Curlitude: Natural Hair Bloggers/Vloggers you need to know

I am by no means an expert on natural hair care, but I do love my kinky coils.  Blogging/Vlogging has done wonders for the natural hair community, creating a place where newbies and experienced naturalista's can reflect on hair care.  There is something out there for every hair type.  Here are a few of my favorites.  I am sure that you have seen  many of the ladies at a meet-up hear and there, or caught them as guest bloggers on some of your favorite websites or blogs.  It's much more than curls with these ladies, topics including weight loss journey's, skin care, style, and so much more. These aren't the only curlies make a name for themselves in the natural hair community, but definitely a few of my faves.

African Export

Photo via facebook 

From her thrifty finds to her news commentary, African Export (AE) keeps it 100 while rockin' a wig every now and then. "The Realest Channel On Youtube," is filled with thrift store finds, wig and product reviews, and so much more. She is not afraid to tell it like it is.  You won't find her jumpin' on every natural hair product bandwagon that comes along and she is not a fan of meet ups. Oh, and did I forget to mention she can sang too.  Check her out on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/AFRICANEXPORT or visit her blog at http://www.africanexportsblog.com/

 Chescaleigh

 

Photo via Facebook

 

Franchesca Bka Checaleigh if the funny girl the bunch.  She adds a comedic flair to her lock tutorials and her parodies will have you rolling on the floor laughing.  If you don't believe me check out her viral video S@#% White Girls Say...to black girls, that got everyone talking about those awkward moments that black girls with white girlsfriends encounter.  I am sure that one day she will be a main headliner on SNL. Check her out on one of her two YouTube channels, Chescaleigh or Chescaloc's.

CharyJay

Photo via Facebook

CharyJay was one of the first vloggers I came across a few years ago when I started this new journey.  I immediately became engrossed in her talk show series "Natural Beauties in the City."  Her channel features fabulous style tutorials and honest reviews on the products that everybody is talking about. You are sure to find some hairspiration and gain knowledge about the do's and dont's for caring for your curls.  I had the opportunity meet Miss CharyJay at a meet up a while ago, and she is just a pleasant in person as she is on YouTube. Check her out CharyJay Youtube Channel

BeautifulBrwnBabyDoll

Photo via facebook

The hair journey parallels our life story and that is so true with Miss Nina Ellis-Hervey BKA BeautifulBrwnBabyDol.  She went from fat to fit, relaxed to natural, and shares her journey through her Youtube channel.  She shares tips on updating your wardrobe,  natural hair care, encouragement for those seeking to drop the weight physically and mentally, and offers helpful tips for seeking higher education.  Find her on Youtube at Beautifulbrwnbabydol.  Visit her on the web at http://beautifulbrwnbabydol.com/blog/.

The Monroe Sisters 

(MsVaughn and MeechyMonroe)

Photo from Naturalhairradio.com

It is rare to find two fashionably curly diva's in the same family, but that is the case when it comes to the Monroe Sisters.  Tameka BKA MeechyMonroe and her sister MsVaughn have taken the blogosphere my storm, sponsoring meet-ups in cities such as Chicago, Atlanta, and Charleston.  I had the opportunity to meet these fabulous gals at a meet-up sponsored by Naturally Flyy Detroit and  as my grandma used to say "they are as sweet as puddin' pie."  They dish out great advice on caring for you curls, frugal fashion finds featuring many indie brands, hair tutorials, product reviews, and so much more.  MsVaughn's channel features style, hair, and make up inspiration along coupon codes so that you can get a great deal on some of the items featured in her videos.  MeechyMonroe's channel is filled with fashion, fun, and photographic inspiration.  Both Meechy and MsVaughn have an artistic approach to natural hair care that will help you embrace a unique you.  Find them on Youtube at MsVaughnTV and MeechyMonroe. Also check out MeechyMonroe.com.

