Some of you may remember one my posts Dolls Like Us. I talked about a letter I sent to
Maplelea Girls about creating a doll that represented black girls. We know that
growing up most of us did not have a doll that looked like us or that we could
relate to. I know I would have loved to have a doll that looked like me when I
was young.
I did a survey asking all of you what you thought a
black doll should look like for skin tone to hair type. I submitted your
opinions to Maplelea Girls and guess what … they listened and took your
comments into consideration when creating the dolls.
The two black dolls from Maplelea Girls. Photo: www.maplelea.com
Here is what Kathryn Morton, President of Maplelea
Girls said, “We have two black dolls available now. We did the curly hair, as
your readers suggested, but we also wanted to offer an alternative so we also
did one with “textured” hair.They are part of the Maplelea Friendscollection where girls get to make up their
own name and character for their doll, using the journal that comes with it. Thanks
so much for your help with this.”
WHAT
A VICTORY! Thanks so much for being wonderful readers and for
helping to make a difference. I’m really PROUD - you should be too!!
I pulled out one of my product staples this morning and then
I realized that I had not shared this with all of you … my amazing readers!
PHOTO: www.curls.biz
The product is Curls Curl Soufflé. I use it as a
moisturizer. When I purchased it the first time, I tried to use it as a styler
for my twist-outs. I mean the twist out was OK, but not something to write home
about. My hair was soft and smelled great, but there was no real hold so my
twist-out frizzed out within a day or two. For me the strength of this product
is really its moisturizing properties. It is water-based and smells like cake
and looks like pudding. Put it this way, if I was three years old, it would
definitely be hard for me not to put it in my mouth.
What I love about this moisturizer is the fact that it’s
great to use now that the colder weather is upon us. The Curl Soufflé provides
an easy way to apply a form of water on your hair without making it soaking wet
and avoiding a case of the winter snuffles. It cannot replace all the natural
moisturizing qualities of water, but it’s convenient if you are not fortunate
enough to live in a warm climate in the winter.
Well I find myself putting it on my hair in addition to my
leave-in after washing, followed by my styler, which is usually Jane Carter’s
Curl Defining Cream. I also use Curl Soufflé in the morning when I’m trying to
bounce some life into my curls, to get rid of the slept on look. I use a
generous amount and distribute throughout my hair and then seal using coconut
oil, shea butter or any other natural oil or butter on hand.
What water-based moisturizers are you using during the cold fall and winter months?
So I think I’ve reached a turning point in regards to the
treatment of my dermatitis, thanks to my amazing dermatologist who came up with
a great treatment plan.
I’ve written about my experience before in the Fighting Scalp Issues post.
I honestly thought I could handle this outbreak by myself in the beginning. It
was a mix of me wanting to do it 100% natural, or pick up products from the
drug store and also because I thought to myself, I’ve been through this before,
I can’t fix this.
Wow, was I wrong, by June of this year the irritation had
not subsided and I was actually starting to lose hair in the front and top area
of my crown. In terms of styling, I was confined to head bands and beanie hats.
The panic sat in. This was definitely bigger than me. I needed some
professional HELP!
I went to see my doctor, very good friends with one of my
“sisters” who also happens to be a great dermatologist. Not only is she black
and knows about what we as black women put our hair through, but she also has
succeeded in keeping her own dermatitis at bay. That was very reassuring for
me. A feeling of relief came over me.
She prescribed clobex to me and it is wonderful – it’s the
truth! It started to heal the area on my scalp and my hair started to bounce
back. She told me that oiling my scalp was out of the question, but my
mainstays, shea butter and coconut oil are fine to use on my hair.
Even though things were looking good, she still wanted to
test me scalp for follicle damage and to make sure her treatment was strong
enough. The test show that I had minor scarring, that could spread if not
addressed. Pretty scary stuff right! My doctor assured me that based on the
fact that my hair was already growing in, she says my scarring is miniscule and
treatable, as long as I continue a healthy regimen. HALLELUJAH, I’m one of the
lucky ones!
This is part one of a mini-series I have planned. I really
think these scalp and hair conditions are health issues that black women need
to know about and take responsibility for.
