My Coilaroids was created to show off a piece of your essence while inspiration
for others takes action! So continue sending in your
chic, wacky, free-spirited, and undefinable photos.
Sonia
- Tampa, FL
After 15 years of relaxing my hair and going
through the unnecessary hair cycles (my hair would grow to a certain length, get tangled
and fall out. I would have to cut my hair to my shoulders and start all over. Horrible!
This happened twice a year. Today I can happily say NO MORE DRAMA! I am happy with my \
natural decision and I will NEVER turn back.
Shae
- New York
Your crown (hair) is a sign of you are, women as queens and men as kings.
My heritage is a mix of African and Native American. As a result within my culture simple healthy hair care remedies
were promoted. My mother was a firm believer in looking your age and allowing your reflection to emulate your heritage,
so I was not allowed to sport some of the trendy hair styles of the time. As a young girl, I eventually got creative
with my hairstyles using cornrows or loose plats in a pin up....on special occasions I got away with a press and curl.
In my late teens and early twenties I came to appreciate my hair and the care it had received. At this stage of my life
I had never had any chemicals in my hair; just water, shampoo, conditioner, and scalp oil treatments. The important thing
to me was to keep my hair healthy, as I notice my college mates stressing over theirhair damage due to products and lack
of beautician hair care knowledge. I find today, my hair strength has allowed me to continue to style my hair in a number
ways without a lot of effort. I have locks at the moment, and I intent tocontinue my healthy hair journey by keeping my
"roots" as a priority.
Aisha
- USA
I’ve been natural since 2001. I had locs for 5 years,
but on my 5-year anniversary I decided that it was time for a change. I didn’t want locs anymore
but I didn’t want to cut my hair off. And I was way too groomed to go through that not-so-cute
growing out phase. So, in May 2007, I COMBED out my locs. Yes, it can be done. It took 3 long
treacherous days, but it was worth it. I was left with a head full of curly natural hair and endless
possibilities for styles. It’s been a little over a year since I cut my locs and I’m loving it.
I miss them every now and then, but I never get bored because I have a new style every 2 weeks.
And the best part is…I’m still natural!
Elisa
- USA
After years of thinning and damaged hair due
to relaxers, heat and color, in July 2007 I made one of the best decisions and decided
to go natural. Being natural has given me the versatility I love and crave as well as
the healthy hair I have strived to obtain for years. My new favorite style is a dry twist
out. I wash and condition with a cleanser (like Wen or Hair One cleanser), blow out my hair,
then two strand twist using Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercreme. After sitting under the dryer for
about 30 to 45 minutes, I untwist and VOILA! I have gotten so many compliments on this style
and it really makes my color pop!
Nikelola
- Los Angeles, CA
I love my natural hair for 3 reasons:
1) Its is the way that the man/ or woman upstairs intended it to be.
2) What you see is what you get. Be"weave" me when i say this.
3) Last and not least, when it rains, I don't have to scurry for shelter like a
lot of my fellow sistas do, if you know what i mean. Ha! I love my natural hair.
Sienna -
Montclair, NJ
Natural hair, for me, is my escape. I am able to truly release all
of my inner beauty outward. I feel proud, sensual, and assertive. For many years
I tried to hide my natural hair for fear of disapproval, (especially from black
men) however since "revealing" myself I am approached differently. Its not the same
"Yo, Ma!" now its more like, "Excuse me, Miss, may I talk to you for a minute?"
I think its because I feel more confident, I feel better about myself, so I ooze
that I am an attractive, educated woman. Funny how something as simple as hair can
change one's perspective!
Nefertiti
- Gary, Indiana I don't wash it everyday about once every two weeks, but
when I do I use bigelow Daily Hair Wash I use a pre-wash by lazatique (french product)
I use various conditioners, Bigelow Daily conditioner/ Mane and Tail/ Aesop/ Deva
No Poo. I moisturize my hair by using grape seed oil/pink lotion/ Lazatique hair
oil for the scalp I use Queen Helen's Hair food. Water is what my hair likes the
best, I can place a little water on my finger tips and splash on my coils. I receive
a trim every 3 months so we have no breakage. I love my hair because it is easy
to manage and extremely versatile I can where it in an Afro or twist it or a ponytail.
I use fun assesories such as clips and clamps that bring youth to my look.
Maxine -
USA
This is my Fro, taken last year...now I am in the process of locking...but my fro
was rocking! Styled with Miss Jessies products. Washed, partially blow dried hair,
added Misses Jessies Baby Butter Creme, then two strand twist. Untwist when dry,
style with hands.