These are just a few of the ladies that are choosing to embrace their natural hair and talk about it.  Some other vlogger's you may want to check out...
Lexiwiththecurls
NikkiMae2003
Colouredbeautiful

CurlyKimmyStar

 KinkyCurlyQueen 

 LuBellaCoils 

PrettyDimples01

kinkypeaches1

Hope you get some hair inspiration. 

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

One month into my BC(Big Chop)

Photo and Make-up by Terrell B

It has been one month today since I big chopped.  I have to say I am loving it  My confidence level has soared.   Like I said before, when you BC you don't have anything to hide behind anymore.  My hair used to be my statement piece, now my inner beauty is shining on the outside.  I have always loved color, but have often found myself staying in the confines of natural tones and black.  I'm embracing myriad of color, and my wardrobe is screaming right now.  So many new pattern's textures, prints and color have found a home in my closet.

After a glamor photo shoot with Miss Terrell B (pictured above) I have been inspired to experiment with make up.  For Christmas my wonderful husband purchased an E.L.F Eyeshadow pallet to start me off and it sat on my dresser four months before I decided to invest in some EcoTools make-up brushes and try it out.  Now, I admit I am not make-up artist, but I can rock some shadow from time to time.  I don't think I will ever rock a full face of make-up everyday because my skin is pretty sensitive. But I am considering in investing in some mineral based bronzer's, concealer's, and foundation.  I wonder what will be the next adventure of me and my BC.

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks
 

Thank God I'm Natural by Chris-Tia E. Donaldson

I had the opportunity to read Chris-Tia E. Donaldson's book Thank  God I'm Natural: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair last year. I was so happy when my husband surprised me with it after we attended the Naturally Flyy Detroit meet-up last February, but it sat on my bookshelf collecting dust for quite a while. I wasn't trying to neglect it, maybe a bit more scared intimidated by what I might find beyond the cover of the beautiful black and white bound book.  The truth is that my hair has often went days neglected, lacking moisture my frizzy curls turn into a matted mess.  I knew I was doing something wrong, but part of me didn't want to hear somebody else tell me so. I finally bit the bullet and read a couple of pages. I couldn't put it down.  It was so relevant to where my curls are, had been, and where they could go in the future if I put in the work. 

As a natural it is easy to have hair envy if you don't know how to properly care for your curls. Before reading TGIN I have so say that I was pretty ignorant about my hair. I never really paid attention to what was in the products I was using and I was quick to jump on to the newest trends in natural hair care. 
In this inspiring book about natural hair Donaldson shares her own journey to freeing her curls in corporate America, explains the do's and don'ts of natural hair care, provides recipes for the kitchen beauticians, and supplies a list of natural hair resources.  She includes multiple list of salons across the nation that can provide the services needed to be an effective natural.  It truly is the "Natural Hair Bible."

TGIN is more than a book it is a movement. To find out more check out the website www.thankgodimnatural.com and find great tips for caring for your natural tresses.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Curlitude: Hair Products I'm loving right now

Over the past few months I have spent a lot of money and tried a lot high-end and low-end products.  I am still in the trail phase of creating my hair regimen. There have been a lot of hit and misses, but some of the products that I have tried are on the way to becoming staples.  I wanted to share some of my favorites with my fellow curlies out there.

For Conditioning...

Yes to Carrots Pampering Conditioner: I absolutely love this product. It leave's my hair feeling soft  and well moisturized. It has excellent slip which is great for detangling and co-washing. I also create my own leave-in conditioner by mixing...

-8 fl. oz. of  water

-1 teaspoon of jojoba oil

-approx. 2 teaspoons of olive oil

-1 tablespoons of Yes to Carrots Pampering Conditioner

It runs between $8.49-8.99 for a 500ml - 16.90 fl. oz. bottle and can be found at your local Target or purchased directly from the manufacturer at yestocarrots.com. 

For a list of ingredients CLICK HERE.

Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner by Organix: This is my number two. It gets that rating because it has more suspect ingredients (chemicals or man made ingredients) than Yes to Carrots Pampering Conditioner. It doesn't give me as much slip as Yes to Carrots, but it is great for creating a deep conditioning treatment for my hair, which I do about once a week.

To make a deep conditioning protien treatment I mix 

-3 tablespoons of Nourishing Coconut  Milk Conditioner

-1 egg

- appx. 1 table spoon of olive oil

I typically leave it in my hair about 15-20 minutes with a plastic cap, then shampoo and condition as normal and my hair feels fabulous.

A 13 fl oz  (384.5 ml) bottle runs between $5-7.99 and can be found at your local drugstore, Walmart, Target, Meijer or online through amazon.com.

Ingredients: Dl Water (- Aqua) , Cetyl Alcohol , Behentrimonium , Cetearyl Alcohol , Cetearyl Glucoside , Glyceryl Stearate , Glycerin , Cyclomethicone , Dimethicone , Jojoba Oil , Panthenol , Silk Amino Complex , Coconut Milk , Egg White Protein , Coconut Oil , Tocopheryl Acetate (- Vitamin E) , Tetrasodium EDTA , Fragrance , DMDM Hydantoin, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone

For Shampooing...

Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Hemp Peppermint Pure-Castile Soap Dr. Brooners is definitely my go to product for hair, skin, and household cleaning.  The uses for this product is endless.  When I was younger it was a staple in our household for body care, I didn't know till a couple of months ago that it is great for hair.  It only takes a few drops and it has an excellent lather without  all of those harmful detergents.  A little bit of this product goes a long way, but you definitely want to be careful not to get it in your eyes because of the peppermint that is in it.  Rather you have a dandruff problem, or just need to get product build up out of your hair, this is definitely the product to use.  

An 8 oz. bottle runs between $5.99-7.99 and it can be found online at www.drbrooner.com, in Target's natural beauty section, or at any health/natural beauty store.

INGREDIENTS: Water, Organic Coconut Oil*, Potassium Hydroxide**, Organic Olive Oil*, Mentha Arvensis*, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Peppermint Oil*, Citric Acid, Tocopherol  * CERTIFIED FAIR TRADE INGREDIENTS  ** None remains after saponifying oils into soap and glycerin

Dr. Brooner has a host of other natural care lines to take care of the whole family and your home. Find out more by visiting http://www.drbronner.com/index.html 

For Hot Oil Treatments...

African Royale Hot Six Oil I was rummaging the limited selection of African American hair products at  Walmart one day, when I was surprised to find an old friend.  My mom was a kitchen beautician from time to time. Between visits to the salon, or somebodies basement, my mom went through the ritual of washing, conditioning, drying, and pressing my hair.  Among the Motions and Cream of Nature, there was African Royale's Hot Six Oil.  Organic and all natural hair products weren't trendy then, but who knew that something old would become my something new.

This product usually runs between $4-8 depending on where you pick it up. It was definitely a steal when I found a single bottle alone for $1.94, I couldn't resist.  Hot Six is power packed, with all your essential oils plus some.  It is great for hot oil treatments, but it can also be used as a body, scalp, nail, bath, or massage oil.  It's found in a limited number of Kmart and Walmart stores, many beauty supply stores, or purchased online.   It is definitely one of my go to product, and worth a try for any of you naturalista's out there.

Ingredients: Olive Oil , Canola Oil , Wheat Germ Oil , Sweet Almond Oil , Safflower Oil , Castor Oil , Sesame Oil , Vitamin E , Vitamin A , Vitamin D , Cyclomethicone , Sheep Sorrell , Yarrow , Slippery Elm Bark , Sage , Henna , Comfrey , Burdock Root , Ginseng , Goldenseal , Cherry Bark , Black Walnut , Chamomile , Alfalfa , Hyssop , Wheat Germ , Fragrance

 

Lisa's Hair Elixir by Carol's Daughter

This definitely is my number two, but that's only because of the price. Unlike African Royale's Hot Six, Lisa's Hair Elixer is alot lighter and is definitely a splurge at $20 for an 8 fl. oz. bottle and is a lot lighter

I purchased this product along with several other Carol's Daughter products in the Best Tressed Hair Set.  All the products worked fairly well and  I may review them in the future in between nap times, but Lisa's Hair Elixer was definitely my favorite out of the bunch. This product can be put in the hair as a pre-poo treatment, used for a hot oil treatment, or as a massage oil. 