Keep reading and checking in with me on Twitter
@canadiancurlie for the upcoming posts or comment if this hits home for you or
someone you know.
Recently I was in touch with
Althea, from Curly CanadiansTM, you may also remember her from my post, when I featured
her as a Curlie or maybe you are already one of Curly Canadian’s clients.
They started out as an online
store that provided natural hair and skin beauty products to all Canadians. The
site really reflects diversity in every sense of the word and still prides
itself on this fact.
A week or so ago, I was on
Twitter and chatted to Althea for a moment. She told me that they are in the
process of creating their own product line and the tentative launch is early to
mid-2013. They will be releasing the following:
·shampoo bar
·cleansing conditioner
·bentonite clay mask
·protein treatment
·deep conditioner
·styling wax
I’ve reviewed a couple of their products
in the past and I love them, needless to say I’m super excited about Curly
Canadian’s new line… I will keep you posted as soon as I have more news. Definitely something
to look forward to in the New Year!
Do you remember your first perm and
what was it like:
My
first perm experience was back in 1992 when I was in grade 4. My mom was no
longer able to style my hair for school due to her full-time job and decided
that relaxing my hair would be the best option. She felt that I would now be
able to manage my hair for myself on a daily basis. The first time I ran my
hands through my hair I was in shock! I felt like I had the same flowing hair
as the other girls in my class and that I finally fit in.
Amanda with relaxed hair.
What made you to decide to big chop:
I
finally had enough of the relaxer life this past summer. I was tired of having
to flat iron and curl my hair on a regular basis and had started to wear my
hair slicked down. Also, I wanted the “wash and go” life for when I worked out
at the gym and I resorted to putting my hair in Senegalese Twists to avoid
having to deal with it. However, my scalp and hairline did not agree. It was
after seeing some of my friends with natural hair that I felt that it was time
to make the transition.
How do you feel now that you’ve taken the plunge:
I
definitely think I made the right decision! I love how it is so easy to manage
and have gained back a great deal of time when getting ready for events, to do
other things.
What type of feedback did you get from your loved ones:
My
close loved ones and friends have been nothing but supportive. I’ve received
positive feedback from strangers and have been told that the cut really suits
my overall look.
Amanda rocking her fresh and sassy big chop.
Although
you are newly natural, do you have any favourite products or products you are
looking forward to trying:
I’m still learning about what’s out
there in the market, but I have invested in the Keracare line to start with. However,
I am still looking for a product that meets my needs as a daily moisturizer.
The best part of being natural for me is:
The
best part for me has to be the idea of knowing that I am 100% free of
chemicals. Previously I had difficulty embracing my natural texture and now I
have a greater appreciation.
In early summer, I was fortunate enough to connect with a
young Curlie, who is an up and coming, actress, model, entertainment correspondant and aspiring
ROCK STAR … her name is Brooke of http://www.itsbrookesworld.blogspot.ca
. She is very wise in her nine years and really a joy to meet and talk to. So
it was my great pleasure to interview her and meet her parents. She is
definitely on her way to stardom and a great inspiration to other young Curlies
out there. Keep up the great work Brooke and Thanks for being a part of Canadian Curlies. See our interview below:
Let's keep our girls strong and self-aware of their beauty!What young curlies inspire you?
I was recently talking to a friend of mine who is natural
and she mentioned that she almost broke down a got a relaxer the other day.
PHOTO: www.kewlgraphics.com
I was in shock and tried to encourage her not to. The thing
is, after thinking about it, I do not think it is right to judge others and try
to tell people what to do. It’s never been my nature so why start now? Another
thing I would like to mention is that I know I will probably be natural for the
rest of my life, now that I’m here and have fallen head over heels in love with
my curls.
Don’t get me wrong there are days when feel like shaving it off into
a buzz cut or pressing the hell out of it, but there are also days when my
curls reflect my personality the way nothing else can.
The bottom line is, yes I would love for my friend to stay
natural and for us to continue our CURLY journey together, but I know this life
is not for everyone, so I have to respect that.
This brings me to another point that those of us of African
descent need to embrace each other whether we are straight, wavy, curly or
reppin’ dreads in our hair.
