Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care

NaturallyCurly.com writes:

Nik's thoughts:

-Long live Kanye! Although he's just as angry as ever, his performance was dope. Love the song and his swag... glad he's back. POWER!

-Queen Latifah was doing the most. Not feeling it.

-Chris Brown should win an Oscar for his dramatic rendition of 'Man in the Mirror'... I'm not buying it. Those tears were not for Michael. Maybe I'm just hating...

-Jermaine's hair was boo-boo.

-Prince was a trip! I've never seen an honoree throw such shade... he was cutting eyes and making faces. Hilarious! I love him!

-I realized that I'm an El Debarge Fan... loved every song he performed, some of which I didn't know were his. He's aged well.

-Esperanza Spalding and Janelle Monae looked amazingly fierce! I immediately contacted Esperanza's people and have an interview set up for August when she returns from Europe :-)

Nita writes:


Nik,

Jessica writes:

Hi Nikki,

CN: Have you always embraced your natural curls? If not, who or what inspired you?
I have really thick and coarse-ish hair that was a struggle all my life. The worst part for me was it wasn't curly or straight just annoyingly wavy and unruly. I decided to embrace my waves when I became pregnant with my daughter, out of necessity because I didn't have the time or energy to fuss with my hair and blow it out. Plus, I had to get it cut every 4-5wks to thin it out and it became expensive!! I needed to save the money for our baby :0) That was 7 yrs. ago.

CN: How have family, friends, and strangers responded to your curls? How do you respond to them?
Most people like my waves and I've actually never had anyone tell me that it looks better straight. I agree my hair looks better wavy.

CN: What are your must have products?
I'm a total Product Junkie so it's really hard to choose. If I had to choose one conditioner and styler that perform well in any weather I would pick Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Fix Conditioner & Biosilk Rock Hard Gelee.

CN: Routine for the the perfect curl?
This varies somewhat with the seasons but I'm finding that plopping and diffusing are musts for me. Plopping to remove excess water and diffusing immediately after to set my hair.

CN: How do you deal with the high dew points and humidity of summer?
I'm liking Sally's Hair One Cleanser, it has Amodimethicone but it doesn't weigh my hair down like other silicones do. I've tried a couple stylers with water soluble silicones but didn't get the results I was hoping for. In my wash/conditioning routine it seems to provide a nice base for my stylers, tames frizz and keeps the poof at bay. The stylers that have been working well for me in the humidity (so far) are Darcy's Coiling Jelly, Curl Junkie Aloe Fix and JessiCurl Confident Coils all topped off with a hard hold gel.

Hola Chicas,

The lovely Britt, a fellow curly and graphic designer has created a badge for CN.com! So if you have a website/page/blog and would like to show your support, post it up! The code is located in the right bar and it will look like this:

Evelyn of NaturallyCurly writes:

One of the reasons I’m glad I went natural is the versatility and experimentation that my coily hair offers. I don’t have to worry about washing my flat iron job out or ruining my perm. I can try different products and techniques, secure in the fact that I can just wash it out if I don’t like it. So cruising through the aisles of my local organic food store, I stumbled upon some apple cider vinegar and remembered a Youtube video from one of my favorite naturals, naptural85.

On her quest to use more natural ingredients in her hair, she used apple cider vinegar as a shampoo or hair cleanser. She said it added the bounce and shine back to her coils. I bought a bottle (a little over 3 bucks) and decided to find out if it was just as good as she said. And to be completely honest, I didn’t do my research until after I tried out the apple cider vinegar rinse.

Hi Nikki,

Hey Curly Nikki readers,

Story time. You're tinkering along in your natural journey, and all of a sudden you find yourself completely overwhelmed and clueless. You thought you had it all together-- the daunting volumes of information, tutorials, product reviews, ingredients to avoid... you knew it wouldn't be easy, but you felt prepared. Then slowly, out of nowhere, little things that you didn’t expect start popping into the picture, gradually, things start piling up and you find yourself in a position where you literally just feel like QUITTING. Sound familiar?


