Meet performance artist/ writer, Beauty Foster from Brooklyn.
On being natural...
I’ve always wore my hair in its natural state. Ever since I’ve began embracing my curls at 10 years old. Going natural helped me find myself. I had some weird moments growing up being of mixed race. My mother is Puerto Rican and my father is African, so I was different within my family. My Grandmother awkwardly styled my hair. It was quite a challenge because the texture of my hair was incomparable to my mothers soft open long curls. At times I felt out of place with in my family and my culture. My stepfather always complimented my hair, saying he wished he had a fro like mine! So I grew the courage to embrace my curls and taught myself how to appreciate them. It definitely allowed me to embrace myself. Wearing my hair naturally symbolizes my heritage and spirit.
On her hair care regimen...
I wash, condition and comb my hair once a week. I’m too cheap to go to a salon and I had a bad experience at the age of 8 when my mother and I went to an upscale salon in Manhattan to blow dry my hair straight. The stylist did not have a clue in how to work with curly hair so he left me with a straight, puffy fro! So I bought a book that taught me how to treat my hair. I taught myself how to treat my hair appropriately and how to cut and trim. There was a point where I became obsessed with cutting and coloring my hair with crazy colors.
On hair products...
I use VO5 moisturizing shampoo/ conditioner. Shea butter is my favorite hair product. I apply it to my hair when it’s still wet and it locks in moisture and gives shine. It also helps maintaining curls, frizz and leaves my hair soft.
Hair tips and secrets...
I enjoy purchasing my hair products in Brooklyn, Dekalb area where there are street vendors selling Shea Butter 16oz at $5. And there are Beauty Shops where I buy hair oils such as carrot and olive oil. Shea Butter is the best and most inexpensive product for women/men of natural hair textures. It contains a fatty acid that moistures the hair and also the skin.
Favorite style...
My favorite way to wear my hair is in its natural state. Occasionally I use cute, colorful pins and flowers to decorate a simple style. I also love styling my hair into a fro-hawk.
On style...
I draw my style inspiration from New York/Brooklyn culture, military wear, Japanese street fashion and music. (I don’t have any specific person(s) that inspires my style). I love to shop at thrift stores, Salvation Army locations and small shops in Chinatown. I love finding one of kind pieces. I must have a pair of boots, a pair converse and a few mini skirts, and cotton tops in my wardrobe. But I can not live with out my neon green doc martens.
Links...
myspace.com/morbidoamor
On hair products...
I use VO5 moisturizing shampoo/ conditioner. Shea butter is my favorite hair product. I apply it to my hair when it’s still wet and it locks in moisture and gives shine. It also helps maintaining curls, frizz and leaves my hair soft.
Hair tips and secrets...
- Natural curly hair should not be shampooed daily or more then once a week. If washed excessively it’s going to lack moisture, leaving your hair dry.
- Comb your hair with a wide tooth comb; please don’t use a fine tooth comb because you can ruin naturally formed curls. Wide tooth combs are made for thick textured hair and fine tooth combs will only cause a headache.
- The best hair barrettes to use are fabric elastic bands that do not have any metal clasps. I’ve purchased them at Ricky’s; they come in variety of sizes/colors and are cheap. Great for creating different styles and they are easy to remove.
I enjoy purchasing my hair products in Brooklyn, Dekalb area where there are street vendors selling Shea Butter 16oz at $5. And there are Beauty Shops where I buy hair oils such as carrot and olive oil. Shea Butter is the best and most inexpensive product for women/men of natural hair textures. It contains a fatty acid that moistures the hair and also the skin.
Favorite style...
My favorite way to wear my hair is in its natural state. Occasionally I use cute, colorful pins and flowers to decorate a simple style. I also love styling my hair into a fro-hawk.
On style...
I draw my style inspiration from New York/Brooklyn culture, military wear, Japanese street fashion and music. (I don’t have any specific person(s) that inspires my style). I love to shop at thrift stores, Salvation Army locations and small shops in Chinatown. I love finding one of kind pieces. I must have a pair of boots, a pair converse and a few mini skirts, and cotton tops in my wardrobe. But I can not live with out my neon green doc martens.
Links...
myspace.com/morbidoamor
