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.

The Amazing Angela Plummer

Angela Plummer

For this months Foxy Features we have an amazing lady from North London (woo woo!) who I first saw over on BGLH. She jumped out at me as what she does is soo unique.  I have to say I didnt think I would ever appreciate Hair Art, but Angelas stuff is so unique, that I felt compelled to contact her straight away. You can see by the accomplishments list on her site, how good an artist she actually is. I wont spoil it for you I will let you see for yourself.

Q1. Your work is amazing. I have never seen anything like it-how did a girl from North London get into this?

Im sure so many ladies can relate to this story LOL!

I grew up in North London and started braiding my own hair at the tender age of ten, the reason I started braiding my own hair was due to the painful experience of a typical West Indian ritual, the weekly braiding or even worse twice weekly torture and trial of washing and braiding the afro kinky locks of my hair.

The ritual consisted of my mother combing and pulling on my hair causing me to jump with pain, and then proceed to tap me really hard on my forehead with the comb in order for me to keep still (or better know by West Indian’s as konking or chopping me in the head!) One day after this weekly ritual of Jumping and chopping, I declared to my mum “This is the last time you are braiding my hair!” and so from that day every two weeks I braided my hair myself. Over the years I developed a very distinctive style of braiding which is both unique and creative as it turned out my mum was aiding me on this Journey in life.

AFRICAN WARRIOR

This Adornment was made for empowerment

Q2. Was/is your work well recieved by those around you?

When I first started 2001, I was once told that doing Natural Hair alone “I will not become anything in the industry” I don’t know if that was a negative or positive thing to say to me, but I turned that comment into something positive and every day since then I always turn a negative into a positive. I guess I can say that I’m a walking example of never letting other people's negative views hold me back for this industry is a hard one, it can break or make you. If I had listened to all the negative things that were told to me I would not be the person that I am today being true to myself and expressing myself through my Art.

To this day I still face negativity

Q3. Do you think there is a natural hair revolution going on in the UK or is it just a fad?

  Hell yes, bring on the NATURAL HAIR REVOLUTION AND KEEP IT MOVING.When I first came into the Hair industry I would braid / cane row a lot of ladies hair that was relaxed and who once said “that there would never go natural” now those same ladies have discovered the beauty of there Natural hair and would never relax their hair again some of them have even locs there hair

We still have a way to go in terms of embracing natural hair.

NUBIAN GLADIATOR

This Adornment was  made to reflect strength

 Q4. Tell us about your own hair-Have you always been natural?

No I have not always been Natural, as a child I had my hair relaxed and curly perm just so my beautiful mum could stop knoking me in the head with the comb at that age I did not know any better, the only reason why my mum aloud me to relaxed / curly perm my hair was because she could not take me wining and moaning anymore,soon realized I had done the wrong thing,  I went back Natural around my twenties

Three products you could not live without

1 Morris Roots Natural Hair Care Range

2 Sahara Single Bible

3 Coco Butter

Below is a question I get asked all the time, just thought you would like to know.

The story Begins

Angelas creative process

Bonus Q. Describe the creative process in making your braided pieces.

I always visualise my styles / creations, then I work in one of two ways. I free style the collection improving on it as I am going along or I will sketch the styles first then put the collection together according to the sketch. 

NUBIAN QUEEN

  This two piece Hair Adornments highlights the essence of beauty

THE STORY ENDS 

Thank you soooooo much Angela for taking the time out of you busy shedule to answer my questions. Your journey is a unique one, and I for one will be following you from now on. Check out the website below, or on the sidebar.

 Jah Bless

Naturally

Foxy Features: Chai from Back To Curly

 I have yet again been privilaged to have a natural hair guru feature on my fledgling blog. I first discovered Back to Curly when I was transitioning. What drew me it initially was Chai's hair type was similar to mine ( I thought at the time- as it has grown I have realised mine is MUCH thicker) Anyhoo it was her story about the challenges that she faced and also the crystal clear reviews and detail that really kept me reading. She is a PJ. I blame her for my PJism! Chai really started me wanting those new products. She took the time out of her busy shedule to answer a few of my questions.

