Would Like to see: Desert Flower

I remember being so upset reading this book. It is the life story of Waris Dirie, who overcame so much in her life. She is played by her real life good friend Liya Kebede. I hope this gets some type of release over here.

What do you think?

Jah Bless

Naturally

Hair update and plans.......

Nothing too exciting happening with my hair. The weather has really not been fantastic this past few weeks so it has been in a puff ~(as usual) I was toying with the idea of twisting it- but I am too lazy! I have decided to put it in kinky twists (thanx anty) this week. I will keep them in for around 6 weeks- and pull it out hopefully to reveal a HUGE afro for my cousin's wedding at the end of July.

Anyway I have fallen in LOVE. Over the past few weeks I have been using two new things in my hair- and I dont think I am ever gonna change again!!!

Avocado and mango Hair cream from Evelyn products. I first heard about this on The Natural Lounge, I think it is one of Angel's staples- I now understand why!

I dont use the shampoo, just the white condish. Fantastic!!! cheap (currently on sale for £2.50 in Superdrug for 900ml!!!!!) BARGAIN

I will do a full review of each product tomorrow- but believe me people, this is the best my hair has EVER looked.

My 12 megapixel camera cannot quite capture the amazing shine- but please believe me, it is magnificient.

I also plan to update my current product list as requested my someone on myhairsisters- I am on it!!

Jah  Bless

Naturally 

Twist update

Ok so they only lasted a week. I did wash them- first time I have ever done that- not really feeling the results. On the good side Tresseme naturals are having a BOGOF sale at Superdrug- Bought two bottles of condish as I have heard good things. I will keep you posted. Twists are coming out tonight - plan to rock a HUGE puff for my Sons 5th birthday party tmrw.

It was a sunny day here in London- check the £3 shades from Primarche!

I am frugal people!!

Jah Bless

Naturally

Foxy Feature: Dionne from PomPom Afro

 Whilst browsing Onsugar- I was elated to find another British blog. I immediately contacted Dionne and asked her about her experiences. She has kindly taken the time to answer a few of my questions. Britisish Bloogers month is LIIIIIVE Y'ALL!!!!!!!

1. What inspired you to start POMPOMAFRO?

I had been increasingly more interested in natural hair blogs, vlogs and forums. It all started when I was living abroad and couldn't get access to my normal hair products (looking back it was a blessing in disguise). I discovered a site called Fotki. There was many women (and some men) who were achieving fantastic hair health and lengths that I always secretly thought was possible, but never actually committed to. Pom Pom Afro was a upgrade from my picture blog at Fotki. Pom Pom Afro is also my stance on celebrating fine Afro hair care in the UK. British Afro hair blogs/vlogs seem to be under represented, which is odd, cause we are out here!

2. In a paragraph, describe your hair journey.

Unlike many blogs out there. I never had relaxed hair before (shock, horror!!). I have always had natural hair (apart from a 4 months when I relaxed my Mohawk in 2004 - whoops!). I have, however, had a unhealthy relationship with the old blow dryer and (gulp) those hair GHD straighteners. I'd think nothing of rocking a skin head then growing a Afro and as soon as it reached around 6" or more, I'd attack it with heat!!! I did this mainly to stretch it, I suppose I must of got frustrated with waiting for it to grow, so would blast it! This cycle of growing, heating and breaking has been going on for some while now. Then I l discovered Fotki in late 2008 and was educated on the basic needs of Afro hair. I'm still learning, but I'm on the grow and my hair feels good.

3. Three products you cannot live without & why

At the moment my hair is braids. In fact my hair has been tucked away in either weaves of braid extensions since December 2009. So I recognise my hair products are much less then when my hair is loose. However there are few things my hair loves and needs.

1. African Pride Braid Sheen - This spray soothes the scalp when the braids are freshly done and I use it every couple of days to keep my hair moisturised.
2. Doo Gro Mega Thick Growth Oil - I always use this after I use the braid sheen, it locks the moisture in and my hair loves it. It contains no cones, mineral oil or parabens, however the same cannot be said for all Doo Gro products.
3. I've only used this a couple of times, but I think its a keeper, Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment - This is used in dry hair, I use it when I'm going swimming and I wanna give my hair some added protection against the chlorine

