Jennifer Dylan

Meet Jennifer Dylan an actress and model from Brooklyn who has been natural since 2004. As for why she went natural, Jennifer says, " I decided to go natural while I was in college. The price of a relaxer was way over my college budget so I chose to grow my hair out and take my chances and to my surprise I had curly hair." Jennifer maintains her lovely curls with a simple regimen, "I wash my hair about once a week and condition it between washes. I get my color done every 6 – 7 weeks," she says. "I love Aussie’s leave in conditioning mousse and Moroccan oil."

As for getting her hair colored, here's what Jennifer shared about her experience...

I dyed my hair about 2 yrs ago. I started with light brown highlights (my natural color is a dark brown with red undertones) and every 7 weeks or so I go back to have my roots done. Every time I take my hair a little blonder. I am now at a caramel blond with golden blond highlights. I find that the color change does make my hair dryer, but I purchased a great end sealer, conditioner, and a color safe shampoo. My hair has actually doubled in length since I went natural. I highly recommend it, its so much fun and you may get hooked!

"Big and curly, the bigger the better," is Jennifer's hair styling philosophy. Her favorite stylist is Ms. Devin Pifer (www.HairByDevin.com). Jennifer says the secret to maintaining healthy hair is a great conditioner. She also makes another suggestion: "change up your hair style, your hair can get bored too!"

As for her personal style, Jennifer says, "My style is a mix between Beyonce’s sexy fierceness and the sophisticated and classy Sanaa Lathan. I love H&M and Forever 21, the clothing is fun and its doesn’t break my pocket. A great pair of heels and jeans that fit perfectly are my wardrobe must-haves."

Moya

Meet Moya from Tampa. She is a full-time student, model, and entrepreneur and has been natural for almost 2 years.

Moya on going natural...

I think it is important for a black woman to experience their natural hair at one time in their adult life...such a beautiful self realization process i am going through

Moya on her regimen...

Wash n' go...pick the fro'

Hair tips/secrets...

Moisturize! Comb carefully! Embrace the process!

Favorite place to buy hair products...

Wal-mart!

Favorite hair style...

I like to braid it at night and let it free flow in the morning.

Shaka

Meet Shaka from Phoenix a plus model and creative vagabond.

On going natural...

I've been natural since 2002. A summer off a perm turned into a style change. I moved to Arizona and my hair began to fall out at the roots. My dad, being a hairstylist, decided I should take a break from chemicals and processing. I discovered I had very manageable roots and viola, the afro was born.

On her regimen...

I wash my hair twice a week, moisturize with heavy creams due to the climate here, braid, and wear.

Favorite hair products... Any Design Essential product and B&B Mayonnaise and Honey Hair Cream.

Hair care tips/secrets... Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. There’s nothing worst than an ashy ‘fro.

Favorite hair style... I love putting big rollers in my hair and wearing the huge, curly look. It lasts for days and it’s a more refined way to wear my afro.

On style... My style is Madonna meets Rihanna. I always have to have a nice vest of some sort, a funky watch/head piece, and a fly pair of booties/heels. I enjoy mixing sophisticated looks with random pieces and a hot shoe.

Shaka's site... www.theofficialshaka.com

Leave questions and comments for Shaka in the comments!

Shannon from Phoenix

Meet Shannon a student and model who has been natural her entire life!

Shannon's on her hair care regimen...
Normally wash and condition about every two to three days. Trim only when absolutely needed because so many people have messed up my curls before, I don't trust people when it comes to dealing with curls! And color maybe every 2 to 3 months.

On her favorite hair products...
I have a list of favorite hair products! First, after washing, I use Motions Hair Lotion. Then, scrunch and curl it up with Smooth'n Shine Polishing Silk'n Curl Styling Creme Gel and one squirt of Smooth'n Shine Polishing Moose, and finish it all of with Herbal Essences Hair Spray!

On her favorite hair style...
Depending on the weather, definitely out and curly. If it is humid or rainy outside, maybe in just a curly pony tail or half up half down do.

Must-haves in her wardrobe...
Skinny jeans, heels, and black black black tops!

Photo by... Leo Howard

Sacita from Brooklyn

Meet Sacita, a full time hospital manager/model/dancer.

On going natural... I have been natural now for 10 years. As a child you are raised with the complex that curly hair is bad hair, but as I grew up into a woman I learned to how beautiful, exotic, and empowering curly hair is. I also find out that curly hair is a trait of dominance.



