The lightness of my skin doesn’t make me any less black than I feel, and the way I wear my hair doesn’t make me any more. It simply makes me, me!

Where do you live?
E: I’m a Chicago girl, born and raised, currently calling the Logan Square neighborhood home base. I work as a consultant in the vintage clothing industry, working freelance for three vintage businesses in the city, and additionally I’m a freelance artist and curator of pop-up art exhibitions. I went to the School of the Art Institute for about a year, with emphasis in painting and fiber & material studies, but it wasn’t necessarily the right match for me, so we said our peace in 2005, and I went on to do all sorts of other bigger and better things.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
E: I was just sooooo over my hair being this ongoing stressful and negative focal point for me. I always had really rad and ridiculous hair styles when I worked with relaxers and flat irons, and I would always receive compliments and kudos on them because I guess they were what you could perceive as unconventional in terms of African-American women’s hairstyles, but it was so much work, and deep down, I was miserable and never felt like my natural self.

As I started to hang out with more natural women and explore life as an adult, I started to see that I had been blessed and NOT plagued with these awesome super wild and tight curls, and I could see how mentally I had conditioned myself to think that because of the type of music I was into and the lifestyle that I chose to live that I would need to have straight hair, even if it wasn’t on my own aesthetic terms, and that just wasn’t the case anymore.

When and how did you transition into natural hair?
E: I wanna say it was November of 2008 when I gave myself the big chop. I was super nervous, because even though my mind had been made up to do it since I had come back from a life-altering vacation in Oakland (which played a huge part in my decision), physically I was still attached to my straight locks (even though they had some serious new growth action at that point). I knew if I waited around or contemplated it any longer it wasn’t going to happen, and I certainly knew that I wasn’t going to have a stylist do it for me, because I knew no matter how amazing my friends in the hair industry are and how much I love them, this was going to be my own personal experience, and nobody was going to do it for me. Which is not to say that I recommend this method for any woman, hacking away can lead to ridiculous lop-sided hairdos, of course.

So I grabbed some shears I had around the house and went to town. I also made it a point to throw out every product I had that I knew had started to suck the life out of my scalp, ie. my hair spray. Once I chopped it all off, I still wasn’t quite ready for full fro status, I didn’t have a lot of length to work with at that point, but I did and still do have a full head of thick, thick curls, so while transitioning, I used a soft bristle brush to wrap and set it while wet into little baby waves.

I loved it, but I would still heat set it for a few minutes from time to time, to keep my waves in check, which I gradually eliminated from the regimen. I stuck with certain products I knew worked for my hair regardless of texture, and I stocked up on my fair share of products that I knew would help it come alive again, as well. And once spring rolled around, bam! My little blond afro came to be. I guess the rest is history.

I am extremely happier and about a million times more confident living my life as a natural woman! I understand my self worth in a way I could never fully comprehend when I would douse my head with chemicals. It sounds so cheesy, but the world just seems brighter, ya know?

What’s your basic regimen?
E: Well, let’s see, my hair regimen changes with length. The thing I keep consistent is WATER. Hydration is key! I wet my hair and co-wash every day, and give it a nice healthy scrub a few times a week. Sometimes I switch up products, but I try to keep it pretty simple, so I tend to stick with the following basics: Queen Helene’s hair cholesterol in the shower, Motion’s or Luster’s Pink Hair Lotion right after I dry it off a bit, but definitely while still pretty wet, followed by a daily dose of olive oil cream (which as far as I’m concerned, everybody should swear by!) massaged in while my hair’s still damp.

I use a metal fan pick to pull out my hair and rock my afro daily, and on the days when I decide to wear it either pinned up on the sides (2nd photo), or up in a huge scarf and bow piled on top of my head (1st photo), I go back (after picking it thoroughly) with my soft bristle brush and a small bit of Murray’s pommade and I brush my curls upward, so as to train it in the direction I want it to go in on that particular day.