4. Is the 'Natural scene' in the UK a phase or is it here to stay?

I think its here to stay. I see more naturals out here at the moment. When I had natural hair back in 2005 people always assumed I was going to get my hair done and when I told them that was my hairstyle, they seemed a bit confused. I was actually told, that I shouldn't have my own natural hair, in it's natural state for my birthday, because it was gonna sweat out and just not look right :/ what was really strange, was that I wasn't asking her opinion.
With the likes of Rihanna's shaved hair, Janelle Monae's quiff, Solanges' Braids, Jill Scott's re-occuring Afro puff etc we're constantly shown more styles that seem acceptable for Black women to have. We're not only limited to a Beyonce weave or that Jamelia ponytail piece - like come on!!!
Now I see women really making a statement with their natural hair. In fact most of my black female friends and family members have natural hair (even if it is hiding under a weave). I really think it's here to stay. Once we understand how to work with our own hair and lean to love it no matter what, we'll start to achieve great hair health and lengths, PAK is gonna start losing some money......

5. You mentioned in one of your vids that you have lived abroad- what was the natural scene like in the Crete?

I did live abroad in Crete. It is the largest of the Greek Island and although it's closer to Africa than London, UK is, the number of Black people in my neighbourhood were about 7 and of them, maybe 4 were women. Sooooooo there wasn't much of a scene lol.
Most of the Black people there were immigrants from Sierra Leone or Senegal and the women had long, tiny twist extensions. The scene was therefore very ethnic, very African and I don't think they ever understood how a 3rd generation Jamaican woman came to be there :D
I bought most of my hair products from natural product stores. I had to make everything myself, so I would buy Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Henna, Glycerin, essential oils etc and mix them all up at home, with the help of vlogs/blogs. I don't do this as much anymore, but will start again soon, probably at the end of the year when my protective styling challenge comes to an end (2 years in a protective style).

6. You have mentioned on your blog that you have fine hair, and you don't feel that your hair is well represented on natural hair blogs (I agree) How have you learned to deal with your hair in light of this?

Yeah, I do have fine hair and I suppose it was originally bought to my attention when my mum would do our (me and my sisters) hair and she'd get to mine and complain my hair was too slippy. To make it worse she believed it never looked neatly done, even after she'd just done it :( . When I started to do my own hair, I had nothing to compare it with, so in my opinion, it felt normal - I was right.
When I started my natural hair journey, all the blogs/vlogs were of bouncy, coily, kinky Afro manes. I think there is a global misconception that natural Afro means thick hair. It doesn't mean this at all.
As my hair has grown and I deal with certain problems specific to fine hair i.e breakage, thinning etc I found that there wasn't a Youtube Channel or blog dedicated to fine hair in particular. So I thought well, I'll try and find out how to deal with my slippy hair myself and share the knowledge.
For example, my fine hair in general really likes protein. It makes it stronger and less prone to break. I also found out that although no hair likes heat, fine hair hates it!!!! I did not know this, no wonder it broke in the past.
Most of the time, info found online regarding Afro hair is applicable to my hair, but it's not just info. Its also good to actually see women with fine hair. My blog will hopefully get women to celebrate their hair no matter what density.
My hair is very soft, has a nice curl pattern and can be shrunk and stretched pretty easily. However, it's never gonna be thick without a little help from some tracks at the back!!
I'm learning to be thankful with what I was given and after watching one of my sisters (with silly thick hair) get frustrated with her tresses and take to cutting it to manage her care regimen. I can quite smugly say, that my hair will never give me that problem :)

Thanks oo much to Dionne for sharing her story and having another great UK blog. If you have not already done so pleae check out POMPOMAFRO.

Jah Bless

Naturally

My idea of paradise..

For now just a pic, I may develop this a little further in the future. I am a sucker for a beach, white sands and beautiful seas. My Hubby and I are doing a carribean cruise next year for our 20th anniversary- I am soooooooo looking forward to that. When I am on my Island I would like to be surrounded by my people. When I say 'my people' I am not talking about colour. I am talking about right/similar minded people with a thirst for knowledge and who know how to live well, with morals and values. They will enjoy travelling and reading. They want to grow as individuals by educating themselves continuiously. These people come in all shapes, sizes, colours and religions.

That I think is my simple idea of Paradise.

Easy enough isnt it?

Jah Bless

Naturally

The wedding.......