You're not alone. There were times in my natural journey that I felt the same way... I had watched (and re-watched) so many YouTube videos and read so many blogs that I thought I was well equipped with all the knowledge I needed to take care of my hair and style it properly. Unfortunately, I found myself clueless on the day to day care... which is a very important piece! I would rely on the simplest styles like puffs and braids because I had NO CLUE how to do anything else. I felt lost. At one point, I had my hair braided so that I wouldn’t have to deal with it on a daily, but because I have such a fine natural hair texture, I experienced severe breakage and tangling. I couldn't even get protective styling right!

So one day, I decided that I was going to challenge my hair again. I was determined to learn my hair so that I could wear versatile styles and be comfortable with other things aside from just “puffs” and braids. I started experimenting with my hair and I created a very amateur process for my wash n gos. I would literally wash my hair everyday with shampoo and conditioner, come out of the shower with beautiful curls and not put ANY product in my hair because I didn’t want to ruin the curls. Well, I’m sure you know how this story ends... my hair became very dry and brittle. I thought, 'there must be a better way!' That’s when I discovered the use of gel for
curl definition and started working on perfecting my wash n gos. At this point, I’m sure you’re wondering, how this relates to the topic of the post. The point is that I was seriously overwhelmed and at an utter loss of solutions for my hair. I decided that I was going to commit to the process of learning my hair and I took BABY STEPS to learn new things and become an “expert” at styling. Trial and error.

In my experiences, I’ve learned some key things that will hopefully keep you from becoming “overwhelmed”:

1. Commit to the process: No matter what, you must always remember and reflect on the reasons why you went (or are going) natural in the first place. This will get your through the difficult times.

2. Start with where you're at: At one point in my hair journey, I was totally overwhelmed... too many Youtube videos! I was watching them all the time. I was at one stage of my hair journey, but I was watching videos for styles and tips from people who were at a completely different point in theirs. Take your time and ease in slowly.

If you have a TWA, instead of watching videos of people who have waist length hair, you’ll want to find videos that you can relate to, learn from, and apply the knowledge right away. The same thing goes for your hair type and texture. I love watching girls with type 3 curls, but I’m a type 4 so a lot of the products and styling techniques they use might not necessarily work for me. They’re lovely to watch, but if you’re at a loss for what to do with your hair, you need to
find people you can relate to in terms of your hair type.

3. Buy your staple products: Again, find people who have a similar hair type and texture as yours and see what they use as staple products on their hair. To avoid product junkie-ism, purchase one of each product at a time (eg, 1 shampoo, 1 conditioner, 1 leave in, etc..).
Work with those products and learn how they react with your hair before you decide to buy something else. Trial, error, and repeat if necessary!

4. Focus on mastering one style at a time: As I was illustrating above, the first “style” I really learned to master was the wash n go. I did that style until I was confident that I had it down, the styling, AND the maintenance of the style. From there, I moved on to other styles and
I even learned how to install my own extensions and weaves. Yes, it gets boring doing the same styles over and over again, but there’s no better way to master a style. Natural hair can be very unpredictable, but learning a style can help you predict how your hair will turn out.

By now, you should be starting to see a pattern, taking BABY STEPS and doing things one at a time. Some people are naturally gifted when it comes to their hair. Even if they’ve been relaxed for decades, they can transition back to their natural hair texture and they can easily find styles
and products that work for them. For the rest of us, it takes time before we know our hair and what works and what doesn’t work. Be patient in this process, and if you stay committed and take baby steps, you WILL get better and you’ll eventually be comfortable with your hair.

One of the most important pieces of advice I can offer to prevent from overwhelm is to limit the amount of learning that you do and the information that you take in. Ever heard of 'information overload'? Well it's real! A lot of people spend hours watching YouTube tutorials, hair videos, and reading blogs which is great, but once you leave the computer, a lot of that information hasn’t really sunk in so you just have tons of bits and pieces of different information and you haven’t learned how to put it all together. Try and master the things you learn from each video
and article instead of just consuming hours of information and not doing anything with it. It’s not the amount of time you spend on the web learning that will determine your success. It’s the amount of ACTION you apply with the information you already have.

