter’s hair, even if they have a different hair texture. I knew there was a reason we got connected and this was simply confirmation, I couldn’t wait to learn more!
Share your background and how you got to Austin. . .
“I am originally from Upstate New York. My mother moved my sister and I to Austin, Texas in the early 90’s. After I graduated high school I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go to college to be a scientist in the marine biology field or not. Before I made my decision, I went to Georgia and visited my cousin, who was a salon owner and hair stylist.”
What inspired you to become a hair stylist?
“I’ve done hair in high school here and there for friends and teammates, but it wasn’t until one afternoon I was at my cousin’s house in Georgia. I was flipping through a hair magazine and an image grabbed my attention, so I decided to recreate it on her mannequin. Afterwards, my cousin told me I was very good for someone who just looked at a picture. It was then, that I was encouraged to sign-up for beauty school and felt this was the perfect path for me.”
What is unique about Kenya Rynea Salon?
“Kenya Rynea Salon enjoys providing clients with an innovative and educational experience to ensure clients with a unique hair regimen that works for their hair texture. We make it a point to talk about goals, the commitment and consistency required to meet their goals. A client’s smile and happiness is the best advertisement.”
How important is it that you educate your clients ?
“Education is essential for me to provide the best services, techniques and products to my clients. I carry various products curated around my clientele to educate my clients on maintaining a healthy hair regimen and ways to style their hair. I don’t just ‘sell’ products, I educate them on how to effectively use the products to work for them and their lifestyle.”
What inspired you to create the program, Mommy & Me?
“As a stylist, I hear stories all the time from my clients about their hair experiences and how they struggle with their natural hair. From finding the right products to knowing how to maintain a healthy hair regimen, clients were in need of solutions. It was also becoming more apparent how mothers felt that styling their daughter’s hair was a hassle and would take hours because they were unaware how to style their hair. So, I wanted to provide a stress-free solution. Mommy & Me is a program to educate mothers how to successfully care and style for their daughter’s hair and learn basic styling terminology on how to communicate with their hairstylist, if they have to take their child to a stylist.”
What do you see as the major challenges Mom’s experience with daughters who have textured hair, how does Mommy & Me provide a solution?
“The major challenges mothers experience is the long styling time, finding products that work and understanding the versatility of their daughter’s hair texture. Our Mommy & Me program provides a step-by-step hair regimen from beginning to the end of how to properly wash their hair, and recommends products to use, depending on the density and porosity of the hair. We even talk about tools to use for all versatilities of weather and easy hairstyles.”
Now that I’m older, I look back and wish my mother would have been educated on how to care for my curly hair rather than perming it at such an early age. Ironically, I learned that my mother’s hair was extremely thick and tough to manage as a young girl, so her mother permed her hair as well. This goes to show the importance of education and how it effects us young girls, who grow up as women who yearn for that sense of identity. Let’s continue to educate and empower our daughters to rock their natural crown and love their beautiful coils, curls and kinks.
Does your daughter have a different hair texture than you? Share how you care for her hair and any advice on how to maintain her natural hair.
