Well, we haven’t heard a lot from Kelis this year – well that is until she announced she was divorcing Naz!  Yup, and its pure drama!   Well, we won’t be gabbing about the gossip, just reflecting on her enviable style.

Talk about a women who takes risk with her hair – whether its her colour, legnth or style – Kelis is the epitomy of a black women who knows how to change it up.  Fearless in her ability to pull of nearly any look – her hair has been admired by many in the natural community – big, bushy and just plain out there.  And even though we no longer have the pleasure of crushing on her luscious curly locks – thank goodness for pictures.  Enjoy the hair evolution of Kelis…

I’m happy to feature Curlista’s first transitioner – Houda.  I’ve known Houda for a couple of years and ever since starting this blog she has shown a lot of interest in giving up relaxer and embracing her natural texture.  Well, after a couple of months of encouragement – Houda took the plunge and chopped it off.  Isn’t she such a knockout?  Hopefully, Curlista’s readers who are contemplating doing the BC will be inspired by her story…yay Houda!

WHAT’S YOUR HAIR STORY?

I was blessed with curly hair.  Growing up my mother always took very good care of my hair.  She would wash it, treat it and twist it.  I remember having a head full of curls until I started using chemicals that damaged my hair.  I’ve always wanted to perm my hair and my mother was very strict about that.  When I turned sixteen I started using perm.  Then that’s when I got addicted to perm.  From the ages of 16-23 I would constantly perm my hair every six weeks.  Finally the perm damaged my hair completely and my hair broke off.  You know what they say “always listen to your mother”.  After my hair broke off I became depended on weave.  I loved the long luscious hair.  I wanted to be like everyone else.  Eventually I was sick and tired of spending money on weave.  I decided to research and find out ways to get my natural hair back.  I found an amazing website www.curlista.com.  I had a talk with Lori and told her that I want to cut my hair off.  Ladies you know how it is to cut all your hair off.  There are so many questions that run through a women’s mind when she’s about to do the big chop.  Will I look like a boy?  Do I have a great face for it?  She told me that it would be a great thing for me to do and once again reminded me that hair always grows back.  So that’s what I did.  On June 8^th 2009 I chopped my hair off.  I am determined to get my natural curls back!

WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO TRANSITION?

Transitioning is not an easy decision.  I have thought about it for months.  There’s a couple of reason why I’ve decided to transition.

1. became to depended on weave and its quite pricey
2. want to be able to get out of the shower and have luscious locks again
3. it’s easier to maintain
4. want natural hair

DESCRIBE YOUR “BIG CHOP” EXPERIENCE?

The “Big Chop” was a day to remember.  When I woke up that morning I looked in the mirror and said to myself let’s do this.  I’ve had enough of the long dead hair on my head.  I mean ladies let’s face it.  What’s the point of having long hair when it’s fried and or dead?  Just to say you have long hair?  I was tired of that.  I was standing outside the salon for about twenty minutes talking to my friend Chantea and telling her that I was scared.  She told me something that will stick with me forever.  Hair doesn’t make you, you make your hair.  I went into the salon and told the hair dresser to cut it off.  I brought a Keri Hilson photo to show Jen (the hair dresser) the look I was going for.  She asked me once more was I sure?  I gave her the look and she started cutting it off.  I didn’t cry at all I was more in shock.  I couldn’t believe I was really doing it.  When it was all finished I looked in the mirror and absolutely loved my short hair.  I couldn’t get my fingers out of it.

WHAT’S THE RESPONSE BEEN TO YOU NEW LOOK?

First off I sent a picture to my boyfriend he absolutely loved it.  My family also loved it.  People are more in shock that I actually cut it off.  Men are actually taking a double look at me even though my hair is the same length is their hair.  I’m just overwhelmed because I’ve been receiving great response.

WHAT STYLE DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO ROCKING THIS SUMMER?