OK so I have to admit, I enjoyed the wedding and all of the surrounding BS much more than I thought! I do remember Princess Di and Charles getting married, and I also remember Wills being born, so I do feel quite old as I type!!  It was a nice feeling and it did raise my spirit slightly- although it did nothing for my bank balance! as the British media are seeming to suggest?!? The entire day went swimmingly and the bride and groom looked great....however, I am gonna keep it real. If my sister came to my wedding looking like Pippa Middleton ..... I would have to trip her up in the mud, beat her down- do something!! Lol

Did you enjoy it? dont lie.... you know you watched!!

Jah Bless

Naturally

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

No words...

Jah Bless

Naturally

Foxy Features: Angel Smith of The Natural Lounge

I have not done  a Foxy Features post for a while- but this one is definately worth the wait.!!

As stated previously I recently stumbled accross an amazing UK blog called The Natural Lounge. Now it is my understanding that there is a little hating going  on between some of these blogs- but as far as I am concerned- the more natural blogs there are ouit there the better it is for all of us.

Angel very kindly spared me the time to answer a few questions.

1.      Congratulations on The Natural Lounge, I genuinley think its fantastic. What made you start the Blog?

Thank you!! Well I started The Natural Lounge as during transitioning phase I couldn’t find any UK blogs about Natural Hair, everything was American and whist it was amazing listening to how great their products were, I really couldn’t get them over here. Also I was pretty jealous of the meet ups. 
 2. You have had a few meet-ups since you started TNL, tell us how they have been recieved. (and whens the next one planned!!lol)
The first meet up was amazing, it was one of the first of its kind in the UK and took place in October last year. I had over 100 women with a massive waiting list. I had underestimated the amount of people that wanted to come so the bar could only hold 120 people. Naturals came out in force, it was amazing to see such beautiful hair. I had talks, a singer and goodie bags full of amazing treats donated by Natural Companies all over the UK. It was truly a day of inspiration. I don’t have a date for my next one because since that time there has been an explosion in the UK of natural hair blogs and meet ups I really don’t know when my next one will be. However it’s going to be good, I have even more contacts and more ideas so even I am looking forward to it! You can see the photos of the last event here.... http://www.angusdphotography.com/naturallounge

 3. In a paragraph, outline your hair journey.
   In short, I relaxed my hair for years until I noted a bald patch on my head. It was only then that I realised that this relaxer might be damaging. So I put in braids and transitioned for a year and in Jan 2010 I took it out, cut off the relaxed ends and there I was, Natural. Although (sorry I know you only said a paragraph) I wish I had done the Big Chop, suddenly having a full head of hair that you don’t know how to look after is pretty daunting, no matter how much you have read and studied.

 
4. What is your current hair regimen?
My hair is getting quite long now and is very thick, (it comes to my collar bone) So I only wash every 2 weeks. In-between I wear it in two strand twists, with a twist out towards the end. Or a bun if I can’t be bothered to do the twists. I moisturise daily and spritz when I need it. I make sure I eat lots of fruit and vegetables and am trying to drink alot of water.  

   5. Three products you cannot live without.

  1. Fro, Avocado and Mango Hair Cream – I use it to do my twists (on wet hair) I moisturise daily with it I love this stuff and I will always buy it.  http://www.thenaturallounge.com/2011/02/fro-avocado-mango-hair-cream.html 

2. Aubery Organics, Island Naturals Shampoo

 3. Aubery Organics Island Naturals Conditioner

 Lol yeah I love Aubery!

 6. I think its great the way you support British companies who make natural hair products- do you think this scene is improving? ie are there more British based companies comming through? or is it the same as when you started?

 On my website I do reviews of British Product companies because I want to encourage people to really support our sistas. It’s also better for the environment if we buy locally! Many of the products I have reviewed are smaller companies just starting up and some of the stuff has been amazing. I really think as the natural hair scene gets bigger, more and more companies and even salons are jumping on the bandwagon. Soon we will be spoilt for choice so yes more companies are coming.

 
7. Finally, you are getting married soon, congrats. My hair was relaxed on my wedding day. I got married in Tobago- by the time I was walking down the 'Isle' I had sweated it out. To this day my hair is the ONLY thing I would have changed about that day. What are your plans for your hair on your big day?

Awwww Tobago, My friend got married there and I remember how lovely it was, what a beautiful choice. I currently have NO IDEA what is going to happen to my hair on my big day, in fact I am going to be spending alot of time looking at styles to get ideas. It will be natural most defiantly but I want a veil and a tiara so I don’t know what style will work with both.