Because of the price I only buy it every now and then, but when I have the money I definitely add it to my collection.  It adds shine to my hair and many of the essential oils that I need to protect my hair from damage.  

Ingredients: Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond Oil), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Fragrace (Parfum).   

These are just a few of my go-to products and I will definitely be adding and updating my reviews in the future.  

Check out these products for yourself...

Curlitude:first blow dry in a long time

It has been a long time since my hair has been blow dried

Curlitude: Dark Girls

I think women of all colors are beautiful, from the kinkiest to the curliest. We are all beautiful.  I have a special love for the rainbow coalition that is my race though.  My complexion hasn't been a major struggle for me because of how I was raised,but I have pretty of  friends and family members who have and continue to struggle with loving the skin their in.  I am a product of generations of ill taught women, who struggle to embrace their beauty, but I choose today to embrace more than my curls, but to love the melanin I was given.

I stumbled across this video on a friends facebook page, and it made me think.  I realized that we have so much growing to do in the African American community....


Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.


What do you think? Have you struggled with loving your beauty inside and out? How have you struggled?

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Curlitude by I AM Curly Locks

So their not for sale yet, and I have only given away a few, but for the last 3-4 months I have been attempting to let my creative juices flow.   I love accessories, but I can not always find the right one to dress my curls, so I make my own.  For the most part my creations consist of flowers because it is part of my signature style, and I like them.  They come in all shapes and sizes and I use tons of different fabrics, but organza, linen, denim and khaki are a few of my faves.  They are mostly hand beaded and hand sewn, with the occasional glue for attachment.

For the most part I do it for relaxation, but I have been getting tons of feedback from people wanting to purchase my creations.  An Etsy store is definitely in the works after a few things are straightened out and I figure out fair pricing, so stay tuned.

I would love you input. What do you think? Would you buy any of these?

Cream and Turquoise Linen Ruffle Headband

Khaki Flower Headband

Denim Double Tea Cup Rose Headband

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Curlitude: How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

I have been asked this question a lot recently. Take a look at this article that was posted today on Naturally Curly.com.

Curlies: How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

How Often do I wash my hair?
Personally I co-wash (conditioner wash) my hair about twice a week, and shampoo my hair about twice a month.


What products do I use to wash my hair?
I am slowly becoming a natural hair product junky. For the past couple of months I have been using Organic Root Stimulator's Olive Oil Creamy Aloe Shampoo  and Organic Root Stimulator's Replenishing Conditioner. The shampoo does contain sulfates, which I don't mind, but if you are looking for sulfate free check your local Target or Meijer, they have lots of options.  I found that these products, especially the Replenishing Conditioner, leave my hair moist with a light coating, manageable, and tangle free. Over the next couple  of weeks this will be changing. I just received my Carol's Daughter Best Tressed Hair Set, which contains Tui Shampoo and Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner. (Reviews coming soon)

My suggestions
In all my research on this topic, online and otherwise, I have found several common trends.

1. Do whats right for your hair. I have two different textures of hair, both which require alot of moisture, so co-washing and leave in conditioners are a must for me. 
2. Try out a couple of different washing schedules, shampoos, and conditioners to see what works best for your curls.
3. Do as much research about your hairtype as possible. Watch youtube vid's from other curlies and product reviews.
4. Find out whats in the products and what they can do to your hair.

