INTERVIEW WITH LATIFAH

Check out Latifah's Interview as she gives us advice, words of encouragement, and products she can't live without.

(Transitioning hairstyle)

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN NATURAL?  It has been 1 year and 8 months since I had a perm and I will be  9 months since my BC on February 14

WHY DECIDE TO GO NATURAL? I decided to go natural because I use to go through this big hair curly look so I stop putting perms in my hair and I used my curl formers and curuso rollers. I also decided to go natural because when I had a perm my hair use to shed a lot.

DID YOU DO A BIG CHOP OR TRANSITION? I did both..
 
WHAT DO YOU DO ON 'BAD HAIR' DAYS? Going natural you can never have a bad hair day, that's how I look at it. If you do not like your look you can always do a wash and go.

(BC)

DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE HAIR STYLE? When Ifirst cut my hair I loved the wash and go's. Being that I have length now I like to do twist out and use my curl formers. I do not use heat in my hair. I used heat for the first time last month to get a trim and a color.

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO'S STRUGGLING IN THEIR TRANSITION? It depends on what look you are going for, going through the transition stage is hard being you have two textures to deal with. I would say be strong and hang in there, think of your hair as long term not by the moment and make sure if you decide to do a BC that you do it for you and not for anyone else.
 
IS/ARE THERE ANY PRODUCT(S) YOU JUST CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT? I love JANE CARTER PRODUCTS and now I use CAROLS DAUGHTERS, but I can not live without JANE CARTER.

(8 months post BC)

DO YOU SEE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR HAIR SINCE ITS NATURAL VS WHEN IT WAS RELAXED? IF SO, WHAT?  Yes Yes Yes my hair is so healthy, so full and I can do more with my hair natural vs a relaxer. The chemicals are not good for your hair.

DID YOU RECEIVE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK FROM FAMILY/FRIENDS WHEN YOU DECIDED TO GO NATURAL? IF SO, HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT? I had a couple of people who said they didn't like my hair but I will tell them I cut my hair for me not for you and I'm sure it will grow on you. This is why I say make sure you cut your hair for you because if you ask someone what they think you should do they will sometime have a negative feedback and that will stop you from doing what you want to do. Now that my hair is full and I wear different style's they love it, now they say I love your hair, it fits you. You have to wear your hair don't let the hair wear you and you have to wear your hair with confidence, own your look.

WHO/WHAT DO YOU USE FOR SUPPORT? (WHETHER STYLES, ENCOURAGEMENT, IDEAS, ECT) I love to go on youtube but I am my encouragement. I love to try new things with my hair. My girlfriend is natural as well so to me we support each other.
 
I LOVE MY NATURAL HAIR BECAUSE ... It's me, I feel free, I receive a lot of compliment and to me it encourage a lot of girls to become natural when they see other people natural, this is who I am, my roots, I love the texture, curl, fullness, look, and I'm not bored with my hair.

(Styled using curl formers)