Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Curl Definition vs. Volume

Definition vs. Volume
I recently read an article that reminded me of a conversation that I once had with some natural friends. The subject in a nutshell was: Definition vs. Volume. Now, I have always been more a volume kind of chick myself but I find myself usually having the same conversation with new naturals: How do I get more curl definition?
The article poised the thought that our desire for perfect little ringlets is a result of conditioned thinking of what our natural hair should look like. Although I would love some Trace Ellis Ross curls showering over my face, I realize that my hair just doesn’t do that. I wonder sometimes if growing up with natural hair makes you more realistic about natural hair expectations than making the change after growing up with relaxed hair.
Transitioning from a lifetime of getting relaxers for as long as you can remember and not knowing what more than a couple months’ worth of new growth looks like can definitely make us ill prepared. Especially since most of the natural hair products and bigger natural hair icons have little spiral curls cascading all about. Even I sometimes catch curl envy.
But, how can we truly grow through our natural journey if we spend the whole time trying to get unnatural curls? Becoming a definition junkie will hinder our hair journey entirely. We become so obsessed with buying new products and smothering our hair in gels and curl creams to get a look that we are still not born with. Now, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t explore. When I’m in a super curly mood, I throw in some small three strand twists and unleash the spiral curls but most of the time, I’m just rocking my semi curly puffy fro.
Long story short; don’t get caught up in all the hype. The point of the natural hair journey is to love yourself and your hair exactly as it grows. Maybe that’s with flowy curls or semi curly puffy fro, but that is the fun in all of this, your hair is uniquely yours!



Are you all about the curls or a sucker for volume?

Wicked Wednesday: Halloween Edition

Wicked Wednesday: Halloween Edition

Halloween is fastly approaching; like tomorrow. I only figured out my costume on Monday, lol. Are you feeling like your costume ideas are limited by your natural hair? Never fear, that has never been further from the truth! Here are a few ideas for your use or to spark your imagination. Enjoy!

Have a short cut? Why not try Onyx?

Rock a bantu knot out and be Valerie from the Pussycat Dolls and Archie comics.
Be a real life Superhero and rock your fro like Angela Davis
Throw in the classsic ponytails and be Susie from The Rugrats
Got locs, be Canadian Marvel superheroine Heather Hudson
Or just puff it out as Misty Knight

Don’t forget to share your favorite natural hair looks with us by sending them to spokenheart_mf@aol.com with the subject of wicked Wednesdays!

Upcoming Natural Hair Events

Natural Hair Meetups/Events in Novemeber

Looking for a fun way to meet other naturals in your area? Or to just learn more about enhancing your natural journey? Here are a list of natural hair events during the first week of November! Enjoy and feel free to share any experiences you have!
Start Date: November 1, 2013
End Date: November 1, 2013
Time: 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Location :
Ruthe Jackson Center, 3113 S Carrier Pkwy., Grand Prairie, TX 75052
Start Date: November 1, 2013
End Date: November 2, 2013
Time: 8:00 PM to 12:30 AM
Location :
2261 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02124
Start Date: November 2, 2013
End Date: November 2, 2013
Time: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Location :
Hurst Conference Center, 1601 Campus Dr., Hurst, TX 76054
Start Date: November 2, 2013
End Date: November 2, 2013
Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location :
Lee County Library, 219 North Madison Street, Tupelo, MS 38804
Start Date: November 2, 2013
End Date: November 2, 2013
Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location :
Days Inn - Lake Norman, 19901 Holiday Ln., Cornelius, NC 28031
Start Date: November 2, 2013
End Date: November 2, 2013
Time: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Location :
Pearl Studios, 519 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018
Start Date: November 2, 2013
End Date: November 2, 2013
Time: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Location :
Fruit of the Spirit Hair Care Studio & Clinic, 4604 Pembroke Lake Circle, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Start Date: November 2, 2013
End Date: November 2, 2013
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location :
Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Start Date: November 2, 2013
End Date: November 2, 2013
Time: 12:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Location :
Good Hair Shop, 7113 Covington Highway, Lithonia, GA 30058
Start Date: November 2, 2013
End Date: November 2, 2013
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location :
Vixens Hair Studio, 2215 W Lehigh Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19132
Start Date: November 2, 2013
End Date: November 2, 2013
Time: 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Location :
Elim Community Hall, Mersham Rd., Thornton Heath, CR7 8NP Croydon, United Kingdom
Start Date: November 3, 2013
End Date: November 3, 2013
Time: 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Location :
Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202
Start Date: November 3, 2013
End Date: November 3, 2013
Time: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Start Date: November 3, 2013
End Date: November 3, 2013
Time: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Start Date: November 3, 2013
End Date: November 3, 2013
Time: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Start Date: November 4, 2013
End Date: November 6, 2013
Time: -
Location :
Worldwide
Start Date: November 7, 2013
End Date: November 7, 2013
Time: 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Location :
Epiphany Lounge, 2361 Adam Clayton Powell Junior Boulevard, New York, NY 10027
Start Date: November 9, 2013
End Date: November 9, 2013
Time: 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Location :
2000 East Wendover Ave, Greensboro, NC
Start Date: November 9, 2013
End Date: November 9, 2013
Time: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Location :
Hamptom Walmart Supercenter, 1631 1900 Cunningham Dr., Hampton, VA 23666
Start Date: November 9, 2013
End Date: November 9, 2013
Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location :
Fairfield Inn & Suites, 7720 Corinne Dr, Hammond, IN 46323
Start Date: November 9, 2013
End Date: November 9, 2013
Time: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Location :
50 Ann Mary St., Pawtucket, RI 02860
Start Date: November 9, 2013
End Date: November 9, 2013
Time: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Location :
SMIT Building, 1951 Pisgah Rd., Florence, SC 29501
Start Date: November 9, 2013
End Date: November 9, 2013
Time: 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Location :
Indy CoZ Grand Ballroom 7960 Castleway Drive Indianapolis, IN 46250
Start Date: November 9, 2013
End Date: November 9, 2013
Time: 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Location :
117 1/2 N. Highland Ave., PIttsburgh, PA 15206
Start Date: November 9, 2013
End Date: November 9, 2013
Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location :
Paladar Latin Kitchen, 801 Silks Run, #1580, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009