On her hair care regimen... I deep condition my hair weekly. In the summer, I wash it at least three times because I am a very active person. I color my hair every two months as needed. My favorite products are Barry Fletcher, Carol’s daughter, Shine, Olive Natural.

Hair care tips... My tips to maintain healthy hair are; conditioning, do not use any gel or leave in conditioner that contains alcohol, and treat your hair once a month to olive oil or mayonnaise treatment. I love wearing my hair lose and wild.

Photos by... www.championeyemedia.com

Ingrea from Dallas

Meet Ingrea from Dallas.

On going natural... I've been natural continuously now for 3 years, but I first shaved my head and started from scratch when I was 13 and went through all kinds of hairstyles from there. I got tired of the maintenance of having a relaxer and felt I would have the freedom I wanted and needed by going natural.

On her hair care regimen... I wash my hair 1-2 times a week with conditioner, and I pick it out while conditioning in the shower 1-2 times a week if that often.

Favorite hair care products... Suave conditioners for dry hair, olive oil, and filtered water. I use the 3 of them combined as a leave-in conditioner in a spray bottle.

Tips for maintaining healthy hair... trim ends, deep condition at least twice a month, and drink plenty of water and eat fruits and vegetables.

On style... I am a hippie rocker soul-child. My favorite places to shop is any store that has my sizes at an affordable price (Wet Seal, L'Patricia, Forever 21). I must have earrings. If I don't have any other accessory on I'll most likely be wearing earrings.

Words of wisdom... Love life and live each day like it's your last. Know that just when you think your situation is bad there's someone going through something far worse. Instead of being unhappy about what you don't have be grateful for what you do have. Peace and much love!

Links...

Check out Ingrea's myspace page.

Photos by Jessica D'Onofrio: dallas-headshots.com and jessicadonofrio.com

Phina from The Bronx

Meet Phina from the Bronx. She's been natural for a year and a half.

On going natural...
I went natural because I believe it's healthier and I wanted something new.

Her hair care regimen...
If my hair isn't in some kind of style, I wash at least once a week and condition twice a week.

Hair secrets...

A silk scarf or pillow cover will help decrease breakage, trust me! Condition A LOT! I use edible mayo half the time. Braid once in a while...your hair needs a break too.

Favorite styles...
I love to wear my hair in a mohawky style (corn rows on the side and twists in the middle) just as seen in most of my pics...sometimes with extensions other times without.

Photos by...

Zoom Society

Sidney Etienne

Cara Brianne

Meet Cara Brianne a social work PhD student from California who has been natural for 10 years.

On going natural... When I was in college I decided that it wasn't worth it to me to get it straightened after a friend of mine offered to give me a relaxer and I ended up with a burned scalp!

Cara Brianne's hair care regimen... I wash my hair every other day. I use Pantene Pro-V Hydrating Curls shampoo and conditioner. After rinsing out the conditioner, I reapply some to use as a leave-in and comb out my curls and let my hair air dry. Through many trials, Pantene has proven to work the best on my hair.

Favorite hair style... Loose with natural curl or pulled into a loose ponytail.

Hair care tips... Regular trims and monthly deep conditioning are essential.

Photos by Udo Sprietzenbarth

Sarah B.

Meet Sarah B. a model/stylist/fashion junkie from St. Louis. She's always been natural.

On style... My style is Beat Girl meets Sex and the City. Boutiques are my favorite place to shop and I must have simple tank tops, big earrings, my fav jeans and bright colored shoes in my wardrobe at all times.

Sarah B.'s hair care regimen... I never wash with shampoo. All the hair products I use are water soluble, so I only use conditioner. I condition every other day and get a trim every 6 weeks. My stylist uses Shades by L'Oréal. It's a rinse, so it colors and conditions my hair. I do that sporadically as it depends on what color I want my hair

Sarah's hair secrets... I use a wide tooth comb, keep my hair moisturized and stay away from direct heat.

Favorite place to buy hair products... I work at the Face and the Body Spa in St. Louis, thats where I get my products.

Favorite hair style... Big!

Sarah's favorite hair products... I use Spirale Extreme Curl Defining Creme by L'Oréal as well as Liss Ultime Masque by L'Oréal.




Sarah's photo by JLR Photography and Design

Beauty Foster

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...

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

On places to buy hair products...
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

Akeba from Cali

Meet Akeba, a writer who has been natural for 10 months.

On going natural...

I had really long hair and I wanted to cut it off for Locks of Love. I had a relaxer on it at the time. Since I was cutting it all off, I just decided to go natural.

Akeba's hair care regimen...