Nivia -
Brooklyn, NY After having locs for about 4 years, I cut my
hair and permed it. After about a year of battling with styles and colors I soon
realized processed hair is not for me and in Jan 08 I decided to perm no more. Lately
I have been struggling with my hair through the transitioning process and decided
that I was no longer going to look a certain way for others and decided to do the
big chop. On sat I cut off about 2 and a half inches of my hair so that I can rock
my all natural texture. I had been dying my hair black so I have to wait a while
before I can lighten my hair, but I am truly happy and excited to be going natural
again.
Irene -
Baltimore, MD I've been wearing my hair natural since the "Afro/Bush"
style back in the sixties, except for a short period in the eighties when I had
a perm and added coloring that burned my scalp. After that horror, I wore braids,
then single twist and for the last nine years I've been wearing "double strand twist."
Andreal -
USA Everyone asks me how I did my hair so here it goes:
I used the my verison of Dr. Lisa Akbari Curly Fro Technique( which is awesome)!!!!
Products Used:
Giovanni Direct Leave In Conditioner( evenly distributed , a little more on ends to seal)
Ouidad Botanical Boost Spray-in Condtioner( for extra softness and moisture)
Olive Oil ( for shine and condtion)
Directions:( NO COMB NEEDED) LOL!
Detangle and smooth hair using only your fingers.
Then you are going to twist the hair in about ten twist all over your head.
You don't need to create parts because you will be wearing it in a Curly Fro.
As you are twisting apply Giovanni Direct Leave In Conditioner to your hair, putting a little more on the ends.
Then after you have completed the twist, roll the ends of your hair in a pin wheel motion, then tuck into the twist.
Repeat until the hold head is completed.
After the entire hair is completed, then spray hair with Ouidad Botanical Boost Spray-in Condtioner.
Let it stay in over night, then in the morning take it down.
As you are taking it down apply olive oil to the scalp and hair for shine and conditioning purposes!
I hope you love it, because I do!
Shade -
USA This is my signature twist out. I wash my hair with conditioner,
lightly squeeze out some moisture with a towel, and follow up with
Pantene daily oil moisturizer. I then part my hair in random sections
(depending on where I want the hair to lay) and twist or braid the
sections (depending on how tight I want the curl to be). I sleep with
a silk scarf and undo the twists/braids in the morning. Voila! Curls
galore! I usually try to make it funky by making a faux-hawk...either
with clips or those mini combs that pull the hair back. If I'm
feeling dainty (:->), I'll throw a flower on one side and call it a
day!
Shashone
- Staten Island, NY
I love it. I remember having a perm, my hair was damaged and it never grew. As soon
as I cut all my hair off and let it be in it's natural, beautiful state, my hair
has grown and is healthy. People always ask if I will cut my locks. I am not sure,
but I am definitely certain that I will never put a perm in my hair again. I am
grateful to see more sistas embrace their natural hair and I am proud to be one
of those sistas.
Dilhya -
Dallas, TX
After four years of being natural, I now know what works best for me. I wash and
condition my hair about twice a week, ignoring the old adage that washing makes
it dryer. Because my hair is highly resistant to product, I only use 100% natural
shea butter and jojoba oil on alternate days to "dress" it. My hair grows very slowly,
but a little faster when in braids. I make sure not to get them done too tightly
because I don't want my edges to thin out. My favorite style is a chunky braid-out
like in the pic.
Kafayat
- Queens,NY
The beauty of my natural hair brings out my Ethnic Nubian Queen look.
It helps me recollect my African Roots. It does not need any processing or too much
maintenance. It has a good body, shape, thickness and shine to it". "And if ever
I am tired of that look, I could shave it all and still be a natural beauty!
Tracey - Brooklyn, NY
This is a pic I took in Jamaica a few months ago. I love my natural and love the
color my stylist has chosen for me. I do wear it straight most of the year but in
the summertime during the humid months I rock the carefree look and it totally works
with my summer tan!
Dominique - New York City
Hmm some thoughts of my hair-- well some days, I just want to take a pair of scissors
and cut it off and then other days, its like I fell in love all over again! I try
to use natural based products bc my hair's favorite dish is olive oil with a side
of grease. I would suggest those of the natural hair tribe to go to your local market,
buy olive oil and soak your hair while watching your favorite movie.
Iva - Long Island, NY
Hi Coil Review!
It will be a year on July 24 since I have embraced my natural beauty. Here
is one of my natural pics. This is the chubby twists style by Khamit Kinks'
stylist Jamillah.
Jennifer - Cliffside Park, NJ
I colored it when I first started going natual. I've recently just cut off all of
the relaxed ends. I two strand twist it with Miss Jessies Curly Buttercreme and
I take it out and re-twist. I also use Blended Beauty's conditioner.
