INTERVIEW WITH SHANNON

Check out what Shannon had to say as she shares her natural hair journey with us. She talks about the struggles of not being able to maintain shoulder length hair, plans for her daughter's hair, benefits of being natural, and lots more!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN NATURAL? Completely natural for 5 1/2 months (Big Chopped May 17, 2011) Relaxer free since May 2010.

WHY DECIDE TO GO NATURAL?I got tired of my hair getting to my shoulders and breaking off after that, after finding forums and seeing fellow ladies go through the process, I decided to stop the cycle. Also knew that if I wanted my daughter to love her hair she would have to see me doing the same thing with mine.

2010

DID YOU DO A BIG CHOP OR TRANSITION?Transitioned for a year, did some mini chops in between. I finally cut the remaining 3-4 inches off on May 17, 2011.

WHAT DO YOU DO ON 'BAD HAIR' DAYS?Luckily right now my hair is still short enough that I don't have those just yet.

DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE HAIR STYLE? Wash & Go is basically all I can do at the moment but I have it down to a science at this point.

2004

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO'S STRUGGLING IN THEIR TRANSITION? Support, Support, Support join some type of forum or blog for support from other ladies going through the journey with you or who have been through it. Don't give up you've gotten this far in just making the decision to go natural. It's not going to be overnight and you will get frustrated but it is so worth it in the end.

IS/ARE THERE ANY PRODUCT(S) YOU JUST CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
Coconut Oil, I use it everyday on my hair it does a really great job of keeping my hair moisturized and sealing in moisture when I use it with other products.


DO YOU SEE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR HAIR SINCE ITS NATURAL VS WHEN IT WAS RELAXED? IF SO, WHAT? Definitely less breakage, and less shedding (although I still shed hair just not as much as before).

Big Chop 5/17/2011

DID YOU RECEIVE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK FROM FAMILY/FRIENDS WHEN YOU DECIDED TO GO NATURAL? IF SO, HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT?
No, my family and friends have been Awsome! Especially when I get in my moods because I am not noticing any growth in my hair the way I want to, they are the one's that tell me they can see the difference and to just keep doing what I am doing.

WHO/WHAT DOYOU USE FOR SUPPORT? (WHETHER STYLES, ENCOURGAMENT, IDEAS, ECT)I have a few things I use. I am apart of a internet group called KISS (Keep It Simple Sista) The creator Tracey was my 1st hair inspiration story even though she is not natural she has waist legnth hair and is all about caring for your hair the right way and she support naturals and relaxed sistas alike, I also use Youtube to watch videos I have so many people that I subscribe to that I get tips from. Of course I am apart of Women of Natural Beauty on Facebook. I have my friends that I go to for support as well, and my special Angel up in heaven DYR who was my 1st completely natural Hair Inspiration I hear her in my ear from time to time cheering me on.

I LOVE MY NATURAL HAIR BECAUSE ...It is 100% me. I no longer have to spend an hour or more on my hair when going out, I know that my daughter will always love her hair because it looks just like mine. I don't have to worry about if its raining outside, I can be versatile with my look can be straight one day, wavy another, and rock a head full of curls the next. I get more compliments on my hair now than when I was straight and shoulder length.

5 months after Big Chop


Please feel free to ask Shannon questions and/or comment. Thanks!

POETRY ON NATURAL HAIR BY ALEEA

FLOWERBOMB

One of my favorite songs right now as well as one of my favorite fragrences.

PRODUCT REVIEW - ABBA DAILY CONDITIONER

So I went in to ULTA yesterday just browsing.....Right before I left out I checked the sale section. I found a huge bottle of conditioner that was on sale for $14.99 (originally $30). I looked at the ingredients, took the top off to smell it and to see the consistency of it and immediately fell in love. I walked straight to the counter to purchase. I haven't used it yet but I plan on using it this weekend. Here's a few bullets are the product. I will do an product review once I use it.

 Abba by ABBA Pure & Natural Hair Care

• Pure Basic Conditioner
• Herbal R/X Peppermint Rosemary
• Maintains Body Adds Shine And Smoothes
• Daily Conditioner For All Hair Types
• 100% Vegan
• Free Of Synthetic Dyes
• Sulfate Free
• DEA Free
• Energizing Herbal Ingredients Combined With The Fresh Essence Of Rosemary And Peppermint Help Add Body Shine And Softness To Your Hair While Controlling Tangles And Static Electricity

SECRET INDIAN BEAUTY TIP FOR SHINY HEALTHY HAIR

When it comes to SHINY, HEALTHY, JAW DROPPING HAIR, Indian women has us all beat. I've always been so mesmerized by their hair. I actually asked an Indian woman at my job recently her secret. She told me there wasn't one. HA! Well according to Dr. OZ, there is. Click on the link go get the inside scoop.

