The Growing Out Stage
1. What initiated or influenced your decision to wear your hair natural?
I went natural because I always wanted to; I love changing up my styles and it turned out this was the best change yet …
2. How did your friends and family react to your decision?
Some people loved it , fake friends stop talking to me and would not chill with me; my mom thought I looked like a boy but that didn’t phase me at all; it just made my confidence even higher .
3. Is the way you wear your hair viewed differently between home and school?
Yes my mom use to hate it but she is getting use to it and some people at school hate it and others love it .
4. Are these reactions what you expected?
Some yes; certain people no.
5. Since going natural have you discovered or learned anything new about your hair and/or about yourself?
Yes I learned to take care of my hair; what it likes and what it doesn’t like . I’ve become more confident and grown into a better person . This is the real me that my relaxer never could show lol …
6. What is it you love most about your hair?
What I love most about my hair is the variety of styles I could wear it in.
7. What is your current hair routine?
I don’t have one yet … I really just condition it everyday … I kind of been slackin’ on my old routine .
1) How long have you been natural?
Since I was a little girl my parents didn’t know what to do with my hair. I’d leave to school with a bun and come back home looking like a lion. Little did they know I was having competitions with my other curly friend trying to find out who could shake their head the most to end up with the wildest fro. So, I guess the answer is: I’ve always been a natural and loved it too.
2) Which three words would you say best describe your hair?
Beautiful, Wild and Big
3) What initiated your decision to wear your hair natural?
At a certain point in my life I was very involved in volleyball, swimming and dance. Thinking it would be easier to manage, I was forced into the beauty salon to try and tone down the craziness going on on top of my head. The truth is, relaxers just require much more maintenance that remaining a natural. As soon I figured that out I told my mom “Let me be. I can handle it”. I was about 13. Trying out all types of products to bring back the “Curly Fries” while all that damaged hair grew out to later get cut out.
4) What is it you love most about your hair and what are the downfalls, if any?
I’m absolutely in love with my hair because it is so easy to maintain. If you have curly hair, all you really should be doing is putting on some leave-in conditioner and air dry…or quick blow dry all around to speed things up. Natural is the way to go! …And you’ll get so many compliments a day it’s crazy!
5) What’s your favorite hair product and Why?
I currently don’t have a favorite hair product. I do know that leave-in conditioner is the way to go but, I’ve been struggling to find one that stays working. At first most of them are great but a couple months in and, I don’t know why, my hair just becomes immune to everything. So, I’ll get back to you on this one 
1) How long have you been natural?
I have always worn my hair in an afro, except when a client that I was working for wanted my hair either flat ironed or with extensions.
2) What initiated your decision to wear your hair natural?
I have just always worn my hair natural. There are times when I was younger that I always wanted straight hair, but as a child model, my agent said that the clients loved my big puffy afro, especially in Europe where they dont have models with hair like mine.
3) What is it you love most about your hair and what are the downfalls, if any?
What I love most about my hair is that it is natural..I dont have to spend a lot of time or energy on it. I just shampoo, condition, and let it dry naturally. Its very easy to take care of. The only downfall, which I think most women feel, is having to comb their hair out after shampooing. But I think that goes for all women.
4) What’s your favorite hair product and Why?
My favorite hair product is Moroccan Oil. Recently, my hair was in extensions for a few weeks, and when I took it out, some of my hair was really dry…in fact so dry, one person told me I was in need of a serious cut to cut off the “dead hair” which appeared to be about 4 inches of my hair. Instead my Mom pulled out the bottle of Moroccan oil and we moisturized with that for a few days, and it really brought the life back to my hair. It is bouncy again and full of life. I LOVE MOROCCAN OIL!!
5)Who is your hair inspiration if any? Do you have any natural Youtube favorites? Please share.
I am just me. No one has inspired me as far as how to wear my hair. Since I have been modeling since the age of 7, and thats what the clients want, that is the way it has been. Plus of course my Mom. She has always inspired me to just be me, and her telling me that I am unique in my own way and to just be me.
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Long braids is definately a stylish way to wear your hair this spring. My sister, Lisa, is shown here loving her braids which I must add was done by yours truly, Me. She says it’s easy and manageable and a great way for her to give her hair a break and allow it time to grow.
1) How long have you been natural?
I have been all natural with no chemical treatments for 2 1/2 years now.
2) If you were to describe your hair texture and curl pattern using the hair typing numerical system where would you classify your hair? Do you own different textures?
My hair is thick and curly. The texture and curl pattern would most likely fall under a 3.
3) What initiated your decision to wear your hair natural?
I have always had beautiful naturally curly hair and once I started middle school I got a chemical relaxer to straighten my hair because it was so thick and curly. I continued to get relaxers every 6-8 months to make my hair more manageable. Over time I realized the relaxers were killing the natural curl of my hair and decided to go all natural.
4) What is it you love most about your hair and what are the downfalls, if any?
I love that my hair is healthy! I have done it all natural, curly, weave, braids, color and I am happy that my hair is healthy and shiny.
5) What’s your favorite hair product and Why?
My favorite product is definitely Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioning Cream (sleek & shine)! It keeps my hair moisturized, soft and manageable. It also smells great!
6) Who is your hair inspiration if any? Do you have any natural You-tube favorites? Please share.
My hair inspiration is my mood. I love to change my hair based on my current lifestyle or feelings toward the current fashion trends.
Ashley Burks
Owner/Stylist
The Fashion Connoisseur
“Guiding you in a Fashionable Direction, While Keeping you Stylishly Successful.”
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Cicely Tyson is one of the most respected actresses. She defied Hollywood standards by being the first black woman to wear cornrows on television.
Personal Quotes:
“Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They’re what make the instrument stretch-what make you go beyond the norm.”