I would love to get your feedback on this post. Please leave a comment below and share your insights on the topic. If you found this post valuable, feel free to share it with your friends via Twitter or Facebook.

To you successful hair journey,
aJ

Connect with me online:
Blog: http://ajwitafro.com
Youtube: http://youtube.com/user/ajwitafro
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ajwitafro
Facebook: http://facebook.com/ajwitafro

Hola Chicas!

I'm re-posting the article below. After the Super Cute Headband blog, I received an influx of emails asking how I achieved my smooth edges, and this routine, unlike most, is one that has not changed (can you believe it?!). After you're done reading, leave a comment detailing how you get your edges smooth!

_______________________________________________________________
Hola Chicas!

I hope all is well in your world. Things are crazy here...as usual, but it keeps me on my toes!

Yesterday evening, I was feeling like a frizz monster, and knew that I'd probably end up pulling my TnC into a pony or bun the following morning. I usually lack this foresight, as I turn into a pumpkin after 9pm, and my edges end up FUZZY...which is okay some days, but every now and then, I want a sleeker look!

Last night, I gathered and secured my hair on top of my head using a scrunchy. I used only my 10 digits to do the job--no brush, no comb. I then took a bit of Shea butter, melted it between my palms, and generously applied it to my edges. Finally, I put on a scarf, and went to bed.



In the morning, I removed the scarf to reveal smooth, frizz free edges! Unlike with gel, my hair is not stiff or flaky. I have the control I need with a softer, more natural look. It's the best of both worlds! This method is low stress on your edges-- you're not using tools, and you don't have to pull them tight to get that sleek/smooth effect.


Of course, being the indecisive person I am, I changed my mind at the last minute, and took my hair down (not before attempting to jazz it up a bit, lol). I was surprised to find it still fluffy, and defined (albeit frizzy, lol). I liked the look and decided to rock it out again!


Moral of the story... apparently, pineappling (sleeping in a high loose pony to preserve curls) works for me! Go figure. Also, if you want a sleek pony or bun with out stressing your edges, try my Shea butter technique, and start the process the night before--or at least 30 minutes before you need to leave the house. Let the scarf and shea do the work :~)

Later Gators,
Nik


**Edited to add: Sometimes, if my edges are particularly fuzzy, I'll wet my hands, smooth my edges and crown, and then apply the shea butter. I've also found pure Aloe Vera Jelly (used in the same way as the shea) to be very effective, it just provides a harder hold... but the shine is unmatched! Also, I bet Castor Oil or butters similar in consistency in pure Shea would work just as well (i.e. Mango Butter).

China writes:

So you just tried a new product combo and you're super excited to reveal the results. You begin taking down your twists, only to find that white flakes are everywhere! This has happened to me so many times. And the worst part is that it's happened to some of my best twist-outs. The products work great to define my hair, but leave a hazy white case. It's frustrating because you don't always have time to start over, nor would you ever want to. What should I do? What do you do?

CN responds:

This has happened to me countless times... it's truly unfortunate and sometimes infuriating! I try to look at flakage on a continuum:

|Minor Flakage- Roll with it
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|
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|Flakes Throughout-Avoid manipulation, bun, and hope for the best
|
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|
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|White Balls- Rinse and start over

NaturallyCurly writes:



We all see the red-carpet updos and yearn for the ability to achieve this look without the time and cost that the celebrity population is subject to. What options are women everywhere left with? Until now, there wasn’t a single tool that someone could use to achieve an entire look. Most updos require an array of bobby pins, barrettes, clips, and anything else that you can cram in there.

Goody has just launched their new Simple Styles collection, which solves many hairstyling dilemmas. The collection consists of four tools, each designed to provide a different look. We have passed these tools around the office and the Spin Pin has quickly become the favorite for everyone from our straight-locked employees to those of us with thick and unruly curls. The Modern Updo Pin is also something that we have been hoarding at our desks because they help us achieve an effortless updo, as well as a messy looking alternative for the everyday.

I think it is safe to say that we are all fed up with promises from do-it-yourself accessories that result in sore arms, sore necks, and a bad attitude after realizing that it truly cannot be done yourself. The Simple Styles Collection has given us a reason to renew our faith in accessories, so much so that we have dedicated a whole page to it!