Yes, some styles are healthier than others, but at
the end of the day it’s a personal decision and we should not let how people
wear their hair change the way we treat them and we should also respect their decision.The truth is we should not even have to
consider these thoughts and just be who we want to be and what feels right.
So it has been a while since my last post, but I would like
to tell you, that my hair was still receiving love during that time. More specifically
from Lulu Life Body Butter, that is available at Curly Canadians.
Lulu Life Body Butter is made and produced by the
Lulu Life Trust in Sudan. This organization helps families in Sudan who are trying to
bounce back from the tragedies of civil war. So with every purchase of Lulu Life
products you can guarantee that your dollar is going to help Sudanese families, which is cool.
PHOTO: Curly Canadians
Many of you know about my love affair with shea butter, well
I can tell you that Lulu Life Body Butter, did not disappoint.
Although it says it is a body butter, I used it on my hair
as a styler and sealer. I did my usual twist out on freshly washed hair and
even to do a semi-dry twist out from time-to-time. Unlike other shea butters, that need friction
to melt into a creamy texture, Lulu melts into a lovely consistency upon
contact. The Lulu Life Butter, left my hair feeling super soft and healthy. The
only thing I did not like about butter is that it’s virtually scent-free. I
like my products to have a little sweet smell, probably because I’m too girly.
On the other hand this would be the perfect product for those who have scent
allergies or those who do not like strong smelling products.
So the question is, would I use and recommend this product?
ABSOLUTELY! Not only are you helping those in need in Sudan, but you are also
getting an amazing natural product that is good for you hair and skin. You can’t
go wrong!
It’s been awhile and my life has been crazy busy over the
last couple months. So apologize for not posting on a regular basis.
I have decided to take swimming lessons again. Yes I said
again, because I’ve taken lessons numerous times before and made great progress
but never got to the place where I feel 100% comfortable jumping into a pool,
ocean, or lake. In retrospect, there are a couple of the reasons why I didn’t learn as a
child was, first of all neither of my parents swam and I also believe that dealing
with a little girl’s chlorine-filled hair once or twice a week was not
something my mother was interested in dealing with. I can understand that, I had a lot of hair back then and it was super thick.
At any rate, I’m here in my 30s, I’m taking swimming lessons
for the first time with natural hair. I’ve done a little research and found a
great video from Naptural85(one of my favourite youtubers) on how to protect your tress while swimming. The key seems to be filling your hair with
water and conditioner to keep it moisturized, but also if your strands are
already full of goodness, the chlorine will have a harder time penetrating
them. I plan to try Napturals85 steps and hopefully my hair will survive my
swimming adventures. :-) I’ll keep you all posted.
Do you have swimming with natural hair tips? I’d love to
hear them.
I was recently talking to one of my really good friends (she
is caucasian), who happened to read my blog for the first time this week. I often
refer to each other as sisters from other mothers, since we are so in sync and
usually say things in-stereo.
She read my post: Straight Up and she was really
struck by it after reading about the chemicals black woman use just for
so-called beauty.
She then said imagine if Michelle Obama and her daughters
were to go natural. They could not only influence black woman in North America,
but all over the world.
The Obama family
I totally agree with her and it would be wonderful if
someone like Michelle Obama would go natural and show her true beauty to the
world.
I do however want to mention that I’m honoured to be a
Canadian Curlie and see that our former Governor General of Canada the Rt.
Honourable Michaëlle Jean has rocked her curls on many different occasions. It
was really great to see and makes me feel proud.
Here are a few others that make me proud, not only because
of their beautiful crown and glory, but also because of their accomplishments
as African Canadian women – GO ON WITH
YOUR BAD SELF!!!
Measha Brueggergosman - opera singer
Jemini – G98.7 FM radio personality PHOTO: www.fullcc.com
Tap, Tap Tap … If
you ever had a relaxer, you should remember those days approaching your
touch-up, when your scalp was super itchy, but you couldn’t scratch it. I was
reminded of this, one morning while driving to work. I was driving behind a
woman, who was briskly tapping her head with her hand. It was quite a sight. The
funny thing about it is that I knew exactly what she was doing. Her scalp was
really itchy, but she didn’t want to scratch it, because she was probably going
to get her touch-up done that day and knew the relaxer would irritate her scalp,
especially if she scratched it. I’m sure others who seen her, thought she was
crazy…LOL!