I wash with shampoo once a week and I wet it every day and put conditioner on it. Then comb through it with my fingers (I never use a comb). Then I rinse and put leave in conditioner in it. I run my fingers through it again to get the frizzies out and then I just let it air dry. When it's dry, I puff it out with my fingers to give it a bit of volume.

Favorite hair products...

Deva conditioner and Bouncy Creme Leave-in conditioner

Akeba's hair secrets/tips...

No more chemical relaxers. My hair is so much healthier since I stopped relaxing it and it is growing like crazy.

Favorite salon/stylist/place to buy hair products...

Capella in Los Angeles on Ventura Keyonna specifically. She taught me how to go naturally curly.

Kadeja from Philly

Meet Kadeja also know as Miss Earth Pennsylvania. She is actress/(role)model/entrepreneur who has been natural her whole life.

On her hair care regimen...
If I am wearing it in a natural state, I wash every 2 days. I NEVER COLOR MY HAIR because I love my natural color. I try to trim it every 2 months.

Hair tips/secrets...

Ask around! I always ask people in the stores or on the street with my type of hair what kind of products they use, and then I try it. If it works, cool, if not ok now I know that's not right for me. You don't have to spend alot on your hair products to have the best. If it smells good, leaves your hair feeling amazing, and it makes you feel beautiful inside when you're done, then that's the product for you! I love Walmart, you can get most of all the brands in the big bottles at a great price!

Favorite salon and stylist...

I get my hair trimmed at: Blue Orchid Hair Salon on 4405 Chestnut St in Philadelphia, PA (215) 222-9080. Andrea is amazing with dealing with natural hair.

Kadeja wants you to know about...

Paisley Jewel

To You, From Me Soaps

Kacie Kace

Meet aspiring model Kacie Kace from Cali.

On being natural...
I've always been natural but I just started wearing my hair down within the last two years.

On her hair care regimen...

I wash and condition my hair every three days and get a trim every six months

Favorite hair products...
I love "Smooth Down" by Redken. I use their shampoo, conditioner and serum.

Hair secrets...

My top secrets would be... don't swim a lot (if you do, use a heavy leave in conditioner after), drink lots of water and get a trim every three or six months, oh and stay natural, heat damages your hair.

Favorite hair style...

I love wearing my hair BIG AND CURLY, just wild!

On style...
I would say my style is very hippie chic, comfortable and upscale casual. Urban Outfitters and vintage stores are my favorite, anything different and original. Shoes and purses are my addiction.

Links...

Kacie Kace on Myspace

Photos by

Sarah Sandin

Shantrelle from New Orleans

Meet Shantrelle P. Lewis, Madame Curator/Executive Director & Curator of the McKenna Museum of African American Art and a Professor of African World Studies at Dillard University. She's been natural for 8 years.

On going natural...
The first person that I met with natural hair that was a peer was one of my best friends at Howard who had locs when we met freshman year. She was actually also the very first person I met on campus. Coming from New Orleans, we ALL had relaxers. She was from New York and had this earthy, funky bohemian flare. I kept cutting my hair shorter and shorter until one day, I went to the barber shop and decided to chop it all off. My hair reflected the growth I experienced as a young woman coming into my own. Now, I can’t imagine having a relaxer. My hair is a representative of who I am. It actually has a personality of its own so sometimes. It does all the talking without me having to say a word.

Favorite hair products...
Carol’s Daughter Tui Hair Oil and Mimosa Hair Honey. I also really like Nature’s Gate shampoos and conditioners (henna, tea tree and herbal conditioner). I have yet to check out Oyin Handmade products but some of my dearest friends swears by them...so needless to say, I’ll be trying some of their “Greg juice” really soon.

Hair tips/secrets...
Freedom: Most black women OVER DO IT: over-dye, over-heat, over-process, over-weave, or over-braid their hair. I’ve been blessed with naturally thick hair from my paternal gene pool but I also allow my hair to roam free without doing too much to it.

Moisturize: Depending on your hair type, it’s essential. I’ve historically suffered from dry scalp/skin, so it’s necessary that I keep my hair moisturized to maintain its healthiness.

Everybody’s not a beautician: I’m extremely selective about who I let in my hair...for both spiritual reasons and aesthetic ones. Everyone is not a “hair care” taker, including yourself. So instead of trying to do my hair myself or just letting any random person with even more random energy get “in my head,” I choose my hair dressers with care. I pay close attention to their energy, their consciousness, the products they use and their “hair care” methods.

Favorite salon and stylist in New Orleans...