"This is so simple for summer, love the fact I can pull back my hair in an up-do" Check out all the rave reviews of the new Simple Styles by Goody!

One of our favorite pastimes is ogling over pictures of gorgeous natural hair... mostly random divas on Fotki and hair blogs, but other times, natural hair celebs. Whether it's for inspiration, motivation, or finding the nerve to transition or chop, we often look to these idols to remind us just how beautiful natural curls can be.

I've been a member of the virtual natural hair community since 2005, and I'm more than aware of who the 'popular' idols are (the celebs you see over and over again in everyone's Fotki). Bre Scullark is definitely among the favs. I'm sure you remember her from America's Next Top Model Cycle 5- - hair was RIDIC! I tuned in that season just to watch those curls... plus she was hilarious and very down to earth. She's since appeared on later Cycles of ANTM, episodes of the Tyra Show, and ripped countless runways. She's been in more commercials and campaigns than I can name. She's becoming a super model in her own right!

Bre has recently Big Chopped to signify a new beginning. Last week, she took a minute from her busy schedule to chat On The Couch! Here's what she had to say:

On her hair story...

I've been natural much of my life. In middle school my mother began relaxing my hair to thin it out because there was so much of it, and therefore deemed 'unmanageable'. The problem was that the relaxer only changed the texture... it did nothing for the thickness. I wore it permed for about a year, and then slowly transitioned, chopping off a little bit at a time. By my sophomore year in high school, I was completely natural again.

On embracing her natural hair...

I didn't always like my curls, mainly because I was the only one in middle school who had this hair texture, and so much of it. I remember my classmates used to make fun of me and call me mop head! All the other girls had straight hair, and I wanted that too because in my mind, that's what pretty was. Pretty meant you had really manageable, silky straight hair- - I wanted that so bad. And even though my hair was long and healthy, no one really acknowledged it because it was very, very curly. I vividly remember my feeble attempts to make it silky and straighter- - I'd apply petroleum jelly (don't laugh!), brush it through, and then braid it up. That obviously never worked out- - I just looked bad.

It wasn't until college that I began to appreciate and enjoy my hair. In high school I abused it-- I would color it a lot , straighten it every single weekend, I cut bangs... you name it, I tried it. Then I went off to college and couldn't do that anymore- - there were no salons around, and I had no choice but to embrace it.

During my first years in college, I wore a bun religiously. I remember one day I took it down, and my next door neighbor in college said, 'You have beautiful hair!' And I responded, 'No, it's too much, it's too thick'. And she said, 'No really, you should wear it out and curly more'. So I did just that, and received a great response. I had never looked at my hair in that way-- as beautiful. It was different for me, and just the beginning. I began wearing it out more and more, big and wild! I also feel that people were becoming more accepting, despite the fact that I was the only natural on campus (that I knew of). Almost everyone had a perm!

On her 'long and curly' ANTM hair...

While I was on Top Model, I'd always have my hair in a bun. I'd wash it maybe once a week, bun it, and every once in a while, when the weather was nice, I'd wear it out curly. I remember Tyra telling me, 'Stop this. You have beautiful hair, please wear it out!'. So that's when I started washing and conditioning it more often (sometimes 3 times a week). Even after the show, whether at home, for shoots, or working with Tyra, I continued with that regimen. I'd wash, condition, grease my scalp, gel, and just go!

On greasing her scalp...

You know all the old school products-- Don't Be Bald, Doo Gro, etc.? They worked out really well for me, LOL! I would take one of those and mix in a little olive oil and grease my scalp. I now use Indian Hemp. Love the stuff!

On growing and maintaining long hair...

I've never had a problem growing my hair, it's usually pretty resilient. Last year was the first time it has ever broken off. Before then, I had colored it many times over, heat styled frequently, stripped it platinum blonde... and it suffered no damage. My hair is tough, very, very strong! But I think from working so much and having to do so many campaigns, it just couldn't handle the stress. Now that I've cut it all off, I have virgin hair again. It's growing back twice as thick as it was before...it's almost frightening!