I cannot tell you how much I do not miss those days. Even
though as of late, I have been recovering from my dermatitis and haven’t had a
lot of time for my hair, I wanted to do a post about WHY I LOVE MY CURLS. Seeing that lady really got me to thinking
about how blessed I am to have my curls and why I made the decision to go
natural.
Here are a few reasons to love your CURLS or NATURAL TRESS:
First year of
curlieness: September 2010
is when I had my last relaxer. April 2012 is when I consider my hair journey
began.
Why I went curlie: Back in September 2010 when I had my last
relaxer, I didn't have any plan to go natural--in fact the idea came much later
on. I had a chin-length bob cut that I would get relaxed and reshaped at an expensive
downtown salon every six weeks. When it
came time to get my next relaxer I was dreading the high cost for a 'master stylist',
the long salon wait, and the eventual
disappointment that many women experience--when they leave the salon with a
fabulous look that they can't recreate after they wash their hair at home. As a
temporary solution to my frizzy roots I put my hair in braids with the
intention of giving myself a month break from relaxing. But as time went on, I
loved the easy maintenance of the braids and would have them re-braided time
and time again. After five to six months of braiding I was able to see enough
of my new hair growth to appreciate the texture and thickness and decided that
I would just transition my hair using braids.
Transitioning with braids.
By this time I
had turned 30 and having had relaxers since I was nine years old, I realized
that my hair was the one part of my being, where I felt I had little control over
and knew even less about. I also didn't like the idea of being dependent on a
chemical process to feel comfortable about my appearance (even though I was
constantly trying to treat split ends and hair damage from the relaxer). I
wanted to nurture a relationship with my tresses and knew that it would be a
long road to get to a length that I was comfortable with. After growing my hair
through braids for a year and a half I made the decision to do chop off my
relaxed ends and start my new hair journey.
Regime and products: Since I'm a
newbie to natural hair care, I am experimenting with a wide-range of products
and regimens. Products that I'm using and love are: pure cocoa-shea butter, pure
argan oil, ApHogee Pro-Vitamin Leave-In Conditioner, and Taliah Waajid's CurlyCurl Cream. These days I'm wearing braid-outs more often than twist-outs. I
find braids take a longer time to do but they define and hold my curls longer.
I like to co-wash at least once per week and re-braid my dampened hair before
bed.
Rocking a stunning braid-out.
The best part of being curlie for me is: The best part of being
curlie for me is to be able to look in the mirror, see my freshly done hair,
and know that I did it myself and that it's all 100% Crystal. Yes, the
unpredictability of my hair can be quite the challenge (oh no frizz!!), but I
love knowing that my hair's beauty comes from being imperfectly perfect--just
like me!
Is there anything else you'd like to
add:
My advice for those thinking about
going natural, but don't know if they can make the commitment, is to focus on
the POSITIVES of wearing natural
hair and capitalize on them. For example, I like style diversity and length
(I'm not crazy about 'fros) and I needed a way to grow out my hair without
having to worry about maintaining two hair textures-- so braiding was a great
transitional hairstyle for me. Finding an experienced braider who is attentive
and creative can mean that you can wear a new braided hairstyle every month
until you are ready to take on the day-to-day maintenance of curly hair.
Cornrows (especially thicker ones) can protect your new growth as long as you
re-braid your hair and trim it regularly, in addition to moisturizing your
braids every day (using store-bought or home-made braid spray).
One of my dearest friends and gorgeous Curlie, Natashia Jefferies has recently released her first book: The Little Book of GREEN Minutes. Some
people call her Tash, but to me she will always be Tashia and I’m so excited to
have the privilege to review her book.
It’s an inspirational self-help book for those who want to live a wholesome and empowering, green/natural lifestyle, by taking baby steps and in the end reaching a goal.
