A Day in the Curls of Roseiby

A Day in the Curls of Roseiby

Q: To begin with, have you ever had a relaxer?

A: When I was younger my mother would take me to get it done but it’s been a while since I did it; I would say since 2001 when I was 14.

Q: At what age did you start getting relaxers?

A: I don’t remember, I really don’t and I don’t want to be inaccurate.

Q: Why did you make the decision to stop getting relaxers?

A: It was when I was older, and at the time I just did whatever I wanted to my hair. It was always my mom’s idea to get them. At that time I didn’t mind getting them because, honestly, I hated my hair. The kids at school would call me a Chia Pet when I was younger so, I felt so much better having straight hair I remember doing it once after moving to Florida. But, when I was old enough to start doing my own thing, I did.

Q: So, it sound like you did not like getting relaxers. How did you mom feel about your decision to no longer relax your hair?

A: My mom didn’t really care like, she wasn’t mad. I had heard that relaxers were bad for my hair so I didn’t want to do it anymore and people were always telling me I had "good hair" so I didn’t feel like I needed to do it anyway.

Q: Would you say that the decision to no longer relax your hair affected your attitude or view towards yourself or others in anyway? Or were you too young then for it to really effect you?

A: I just wanted to have long hair so when I heard that relaxers were "bad" I just stopped. But, after I stopped relaxing my hair I just wore it in a pony and didn’t really take care of it or even wore it in a poof for a long time.

Q: What about now? Do you feel that you have learned to manage your natural hair better as time went on?

A: I’m still learning. I kind of walked into my poofiness by accident. One time I washed it and didn’t do anything to it, just wore it down, and I got so many compliments on my curls! I would say this was around 2005/6ish so ever since then I just been wearing it like I wear it now; pretty much get up & go. It wasn’t until lately after talking to you and other naturalistas that I learned  about hair products that would help my puff become even greater so, I’m still learning and my poof is still a work in progress.

Q: Do you miss relaxers or do you think that you will ever go back to relaxers?

A: Hell to the nah, I will never go back to relaxers again! I don’t even trust keratin treatments, which have been suggested to me so many times.

Q: If you have a daughter, do you think that you will relax her hair?

A: NO, lol.  My friend asked me that the other day, I want my baby to have healthy hair and if it’s not curly like mine, I’ll just find other ways to take care of it. I really just don’t believe in relaxers anymore.

(Roseiby's imaginary daughter, lol)

Q: What is your favorite product to use in your hair?

A: I just recently bought a Shea Moisture Curl Smoothie for my hair which is really awesome and makes my hair smell really good.

Q: What is your signature hair style?

A: I like wearing my hair with a side part and creating like a side bang.

Q: What is your favorite thing about your hair now?

A: I love how it always sticks out, no matter where I go and it’s so soft.

Q: What is your guilty hair pleasure (something you do to your hair even though you know it is not necessarily good fort it)?

A: Sometimes, I flat iron it when I want to take a break from the curl world.

Q: What advice would you give little curlies who are insecure about their curls due to bullying?

A: I would say they’re just jealous. Not everyone is blessed to have crazy beautiful hair so embrace it! It used to hurt my feelings when the kids at school called me a Chia Pet, now I’ll take that and be proud! My big hair is definitely something I’m proud of & I hope to make it even bigger....take that Chia Pet!

Would you like to share your curl journey? Contact me at spokenheart_mf@aol.com and share your natural pride with the world!

 

Wicked Wednesdays

Wicked Wednesday

During a time where people of color were fighting daily to have our basic rights, there was a sub group of people that had a whole other struggle that was going unrecognized or maybe just devalued. While fighting next to men everyday in a war of equality, women were still struggling to be considered equal to their counterparts. Here are a few natural women that helped both people of color and women in general become recognized as people.

Elaine Brown

The Black Panther Party is praised for the work that it did for the Black community and the power and confidence it provided to our people. But, they still struggled to see women as equivalent. Elaine Brown was one of few female leaders in the Black Panther Party and was appointed by Huey Newton, himself. While in power she put a focus on community service and founded the Panthers Liberation School. She was once asked how she felt about being a Black Panther and answered with the following,"It meant surrendering our lives to something greater, which was the notion of, of getting rid of oppression and all the things that oppression meant and mean in this country for Black people and other people in the country."