As far as growing and maintaining long hair, I think it really is about knowing your hair type, knowing what works for your hair, and being consistent in whatever you do. There are models out there with beautiful hair, whatever the texture, it's beautiful, healthy, and strong. Some of them swear by salon products, while others rely on old school eggs and mayo treatments. Figure out what works for your hair, and just be consistent. I've seen women complain about their hair not growing and breaking off in places, and when I ask what their routine is, they don't have one. Find a routine and stick to it!

Also, I know so many women who have beautiful hair that just never seems to grow. I feel that their hair is being traumatized from excessive heat and roll brushes. It's nothing more than a quick fix... it's not maintenance, and can be quite damaging.

On her 'long and curly' staple styles...

I love a bun! It's so funny that I cut my hair off, because buns were truly my staple style. I love to see a woman with her hair pulled away from her face. Gorgeous.

I would usually opt for a middle part, and slick the sides back into a pony tail. I'd then wrap it around itself and pin it into a huge bun. I kept that look. I also did a lot of messy buns, usually worn high on top of my head. I would literally get up in the morning and go.

I also did a lot of wash and gos. I'd shampoo, apply conditioner, rinse (because if I didn't, I'd get white flakes) apply gel, and go. I'd let it air dry throughout the day. My curl pattern is strong and becomes super defined as soon as the water hits it. Wash and gos were very easy for me.

On her current routine...

I don't have to do much of anything... my options are a bit more limited now. It's grown out to a really cute length from when we first cut it, and I love it! After washing and conditioning, I just use a leave-in conditioner, grease my scalp, and go. I don't even use gel anymore. My virgin hair is growing in so nicely, I can't even tell you how thick this Afro is on my head!


On her must have products...

I love, love, love Mixed Chicks! I love anything that is cream based, like Neutrogena's Deep Conditioner (it's cheap and easy to find) and I love olive oil too... I add it to all of my conditioners, and leave it in my hair.

My Favs:

-Mixed Chick's Gloss and Shining Hair Serum (adds sheen to hair without weighing it down. I apply it to wet, dry, or damp hair.)
-Mixed Chick's Leave in Conditioner (I leave this in my hair, in place of gel)
-Mixed Chick's Detangling Deep Conditioner (I leave this in for 15 minutes)
-Neutragena's Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask
-Extra Virgin Olive Oil
-Eco Styler Gel (for when I was long and curly)

On being natural...

I find that with natural hair, you have more manageability as far as maintaining the hair. It's a lot healthier, a lot stronger, and honestly, internally you just feel better. In the media, we portray ourselves to only be beautiful if we look a certain way. But the most beautiful thing about our culture is that we have versatility! You can be anything you want to be, and look however you want to look. With that said, being natural just gives some kind of an internal boost-- it's refreshing to have natural hair and just say, 'I'm beautiful the way I am'. And it truly shows...other people pick up on it too.

As afraid as many of us are to go natural, the minute we step out of that box and do it, people are like, 'whoo, you look so much better like this! I love this look on you! It fits your personality... who you are'. I feel like all along we've been trying to be someone else, something we are not. Now that we are coming into ourselves and genuinely accepting ourselves for who we are, everyone else is accepting us too.

On others embracing their curls...

The most beautiful thing about life is stepping out of your comfort zone. Change can be scary. It doesn't always mean better, but it's not always bad either-- change from negative environments, change from negative relationships, change from feeling ugly or inferior. Accepting your natural curls allows you to look at yourself in a better way, a different and more positive way.

On CurlyNikki.com...

Thank you for all the wonderful comments! I was very nervous about what everyone would think of my new look, so the positivity that has poured out is much appreciated. Know that I'm going to be on CurlyNikki.com reading, watching, and cheering you all on. I love you guys!