1. In a paragraph describe your hair journey.

I decided to go natural in late 2000 early 2001 during my first year in college, after seeing a picture of a beautiful natural haired woman in a magazine. I didn’t know ANYTHING about natural hair, except how beautiful it made many women appear, and during college I longed for that type of change. I was very much looking for a challenge after wearing my hair relaxed since the age of 11 or 12. I was always the pony-haired girl when my hair was relaxed, and going natural to me just offered such crazy versatility & I was willing & ready to do whatever it took to make the journey happen.

2. Three products you cannot live without.

Soooo hard to choose! I rotate constantly when doing my hair, but I have a strong devotion to products that have consistently worked on my hair week after week.Karen’s Body Beautiful’s Hair Milk never fails as a go to leave-in conditioner nor does Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose Conditioner to DC every few weeks. Kinky Curly’s Knot today is AWESOME during the summer months both as a detangler and quick wash-n-go styler;-)  

3. How did Back to Curly come about?

I suffered through a bit of heat damage a few years back, & was completely distraught. It’d been a while since I’d experienced two different textures on my head, so adjustments were promptly made - I did a ton of research on how to start back on the path to healthy hair, and starting the blog just happened to be a part of the journey! 

I needed an outlet to write down products & techniques that would work/tools to stay away from and making connections in the natural hair community sort of became the BEST added bonus! Aside from nursing my strands back to health, I’ve come to learn so much from all the bloggers out there, Youtubers and just random women on the street who stop to compliment me on my hair. 

4. On B2C you say that you were 'shunned' by some fam and friends-how did you deal with that? and have they come around yet?

I think dealing with the negative reaction from family and friends was quite easy because I’d fully prepared myself before my first BC. I made sure this was a decision I was making for myself and no one else. My first BC was one of the first decisions I made as an adult during a pretty vulnerable time in my life, so I wanted to make sure all my bases were covered.If you’re able to honestly understand your own reasoning for changing your look/appearance in such a drastic way, as opposed to opting into a temporary trend,then you’re already on the fast track to self-acceptance,and your natural journey will likely be a worthy & fulfilling one.   

Bottom line, for me – the decision was empowering, and I think that is why we have so many women who continue to BC, go natural for the 1^st, 2^nd – sometimes even three times! Thankfully my family & friends have come around, and have brought with them an armload of support & compliments! Even my Mum’s a natural haired diva now;-)!

5. What are your biggest natural Hair mistakes and what have you learned from them?

BIGGEST natural hair mistake hands down was my heat damage fiasco a few years back. I left the health of my hair in the hands of a hairstylist that I’d grown to trust, & I ended up sacrificing more than I was ever willing to gamble. I still trust many hairstylists out there, though I don’t think enough are well trained or equipped to handle & style natural hair. Yet on the flipside, had I known how much heat my hair could take, spoken up a bit before she flat-ironed my hair just a little too straight…perhaps I could’ve avoided the situation all together. Although today, I’m just happy it was a lesson well learned & I can share my experiences with others! 

   I really appreciate your time Chai. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work!!

Go over and check her out

Back to Curly

Jah Bless

Naturally

Sasha-Shae Shaw of Afroniquely You

Wow!!

I am turly honoured to be able to bring to you natural hair guru Sasha Shae Shaw. This is one of the sites that inspired me to start blogging. She has real explicit instructions. I like that. She also has a massive following- which is great, as there is always someone whos story you can relate to.

Tell me your story, when and why did you decide to go natural?
Well I went natural again because I realized it was perfect for me. I was natural for close to 15 years of my life, then I decided to relax my hair. During my 2 years relaxed period, I realize it wasn't for me. My hair would break and also I missed the versatility, so I decided to cut it and return to natural. I had complete support from my mother and a few friends, others were a little apprehensive to the idea that I cut my hair and some more so to the seemingly taboo idea of going natural. Either way, this journey was for me, not for them, so I did what suited me best and what essentially would make me happy. Now I am on a joyous, yes sometimes rocky road, but I wouldn't trade it.