I’m going crazy this summer.  I’m putting down the curling iron and heating appliances and going back to the good old chiney bumps.  I’ve been following this blog and I must say I’m in love with Lori’s hair.  Imagine the look I’ll get when I take the chiney bumps out?  I can just see it now.

WHAT KIND OF HAIR DO YOU ASPIRE TO HAVE?

Honestly I just want to get the curls back that I once had.  I adore Teyanna Taylor’s hair.  I would love to have hair like hers.  Now I’m just playing the waiting game.

WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE ABOUT GOING NATURAL?

• What products should I use for my hair?
• How can I style short hair without using heat?
• Is it costly?

As some of you might already know, I’m a straight up PJ – honestly, I really love trying out new stuff.  Well some Toronto Bellas have been raving about Herbal Essences’ Hello Hydration condish – so you know I just had to give it a try. 

PRO

Hello Hydration = Hello Curls!  I’m loving this stuff.  As soon as I squirted this blue condish into my palms I instantly noticed how thick and creamy it was – which is a major plus in my book.  The thicker the better!  I think the combination of ingredients really attributed to my curls popping and feeling moisturized. 

CON

Wished I had tried this before buying two big bottles of Aussie and Tresemme because even though I’m a PJ – I’m committed to finding some way to use up all my prods – I can’t just let money go to waste.  The other con -  I wish HH came in a pump bottle – I’m not digging the upside down squeeze bottle.

DESCRIPTION

INGREDIENTS

Water , Stearyl Alcohol , Cyclopentasiloxane , Cetyl Alcohol , Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine , Dimethicone , Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract , Cocoa Nucifera Milk Fragrance Coconut , Glutamic Acid , Benzyl Alcohol , EDTA , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone , Citric Acid , Blue 1

Okay, so I’m off to Peru this week and I’m excited for a little time away with the BF.  This is my second trip – I went last year in October and had a bad experience with my hair.  Back then, I was natural but I was wearing it straight all the time.  Prior to leaving for Peru, I had gone to the Dominican Hair Salon for a wash and set – and had nice sleak do’.  However, by the time I arrived in Peru – my hair turned into a giant fuzz ball.  It was spring there and was damp.  My flat iron was no good because I didnt have the proper converter, so I ended up buying a new one.  I ended up returning it because it didn’t get hot enough.  Unfortunately, for most of the trip I wore a hoodie.  Yeah, my hair looked that bad!

But now that I’ve embraced my natural hair and know how to manage and style my curls I’m fearless when it comes to travel and my hair.  I know as long as I travel with a couple of key products and tools then it won’t be a problem to style my mane.  In my arsenal – condish for co-washes, DT just in case we go surfing, clips to sectioning, a satin cap for night protection, a wide tooth comb for detangling, and a couple of styling and moisturizing products.  Its nice to have this new found confidence when it comes to doing my hair myself.  Hopefully, I will remember to take some pics and post when I get back.

Hmmmm, I just discovered Oragnix Nourishing Cocount Milk and I’m in love – with the smell.  I picked up a bottle at Walmart ($5.95 for 13 fl. oz./384.5 ml) and rushed home to try it out.  Kudos to Organix because I think the bottle packaging is very appealing and I realize that the way a product is marketed definitely influences whether or not I will buy it or not.  Anyhow,   I co-washed and was instantly taken in with the smell – I love coconut and this stuff smells yummy.  It had relatively good slip, but I didn’t think that it left my hair particularly soft – which is disappointing.   But I still have about 3/4 of the bottle left to use (I’m a PJ but I’m won’t waste product) so hopefully I will have a better experience the more I use it – I think I will try it as a leave-in next.  I also wish my hair would smell as good as this condish – the smell totally faded.  But using this product has inspired me to read up about experimenting with actual cocount milk by adding it as a pre-poo or into a DT – its supposed to minimize breakage, strengthen the hair shaft and protect hair from UV rays

Product Description:

Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner is an exclusive blend of organic coconut milk to nourish your hair, while ultra whipped egg white proteins add strength and elasticity, along with weightless coconut oils to add hydration and balance. The luxuriously creamy, foaming, hydrating formula leaves your hair feeling clean, glowing, softly scented and super soft.