Moniero writes:

CN: When you first chopped, what were your thoughts and feelings? How do you feel now?
I transitioned for all of 2 weeks before deciding to make the Big Chop. My hair was cut in a Rhianna-ish bob, and it was badly damaged from the constant heat I was applying to it. Because it was so short, the relaxed ends looked straggly. So one morning after seeing my daughter off to school and before heading to work, I cut a little in the back to see my natural hair (which was about 1/2 inch). I couldn't get the real gist of it, so I cut a 'lil more. Then I said forget this, and I cut it all! I felt elated. It just felt right. Before I cut the rest I said, "ooh if I don't like it, I'll just wear my wig to work." Bump that, after all the ends were off I was IN LOVE! Now I'm just trying to find the right products.

CN: How did you cope with the responses from your family and friends?
Everyone liked it. I have the head and face for it or so I'm told. I've cut my hair before, so while they were surprised, they weren't truly shocked. My daughter is the only one who doesn't like it and that's because she never wanted me to cut it. Now she calls me 'pea head' because my head is so small.


CN: What are your plans for your hair?
I plan on growing it out. However, I think I need to get it professionally trimmed. I cut my hair myself with my daughters broken safety scissors. It's amazing that it looks so good. I may take a little more off before I let it grow.

CN: Do you find it necessary to 'doll up' your look to feel more feminine?
Fo' sho'. Without earrings I look like a little boy, ha ha, that is if you don't look down and see all the junk my mama gave me. My boyfriend told me I make a cute AG.

CN: What are your favorite accessories, or go to ways to glam up your look?
Earrings are my favorite accessory. And I also love mascara. Those are my two must haves before walking out the house. When I have time and I am not rushing (which is rare) I will add blush and eyeshadow to really add to my look. But I have no make-up application skills. As much as I watch YouTube make-up tutorials, I end up looking like Bozo the clown, he he.

CN: How do you keep it moisturized?
I haven't found the right products yet. My current products are "ok" but I'm looking to fall "in-love". Currently I use Giovanni, or Jane Carter Conditioner. I've also tried Kinky Curly Knot Today and Herbal Essence Hello Hydration. So far eh....it's okay. I do use olive oil and water of course. I don't consider myself a product junkie because once I find what works for my hair, I'll stop buying things. I do want to try the Qhemet line and blackonyx77's Alikay Naturals line. Also kimmaytube created a youtube video on her homemade leave-in that I may use. Also I test all my products on my TWA, as well as my 11 yr old who has longer hair than I.

CN: What products and techniques do you use to style? How often do you style?
I currently use Kinky Curly Curling Custard. I love how my hair looks after this product dries. I don't, however, love the build-up or white balls it leaves behind. Also, I need to find a cheaper fix!!!! $30 a jar. I'm on a budget...I think, lol.
I style daily, not in hair manipulation but in application of products. If there is enough product in my hair, sometimes I only need to add water. I add product in two sections, the back of my hair and then the front. Trying to evenly distribute a dollop of product on a whole head doesn't work for me. I also finger comb and finger roll. Finger rolling involves making circular movements over sections of my hair.

CN: How do you get your waves or curls popping?
Kinky Curly usually does the trick, but on longer hair there's too much shrinkage. Also, on tighter coiled hair it gets really dry overnight, so I'm sure I'll have to switch once my TWA is longer, but that's my experience on my daughters hair. I also always add water.

CN: How do you preserve your curls at night?
Satin cap and water, but I need a satin pillow case too because my cap falls off every night!

Remember the beautiful and sassy Bre Scullark from America's Next Top Model Cycle 5? Her gorgeous curls have been the envy of many over the years, and unless you've been living under a rock, you've heard the news... she has Big Chopped!

On why she chopped:

As the ambassador for Drop Dead Gorgeous social justice organization, I speak
with victims of human and child sex trafficking and the one thing I try to
instill in all of our survivors is how to learn to let go. It seems easier to
live with routine of hurt, misery and baggage than to take a chance and release
it. I am no stranger to this type of pain because I like so many women have been
violated. Although I have never been a victim of this particular crime, I am no
different than the women I mentor.

