Maya ~ Before and After

Meet Maya,one of Her long term goals in her natural hair journey is to find the products that work the best for her.




How long were you thinking of going natural? What's the story?

Honestly, I never really knew of the whole “natural movement” until I came home from college. I was a braids kid and my mother was adamant about relaxers so that was always a no go. As I got older and saw other girls with the long, straight hair I was very anxious to get a perm. But being the mama’s girl I am, I knew she had good reasons for me not getting one so I held off. It wasn’t until I got out of high school that I decided to get my edges permed for that “relaxed” look. When I went off to college in VA I completely rebelled and got a full relaxer (mainly because of the humidity there). After about 2 years of relaxing I got tired of the sore scalp, limp hair, and other debauchery that went on while relaxed. So I decided to put the “Creamy Crack” down in April ’09. Between April and October I was getting blowouts to blend the two textures. August was when I stumbled upon the Natural Hair Community on YouTube and it all clicked. From then on it was a wrap and I did my BC in October ‘09.

Was your transition a long or short one?

I actually unknowingly transitioned. I just knew I didn’t want a perm anymore but didn’t know what else to do with my hair besides blowouts. Once I decided to go natural I did twist/blowouts, so I transitioned for about 6 months.

We all know how important it is to moisturize our hair while in transition, what products did you use to keep your hair moisturized?

Although the PJ in me would say I needed EVERYTHING I saw the ladies on YouTube use, I definitely could not have made it without my Cantu Shea Butter, IC Fantasia gel, water/glycerin mix, ORS replenishing packs, and 100% Shea Butter.

What was your staple hairstyle while in transition?

The mighty TWIST/BRAID OUT! I loved how easy these styles were.

When you decided to Big Chop, how did you feel about your cut? And how did people react to it?

It’s funny because everyone says they just woke up one day, ran to the salon, and chopped it all off…and that’s exactly what I did lol! Initially I loved my cut but once the adrenaline wore off, I hated the shape of it. Majority of my family and friends liked it. My mom on the other hand almost cried exclaiming, “Why Maya?! That was your crown and glory.” She loves it now though!

Did you have any regrets?

Nope…well I do have one. After I BC’d I hated the shape of my TWA and cut about 2 inches off which set me back a few months but eh, it’ll grow back. I DO wish I would have done it sooner though.

What are your long term goals for your hair journey?

For me it’s too easy to say my goal is to retain length and have hair down my back; I know it’ll eventually grow. Right now I’d like to find a Holy Grail of products that work for me while in the long run keeping my hair healthy, happy, and oh so nappy!

Essense Vibz~Natural Inspiration

Meet Essense Vibz,This naturally proud diva uses her knowledge of natural hair to educate young women around her.

How long have you been natural?

I’ve been natural since 1998.


Have you ever had a relaxer? If so, what’s your story? What made you become natural?

I used to hate getting perms. Getting burned, scabs on my scalp and the everyday high maintenance hype were driving me crazy. It was too much so I decided to get rid of it. I slowly began the process of letting it go by not getting retouches. Then one day I took a bottle of vinegar and added it to my shampoo and I guess you can say I stripped it. I then clipped my own ends and started getting it braided and getting weaves added on. Transitioning was quite easy for me because I was on a mission: get rid of that hateful perm!--Plus I wanted my hair life to be simple and low maintenance—I love the texture of my hair. I love how it looks and feels. I love that I can stand in the shower and get it wet without cringing. Don’t let it rain!!—OMG! I will run out there in a minute with nothing on it—LOL


How would you describe your hair type?

My hair is kinky and tightly curled. When I want loose curls, I have to blow dry my hair then twist it loosely. I really don’t like blowing my hair much because it dries it out too much. And that drives me crazy!



What is your regimen?

I wash my hair once a month or once every 2 months. I’m not a shampoo kinda gurl. I always thought shampoo zaps the shine from my hair and made it rough. I co-wash 2 times a week. Believe it or not, I do not deep condition at all. I can’t tell a lie, all I do is add conditioner on my hair, put on a shower cap then take a hot shower. I’m as simple as simple can be. After my co-wash, I section my hair into 6 parts-take one section at a time and spray my mixture on and comb with my fingers. Then I section that piece and start twisting my hair. I use a silk pillowcase instead of a scarf. I do not like the feel of my head being tied down. I want my hair to be free to air dry-


What products do you use to maintain the health of your hair?