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/hair-secrets-india

LIL KIM DOING NOTORIOUS THINGS?

Rap Artist Lil Kim has announced she will open the doors of her new Salon Se Swa in Charlotte, NC soon. This will be her 5th store spread throughout the state of NC. She's in partner with her cousin Katrise Jones. We hope this works for you Kim because your rap career is finished like Mr.Cee....(OUCH)

WATER-DRINK IT!

Our body is made up of 60 percent water on average which is the main reason why we should drink it. It adds mineral and nutrients to our body as well.  Not drinking enough water can cause dehydration as well as keep bad toxins in our body.

Some signs of dehydration are:

• Excessive thirst
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Little or no urination
• Muscle weakness
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness

We want to stay hydrated and healthy from a beauty stand point as well (ladies). From a beauty expert perspective, when your body is hydrated, you get nothing but good benefits from it such as great looking skin, a nice dewy glow, clear eyes, and it also has an effect on your hair and nails. So drink up….

We’ve been hearing for years that on average a person should drink eight 8oz glasses of water day. In my opinion if you come close to it, you should be fine. Certain foods and other drinks are included so it doesn’t have to be all water but make it the majority. If you’re not a big fan of water, add some flavor to it to help you drink it. Also if you are a ‘green’ person, aluminum reusable thermos will be a great item to purchase. This cuts down on the plastic bottles.

INTERVIEW WITH STEPHANIE

 

CHECK OUT WHAT STEPHANIE FROM NEW JERSEY HAD TO SAY ABOUT HER NATURAL HAIR JOURNEY:

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN NATURAL? 

Had my last perm in January of 2010 and currently about to hit 16 months post my Big chop on November 12, 2011

WHY DECIDE TO GO NATURAL?

Besides the fact that I hadn’t seen my REAL hair texture since I was 10 years old and years of over processing, I had a few situations were I was just fed up with my hair stylist (at the time). Spending all of this money for terrible customer service and damaged hair… I just had enough... Well the straw that broke the camel’s back one day after one too many “mix-up’s” in the appointment and her leaving me hi and dry. I got tired of feeling helpless for something I should be able to do on my own. I had enough of feeling subjected to NEEDING someone who didn’t value my time or money I just didn’t want to do it anymore.

BEFORE GOING NATURAL

 DID YOU DO A BIG CHOP OR TRANSITION?

I did a little of both. I transitioned for about 7 months (braids, cornrows etc etc) and just got annoyed with the process and decided to chop! I just woke up on day and said to myself “I’m over these braids, over the two textures”! I went to my hairstylist (who by the way was waaaaaay supportive of my decision to go natural.) and she cut it for me. I didn’t trust myself! LOL!

 WHAT DO YOU DO ON 'BAD HAIR' DAYS?

My good ‘ol trusty Puff never fails me! LOL 

TRANSITIONAL PERIOD

DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE HAIR STYLE?

 I LOVE wearing scarves like a head band! I have quite a few in different colors… I wore it once at work and someone told me I looked “regal”! It works for me at work because it keeps my hair out of my face.

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO'S STRUGGLING IN THEIR TRANSITION?

Stay consistent and be PATIENT! Also remember that what works for one person will not always work for you. It’s definitely a journey of trial and error. Won’t get it right on the first time every time… YES! It is a lot of work at times BUT the rewards are far greater than the work! Stick it out…You will thank yourself later…

BIG CHOP

IS/ARE THERE ANY PRODUCT(S) YOU JUST CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?

Shea Moisture Curl Milk and Karen’s Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia and Butter Love! All three make my hair very manageable!

DO YOU SEE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR HAIR SINCE ITS NATURAL VS WHEN IT WAS RELAXED? IF SO, WHAT? 

 Finally have my thickness back!! My hair was beginning to be so thin with the relaxers. Also I noticed that my hair is actually a different color than when I had a relaxer. As strange as it seems, my hair used to be a medium brown color but NOW it’s a smoky dark jet black. Very interesting!

ALL NATURAL

DID YOU RECEIVE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK FROM FAMILY/FRIENDS WHEN YOU DECIDED TO GO NATURAL? IF SO, HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT?

Actually no! I got nothing but positive feedback from family and co-workers. My husband seemed a little hesitant at first but now, he actually prefers my hair natural.

WHO/WHAT DO YOU USE FOR SUPPORT? (WHETHER STYLES, ENCOURAGEMENT, IDEAS, ECT)...

Support from others that have been down the road I’m on…YOUTUBE has been a great help and source of information. My favorites to follow are Jadison03 and NikkiMae2003…

BLOW OUT

I LOVE MY NATURAL HAIR BECAUSE……

It’s unique and so versatile… So much can be done with it I’m learning more and more about myself and my hair at the same time.  And most importantly I have control!!! I am no longer having to relying on anyone to do my hair…

FLAT IRONED