What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learnt from?
E: Flat ironing my relaxed hair AFTER putting oily product in it, and having just bleached the front half of it, I had never heard something sizzle SO intensely. But at the time, I figured it was the normal and only way I was going to be able to have fire engine red, bone straight hair. Oops, I guess.

How does your hair express who you are?
E: My hair reflects everything about me. It’s my heritage, my narrative. It always has been, and I guess with every changing style, a new part of me has come to life. I mean, realistically, if someone were to come up behind me and shave my head, I wouldn’t lose the essence of who I am, but I feel that my hair strongly represents how I have grown as a woman and career-minded adult. And I believe for that other natural woman, or women inclinig to make the change, it expresses that I’ve gone through the same battle, figuratively speaking. And I’m as happy as can be.

I was really moved by the last interview you did with Cherekana, where at the end she discussed how she dislikes how people view her wearing her hair the way she does as a political statement and that not being the case… I deal with that frequently, generally sporting what some would consider a classic afro, from the days of the Panther party, and it becomes trying at times when people make assumptions about you based on your hair, your looks, etc, without even knowing you as a human being.

I think a majority of us may have been on that angry militant tip at some point, however long or short-lived it might have been, but for me, sporting my hair the way it’s MEANT to be is completely different.

The lightness of my skin doesn’t make me any less black than I feel, and the way I wear my hair doesn’t make me any more. It simply makes me, me!

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
E: Certainly! I have a blog about my art, vintage goodies, adventures and all that jazz. Check it out at http://mahaloclub.blogspot.com/.
You can also find me on Facebook, or on etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/psychosurplus

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Where do you live?
S: I am from Flint, Michigan. I am an Assembly Worker at General Motors and I have a B.S. in Criminal Justice.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
S: I really didn’t decide to go natural It just happen, I tried to go natural for a couple of months while I was in college but gave in into the relaxer. This time I was just wearing wigs and not really knowing what I wanted to do with my hair.

When and how did you transition into natural hair?
S: My last relaxer was January 2008. After that I wore kinky twist and wigs and quick weaves. I really had no idea what I was doing. I got to a point where I told my hubby to shave my whole head but he said no. I had no idea how to control the new growth I was getting. I got my so called big chop in November 2008 when I cut most of the perm out but I was still wearing twists. In May 2009 my hubby as well as my friend (and soror) urged me to wear my own hair. It was the best thing I ever did for my hair.

Me being natural have affected people around me. My sisters and friends decided to give it a try, because my experience gave them the courage to go natural. I’ve told them, and many other women, about websites that are helpful on the natural journey. As for me, I am now aware of what I put into my hair and my children’s hair and I know that healthy hair is good hair.

I think I was running away from my natural hair because I didn’t know any better, but I have never loved my hair as much as I do now. Don’t get me wrong I had beautiful relaxed hair, but I love my hair in its natural state.

What is a brief description of your regimen?
S: I wash once a week, usually on a Friday or Saturday night using Carol’s daughters Khoret Ameh Shampoo with Sea Moss or Giovanni Deep Moisture Shampoo. Next I detangle in the shower with a wide tooth comb and VO5 conditioner. Then I apply Herbal Essence totally twisted Conditioner and leave it in about 5 minutes. I wrap a t-shirt around my hair till I’m ready to twist.

I use Kinky Curly Knot today leave in conditioner (love it) to twist and apply raw shea butter on the ends. The twists stay in for about a week. I dry twist in the middle of week to refresh.

What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learnt from?
S: Being lazy and not washing and twisting my hair when I know it’s time.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
S: I am on Fotki NaturalZpearl.

Anything else you want to add?
S: I love what you are doing. If it wasn’t for the natural hair sites that I looked at I wouldn’t have made it natural. Thank you for showing people that natural hair is beautiful.