I walked around for years with the guilt and hurt of what happen to me, misery and negativity were so common in my ife that I almost expected the worst out of every situation. Regardless of our circumstances, EVERYONE deserves a fresh start, a change in what we are used to. When I cut my hair, I took a chance at living a new life by releasing the one thing that I loved and was afraid to let go of. When I speak to survivors from DDG I always make reference to how the attachment to my long hair held me captivate for years. I want them to feel encouraged to know that until they let go of their baggage they can’t free of their past. I encourage everyone to step out and take a chance in embracing their unknown. I believe it is a vital step in any women’s developing a sense of pride and confidence they need to feel whole outside of the traditional perceptions of beauty. This is something that every woman at some point in their life should experience.

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I planned to be a long-term transitioner, but my scalp was really dry and I didn't feel comfortable with my plan to wear braids, so after a couple of months of no relaxer, I just did the BC. I figured it would be easier to nourish my scalp and I was not the best at dealing with two textures.



CN: When did you BC? When you first chopped, what were your thoughts and feelings? How do you feel now?
I did the BC on Friday, June 11, 2010. I knew I was ready, but on the day of the big chop, I got butterflies in my stomach, wondering if I was making the right decision. I had already BC'ed before, so I knew I could rock it, but I really wanted my husband to like it. I got really nervous up until I heard the clippers and saw my hair falling. No turning back at this point. Now, I love it! I feel liberated and free of society's belief of beauty and embracing my own sense of beauty.



CN: How did you cope with the responses from your family and friends?
I cried at my husband's first response. I walked in the house and said "Are you ready?" and he responded in a very dry tone "I already saw it" and went back to his phone conversation. I guess he looked out the window and saw me getting out the car. Now, it's growing on him and he tells me I'm still beautiful and he still loves me. His reaction is the only one that really mattered to me. I'm sure he didn't think "for better or for worse" would include hair when he made those vows.

CN: What are your plans for your hair?
I BC'd twice before with no hair goals, and ended up going back to the relaxer once my hair started growing out. This time, however, I have a goal. I want to loc my hair and I plan to blog the entire journey (irocklocs.blogspot.com). I'm super excited to see the journey of my hair from rockin' relaxers to rockin' locs!

CN: Do you find it necessary to 'doll up' your look to feel more feminine?
Definitely!

CN: If so, what are your favorite accessories, or go to ways to glam up your look?
I'm not a big makeup fan, but I love great eyes. I won't leave my house with out great eyeshadow (whether toned down or glammed up) and earrings are a must! I also feel more adventurous with clothing, trying to find my own sense of style!

CN: How do you keep it moisturized?
Right now, I'm just using a shea butter mixture a friend gave me as a "Welcome to the Natural Side!" gift. I'm pretty frugal and plan to use what's in my house before I venture out, but I am researching and surfing blogs to find the right daily moisturizer.

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
My hair and scalp are so much healthier without the harsh chemicals of a relaxer. So, my primary reason was for healthy hair. Secondly, I have contemplated locs for years and am finally ready to take the leap and get started on this journey. I think the history of locs is amazing and it's an awesome expression of my heritage and the re-definition of my beauty!

Hola chicas!

It's that time again! The images below are of CN readers at their flyyest...at work, on the town, and with the fam. Showing us all that natural hair is not a fad, it's a way of life...an extension of our beauty! Click on the images to enlarge them:

This was a braid out (about 12 braids) using Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. I had just dropped my daughter off at Daycare and was on my way to work.




Send in your favorite picture with a caption detailing where you were (or where you were headed to), along with a brief description of your hairstyle, to nikki@curlynikki.com. I'll post several each Friday. Be sure to use 'Fierce Friday' as the subject line!
We need more for next week!

Shelli writes:

Hi ladies,

I don't know if you've tried these yet, but I picked up a pack last weekend and tried them today. You get two pins. You spin one in from the top and one in from the bottom, making sure not to interlock the two. The pins spun in and out of my hair like BUTTER!! I was surprised that they glided in so easily. What a great, quick way to get the hair off of the face and neck when it's hot! I'll be carrying a set of these around in my purse!




CN says: The Spin Pin sounds like an excellent addition to our Natural Hair Tools arsenal-- especially since we're talking protective styles! It seems to require low manipulation, and reduced tension and snagging (compared to traditional pins and pony tail holders).