 If any of your readers have ideas I would love to hear them.

UK bloggers month!!

In light of the Upcoming Royal nuptuals I have decided to declare next month UK Bloggers month. Each week I will feature a different UK blog for you all to appreciate.

There is finally some really good natural blogs out there dedicated to the UK naturals.

Now truth be told- I couldn't care less about the royal wedding, yes its a day off- but I am on maternity leave so it does not benefit me, I dont know Wills or Kate personally and am not really a royalist. I will probably watch the wedding as there is NOTHING else on any TV channel. Even the 24 hour news channels are showing 10 hours coverage!!- Like nothing else is happening in the world.

I have no issues with Wills and Kate- but they arnt paying my bills-sooooo, starting on Friday  (and every other Friday in May) I will feature a UK blog.

Lots to look forward to.

Jah Bless

Naturally

Oh yes they did!!!

Dead Prez done did it again!

How inspiring.....

Jah Bless

Naturally

The electric slide!!

 I love this scene.Everytime I see it it makes me smile. The Electric slide is such a happy dance- how fitting for a wedding.

According to good old Wiki the instructions for the dance are as follows:

The Electric Slide is a very easy to learn dance that consistS of 16 moves.

1. First, start with a right foot four step/count grapevine to the right.
2. Second, step with your left foot and do a four step/count grapevine to the left.
3. Third, take four steps back.
4. Fourth, rock forwards and backwards and on the fourth rock turn and start from step one.

End.

I say- Jump on the back of any line and follow what the person next to you is doing. My fam have almost got this down. I say almost- as there are some who just need to watch!! no names mentioned!!!! Cameo's Candy is the song of choice for the fam.

Throw on a track and start to move.......its Friday!!

Jah Bless

Naturally

Afro couples

 Cool

Jah Bless

Naturally

Fridays hair and Mini product review

Hey ladies,

Soooooo  for wash day I used the orange Smooth and Soft (HESS) the conditioner and the tub. To coin a very British phrase it was PANTS! The condish in the bottle is much like the other HE condishes- smells loveeerly and has plenty of slip etc. I am not too convinced that they have not just squeezed the bottle into the tub!! I could not tell any difference in smell, thickness or result.

ZERO definition!!

So for a product that is meant to make my hair less frizzy (it is for dry damaged and frizzy hair) I dont think my hair had ever been so  frizzy!! Ohhhhh the irony......

Jah Bless

Naturally

Thinking aloud: We roll deep!

I dont consider myself a violent person- but sometimes I just wanna roll up on someone with my crew (as above) and deal with someones case!!!!!

WHAT!!!!!!

Then I remember I am a responsible adult with four children, a mortgage and responsibilities........certain people are lucky I am not a few years younger.

You can take the girl out the ghetto........

Jah Bless

Naturally

Lights in Africa

Deep?

Jah Bless

Naturally

Secret Crush: Andre 3000

I can genuinley say that I love this dude for his creative mind. The fact that he is a few sandwhiches short of a picnic, really doesnt come into it. The way he dresses, the things that he says- the way he conducts himself, the fact that he is a man of principle, he called his son Seven. I think he is amazing. Enough words.

Truth be told I like my men with a bit more meat on them, but what he lacks in stature he more than makes up for in talent. An excellent actor and musician.

Here is a link to a medley, so you can feel his flow!

 Enjoy.

Jah Bless

Naturally 

New Blog!

I always get excited when I come across a new natural hair blog- but I am always super energised when it is a UK blog. They are often hard to find in my opinion- I am often dissapointed that the one that I find have not been uipdated in a year or over-essentially meaning they are shut down. Anyhooooo all that changed on sunday, when I discovered The Natural Lounge.

This is an amazing British site. Angel who runs it, has done an amazing job.I  have learned soooo much this weekend alone. I spent faaar too much time on the site looking at her archive posts!!  There is a section for British companies that produce natural hair products-several of which I have never heard of, and I consider myself quite learned.

There is so much to take in here and I still have not finished. The best thing about all this is that she has agreed to do a feature for Naturally Random, so watch this space.

The only dissappointment that I did have was that I have just recently missed a UK natural hair meet-up. I am often jealous when I see al the pics of the US mmetups on Curlinikki or MahoganyKnots or any other site. Angels site has some amazing pics of the hundreds of happy naturals who attended. (I think we generally have a better dispositionb than other people!lol) Its a shame I missed it even if it was in Brixton.......(I am from the NW of London-woo woo!)