Kathleen Cleaver

Kathleen Cleaver was the Communications Secretary of the Black Panther Party. She became involved with the party after meeting her future husband, Eldridge Cleaver, at a student conference at Fisk University. In addition to being the secretary she also was a spokesperson and press secretary for the party. When Huey Newton was jailed, she led the campaign to free him and she also placed third when she ran for California's 18th state assembly district as a member of the Peace and Freedom Party. She and her husband often found themselves being harassed by the police as a result of their dedication to the Black Panther Party.

Assata Shakur

Assata Shakur was also a member of the Black Panther Party and eventually left and became a member of the Black Liberation Movement. After being pulled over by a member of the New Jersey Police Department in 1973 she was shot twice and charged with the murder of a police officer. She and her comrade were convicted of murder even though there was no evidence of her having a weapon on her person or firing any weapons and sentenced to life in prison. She escaped from NJ Edna Mahan Correctional Facility after 6.5 Years and fled to Cuba. She still remains in Cuba and is revered as leader in the movement for the Black Liberation Movement, Student Rights Movement and The Movement to End the War in Vietnam.

Safiya Bukhari

Safiya Bukhrai became a part of the movement in 1969 when she intervened on behalf of a young Panther whom was being harassed by the police for selling the Party’s newspaper on a street corner. After defending the young Panther’s First Amendment right, she found herself handcuffed in the back of a police car. Her focuses as an activist were on community and welfare rights. She led self defense lessons, volunteered her time to the liberation school, sold the Black Panther paper, taught political education classes and even joined in the Breakfast for children program. After only being involved in the party for two years, she became the leader of the New York chapter’s Information and Communications. After her work with the Black Panther Party she also became involved with The Black Liberation Army. After her release from prison, where she served close to 9 years, she continued her work with a focus on political support for incarcerated political prisoners and former Panthers.

Tarika Lewis

Tarika Lewis is often recognized as the first woman to join the Black Panther Party. She found the party during her work in the Black Student Union at Oakland Tech where she led sit ins for Black studies courses. She has recounted many stories about the struggles of being a woman in the Black Panther Party. She recalls having to work harder than her male counterparts just to prove that she was equal to them and the threats of rape from police officers that were made to her and her female peers. She taught drill class and led political education sessions during her work as a Panther.

Don’t forget to send your favorite pictures of yourself and your natural looks to spokenheart_mf@aol.com to be featured in Wicked Wednesday!

Protective Style

Protective Style

Lately, I have been finding my hair to be a most burdensome task. I have no energy to do it every day or twist it up every night and I know that is the reason that my ends had become so split last time. So I have been trying to twist it up and do something to it often, but I usually only make it through a quarter of my hair each night before I give up.

I was considering either locking up or doing another big chop since Havana twist hair costs so much (13.99 per pack) and it was the only thing that seemed easy enough to do on my own.

Then I decided to get puffy twist. The only problem with this was that I didn’t really want to pay 50.00-150.00 just to get a hairstyle that won’t last me nearly long enough o justify it aannnddd, all the stylists that I reached out that would’ve been within a desirable price range did not know what puffy twists were.

Finally one of the stylists responded that she wasn’t aware what puffy twists were but she would Youtube them, then I thought, well hell I can Youtube them myself. So, I went and bought the hair and turned on my YET (Youtube Educational Television) and taught myself to do puffy twists.

I must say that I am very proud of myself and how they turned out and even more excited about the fact that I will not have to do my hair for at least a month, that is usually how long it takes my hair to get tired of these types of hairstyles.

Directions

1. To begin with, I bought 4 packs of hair.

2. I already had my hair in comb curls, so I just used those parts and split some in half that may have been too big. I didn’t want them very small though.

3. Before twisting each section I applied a leave in conditioner and sealed my ends with Shea Butter.

4. I secured the strands of hair and took a portion of the weave and wrapped it around the root of my hair.

5. I then criss crossed it under the root and began to plait it using the 2 strands of the weave wrapped around my hair and the third strand being my hair.

6. After plaiting for about 3 rotations, I split my hair in half and began twisting it with the other two pieces of hair like you would a regular 3 strand twist.

