CN: When you first chopped, what were your thoughts and feelings? How do you feel now?
I was so ready to chop that when I started cutting, I felt awesome. As soon as I finished I was in a state of shock- – I had never had my hair short before; it took a little getting use to. Now, I absolutely love my hair. I have to constantly tell my self to stop playing in it, lol!
CN:How did you cope with the responses from your family and friends?
I hardly received any negative responses from my family and friends. My husband is still getting used to it, but he’s coming around. The one semi-negative response that I received was from my dad. When he saw me for the first time after a year he said, ” You look good, I don’t know about that hair thoogh”. Otherwise I’ve received nothing but compliments from friends and strangers alike.
CN:What are your plans for your hair?
I want my hair to grow grow grow. Within the next 3 years I would like to have WSL/ 18 inches of hair that’s my current hair goal.
CN: Do you find it necessary to ‘doll up’ your look to feel more feminine?
Yes and No. I have always been into makeup’, its one of my hobbies. So when I chopped it wasn’t like I had to pick up and try to “doll” my self up… I’m always dolled up. But about a month into my transition I got my ears pierced for the first time. I knew there was no way I would be a long term transitioner and I was going to have short hair so earrings were a must for me. I am now addicted to earrings. I love them. They can set off an outfit like nothing else. The bigger the better 🙂
CN: How do you keep it moisturized?
I am still in the process of learning my hair. Currently I co-wash my hair 2-3x a week and I deep condition my hair 1-2x a week and shampoo with an all natural shampoo 1x a week . I wet my hair daily either with plain old H20 or with leave in conditioner mixture (Giovanni Direct leave in, distilled water, jojoba and tea tree oils). I use butters to seal. I am in love with mango butter at the moment but I plan to try all the butters out there and see which one my hair loves the most.
CN: What products and techniques do you use to style? How often do you style?
When I first chopped I would style my hair every day using Ecostyler Olive Oil Gel and coconut oil or Kinky Curly Curling Custard. Now 3 months in, I am currently doing more protective styling. I rock twists on the week day which I do with my mango butter mixture and ecostyler and on the weekends I rock a twist out.
CN: How do you get your waves or curls popping?
I love the way Ecostyler and coconut oil make my curls look. I apply and then brush through with a denman to make my hair clump together. It comes out so curly and cute.
CN: How do you preserve your curls at night?
Before I hit the sack I spray with my spritz and seal with a butter. I always sleep with a satin cap or tie around my hair every night. In the morning my hair is usually smushed so I’ll either re-wet with water or I’ll spritz it with some water and rub coconut oil in it to give it a shine.
Anyone who wants to follow me on my journey can check out my YT channel- www.youtube.com/user/lolakinkz
I also fail to see what natural hair has to do with contact lenses. I really didn't look at them until i saw everyone comments. I was to busy looking at your hair and how cute you are with it short. I plan to do my BC in Jan. before my Birthday. I'm so ready!!!
I fail to see what wanting natural hair has to do with wearing contact lenses. Ppl usually want natural hair to have healthier hair. It has absolutely nothing to do with wearing colored contact lenses. Some ppl wear lipstick that is a diff color than their natural lip color. What's the difference? I think they're gorgeous…and not just because my fave color is blue 😉
Correction to the 2nd paragraph: "I'm sure some of your styles are NOT appealing to others YET you wouldn't want others to hate on you–don't be hypocrites!
Looking good Ms Ashley M. Whatever floats your boat as long as it doesn't make you look like a clown or is in the arena of public indecency.
Stop being critical all you others. I'm sure some of your styles are appealing to others YET you wouldn't want others to hate on you–don't be hypocrites!
People are crazy as all get out on the internet! Girl, work your style. You look very pretty. Shake the crazies off and good luck with your natural hair journey! As for you critical women out there, remember what your 1st grade teacher taught you "if you don't have anything nice to say, press your lips together and keep quiet." This blog is about sharing and empowerment. You ladies who feel the need to comment on a topic that was not offered up for comment should really get a hobby outside of criticizing the choices of others. We, as women of color, already get more than enough of that. This is one of the few "safe spaces" I have found on the net and I am very surprised to see such pettiness in this forum.
eeerrrrr, ok that makeup is a lil eeeerrrrr
wow look at that makeup, nice earings tho
Ashley, it was so nice meeting you and all the other curlies in LA yesterday! Your hair is so pretty and it has really grown since your CN interview last September. And for what it's worth, you do amazing things with your eye makeup that go well with *your choice* of contacts, so never mind the haters girl, keep doing you!
This is not meant to be a hateful comment but instead constructive criticism. Since you posted the picture, I feel it's all fair game. That being said, lose the blue contacts. They really take away from your beauty.
I didn't read any "bad" comments. They probably could've been more tactful but it's not the end of the world ladies. Any AA with blue eyes will get attention, likely for their eyes FIRST, because it is very rare.