Go over and check her out-but beware....you will be on there for ages!!

Jah Bless

Naturally

Todays hair!

I am on a roll this week- trying to post a few hair pics each day as I have not done any in a while. Here are a few of todays hair. I rebraided last night using Cantu leave in  (I 'wet' my hair by just wetting my hands and running it through my fro a few times) and sealing with Vatika oil. I made a conscious effort not to use too much product as I needed it to dry because I was leaving out early in the morning.

Apologies for the dark pics- I completly forgot to take pics when I came back this afternoon!!!

It was a beautiful day today in London- hottest day of the year 21degrees....long may it continue ( we will probably get 10 degrees tomorrow lol!!)

Do-Do braids in the morning, as you can see they are BIG with no structure! (parting etc) it is literally grab a bit of hair and braid.

I was feeling my hair today. it is shiney and it clearly agrees with the sunshine( like the rest of me!)

How was your hair today?

Jah Bless

Naturally

Hair Inspiration:the Big Fro edition

I luuuuuuuve the FRO!!

I am gonna killdem with my fro as soon as the sun shows its face here in the UK,

I cannot wait.

Jah Bless

Naturally

Today's Hair

Ok, so I am into the second day of my braidout.You may remember yesterday that I mentioned that the products that I used didnt have much hold, I have to tell you- London has much wind.... the two are not a great mix!! I was not intentionally going for the crack-whore look, but thats what happenend in the end lol!

So far, not so bad right?.... look below- after my morning walk- then after getting my son from school!!!

So, any suggestions for products with hold....I have come to the conclusion-my hair does not like gels...

Hows your hair today?

Jah Bless

Naturally

Hair today

Usual braid out- not much hold though, after going to collect my son from school- I had a real 'windswept' look-lol. I used the last of my Naked condish from Boots and it seems its been discontinued- so I will have to start on something else in my arsenal. I like the way it made my hair shine.

I didnt actually use these for this braid out, well actually I used everything except that gel. I have to tell you that braid and loc gel SUCKS!!!!! It looked like I had flour in my hair...never a great look. I am goingto do a product review, but I have not found enough rude words to fill the page.

Multi tasking holding baby-lol.

Jah Bless

Naturally

Excited!!-PJ issues

Apologies for the sideways pic- Still have not figured out the Blackberry!!lol  ANYHOO how sad am I that I was pottering around my local Sainsbury's today, and of course I had to go down the conditioner isle even though I have just got 10 bottles from Boots BOGOF deal last week. So I saw that Herbal Essence has a new condish!!!{bottom shelf orange bottle} I almost jumped with excitement (it doesnt sound too weird as I type- but you needed to see how people were looking at me!)

I opened the bottle right there in the isle- it smells devine!! Mandarin and something else that escapes me. To my knowledge it is sold at Sainsburys and Superdrug and thats it. Now I couldnt buy a bottle as I was  with hubby and we had just had a discussion about how I need to stop spending as if I was earning (maternity leave and all) He had also just abused me for taking up too much cupboard space with 10 bottles of condish and some other stuff that I had recently bought. I stressed how much I needed it, and that I had actually saved money by getting them BOGOF. I had just managed to head him off at the pass with that one, so I casually stated that it was ok- I would wait to test it!! I then went directly online  and bought it BOGOF at Superdrug!! It will come in a box and I will just tell him its 'baby stuff' he immediatly switches off when he hears that.... the things I have to do.....for some conditioner. I am  PJ (LOL-Idont wanna go to rehab!!!)

I bought two bottles of condish ( as I like al the other Herbal Essences- so I presume I will like this also) and I also splashed out on the intensive treatment in the tub. It is for dry/frizzy hair. I think I am going to love it. Review to follow shortly.

Jah Bless

Naturally

Hair Lust

I am loving this hair- look how healthy it looks. Ultimately that it what I am striving for.

Jah Bless

Naturally

Hair inspiration: The Le Coil edition

As usual I am scouring the net and I came across Le Coil- I have not looked at the site for ages- I consequently spent HOURS on the site. It always has the most beautful pics of everyday naturals from around the world. I love it.  Go and check it out for yourself.

Hope you enjoyed the pics.Have a great day

Jah Bless

Naturally

Thats Hair!

Beautiful

Jah Bless

Naturally