I like to experiment over here all the time--I cannot, I will not go without my extra virgin olive oil I cannot, I will not go without my extra virgin coconut oil--I cannot, I will not go without my Shea butter--I mix my EVOO, conditioner and coconut oil put it in a container, mix it together real good-- Then I microwave it and put it in the fridge--Oh yeah, I’m a lover of VASELINE too!!!—{got that from my Grandma Emily R.I.P.} –It’s no big secret, ALL of our Grandma’s used Vaseline for just about er’thang—from hair to skin care to rough feet--and the list goes on and on--lol


Do you have any long term goals for your hair?

I want to continue what I’m doing with my hair right now—I’m at the point now where I do not want to keep changing products—If what I’m using is working, why change the formula??—OKAY!!--I just want to have a head full of healthy hair as I grow older—I have a feeling I’m gonna be one of those women who will tell young mothers how to take care of their children's hair.

Since becoming natural, I notice my walk is even different. I walk with my head held higher. My posture is straight. And I love being me with this head full of beautiful hair. And I love that I am a role model for young girls at the school I work at.


From kindergarten to fifth graders, I love that they love my hair. And I want them to learn to love their hair as well-- I let them “play” in my hair. I want them to feel the softness and to look and feel the texture of my hair. They look at it up close and see that I have tight curls. I let them style it and massage my scalp. I do this so they can feel the oils I have on my hair and tell them the importance of why we have to keep our hair oiled and moisturized.



This is one way they get to know me up close and personal and know why I love my hair. {And I get a free head massage--LOL}--Most important, I want them to learn to love and embrace their own hair. So yeah, they learn their reading, math and writing skills BUT they also learn about their nappiness. I have a few mini-me’s walking around the hallways now with afro puffs–LOL



What tips would you give to all the newly natural ladies?

EMBRACE YOUR NATURAL HAIR—keep your hair oiled and moisturized and CELEBRATE YOUR BEAUTY.


Is there anywhere we can find you on the web?

My personal blog--à http://essensevibez.blogspot.com/

My hair blog -à http://naturalsunshine.ning.com/profile/Pam

Hair Types

For those of you who don't know or understand hair typing ,here is a brief chart on it.There are other types like type 1 and type 2, but i didn't include them considering you and i are on a journey to learn and understand afro-textured hair.This may help you pin point your hair type a little bit ,although, I will be posting more on hair types in the future. Peace!!




Type 3 hair has a tighter curl pattern. It can be categorized at 3A/3B and 3C hair. 3A hair types have a looser curl pattern, while type 3B hair has a tighter curl pattern (picture on the left) and type 3C hair has a tightly curly look and may look slightly kinky (picture on the right). This type of hair has a lot of body and can be styled in many different styles. When wet, type 3 hair easily absorbs the water and shrinks quite a bit. But it is not as shiny as straight hair because the hair cannot reflect the light as easily.

Type 3 hair is very springy. If you pull on it, it bounces back into its original curly state. This type of hair can sometimes be a challenge to straighten, especially 3C hair. However, if you blow-dry and use a hot comb or straightener the hair will have a smoother sleeker finish.





Tightly coiled type 4 hair is a lot kinkier than the type 2 and 3 hair types. Although this hair type is much more textured and appears thicker than other curly hair, it is actually quite fine. Type 4A hair has an “S” pattern to it, while type 4B/C hair is more wiry with a zig-zag pattern.

These coiled afro pics show the texture of type 4 hair. The picture on the left is more type 4a hair, while the picture on the right is more of a 4b/c hair. Type 4 hair is hard to grow since it has fewer cuticle layers than the other hair types. Once brushed or combed it’s common for hair to break, leaving it shorter and easily susceptible to damage. (Note: Never brush dry curly hair as this creates frizz and can lead to breakage.)

An easy way to rid yourself of this damage is through proper conditioning, hot oil treatments and not putting tension on the hair daily with pony tails or styles that pull on the hair and add tension. If you do these things there is no limit to how long your hair can grow.

Type 4 hair is extremely versatile and holds well on it’s own without the aid of styling products. Some common styles of this hair type are curly fro’s, afro puffs, two-strand twists, braids, straightening, cornrows and so much more.

Eva ~ Before and After

Meet Eva,one of her goals in her natural hair journey is to prove to women that afro textured hair can be healthy and grow long.




How long were you thinking of going natural? What's the story ?