Alright, so I’m not sure if anyone has ever had an experience…the other day I was at work and I was proudly rocking a pony puff (2nd day hair from doing a wash and go with CJ’s Curl Assurance).  Anyhow, this guy was like what’s up with your hair today its so frizzy and out there.  In my head I’m shocked because I was so proud of my curls and I definitely wouldn’t call them frizzy.  He then went on to call my hair a CHIA PET!!!!  Gasp!  Oh no he didnt – a chia pet!  I’m not going to lie, I was a little hurt and I was hoping that everyone at work wasn’t looking at me thinking Chia Pet – but honestly its not going to stop me from wearing this style and rocking my curls.  I’m proud to be natural even if I look like a chia pet!

I just came across this Clutch magazine article and it reminded me of a post that I posted on the NaturallyCurly hair forum – and boy what a fire storm that created.  Initially I only posted that question because I was watching that Tyra Bank show on Good Hair and there was a woman who was natural who kind of reminded me of some natural women that I have encountered who are so “Pro-Natural” that they frown upon women who relax or straighten their hair.

I’m glad that I do  I pass no judgment on women who choose to relax, I relaxed for most of my life and the only reason I went natural was because their was more versatility and I really didn’t need my hair relaxed to get it straight – so why put my hair through the stress and spend the money.  Plus since my hair curls and kinks up – why bother! 

Even though I may be natural it doesn’t mean that I can’t put heat in my hair or use products that may have harmful ingredients (ie. silicones, mineral oil) etc – its all my choice and what works for me might not work for some.  And really and honestly just like people don’t have the right to judge you for the many decisions you make in your life – the same should apply here.

I do not think if you relax your hair it’s because you are trying to be white and I don’t think that because you decide to go natural that means you are being pro-black.  You choose what’s right for you and your hair. 

This site definitely talks about natural hair care – but there are a lot of tips and product reviews that relaxed ladies can benefit from as well.  If anyone wants advice on my favorite relaxers or how to transition to natural please email me and I’ll gladly advise.  Our community really needs to stop letting things divide us and needs to relish in the fact that our hair has created such a sisterhood and community and that needs to be celebrated!  There is so much negativity out there already, about how and what we do to our hair – let’s embrace our versatile and beautiful locks!

Who’s up for a Grow Out Challenge?

I’ve been natural for awhile(about 4-5 years) and have never been really concerned with length -  but now I am!   That means no cutting and taking really good care of my hair and body.  My goal is to have stretched APL (arm pit length) hair by October and I’m hoping for BSL (bra strap length) by January 2010!  I’m not even sure if this is do-able but based on looking at people’s fotki accounts it seems realistic.  Once I reach BSL I’m hoping to get a great curly hair cut.  Since growing healthy long hair is about a good hair regimen and a healthy body – so I feel this challenge will improve my overall health.

Here’s what I plan on doing to grow my locks long:

• Co-washing 2-3x per week
• Deep Treatments 2x week
• Keeping hair well moisturized and sealing ends
• Wearing protective styles – roller sets, china bumps, twists, buns, etc. – to help maintain length and prevent breakage
• Wearing satin cap at night
• Minimizing heat (blow dryers and flat iron, etc)
• Drink 8 glasses of water daily  (For me, Crystal Light will make it go down easier) – it helps improve hydration and flushes the body of toxins, chems and impurities
• Eating healthy – well balanced diet chock full of protein, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids
• Exercise 4-5 per week (yay more hot yoga!)
• Taking a multi-vitamin daily

***For anyone who is interested in joining me on this Grow Out Challenge – please email me.  Send me a pic of your current legnth and once ever two months email me a progress photograph and I will post your results and regimen.  Deadline to join June 12th. Don’t be shy!!!