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Jill heard about BGLH through our Facebook Fan Page. She joins a growing number of FB fans who are crossing into ‘style icon’ territory

Where do you live?
J: I live in Virginia but I REP Ghana! Right now I’m just going to school and taking care of my baby girl.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
J: I went natural because I was fed up with having to relax my hair every month.

When and how did you transition into natural hair?
J: I did my big chop in January 2008. I stopped getting relaxers for 5-6 months, then I let my cousin cut off all the relaxed and damaged hair. Going natural has made me soo much more stronger and livelier. The only mistake I made was not going natural sooner!

What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
J: I have found that my hair is at its best when freshly washed.

What do you use in your hair?
J: I am still experimenting.

How does your hair express who you are?
J: My natural hair symbolizes where I come from.

You can find Jill on the Fan Page wall under “Jill Addai”

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Channeling Grace Jones

Are you a native South African?
P: I was born in South Africa but my family tree also connects us to Ghana.

Have you always been natural?
P: I started going natural at 16 mainly because I’m allergic to relaxer hair products and I unfortunately do not have the patience for extensions whether braids or weaves. I don’t like having to deal with fake hair.

A few months you were included in a piece I posted on famous South African naturals. How did you get into acting?
P: It’s always strange answering this question because I feel as if I’m still trying to get into acting. The only way I know how to get in is to continue doing auditions. I’m currently shooting the second season of a South African comedy series called 4Play.

From your perspective, how is natural hair viewed by South African actresses versus American actresses?
P: In South Africa having natural hair is quite a norm while as a viewer I feel that in America actresses are encouraged to put extensions in their hair.

In your head shots I’ve noticed that your hair is always beautiful and very unique. Do you style your own hair?
P: I often do my hair myself but make use of a stylist when attending important events. Like everybody else I like to believe that I’m unique, hence the constant hairstyle changes. My hair shows the world that I’m carefree and flexible. It’s also helped me to indulge in my impulsive nature.

What would you like to see in South African in terms of natural hair care?
P: I’d like to see a natural hair care line that is not just a marketing scheme but one that actually works for our hair.

Do you have any ‘hair idols’?
P: Erykah Badu! Her wigs, her own natural hair. She’s just insane and i love that.

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Where do you live?
I: I’m reppin’ the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) although I’m currently in London, Ontario for school. I’m getting a master’s degree in journalism. And I’m in my final semester!

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
I: A. I love big hair and B. I got tired of the same old routine i.e. braid – relax – braid – relax.

When and how did you transition into natural hair?
I: I cut off all my permed hair mid-summer of ‘07. I’d relaxed and dyed my hair at the beginning of the summer and a couple of months in, I decided to switch it up.

Isabella a few months after the big chop

I’ve saved a whole lot of money: no more paying anyone else to do my hair. And I seem to draw a lot more attention, especially when the fro’s unleashed.

What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learnt from?
I: I’d have to say washing my hair loose = a big no-no. It just ends up a tangled mess. So I try to wash it only if it’s in twists or braids.

What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
I: I keep it in protective styles when braving the Canadian winters, I stay on that moisturizing/conditioning thing, and for the most part, I leave it alone.

What do you use in your hair?
I: Right now, my hair’s in twists so I spritz it every other day with a mixture of water, peppermint oil and glycerin. On the days that I wash it (usually once a week), I apply Qhemet Biologic’s Amla & olive heavy cream and some castor oil on the ends. Ooo and I co-wash with Suave coconut conditioner.

How does your hair express who you are?
I: It does its own thing. Period. Quite simply, it’s me.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
I: A blog’s in the works, but for now, I’m on twitter: http://twitter.com/IsieBella

Anything else you want to add?
I: “Beauty must be defined as what we are, or else the concept itself is our enemy”. I read that on a poster last year and it just stuck.