7. I then sealed the end of the twist with Shea Butter.

8. Repeat this process until the whole head is complete.

Are you trying anything new with your hair?

Wicked Wednesday: Afro's and Fashion

Wicked Wednesday: Afro's and Fashion

Pat Cleveland

Pat Cleveland was discovered by the editor of Vogue in 1967 as she was traveling on a New York subway. Her career took off in the 70’s as people became mesmerized by her mulatto features. With a Cherokee, Irish and African America heritage she was marked by light skin and flowing black hair that allowed her to "pass" enough to use "Whites Only" washrooms.

Her distinctive features allowed her great fame and success but not enough to disenchant her with the obvious racism and lack of respect for her heritage. She has recounted stories of her and her fellow colleagues being attacked and even attempted rape from the KKK. This lack of respect prompted her to move to Paris to further pursue her career and she vowed to never return until US Vogue printed its first black cover.

After getting married and making a family she mostly retired but still passed her love of fashion and modeling her daughter, Anna von Ravenstein.

                               Grace Jones

Grace Jones is a Jamaican born model, singer and actress who began capturing fashion lover’s hearts in the 70’s. Her striking features and androgynous looks were hard to ignore and her daring fashion sense secured her as a fashion icon.

By the end of the 70’s she had secured a record deal and secured a name for herself on the US dance charts and earning her the title "Queen of the Gay Discos" After an anti disco movement she released more experimental work.

Then she took a break to focus on film work and  

She has also acted in a number of movies like James Bond and Boomerang.

Eventually she did return to her music career and is still performing to this day.

Donyale Luna

Donyale Luna is considered one of the first black covergirls and was the first black woman to be on a cover of Bazaar. She considered a pioneer as far as black women and the fashion industry grows. She was discovered in the same year as the Civil Rights Act by David McCabe who rushed her to meet Nancy White. Nancy was so engrossed by her beauty that she immediately had her drawn and featured on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar.

At the tender age of 16, she was whisked away to New York and enveloped in the world of fashion and beauty where her career took off as quickly as it started.

She found herself hurled into a world of famous friends with access to anything they wanted when she learned of her mother killing her father out of self defense. She found herself immersed in world of drugs and alcohol despite her firm belief against drug abuse.

Like most talented African Americans of her time, she fled to London and her career recovered.  

At the time of her death she left behind her 18 month old daughter, Dream.

(Dream Cazzaniga, daughter of Donyale Luna)

Alek Wek

Alek was discovered in the UK in the 90’s shortly after her family fled her hectic home of Civil War amidst a dangerous Civil War.

She first caught attention when she made face in a Tina Turner video and then became a common face in ads by Clinique, Victoria Secret and Donna Karan, amongst others.

She has also appeared in quite a few music videos since her career has taken off.

She has also worked on the US Committee for Refugees during her time working for humanitarian rights.

She is both an author, she released the auto-biography "Alek: From Sudanese Refugee to International Supermodel" in 2007, and handbag designer.

She is also a missionary for World Vision, an ambassador for Doctors Without Borders and a volunteer for UNICEF.

 

Jade

Jade was discovered in Cycle 6 of ANTM. Raised in Philly of African American and Indian heritage, Jade had prior experience in modeling and music videos before her discovery on ANTM. During her time on ANTM she was constantly ridiculed and scolded for her arrogance, although she struggled to recognize this trait in herself. Since her appearance on the show she has had much success in her modeling career.

She has even opened her own productions company "Biracial Butterfly Productions" and featured in several ads for Apple Bottom Clothing Line.

Summertime Recipes

Summertime Recipes

As previously discussed, with the heat well on its way, we must take extra precautions to help keep our scalps clean, moisturized and hydrated. Below are a number of recipes that you can make in your kitchen to aid in your hair health.


Some naturals prefer to not use shampoo, but how do we remove product build up without using a clarifying shampoo or any shampoo for that matter?

Baking Soda Clarifying Rinse
Mix:
 1 tablespoon baking soda
  3 tablespoons curly-friendly conditioner

Spread combined ingredients on scalp and massage firmly, continue to massage the mixture down to the ends of the hair. Make sure it is thoroughly applied to hair. Rinse completely with warm water and follow immediately with an apple cider vinegar rinse.