Not only does the book give great day-day tips on how to
live well, but Tashia also gives insight on how she has personally changed her
life for the better. So you are reading an actual case study as well as
learning along the way.
There are a few unique things about this book that you will
not find in other self-help books. First of all it is only 83 pages, a very
easy read, she has included helpful resources, recipes and a journal to help
readers on their way to living a healthy green lifestyle. It’s important to
note that all of the products or services Tashia mentions in her book, she has
personally tried or has had experience with. Lastly, The Little Book of GREEN Minutes is not preachy. Tashia has written
it in a way that is educational and intuitive, you do not feel obligated to do
anything, but without a doubt after reading it, your perspective on life and
the things that you use and consume everyday will be re-evaluated. I definitely recommend this book if you are
looking for something new and exciting. If nothing else pick-up the book and
perhaps take a few tips to apply to your everyday life, I’m sure you won’t
regret it. The Little Book of GREEN
Minutes can be purchased at and the book can be purchased on www.amazon.ca or www.amazon.com
$19.97 plus tax. Feel free to check out Tashia's website at: www.GreenMinutes.ca or to check out her road to curliness as a past Featured Curlie.
So a while ago I asked you guys for your
favourite natural hair resources. I got a few replies and also started to do my
own research, because I think it’s important that we have a myriad of places to
go that cater to us and our hair needs across Canada. I have noticed that
Walmart, Walgreens and Target have caught on in the States, that the natural
hair market is a lucrative one. I wish our Canadian department store would too.
On the flip-side, there is nothing wrong with giving some of the independent manufactures
and distributors some support as well.
I have three theories as to why we do not see
our natural products everywhere.
1st theory:
Many live in
a hair product bubble
Photo: sxc.com
I truly think those who do not have our type
of hair as our, live in a hair product bubble if you will. Not on purpose, but
why should they care, if everything they need is at Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart
or even a local grocery store? They do not have to search for it as an entire
aisle is devoted to their products, while black hair products take up less than
a third of that space, and that space is usually for those with relaxed hair.
I also think many who do not have
afro-textured, may think we can use the same hair products as them, and
therefore would not understand why we need different products or tools.
2nd theory:
We aren’t
loud enough
In the words of James Brown, “Say it loud, I’m
black and I’m proud.” We need to inquire about our product in the stores we go
to, on a regular basis. I’m guilty of this as I’m sure the rest of you are, but
the truth is if we do not ask about them, we will never have a chance to see or
purchase them in the big brand stores. It is 2012 and it is time we are
represented in the stores that we have been spending money in for all these
years.
3rd theory:
The Curlie
Lifestyle is relatively new
I know rocking natural hair is not new for
everyone, but over the last 5-10 years, I think it has really come into its
own. In the past it was more so thought of as political statement, but now it’s
a form of self-love and to maintain healthy hair without chemicals. So, if you think about it that way, the Curlie
Lifestyle is really, just an adolescent. It needs to grow and be nurtured like anything
else. We have to make it important in our lives and once we do that, hopefully
others will follow our lead.
Researched
and submitted resources:
So far below are the ones I found or knew of. Please
note that it’s also important to check your local Black Beauty Supply stores or
even Sally’s, you may be pleasantly surprised. I know there are plenty of other
companies/salons in Canada that provide services and products for Curlies. Help
me improve this list and send your resources to share!
Angela is an inspiration not only as a Curlie, but also spiritually and physically. She has a such positive attitude while living with her disability. It's my pleasure to feature her. Thanks for being a part of my blog Angela!!!
Name: Angela Njoku
Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia
First year of curlieness: 1996
Why I went curlie: When I was sixteen, my hair was straightened with a
chemical relaxer.As I got older, I
found the relaxer chemicals to be too harsh for my fine hair.By the time I was twenty-five, I noticed that
the colour of my hair was changing to a coppery almost blonde colour at some
parts.I figured that this was a sign of
damage to the hair and possibly to my scalp.I decided to go natural.I waited
until I grew about a centimeter of natural hair under the relaxed hair, and
then went to a salon and had the relaxed hair chopped off.The hairstylist was tentative about cutting
off my hair because my hair was shoulder length at the time.But when it was cut to an afro, I felt
refreshed and rejuvenated.As time went
by, I noticed that my hair became stronger and healthier.