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Photo Credit: Scott La Rockwell

So what are you doing in these photos?
S: I interviewed Game Rebellion for my website. I’ve been a fan of their music for awhile and it just made sense to include them in my ongoing documentation of the Afro-punk/Black Rock movement. I got the word (through Twitter) that the band was coming to town and it just so happens that we have mutual friends, so I started bugging everyone I knew that knew Game Rebellion to introduce me. Crazy story: I finally got the interview confirmed and spent all day coming up with the perfect questions…..only to lose them all because I left my notebook in the cab that I took to the show! I got there and improvised and everything worked out because the guys in Game Rebellion are very personable and real….but initially, my heart sunk like a piece of lead. Thinking on my feet, always having a back-up plan and never panicking have proven to be valuable skills for what I do….you can never predict exactly what can happen.

Cool! How did you get into Afro-punk/Black Rock reporting?
S: My finger has always been on the pulse of Rock music, in general. I grew up going to Warped Tour and 311 shows. For me and my friends, our musical preferences had nothing to do with our race and had everything to do with our personal preferences. But I’d be lying if I said we never noticed a color divide. I know what it’s like to be one of two or three Black people in the audience. I’d heard of “Black bands” like Fishbone and Living Colour, but, even as a Rock fan, they were a foreign concept to me. The contribution of greats like Little Richard and Sly Stone, who all stirred the pot and added their flavor to the concoction we call Rock music, seemed to be insignificant, if not forgotten, as Rock had become known as “White music.”

Rock has since returned to its roots, in the form of the creative renaissance that’s taking place off the beaten path. I felt that it was important to document this renaissance, because amazing things are about to happen in our lifetime with Rock, and there needs to be a place where fans can read all about artists, hear their music and stay in the know. You’d be hard-pressed to find the type of coverage I provide on MTV or Rolling Stone….but it IS on my site

Your hair in the photos looks fabulous! How did you get it that way?
S: Thank you! That was a wash and go that I “cultivated” over a few days. I washed my hair two or three days before that and just moisturized and let it air dry. My hair gets bigger the further I get from wash day, so I let it do its thing, moisturizing the ends each day and night (the ends of your hair are the most exposed….treat them well) and picking it out (very gently) with my fingers.

For the actual style, I put on one of my homemade headbands (one leg of a pair of ultra sheer pantyhose…ultra sheer because they have more texture than regular pantyhose and so they don’t slip in my hair) and then I pushed one side of the headband back further than the other and secured it with a hair clip. I’m a huge fan of pinning back one side of my hair only…I love the look it gives. Since then, I’ve stopped achieving this look with a headband. I just secure the hair on whichever side I pull back in place with a few flat black hair clips. It’s an easy way to take a fro from drab to fab

Awesome! For more of Sierra check out her site http://www.withanamelikesierra.com/. You can also find her first style icon interview HERE.

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Interesting question submitted by BGLHer Sharifa…

“I’m feeling bored with my afro, and I don’t want to straighten it with heat or a texturizer… I wanted to go the the barber and “shape” it. I see some of the photos on your site and the fros look so shaped and wicked! I wanted to get that style, but not sure what to ask for when I go to the shop.



I was also wondering if you had any examples, cause Google and Youtube are NOT helping me out. Just wondering, it’s nothing serious, but I’m getting awfully bored with the fro and the twist outs without any shape to them. I love my natural hair, but I want it to work with my own style and feel you know?”

Sharifa, I totally feel you. I did a round ‘fro the other day with the use of a medium-toothed comb. Unfortunately I did have some light breakage (my hair hates combs). But what about you guys? How do you guys shape your fros sans heat?

And those of you who use clippers/cuts to keep your fro lined up, please speak up!

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Where are you from?
J: I’m originally from the Midwest, attended a historically Black college in the South and currently live in the D.C Metro area. At present I’m a college psychology professor. In addition to teaching, my passion is improving the mental health of the Black community and I have been involved in community mental health with children and families for the past 10 years.