None of this information is really new, you can find it on many natural hair website. Here are a few suggestions of where to go....


www.naturallycurly.com
www.thirstyroots.com
www.treasuredlocks.com

Hair isn't just about the way you look on the outside, it is about your God given confidence on the inside.  Love and nuture, your mind, body, and soul. Fall into the good book, The B-I-B-L-E, eat right and drink lots of water in order to get good balance.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks
"I believe in Kingdom blogging!"

Curlitude: A learning Process with the post series, "Black Women in History."

This is truly a journey.  I went into the process of creating this series, as just something to do in honor of Black History month, but has turned out to be far more than that. I am have learned, and am still learning so much about myself.

This  isn't really a spiritual part of my journey to learning about self, it is more of a creative career path learning experience.  I went into Lane College in 2006 with the major of Mass Communication, it was a fit cause I like to gab and I love people.  Over the next 3 years I would go through several life changes, which would cause me to acquire a lot of self doubt and lose my career focus.  Mass Communications with a focus in Public Relations and Secondary Education with a focus in English Education were two of my declared majors from my brief stint at Rochester College. Now out of school, jobless, and a stay at home mom, I have struggled to figure out what I wanted to do. Don't get me wrong being a stay at home mom is great, but I know that God desires more for me.

The first thing I learned about myself is that I love to write.  It's not new to me, heck I blog alot. Writing is an outlet, its got me through some rough patches.  I am no Toni Morrison, certainly not on the same page as Ann Petry, but I believe with more time spent in an academic institution and after reading a few more books, I have the potential to write my own history.

The second most important thing that I learned, will definitely help me with my blog posts in the future. Due to the high volume of research involved in writing about someone else s life and the fact that I have a one year old, it is near impossible for me to do a day to day blog post of this magnitude.  The idea to highlight all these women was great, but my execution was horrible. 

Most importantly I learned that reading is truly fundamental. I have so many books that I want to read after researching these women. Books that my grandmother read, Ann Petry wrote, and Rita Dove found inspiration.  I like reading, but when it is done for academic purposes I am ill inspired and drag butt through the whole assignment.  When your imagination is allowed to run wild through the pages of a novel and wisp through the world of poetry, new words and phrases are easily found.  In the future I will definitely set goals that I can actually accomplish.

Oh and I will be adding to the Black Women in History throughout March, maybe not everyday, that's a bit to much.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Curlitude: Learn to Decipher your Product Labels—Silicones, Alcohols, Hairsprays, Oh My!

Learn to Decipher your Product Labels—Silicones, Alcohols, Hairsprays, Oh My!

Okay so I am definitely not the best judge on products. I have many friends who choose either straight organic or all natural products(their is a difference). I am still learning about my hair and making mistakes quite often, but this article from naturallycurly.com gave me alot of perspective.

I know that I haven't been updating my post nearly as often as I have in the past, but alot of things are in the works.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Curlitude: You gotta' do somethin'

When I first started going natural, after the big chop,  I didn’t do anything to my hair. Of course I washed it, used olive oil on my scalp, and occasionally twisted it, but  that  was  it.   I didn’t really moisturize it, and used whatever products I had lying around to do it, definitely not the way to go.  If you want dry, brittle, tangled hair then this is your regimen, but if you seek growth then you might want to try something a little different. 

Often my relationship with God has felt the exact same way; mangled, matted, and dry.  Occasionally I went to church, days I have went without touching my bible, and nights I have laid my head to rest not thanking God for the blessing of another day.   Like my hair it is not that I didn’t care, or didn’t have the knowhow, I just didn’t put in the work.  Any relationship, hair or otherwise takes time, commitment, and communication.  I am not telling you to go around having ‘convos’ with your hair, but you do need to communicate with God through prayer, praise, worship, and most importantly your time.  

I’ve learned so much about my hair, by taking time to learn about it, read about it, and do something with it every day.   I am committed to understanding my hair, but I am even more committed to gaining a stronger connection to God through giving Him my time.  It takes time for growth.    It’s not easy being patient, but you must if you want to see the reward.  My hair rewards are simple, frizz free curls without split ends, it may not always be this way, a day or two may go by without me detangling; but God’s rewards will stay with me a life time as long as I put in the work and do something.