I kept my hair in a very short style that framed my face (about half a
centimeter in length) for about five years before deciding to grow it out.My biggest challenges with being natural were
finding products for natural hair, finding a hairstylist who was skilled in
handling natural hair, and figuring out different ways to style my hair.
Seven years ago, my health deteriorated to the
point that I became disabled.I thank
God that my hair was natural at the time because I became too sick to visit a
salon or do my hair myself; if I still had the relaxed hair I would have had to
cut it all off.But I receive home care,
and my home support worker has been taking care of my hair for me among other
things.For the last five years she has
washed, combed, styled and occasionally trimmed my hair when I couldn’t do it
myself.She visits twice a month, and I
manage my hair the rest of the time. Thank God that my health is turning around
now, so I am able to do a little more with my hair and occasionally get out to
a salon for a trim and conditioning treatment. The reason why I mention this is
to encourage anyone who is considering going natural.If I can keep my hair natural while dealing
with a disability, you can do it!
Angela with a cornrow braidout.
Regime and products:
The frequency in which I wash my hair is based on its length and how my scalp
feels.It’s a little bit longer than
shoulder length now, so it is washed twice a month.(But when it was very short, I had to wash it
every 2 days, and when it was chin length it had to be washed once a week.)If I wash it too often, it becomes dry and my
scalp itches.
Presently, I am using a natural shampoo called
Hygenic, made by local hairdresser, Pauline
Patten-Bailey of Hy-Style Beauty Care here in Halifax (website coming soon; see
below for more information).Pauline has
developed a line of natural hair care products called Bailey Hair Care Products. When I became disabled, I could no longer
comb my thick hair.But I discovered Bailey‘s Curl In Curl Out, which
softens my hair so that it is a little easier for me to comb. I apply it every
six months.
One of Angela's favourite products from her stylist Pauline Patten-Bailey.
I also use Bailey‘s Bedew, a leave-in conditioner, after washing and as a
daily moisturizer. I use natural Shea Butter as a scalp and hair
moisturizer.It was given to me by a
friend, but can be purchased in stores. The Shea Butter prevents my scalp from
going dry and flaky during the winter months.It also produces fantastic results when my hair is flat ironed.
I try not to fuss with my hair with too much
combing, heat or product.If it’s not
dry or tangled but is soft and shiny, I know that all is well, so I leave it
alone.If not, I add moisturizer,
condition it or use less heat on my hair.(I try not to flat iron more than three times in one month.)I make sure to get it trimmed every two
months to prevent hair breakage and tangling at the ends. I also maintain a
healthy diet, and try to eat carrots regularly to encourage a healthy scalp and
hair growth.
Angela's wash-n-go look.
The best part of being curlie for me is: I like variety, so I have been
one to change my hairstyle frequently. I love curly hair, because of the fact
that it can be styled in many different ways with relative ease. It can be in
its natural state or afro, locked, twisted, flat twisted, braided, flat ironed,
straightened with thread, corn-rowed, you can add extensions to it, and so
on.Also, undoing a hairstyle (like
twists or corn-rows) can create another hairstyle. An added bonus, I find, is
that that curly hair (mine is quite curly) can hold a hairstyle for a long
time, so it does not have to be changed every day if one wants to keep a style
for a few days or weeks. My home support worker gives me a style that will last
for two to four weeks.
One challenge about being curlie is that, no
matter what style it is in, once my hair gets wet, damp or is exposed to
humidity, it reverts to its natural curl.I’ve lost a few hair dos after sweating or taking a bath!
Maintaining my hair in its natural state has
been considerably less expensive than in those days when I used a chemical
straightener, which to me, is another big bonus and reason why I have stayed
natural all of these years.Last, but
not least, my hair is healthy, I am happy with it, and it looks better than
ever!That is the reason why I wanted to
go natural in the first place: to have healthy hair that I could feel good
about.
For you Canadian Curlies in Halifax, Pauline’s
hair salon is located at 349A Herring Cove Road, Halifax; telephone 902.431.0556.