Tell us your hair story.
J: I have been natural since 1995. About 4 years before I went natural, I came home from school to find my mother had cut off her shoulder-length hair to an inch-long barber cut! Watching her embrace her natural hair was inspiring for me and I decided to take the plunge as well. At that time, there were few natural hair books and resources. Much of what I did was trial and error. My mother was a cosmetologist and she taught me how to condition and style my natural texture. The first book I read was by Tulani Kinard, “No Lye: The African American Woman’s Guide To Natural Hair Care.” This was so helpful and inspiring. There were recipes and beautiful pictures which I certainly needed to see. Although my father and mother loved my natural hair, others in my family and environment were not, so having that book kept me focused!

I started out wearing my hair in braid-outs and braid extension transition styles. I did not have the initial experience of the drastic “big chop.” My hair grew quickly and after about a semester and a half in college, I had the relaxed ends of my hair cut off and had a midsized Afro. I wore a plethora of styles: the curly-fro (braid-out which I set on rollers), twists and individual braids, cornrows—you name it!—for about 7 years.
While working on my doctoral degree, my time for styling my hair became quite limited. Both my mother and father were wearing locs and I adored their hair. I then decided to loc my hair and wore them proudly for 5 years.

After two years of major spiritual and mental transition (losing my father and ending a relationship), I decided to cut my locs. This was my experience with the “big chop” after years of being natural and I loved it!

Jinaki and her mother

For about six months, I rocked a short, curly barber cut. This was fun, but high maintenance. So, since January 2009 I have been growing my hair out. At present my favorite styles are the blow-out, braid out and curly Afro (done with either kinky-curly or foam rollers).

Have you had any difficulties wearing your hair natural at work?
J: Fortunately, I have not had any major difficulties regarding my hair in professional environments over the past 14 years. Most of what I have experienced has been covert. Co-workers make inappropriate comments which I feel reflect either awe at my having “different” hair, or discomfort with the confidence I exude around my hairstyle. In conjunction with my natural hairstyle, I frequently wear African/Africentric attire and jewelry. The hair coupled with the attire brings quite a bit of attention in the workplace, some negative. I have always believed that my confidence and pride in my culture deflect the negative energy that some emit. Were an environment to make requests that would limit my ability to be myself (i.e., a woman of African decent), I’d likely need to look for a new place of employment as I am not willing to sacrifice my cultural expression.

What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
J: Using heat sparingly is one of the best things I do for my hair. Also, being careful to cover it with a satin bonnet or silk scarf EVERY night has helped my hair remain healthy and strong. More recently, co-washing has changed my life! LOL. It sounds hyperbolic, but since cutting my locs I’ve mainly been co-washing (using a sulfate-free shampoo once a month) and my hair is shiny and bouncy.

What do you use in your hair?
J: I enjoy organic and homemade products for my hair. It responds well to shea butter and olive, coconut and jojoba oils which I apply as deep conditioners and as daily conditioners. I also enjoy using Kinky-Curly, Giovanni and Carol’s Daughter products…especially leave-in conditioners.

Can you give a tutorial for one of your favorite styles?

J: The style I wear that usually turns the most heads is my big, fluffy Afro which I achieve through a blow-out. I apply Kinky-Curly brand conditioner to my hair while in the shower, comb it thru and then twist my hair into about 8 sections while it’s wet. I then massage Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk to each section and gently blow-dry the hair out on medium heat. My goal is not to straighten the hair, but merely to stretch and give it volume. Once dry, I apply a combo of shea butter and olive oil to the ends of my hair, fluff to a poof that Thelma Evans would be proud of and go!!

What do you like about being natural?
J: EVERYTHING! I think that my natural crown is a symbol of my connection to my African ancestry. Embracing my natural hair has encouraged me to continue to be aware of the ways in which society does not embrace the Black aesthetic (darker skin, kinky hair, African facial features, etc.). My growing and wearing openly (not pressed or flat-ironed) regardless of the dearth of representation in the media is my personal message to the world that I know I am beautiful.

