So I have been debating whether to start a blog only about natural hair. My reason for not doing so yet – adding something more to my plate. But from responses and research – I think it’s greatly needed.  Therefore, I am going to COMMIT – REALLY COMMIT – to writing one post per week that is only about natural hair, natural hair salons, or natural hair products. First things first – what do want to know? I just asked this of my Indianapolis community - the response nothing! READ ON!  

I am actually really excited – because we are starting an academy that will be for natural hair wearers and stylists at my salon!  Starting with our first workshop on natural hair & beauty this Saturday!!!  See our flyer?

The flyer for the first workshop!

Anyways -in the advertisement, emails, etc. I asked for folks to please respond with their most pressing natural hair and make-up questions. The response so far – RSVPs and only ONE stinkin’ question!!!! One QUESTION!!!  On the average day, I get at least one or two inquiries via email, in person, or through the grapevine about natural hair and natural products – but when I ask – I get nothing BOOO!!!!!  

All is well though – I will take from library of questions past and formulate a generic (not personalized as I had intended) workshop! So much for quality/applicable instruction! 

As for you – prayerfully a reader of future posts – what do you want to know about natural hair that I can answer in about 3 paragraphs or less???  Styling tips, product suggestions, just venting on having natural hair, educating others on natural hair?  What? I am interested in responses so that I can truly tailor my commentary to the needs of my audience!  

My Natural Resume:

Natural since November 2001

Locing since November 2007

Owner adaru Natural Hair Salon since November 2006 (client since 2003!) (what’s with me and November?)

Advocate for Natural Hair Wearers

Supporter of Natural Hair Stylists (and those who want to become one in the future)

I look forward to going on the natural journey with you!

Okay - I can’t EVEN type fast enought right now!   I knew I liked the Obamas early on in the campaign. I was rockin’ my Obama shirt from Philly in February and people thought I was a little touched! By may, I had another lovely shirt with a Andy Warhol Design – check me & my hubby out!

I saw a multi-age, multi-race group of Barack supporters come out by the thousands in my own home town of Indianapolis, Indiana.  I gave my very FIRST donation EVER to a political campaign!!! 

Then this week, I have been totally enamoured by the grace of our soon-to-be-first family.  From the grace of Michelle’s speech to the fight Barack won for American and African American across the country last night, I was proud to black in America.  But even though those events brought me to tears, I have to say that I am most excited about the article that I read this morning about our soon-to-be first lady Michelle.

Why you ask  – because I love Natural HAIR!!!  Even though it is straight – which has its own downfalls as the natural community knows – I am still too excited that at least she is doing what is healthier for her person – non-chemical hair! What? You don’t think hers is natural – this story says otherwise -so check it out!!!

Silky mane draws raves and questions

By Elizabeth Wellington
Fashion Columnist
 
From the moment Michelle Obama took the podium Monday night at the Pepsi Center in Denver, her tresses brushing her shoulders in a soft flip with silky edges, black women across the country wanted to know: Who did her hair?
 
Was she fresh from the chair? What kind of relaxer does she use? Did Oprah lend her Andre?
 
Sure, she moved us with her patriotic speech. And we teared when she recounted her first child’s ride home from the hospital, with a nervous Barack driving.
 
But we couldn’t help but notice the hair – in all its perfection.
 
So here you have it. The big news is that Michelle is a no-lye lady.
It may not seem like a big deal, but black women for centuries have been trying to get that hair nirvana – without chemicals.
 
After the much-talked- about purple Maria Pinto sheath Obama wore when Barack clinched and the White House/Black Market sundress that sold out in hours after her appearance on The View, we have more reason to pay attention to our potential first lady’s style choices.
 
Her heavenly mane is blown out by Johnny Wright, a California-based stylist at Frédéric Fekkai on Melrose Place.
 
Wright, a consultant for Soft Sheen Carson, works his magic on Anita Baker, Vivica A. Fox and Vanessa Williams. He met Obama after he styled her hair for the cover of Ebony magazine.
 
The news first broke that Wright was Obama’s stylist on BellaSugar.com in late July. New York magazine picked up the story as well, insinuating Obama was snooty for requesting her stylist travel with her to the convention. (Isn’t that the right of a potential first lady?)
 
While Fekkai has been reluctant recently to talk about Obama’s hair, citing privacy issues, company spokeswoman Denise Davila did say that her hair was blown out by Wright and that he did not use chemicals in her hair. And yesterday morning, the Today show did a segment touting Frédéric Fekkai products.
 
The bigger question is: How is this mane magic possible? Can black women have such a silky look without chemicals at all?
 
“It is totally possible to have hair that straight without having a relaxer,” explained Brandy Davila (no relation to Denise), hairstylist and color specialist at Bubbles Salon on Walnut Street. Davila styles the 10! Show’s Lori Wilson, an African American anchorwoman with a sleek style similar to Obama’s.
 
“The key is in the products and the tools that are being used,” Davila said.
Davila said that in the last five years, more black women who wear their hair straight are moving away from relaxers because they desire more movement. Women with color-treated hair also are moving away from chemical straighteners because of breakage issues.
 
To get the look, Davila said, she shampoos and conditions hair, then applies a dime-size amount of Phytodefrisant and Phytolisse cocktail. These two products, she said, protect the hair from the heat of the blow dryer and help with shine.
 
After that, Davila said, the hair is blown out under low heat with a paddle brush. To get the maximum body, straightness and curl, Davila uses a flat iron, which gets as hot as 400 degrees. Right now the most popular flat irons in the black haircare market are Chi and Fhi irons.
 
“These irons let you control the heat,” Davila said.
 
Davila said the style could last from three to six days, depending on the humidity.
A blow-out at her salon ranges from $45 to $65.

Nicole

Live in Atlanta or plan on visiting?
Make sure you stop by my boutique.

So Very English! Boutique
cute shop ~ cute stuff
3743 Main Street
College Park, GA 30337

and maybe just a new phone with a built-in camera….

Just spotted: a tall white woman with blond hair in midwest – Indianapolis, Indiana no less…. WITH LOCS!! Where are my business cards when I need them and my camera!!!

I guess that this may not be too shocking for some folks but for little ‘ol me with my natural hair salon in Indiana – this is monumental!!! You get your grundge, skater-type, your hippies, but not your average white woman at the University no less with khaki capris, rolling her bookbag WITH locs – DAMN – wish I had a camera. Surfing ebay for one right now. Any recommendations???

Answer is probably not! I have highlighted adaru’s website to the right.  It is one of my baby’s – be kind! 

It is also one of the many reasons why I am a passionate advocate for natural hair!  One of my many past times happens to be reading Natural Hair blogs, yahoo groups, listserves, etc. 

 My favorite?

 NappyHair Yahoo Group!  It is chock full of interesting members, posts, photos, you name it!  It is also where I found this fabulous link today: http://www.stylelist.com/photogalleries/textured-tresses-diane-da-costa-transforms-tara-roberts-dreadlocks-with-bob-hair-cut!!! IF YOU WEAR YOUR HAIR LOC’D – I hope that you appreciate this great coverage on a one woman (Tara Roberts) loc transformation!!! 

My only criticism is that she didn’t use 100% organic all-natural products.  But great piece nonetheless!

Speaking of great pieces – check out my girls in this new campaign for hydro-veil – if you know me- you can pick out my girls!!  Check it here. (Click play on the video) Shout -out to great publicist, Trina M. SEEDEO of Style-Root for being the brainchild behind the campaign!

Natural or not I hope you all have a fabulous hair day!