Note: Baking soda is alkaline-meaning it will raise your cuticle and open up your hair shaft. The apple cider vinegar is acidic and will close your cuticle back down. If you don't follow the cleanse with an ACV rinse, you'll be leaving your hair shaft open and setting yourself up for more frizz than you'd probably like.


In the previous article it was mentioned that we should always take precautions with our curls before entering the pool, but what if we forget? Or what about the exposure that we cannot prevent? Here is a recipe that will help with any chlorine exposure that our curls suffer.

Chlorine Buster
Mix:
  1 egg (beaten)
  2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup pureed, peeled cucumber

Knead well into hair from roots to ends, and then wrap with a plastic processing cap. Let sit for 30-60 minutes at room temperature, then cleanse hair.

Deep Conditioning Treatment
Too busy to spend a day sitting around waiting for your dc to complete? At bedtime, spread a good deep moisture treatment through your slightly damp curls. Envelop your hair completely with a plastic processing cap drift into dream land; you may want to take extra precautions to avoid your pillow becoming soaked in oil. In the morning, rinse out the treatment, and then scrunch in your styling products, style and go. Presto! An overnight dc for the busy curly!

*This is also known as the baggy method.

Hair Growth Oil Blend

Combine:
  3 drops cedarwood essential oil
 3 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops lemon essential oil
3 drops rosemary essential oil
  3 drops thyme essential oil
 1/8 cup grapeseed oil
1/8 cup jojoba oil

Place several drops of the mixture to areas of hair loss each night, knead gently into the scalp for 3-5 minutes. 

Hair Detangling Spray
This concoction can be stored in a bottle and used in the shower to help with detangling.

Combine:
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
  1/2 teaspoon grapefruit seed extract
 2 drops grapefruit essential oil
§  2 drops glycerin
§  8 ounces purified water

Mix together in a spray bottle and keep in the shower. Spray lightly to help detangle hair.

Honey Hair Conditioner

Combine:
§  1/2 cup honey, warmed in the microwave
 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Massage well into hair from scalp to ends, and then cover with a plastic processing cap. Process for 30 minutes at room temperature, and then cleanse hair with a non-sulfate cleanser. For added penetration, sit under a warm (not hot) dryer for 20 minutes.

Heating the honey is optional, but if not heated the honey can lighten your hair color due to its natural properties.

Hot (Olive) Oil Treatment

§  1/4 cup olive oil

Spread well into hair from roots to ends, wrap with a plastic cap. Sit for 30 minutes at room temperature, and then cleanse hair. To intensify, sit under a warm dryer for 20 minutes.

Good for over moisturized and colored hair.  
Protein Pack

Mix:
§  1 egg, beaten
§  1 tablespoon full fat mayonnaise
§  2 teaspoons olive oil

Mold well into hair from roots to ends, and then envelop with a plastic cap. Sit for one hour at room temperature, cleanse hair. To intensify, sit under a warm dryer for 30 minutes.

Another protein treatment.
Egg Hair Treatment 

Mix:

§  1 egg
§  1 tablespoon honey
§  1 tablespoon plain yogurt
1. Crack the egg into a bowl. Mix with a fork.
2. Add yogurt and honey to the bowl. Mix well.
3. Pour the mixture onto clean, damp hair.
4. Massage into the hair, and place hair into a plastic shower cap.
5. Let egg mixture sit in hair for 30 minutes.
6. Rinse the egg mixture out of the hair with cool water. Style hair as usual.

 

And another protein treatment!
Mayonnaise Hair Treatment 
§  2 tablespoon mayonnaise
§  Towel
§  Plastic bag
1. Dampen hair with warm water, and envelop your hair in the towel until mixture is ready.
2. Place mayonnaise into a bowl.
3. Spread mayonnaise abundantly on the scalp, rubbing it in with the fingertips until all hair is smothered.
5. Enclose plastic bag around the hair.
6. Let sit on hair for 20 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly.  
Natural Leave In Hair Conditioner Recipe 
Ingredients:
§  2 Ounces Aloe Vera Juice
§  2 - 3 Drops Rosemary Essential Oil

Add Aloe Vera to a small spray bottle.  Add essential oil and shake. 
Apply to hair liberally to prevent frizz and style hair as usual.
Shake before use and regularly to avoid separation.