Dwana Makeba at Beauty on the Bayou

Favorite salon in Philly...
Duafe

Favorite place to buy hair products...
Carol’s Daughter and Whole Foods Market

Favorite hair style...
I’m a Gemini so it’s soooo hard to say. I’ve worn my hair in everything from a fade, to locs, to a bush, to bantu knots. It all depends on my attitude and the moment. Currently, I think my favorite would have to be the mohawk that I’m rocking now, with my bantu knots coming in a close second place.

On style...
I am Zora Neale Hurston meets Carmen de Lavallade meets M.C. Lyte meets All of Fela’s wives meets an “ole lady in the 9th ward” – I’m kind of like a southern belle, tom boy, Afro-futuristic fashionista.

Favorite places to shop...
In New Orleans – Funky Monkey and Buffalo Exchange
On the East Coast – ZARA and thrift stores
In Europe and Africa – the markets!

Wardrobe must-haves...
Fresh earrings and sunglasses...Never leave home without them.

You should know...
I’m working on a website that will launch at the end of the summer. In the meantime, folks can check out www.themckennamuseum.com for the Art museum that I re-established in New Orleans or www.youngfriendssociety.org for the non-profit organization I founded (with the help of some amazing, talented people) for young folks interested in supporting African Diasporan cultural institutions.

Shayna

On going natural...
I’ve been natural since the 9th grade. I’m 23 years old now, so I guess that makes it about 9 years. I was looking through pictures of myself when I was about 2 or 3 years old and I came across a picture of my hair freshly washed (hadn’t been towel-dried or combed). My curls were just poppin’! I was like, “Oh my goodness! Why am I relaxing my hair?!” So from then on, I transitioned and was completely natural by my senior year of high school.

Hair care regimen...
I wash once a week. When I was transitioning I co-washed about every other day. But yeah, I do wash and condition my hair once a week. Once I get out of the shower, I finger comb VO5 conditioner in my hair and seal with pure, raw Shea Butter. Throughout the week, I spritz with water and seal with pure, raw coconut oil.

Favorite hair products...
Qhemet Biologics, Giovanni, raw shea butter, raw coconut oil and VO5 because of the slip. I like to go the natural route because that is what my hair absolutely LOVES.

Hair tips/secrets...

1. MOISTURIZE!
2. Don’t play with your hair too much…just let it be.
3. Use direct heat once in a blue moon.

Favorite salon...
I don’t go to the salon much because I wear my hair curly most of the time. So when it’s time for a trim (which she usually has to flat iron my hair to do so) I go to the salon. BUT it’s this little salon in LA on Crenshaw. I don’t know the name of it. Hahaha. All I know is the address is 4643 Crenshaw Blvd.
Favorite stylist...
Her name is Tracey. An old co-worker of mine who had long beautiful hair referred me. I like her because she doesn’t trim off too much hair.
Favorite place to buy products...
Online. Drug stores. Or the 99cents store for my VO5. Hahaha. But the raw Shea Butter and raw coconut oil I got when I was in Africa (I’m half West-African) and I couldn’t go back to America without bringing a tub full of each!

Favorite hair style..
Down and curly.

On style...
Relaxed during the day, sassy at night.

Favorite places to shop...
Small boutiques anywhere (not in the mall). I find them to be more personable and have at least one thing you like. The same goes for accessories. But a quick, alternative route for accessories is Nordstrom’s.

Wardrobe must-have...
A purse that will make any outfit look great.

Keshia Waldron of Pennsylvania

Meet Keshia Waldron, an ambitious young woman going after her dreams.

On being natural...
Honestly when it comes to hair I don't like for it to be a hassle for me. If my face shape was one where I can rock short hair I would of chopped it off a long time ago. Natural styles are not typically common so I think wearing it natural makes me an individual because in my hometown of Harrisburg, PA I haven't seen any females rocking a fro.

Favorite products...
Organics By Africa's Best and shea butter

Hair secrets/tips...
I think washing your hair every other week and keeping it moisturized by using products with shea butter will help, personally I use Organics by Africa's Best it really helps to soften my hair.


Favorite hair style..
I just love to change it up. I'm curious to see how many ways my fro can be styled.



On style...
When it comes to style I like being different. Trends are all good but I don't like to walk down the street and see like 10 different people wearing the same thing I am. I'm a big fan of color and just unique pieces. I Iove Wet Seal, Forever21, and this store in my local mall called Blush. I have to have heels I love stilettos!!!


Keshia's links...
www.modelmayhem.com/keshiawaldron
www.myspace.com/officiallykeshia

Photos by...
Jordan Beckham Photography