Kellena - Harlem, NY
YES. These are my natural curls and texture and it is a wash and go look! My natural
hair is ME and it has been my signature since 1998. The blonde I stumbled upon and
its fun and freespirited like me. I wouldnt prefer my hair any other way !!
Lauren - Long Island, NY
I have been natural for over a year now, and I can honestly say that it has been
a journey. It all began after I realized that my scalp was so unhealthy that it
was heartbreaking to watch, so I decided enough was enough. The journey has been
hard and long and sometimes it seemed like I wouldn't make it, but there is something
precious about this hair of mine that has kept me strong. So to all of those who
are just beginning...please note that it is ONLY the beginning...stay STRONG!!!!!
Carmen - Brooklyn, NY My journey from chemically straightened
to “au natural” started about 5 years before I actually went natural. My mother
and I were fascinated and intrigued by Lonnice Brittenum Bonner’s story in Good
Hair: For Colored Girls Who've Considered Weaves When the Chemicals Became Too Ruff.
That was in 1194 - it wasn’t until 1998 that her story actually inspired my mother
to do the same… she chopped all of her hair off, got it texturized. I was impressed,
but scared to do it myself smack in the middle of high school! 2 weeks before high
school graduation in 1999, and 1 month before starting my first college semester,
my mother cut my hair into a little crop that she texturized. In the coming months,
I started to see how the short, curly ‘do fit my face, and that it was so much easier.
I’ve absolutely loved it. Recently, though, The Coil Review inspired me even further…
I have chopped off my hair once more, and have decided to try for it REALLY natural…
no texturizer!!! I am a woman who is proud to have the hair that grows out of my
head, and this shows in my confidence. I hope that as I’ve been inspired, maybe
I can be someone else’s muse, and inspire them to throw away the chemicals… for
good!
Jalayna
- New York City
A "FroHawk," is an Afro and a Mohawk put together. I used relaxers for over 10 years,
and I recently decided to cut off all the damage and begin fresh and new. I decided
on this style, and my hair is growing out beautifully. It is healthier than it has
ever been. Going natural is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
2 actors from NYC - Jalayna and Jason
LaToya
- Brooklyn, NY I’ve always had very long thick
hair. I could never imagine my hair length being above my shoulders. Then in October
2007 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. At my first Chemo appointment I was warned
that I will "experience hair loss" in a few weeks. After my second treatment I woke
up with what felt like fur in my mouth - it was hair. I wasn't liking the thought
of what was going to happen next. So I asked my best friend to give me a hair cut
- you can't lose what you don't have! Eventually it did all fall out and stayed
out for months. I was bald as my thumb. Now after nine months here I am with hair
that has grown long enough to shape up and style. I have not used any chemicals
or blow dryers. I decided to give that up. I only use natural products and avoid
unnecessary poisons. The chemo left me with really soft tight curls. As my body
is continuing to reclaim itself, I know healing process is not over and the possibilities
are endless. I have a new passion for life, myself and I love my new short hair!
My hair no longer symbolizes beauty to me. It’s a symbol of strength, healing and
survival! I found my beauty within.
Nedge
- Brooklyn, NY The beauty of my natural hair is the fact that it is mine and represents
who I am . It allows me as a black woman to embrace the beauty of what european
society viewed as ugly, unprofessional, and eccentric. I love the fact that my hair
is my accessory and gives me character. I don not plan to every go back to relaxers
and such. Natural is the way to be, and represents me. :)
L.A. Marayne - Cranford, NJ I permed my hair since I was
in 6th grade. In 2005, I decided to grow my perm out. The growing process was tortuous
and it took everything in my to NOT perm my hair. But after about a year and a half
of growing it and cutting the ends I was ALL natural. What I love about it now is
that I can wear it in so many different styles. I love the versatility
my hair gives me; I am not one to do what the "norm" is so why should my hair? I'd
rather wear my hair out, wild, and free! Why constrict my hair to be straight with
a little curl when it's not naturally like that! I let my hair be as free as my
spirit!
Sonia
- Tampa, FL
Shae
- New York
Aisha
- USA
Elisa
- USA
Nikelola
- Los Angeles, CA
Sienna -
Montclair, NJ
Nefertiti
- Gary, Indiana
Maxine -
USA
Nivia -
Brooklyn, NY 
Irene -
Baltimore, MD
Andreal -
USA
Shade -
USA
Shashone
- Staten Island, NY
Dilhya -
Dallas, TX
Kafayat
- Queens,NY
Tracey - Brooklyn, NY
Dominique - New York City
Iva - Long Island, NY
Jennifer - Cliffside Park, NJ
Kellena - Harlem, NY
Lauren - Long Island, NY
Jalayna
- New York City
LaToya
- Brooklyn, NY
Nedge
- Brooklyn, NY
L.A. Marayne - Cranford, NJ