Natural Hair Conditioning 
For a conditioning treatment for hair, melt about a tablespoon of Shea Butter in the palm of hands and work through hair.  Leave on 20 minutes to 2 hours.  Shampoo as usual. 
  

These recipes and many other can be found at the following websites:
http://livecurlylivefree.com/home%20remedies.htm
http://www.motherearthliving.com/natural-health/repair-chlorine-damaged-hair-in-your-kitchen.aspx
http://www.soapforgoodnesssake.com/22.html

What products or mixtures do you use for your summertime regimen?

Summer Hair

Summer Hair

As well all know, it has been predicted that winter is coming to an end and spring is rapidly approaching. For most people that leaves time to prepare, but in Florida we only have two seasons, summer and something like winter. So, I will be discussing tips for keeping our hair healthy while battling this Florida heat.

     The most important thing for both your hair health and your physical health is to stay hydrated! The one plus to living in Florida is that we have so many beaches, but a note for all naturals is that sea water and salt spray are both beneficial to our curls. They help our curls become springier and tighter, there are sea sprays that can be purchased and also recipes for salt water for your hair.

     There are also tips for those curlies that prefer the pool to the beach. We must make sure that we take precautions to help protect our hair from the chlorine. You can do this by wetting your hair prior to getting in the pool with regular tap water and applying a little oil (not so much that you create a oil ring in the pool, lol) to seal your hair and help keep the chlorine from overly saturating the hair. Or for a simpler fix, you can simply wear a swim cap ;)

     Of course it is very important to drink water on a regular basis, 64 ounces a day, but it is even more important to stay hydrated in the summer heat. So, simply put, drink!!!!

     Equally important as taking the initiative to hydrate your hair is taking the time to make sure that the moisture can stay in your hair. This can be done by either using a moisturizing product or applying oils regularly. It is also a great idea to concoct a mixture of your favorite oils in a little spray bottle with some water so that you can spritz your hair on the go.

     Also keep in mind that the sun is an indirect heat, so we must take caution to keep our hair from being burned. Shea butter and Sesame Oil can be used to as a UV protectant on the hair. It is also a good idea to use protective styles whenever possible to defend our vulnerable ends from further damage.

     The heat may cause us to feel like we need to wash our hair more, just be sure to not over wash. Remember that shampoo strips or hair of the oils that we need. We can still co-wash during the summer and sometimes we can even just rinse out hair to refresh our scalp to get that clean feeling and it will provide some nice hydration. Rinsing with cold water after a co-wash can assist with sealing in the moisture and providing a nice cool down. Then just let the sun and wind air dry. This will prevent breakage and splint ends from letting our hair dry while in pony tails and allow your scalp to breath. This will also allow us to avoid too much manipulation.

What do you do to protect your curls from the summer heat?

Faux Hawk

Faux Hawk

I like to think that my signature style is my Faux Hawk. When I’m out at events, I am often approached and asked how I manage to keep it all so neat and tight, so I have decided to share my secret with one rule. If you use it, then you must share the results. ;)

What you will need: bobby pins, hard brush, gel or cream, lots of patience and will power

1.  Apply gel or cream to either side of your hair and brush it up, if your hair is long then you will have to brush it higher. I have to brush my hair almost to the middle of my head.

2. Once you have brushed it all up firmly, take one side of hair and hold it as tightly upward as possible. Begin securing it with bobby pins at the point that you have brushed it up to.

a. Now you must know that this will not be easy and you must be patient and maybe even try a few times to keep it all in order and neat

3. If you have completed steps 1 and 2, take a look into the mirror and admire your work!

Remember to share your faux hawks by submitting them to spokenheart_mf@aol.com for Wicked Wednesday!

Wicked Wednesday

Wicked Wednesday

It’s that time of the week again, where we celebrate all things beautiful and natural!

Wedddnnnesssdaaaay!

Ayesha in her vanity mirror looking pretty amazing!

 

Hair Porn

Fiona out and about working her protective style!

Hair Porn

Anomaly with her TWA, making eyes at her husband!

Hair Porn

Hope you enjoyed this week's edition of Wicked Wednesday!

I look forward to posting your pics out on the town rocking your natural do's!

Send all submissions to spokenheart_mf@aol.com, we always need more to keep Wicked Wednesdays wicked!