Recently, a friend’s daughter told her mommy that she loved my hair and wanted a doll with “round hair.” This warmed my heart. Many Black girls only see bone-straight examples of beauty on TV. It is also my hope that through my position as an educator and professional in the Black community other women and girls will be encouraged to wear their natural crowns and embrace their natural beauty!

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
J: I blog about health and beauty for Black women on Urban Mogul-Life (http://urbanmogullife.com/), a site geared toward young, urban professionals which includes discussion on music, economics, fashion, film, chill spots, technology, news, and what-not of the “Urban Mogul’s Life” in a classic, tasteful way.

Anything else you want to add?
J: I think that BGLH is an inspiring online community! After all these years of being natural, I still find it inspiring to hear other women’s stories. The tips are fabulous and I’m always open to learning new tricks. Thanks for the love and commitment to natural women of color!!

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Where are you from?
A: I’m from Tallahassee, FL. I’m a student studying Fashion Design.

Tell us your hair story.
A: It was the summer of 2005 and I had gone 7 months without a perm. I had recently started working out again and it was insane because I had to wash my hair every time I sweat. So I said “I’m going to cut it call off. I need something low maintenance.” I didn’t wear weave when I went natural, I cut it all the way off to a low cut FADE as the boyz say.

I’m an only child and was brought up in a single parent home, just me and my mom. She was with me when I did my big chop. Her hair is actually a natural short cut also.

I have a better understanding of my culture now being 24yrs and I want to embrace my natural hair to help encourage young black women to love what God has given them.

What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learnt from?
A: The only mistake I really made was getting a perm. I ended up badly damaging my hair.

What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
A: Going natural was the best thing I could have ever done for my hair.

What do you use in your hair?
A: I just started use Carol’s Daughter products. They are great for my hair.

Please give a short tutorial for one of your favorite styles.
A: My default would be my Sassy Mohawk. I do 5 small cornrows going on each side of head then put some leave-in conditioner. I then twist my hair and put in rollers to make it extra curly. You can keep this in overnight or sit under a dryer if you want to finish it that day. When dry take the rollers and the twists out and tease the hair with a wide comb that will give it a nice blow out look.

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Where are you from?
M: I live in Atlanta GA, I’m a bartender.

When did you go natural?
M: I went natural in 2004. I did protective styles for about 3 1/2 years and I still wear protective styles sometimes. I wasn’t really around my family when I decided to go natural. They don’t have a problem with it and they like my hair now. Now, at work it was a different story. I been called nappy head and told I need a perm. It hurt my feelings at first because I was transitioning and I didn’t know how to handle negative remarks in the beginning.

I started to learn the history and the science of my hair so when people say something negative I could handle myself alot better. Now when they something negative, I tell them I’m only expressing myself culturally and I do not follow the European or western standards of beauty. I like the freedom of being natural. My hair grows much more without the aid of chemicals.

What do you use in your hair?
M: I use mostly natural products — Burt Bee’s shampoo and conditioner, cantu shea butter, and 100% pure extra virgin coconut oil. I don’t use alot of products.

What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learnt from?
M: When I was transitioning I did a big chop on my hair leaving barely 2 inches. I went to a stylist to get comb twist and she used brown stying gel to hold the curls or twist. The gel severely damaged my hair, leaving it very dry and brittle. I had to cut my hair again and at the time I didn’t know anything about maintaining natural hair. My lesson is don’t let everyone in our head and learn how to maintain your natural hair. I am very thankful for YouTube.

What is the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
M: The best thing I do for my hair is saturate it in coconut oil overnight once a week. I wash out the coconut oil in the morning. The coconut oil leaves my hair very soft and it stimulates hair growth.

If your hair had a nickname what would it be?
M: I would call it Biggie, because it’s huge especially if I blow dry it out.

Monique’s Photo Reel

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