My journey I'd say is sometimes rocky because when I fail to listen to my hair I pay the consequences. For example, I suffered a minor setback after wanting to flat iron my hair. What I failed to take into account was that my hair though seemingly thick, the strands are actually quite fine, I just have a lot of them. So putting too much heat on my hair is a no no! Needless to say, my journey is about learning from my hair everyday. Now that I know what my hair can and can not handle, I make sure to give it the best of everything

What is your current rountine? day and night -products included

What 3 products could you not live without?
I don't think I'd be able to live without vatika coconut oil, happy nappy styles and a little shea butter.

Why the blog? how did it all begin?
 I started my blog because I wanted to be able to share my story on my natural hair. Then soon after I realized I wanted to open it ot the public as a knowledge base. Blogging for me is fun and informative. I get to share what i've learned and have others share with me the same.

Two tips for  natural newbies

1. Take it slow and steady. Do not rush your hair growth process. Take the time to learn your hair. From my experience,, it is so easy to get caught up in wanting a particular grade of hair, or style type of hair, but what we need to understand is to listen to our hair. The texture and density and strand size greatly affects what you can do and can use for your hair, listen to it. It will take time to know your hair completely, but if you're out trying to get what everyone else has you'll never truly know.
2. Think of your journey as a garden. With patience, love and care every garden is made into something beautiful. Likewise it is with your hair. Share with others, because knowledge is power and it's really important for us to all grasp the beauty of natural hair.

Do you think there is a 'natural hair revolution' taking place in the US- or are we still a while away from that?
I do believe to some degree there is Natural Hair revolution happening within the US. A lot more women and men are becoming aware of wearing their hair naturals. It might still be taboo in some places, but it's amazing to see so many people reclaim the beauty of natural hair. I enjoy seeing people who flaunt their natural hair in styles and ways that I could have only dreamed. I look forward to seeing what will happen in the next few years.

What a beautiful woman, inside and out. Thank you to you Sasha-you are truely an inspiration.

If you have not already done so, check out the blog

Or check her out here or here or here!!

Site: http://afroniquelyyou.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/afroniquely
YouTube: http://youtube.com/afroqueenshae
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Afroniquely-You/105658582922

Jah Bless

Naturally

Foxy Feature: Nadine Anderson (of curlharmony.co.uk)

One of the main reasons for me creating this blog is the lack of choice for natural products here in the UK. This lady has been a life saver for me.

It gives me great pleasure to speak to Ms Anderson.  I have already confessed my love for her products (in this post)  I am currently in the process of reviewing some of my new stash!! {will post of a few in a day or two} and she has very kindly agreed to take time out of her busy schedule to talk a little about her journey.

The gorgeous Curl Harmony range was developed to help all curly-haired girls make the most of their natural curly-headed beauty.

Without the right knowledge and treatment curly hair can easily become unruly and unmanageable.

Nadine Anderson discovered how easily this happens when she ditched her relaxers (a chemical straightening process) and found it impossible to find natural, nourishing curl-loving hair products specifically for Afro hair in the UK. But frustration is often the catalyst to opportunity and Nadine decided to do something about it for herself and other UK women.

Realising the similarities between all types of curly hair, Nadine developed a range of handmade products using luxurious natural ingredients for every curly girl’s needs. 

All Curl Harmony products are free from harmful chemicals and ingredients unsuitable for curly hair which are often found in other shampoos and conditioners, including petrochemicals, silicones and sulphates.

We use completely natural or naturally derived ingredients with small amounts of allergen free fragrance oils and a safe paraben and formaldehyde free preservative system.

Taken from www.curlharmony.co.uk

How did your natural Hair journey begin?