  

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

“I believe in Kingdom blogging!”

Curlitude: Split Ends Healing

Going natural is all the craze right now. Every time I look at my Facebook wall I see another friend taking the plunge, chopping it all off and starting over.  Many do it because of affordability, and others do it because they are simply tired of hair breakage and chemicals. For me, my hair story is a little different. My Curlitude is not just about saving money, or stripping away all forms of chemicals, it's about finding out who I am in God. 

From the day I was born I have always been told how beautiful and unique I am, despite how I have often felt. I never quite fit the mold, in fact I think I might have broke it. Now being different, standing out in a crowd isn't easy nor fun, but it is what God called each and every one of us to do.  It says in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

If He knew me in the womb, He definitely knew the things that I would go through.  I don't confess to understanding why, but I do know that He wouldn't let me go through it, if He alone couldn't bring me through it.  Yes I have free will, and have often made unwise decisions, but coming back is the best part.   No matter how far I have ventured, wrong turns that I have taken, He is right there waiting for me to run to Him.

You may ask yourself how does any of this relate to going natural? Well for me, chopping off my hair and stripping away the chemicals paralled what God desired to do in my life.  God desire to cut some things off, get rid of the breakage and any split-ends that have been lingering in my life.  The process isn't done, my hairs still growing out and He is still growing me up, and I'm feeling a whole lot better.

It is a journey. As I learn about my hair, God is teaching me even more about myself.  It doesn't always feel good, challenges, but I hope I am passing my faith test.  "Will I go back to the damaged dry fried hair or will I embrace my natural tresses? Will I learn how to take care of what God has given me naturally and spiritually?" I don't know how this story ends, but I am definitely in a new beginning.

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Curlitude: Where I'm from

My Curlitude
My curls have always been a battle for me. Sometimes I feel locked down by my curly locks, and want to chop them all of again. In the past four years I have transitioned my hair twice from permed to chemical free.  No time to consult a beautician, it usually only takes a few minutes and a pair of scissors and I am free.   Now I don't suggest that everyone take the plunge, but every time I do it I feel like lady liberty.Don't  let the smooth taste fool you, hair is hair, and hair is work, curly or not, sometimes you just have to embrace it.

Prior to high school I really didn't see anything wrong with my natural hair and when given the opportunity to get a perm I turned it down every time.  It wasn't that I didn't like the look of relaxed hair, but I felt like it wasn't as limitless as people made it seem.  The idea that my hair would stay straighter longer after being flat ironed is a plus, but worrying about chemical burns didn't seem to make it worth it. 

For a long time I was the only one in my household without permed hair. My mom got a Jerry Curl at 13, a not so great experience from what I hear, and her first perm in the 9th grade. I don't know the exact age that my grandmother got her first perm or chemical treatment, however I do know that she was definitely a creamy crack addict.  The women in my family have went from grey to green, goddess braids to french rolls, weaves to wigs and has used so much hair it is ridiculous. They say the black hair is a multi billion dollar industry, well the Thomas women have definitely gave it some capital.

I am definitely a product of the village that raised me, and eventually at 17 decided to get a perm. I figured I had way to many senior activities to do to worry about my hair, and that it was the best option if I was going to college with limited access to a beauty salon.  I do not feel like it was the best decision I ever made, but you live and learn, that is definitely what college is about.

My creamy crack experience taught me alot. 

1. Do not trust your friends with your hair, seek the professionals.
2. Up keep is critical and if you have never permed your own hair before, DON'T.
3. It is true. Do not press on top of a perm.
4. You will suffer breakage and it is not as easy as you think.
5. Age does not mean that you know how to do hair.

I guess perms are for some people but definitely to much for me. There is so much to tell about my Curlitude, my journey to going all natural. I hope that you join me as I learn more about my hair, and tell more of my story. My Curlitude.

Najeema Iman,
I AM Curly Locks