LOLAKINZ: love you're response, girlfriend!
g'won and give us some pics with the purple contacts 😀
haha
Yes, but, the contacts don't look too good.
"September 13, 2010 11:37 AM
Anonymous said…
I did comment negatively on Ashley's eyes initially but now I feel bad. Maybe I was being judgemental. Ashley, you are a beautiful young lady! I'm glad you feel good about expressing yourself sweetie!!
I agree this site is about supporting each other. Other sites have little tolerance for differences in opinion or approaches to natural hair. That's why Curly Nikki is my favorite blog, and I realized in making a comment about the eyes, I was destroying what I love so much about this site.
Nonetheless, very interesting thread. Good luck Ashley!! Sometimes it's cool being the impetus for an interesting discussion!"
— VERY BIG OF YOU!!!!!!! NO ONE IS PERFECT… WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES!! BUT THANKS FOR APOLOGIZING!
when i saw the pic all i could see was how beautiful and happy you looked. i'm so glad the comments didn't get to you =]
-hippychic
I love Ashley even more because of her way of taking it all in stride!!!! LOL!!!! Good for you! And yes…your make up skills are killer…OMG…can you do a tutorial on your make up techniques?
Does the first pic kinda remind you of a chocolatier version of Eva Pigford (now Eva Marcille) from Top Model? Especially with the pixie cut natural hair? Go girl!
Thanks, Anonymous (11:37AM) for choosing to step up to the plate and help clear the air on this post! It's much appreciated. All those hateful comments were getting me upset! Since when do we pounce on each other like that? Thanks for caring about keeping this blog a fun, helpful and nurturing environment for all of us to visit!
Nikki doesn't post natural hair journeys to have those ladies disrespected. It's really hurtful and cowardly to ATTEMPT to embarrass someone like that when their face is posted on a blog and yours is hidden behind an ANONYMOUS comment.
Hey guys thx for all the comments good and bad I'm totally stoked that I got featured on here too cool. I get my butters from theherbie.com buttersnbars.com camdengrey.com there are so many places where you can go to buy butters just google.
As for my contacts lol its good to know that so many ppl aren't a fan but I dont wear them because I want people to like them I wear them because I like them. Contacts are an accessory to me just like jewelry and makeup. Yall should see my purple ones their FIRE!!! 🙂
Thanks CN for posting this its super cool! I love the blogs and the forums yall have helped me so much with my journey 🙂 Much Love
Ashley
To Ashley,
I love how the TWA looks on you! I've GOT to learn how to do make up like that (well make up period lol) Beautiful! I too share your addiction to earrings lol. Good luck on your growth goal!
Oh and for the poster asking about where to buy butters. Check out Butters-n-bars.com. I am pretty sure they sell mango butter there as well as shea and cocoa butters. 🙂
people be hatin', people be hatin'…Do your thing girl!
I did comment negatively on Ashley's eyes initially but now I feel bad. Maybe I was being judgemental. Ashley, you are a beautiful young lady! I'm glad you feel good about expressing yourself sweetie!!
I agree this site is about supporting each other. Other sites have little tolerance for differences in opinion or approaches to natural hair. That's why Curly Nikki is my favorite blog, and I realized in making a comment about the eyes, I was destroying what I love so much about this site.
Nonetheless, very interesting thread. Good luck Ashley!! Sometimes it's cool being the impetus for an interesting discussion!
I don't recall reading ANYWHERE in this post where Ashley is asking for anyone's opinion, especially the negative ones. Like a few people stated, this is a HAIR blog, not an attack session. My apologies on behalf of the ignorant…….
Your make up and hair are absolutely stunning. Love the peacock father earrings!!!!!
Luv it!! Hair, makeup and the whole sha bang! If blue contacts are not for you, then don't wear blue contacts!! To each their own. To ridicule someone for their choice of accessories is comparable to the many people who liked your hair straight before you went natural. How did that feel? The whole point of this site is to educate, uplift and support each other. Keep your negativity to yourself. I guarantee if all of our pics were posted we could find things about each other that we do not like. Stay focused on the mission people.
You look good girl! And I love those feather earrings!
You're a pretty girl, Ashley! And your hair is gorgeous.
I'm really ashamed of the comments on this post. As if it's any of your business! Get a life and stop trying to take what you think is an opportunity to call someone out, speak for the integrity of black women everywhere and distract everyone from the point of this post. You're probably just hoping they're not her real eyes because then you would have to wonder why you couldn't have them. Have some respect!
Some people are so RIDUNKULOUS! it aint even funny! What's ur biz whether her eyes are blue, gold, red, yellow or transparent huh? leave her be man! Comment abt the hair! and stay within the confines of HAIR! Pschew! who asked you for your comments on her eye color eh? Wait till ur asked..till then STOP PASSING UNSOLICITED ADVICE!
Onto other news: Ashley you fab!!! work it lady!
BC fits her face beautifully and love the make up and feather earrings.