I first thought about it during my senior year in high school. When I told a girlfriend about the idea, she asked what would I do with my hair while it was short and nappy? I didn't have an answer so I put it out of my mind. It wasn't until I saw some videos on youtube of natural women that I thought this was attainable. I never knew there were so many beautiful ways to wear natural hair. Our hair is extremely versatile when natural. So the more I learned about hair, the more I realized that my hair was never going to be healthy and beautiful if I kept using chemicals. So I decided I was willing to do whatever I had to do to get thick healthy hair.

Was your transition a long or short one?

I think the transition is ALWAYS a long process. Lol My goal was to wait 6 months, I cut my hair after 4 months. I was disgusted by the limp, frayed relaxed ends hanging off of my thick fluffy naps.

We all know how important it is to moisturize our hair
while in transition,what products did you use to keep
your hair moisturized?

During transition, I tried to learn as much about black hair as possible and found the simpler the product the better. Shea butter, coconut oil,and olive oil were and still are my top 3 moisturizers. I also deep conditioned my hair with mayonnaise because my hair responds really well to protein.

What was your staple hairstyle while in transition?

rod sets and quick weaves


When you decided to Big Chop,how did you feel about your cut? And how did people react to it?
I felt nervous and excited, I was amazed how soft my hair was! I thought I looked like a boy before she styled it though lol. I got a lot of compliments on it. My mom liked it, which surprised me.

Did you have any regrets?

Only that I would have done it sooner.

What are your long term goals for your hair journey?

My long term goals are to grow the largest afro possible! I want to see how long (or big) my hair can get by maintaining it and retaining length. I also want to show people by example that black women can have long beautiful healthy hair when we treat it right. Especially black women, because many of us don't believe that's attainable for us, when really its right within our grasp.

Roshini ~ Natural Inspiration

Meet Roshini,she has been natural for 7 years so this diva knows a thing or two about natural hair.




How long have you been natural?

Since November 19, 2002 this last time, so a little over 7 years straight.


Have you ever had a relaxer? If so ,What's your story? What made you become natural?

Yes, I was relaxed for most of my teens and early 20s. My mother relaxed my hair because that's what you did I suppose. I was always curious about my natural hair through college so after I graduated I cut my relaxed hair all off. I didn't know much about how to maintain healthy natural hair so I wore it short then eventually tried to grow it but ended up relaxing it shortly there after. I hated it the moment I walked out the salon, tried to make the best of it but eventually hacked it all off again and have been natural ever since.

How would you describe your hair type?

Ironically I just did a video on YouTube about this very thing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM2_k4M9xmg). Basically I've identified 3 different hair types on my head: on the sides it's z-shaped, fine strands (4b/c), on the back it's drinking straw shiny coils (4a) and in the crown and front it's s-shaped and large coiled wiry strands (3c).

What is your regimen? What products do you use to maintain the health of your hair?

I tend toward protectives styles, mostly twists lately. I wash my hair when necessary, no pattern, with diluted Dr. Bronners Castile Soap. I always detangle and deep condition before I wash, then I style, typically something that will last me 2-6 weeks.


Do you have any long term goals for you hair?

I'm scissor happy and love hacking off my hair so this year I'm going to try to not do that and see what happens.


What tips would you give to all the newly natural ladies?

Moisturize your ends often and handle your hair with care.


Is there anywhere we can find you on the web?

Yep, on my blog Glamazini.com (formally Roshini.net).

Mop Head!!!!

This weekend I attended a soca fete in Toronto.I rocked my stretched out twist out,it was huge.... I loved it!!! I had a lot of stares, but who cares, I'm not gonna waste my time trying to figure out what these people are thinking of me... Love it or not,this hair is on my head and not yours!!! Somewhere in the line up in front of me,I over heard some guy say that my hair "looked like a mop". Any other time , I think that comment might have gotten to me, but not in this case. I was so happy ,considering this was the look i was going for.... HATER!!!!!! HA HA HA ,just had to share ,here are the pictures. Enjoy!!!

My First Roller Set With Natural Hair

It was about that time to see if my hair was long enough to hold rollers in for a roller set.I didn't really have a style in mind, I just figured that I would put the roller set in to stretch out my hair, then do a twist out on the stretched out hair afterwards.It was kind of a long ordeal,considering I deep treated my hair for an hour or so,it took about an hour to get the rollers in and I sat under my heat cap for an hour,so let's just say, I won't be doing this too often.I used Pantene Pro V wrap and set lotion ,my Ion heat protectant and end papers to keep my coily ends flat and in place. Here are the pictures ,hope you enjoy!!!!