This is a hair blog, so please focus on that!!! We as people need to stop judging and embrace one another. Get a grip people, we are all beautiful and have the right to express ourselves the way we choose to.
the makeup looks great. i love the twa on you. absolutely gorgeous. im sending my friend this pic so she can copy the makeup on me
I think the BC fits her face much better than the longer hair, because on the 3rd picture it brought unwanted attention to her forehead. Sometimes going on the facial features some people look better with shorter hair vs longer hair.
That is clearly not her own eyecolor but contacts for sure, and not even pretty ones. You can see the telltale signs of them not beinging her own eye color. But alas black people have mix in them whether they say, we have only black parents,grandparents etx.. You don't know how far back the lineage goes that some dipping into white cultures happened.
I'm slightly taken aback as well by the unneccessary focus on the color of Ashley's eyes..I didn't worry, investigate, or wonder whether they were real or not…being that my husband and I have friends from Brazil, Puerto Rico, Panama, we have seen blacks who have other hues of eyes besides brown..but having eyes that are not brown does not make you any more or less black or appreciative of your natural beauty..but like I stated earlier, beautiful BC, beautiful earrings and awesome makeup, keep inspiring Ashley..
Actor Michael Ealy, who will be joining the cast of "The Good Wife" this fall, has blue eyes and tightly coiled/kinky hair. He's black. Says his parents, grandparents and great parents are black. Doesn't happen that often, but it DOES happen. I can see some people telling him he should wear brown contacts.
The natural look definitely looks good on you as does the makeup. That's an interesting choice of contacts are you perhaps around alot of white folks to choose that color just curious. I personally think hazel contacts would look good exp. with your complexion. But again work your style and do what makes you happy.
You and your hair are cute for days. But I am totally not diggin' the blue contacts.
Ditto Doc ^^^^
"everyone with dreads ain't down for the cause and everyone with a perm ain't down for the fall".
don't judge a book by it's cover
and don't box what a "natural" should be
wow
i agree with the audacity people have over the internet
this is hair blog…what accessories people choose are their prerogative
@the-stop-hating comment: I don't think it's hating to tell someone they'd look better with or without something. I think it'd be more silly if someone would pay someone a compliment without meaning it. If the posters had an opinion on the conctacts, and expressed with respectfully, what is the problem?
Anyways congrats Ashley. Your TWA looks great!
Love the TWA on you. You look gorgeous! And big ups to all Domnik people!
Wow, what's with all the comments about the blue eyes?? Personally, I think the hair, makeup, and eyes look great. I just wish I had her touch with the makeup. Stop hating people.
Ashley, keep rockin your style girl (blue eyes and all)!! 🙂
She's too cute! Love her makeup
^^NOT Anonymous…
What the hell is "the natural vibe" supposed to be? Do you think the color of her eyelids mess with that vibe as well? What a ridiculous statement.
I too was struck by the blue contacts…and how real they looked, which had me questioning whether they were contacts at all. Given how real some weaves look these days, it wouldn't surprise me that the technology has advanced in other cosmetic areas as well…
I can count on one hand the number of blue-eyed black folk I've met over the years but I have met SOME, so at least I know they exist. Now I suppose I could go to Ashley's YouTube channel and examine her videos, but I have better things to do, so…
Ashley, congratulations on the BC!
I can't get over some of the RUDE comments about her eye color/contacts (?). Jeez. But that's the nature of the internet. People feel more comfortable posting things online that they'd never say if they were meeting or talking to the person face to face. (Shaking head.)
Anyway, your hair looks great.
I agree with the beautiful hair but the blue eyes, if they're not natural, don't seem to go with the "natural" vibe. I had a reaction to them too and I wish I could shake it off.
i LOVE your hair and makeup! I'll def be checking out your makeup tutorials on youtube!
But seriously, those contacts! You are so beautiful!you don't need them!!!
I'm not saying they are real or they aren't but some black people are born with blue eyes. My great Auntie had blue as can be eyes. If she wants to wear blue contacts, that's her decision. Don't be so quick to judge. yikes!
i love your BC!! i'm trying to hold out on mines for another month to let my hair grow a little more. but by mid october i plan to BC and i think it'll be around your length. i've already gotten negative comments about how it won't look right on me but i don't care..it's hair and it'll grow lol
Please take out the blue contacts. You don't need them.
can someone tell me where I can buy the hair butter from please….thanks
Your hair and makeup is gorgeous. I got so many negative comments when I first did the BC. I learned to replace every negative comment with a positive comment immediately. You look great. Continue to do you!!!
Nice eyes…
GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!
your hair is beautiful but blue contacts?
Your hair and makeup are super cute. You've got this earthy, rocker chick looking vibe – totally fabulous. Is that your natural eye color or are you wearing contacts? Either way you are working it…they're beautiful!
You and your hair are absolutely gorgeous!! Congrats on beginning your natural hair journey! Don't worry, your dad will come around. As you learn to love your hair more and more, you'll find that those around will begin to respond more positively!
Beautiful BC!!! I love your makeup and earrings..keep inspiring!