I b.c. in December 2009 and I found myself becoming a subtle natural hair spokesperson. I really do enjoY my natural state of mind and being. Increasingly people have stopped me to either ask a question or give a complement. The positive response I have received far out weighs any negativity, which is quite rare. I think increase the natural vibe is a total plus for 2010!

Ladies if you are looking for cute things to put in your hair such as loc adornments or crochet flowers please check out my store at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EclecticSol
If you want something made just for you, just leave me a note and I'll write you back. Thanks

Now is the time to go natural. I can see and feel the movement growing. Thanks to youtube and the coil review, we now know that we are not alone and that others have the same journey. With all this support how can we not go for it!!!!

I just had to share this story with you all. I was on the subway a couple of weeks back, and two girls stepped into the car. Both were pretty girls, but unfortunately one of them had edges that were close to bald. I could tell that she stresses her scalp with tight weaves and pulled-back styles. One of them gave me a compliment by saying, "you're hair's so pretty." Thank goodness it was the girl with edge issues. I'm not the most extroverted person on the New York City subway, so that was an easy in for me. I proceeded by make one comment after I humbly said thank you. "You know you can do this too right? Most definitely!" She said "really, you think?" As her stop approached, I gave her the url to The Coil Review. No pressure, no beating-over-the-head, just a simple bug in the ear. I wish her good luck!

~The Editor

How's everyone else doing?

Sorry, this challenge doesn't work for me. I love, love, love my naptural hair. I wish everyone would get off the creamy crack; however, I think every women has the right to make good and bad choices about their own hair. I rock my kinks and coils and hope that others will come to follow my example on their own time.

It's been a year since my last relaxer and 6 months since my BC. I actually contemplated getting a relaxer the day of my BC, but fortunately my stylist reasoned with me. I absolutely love my hair! I have good days and bad days, but what's awesome is that it's healthy and mine. I can't stress the importance of having a NATURAL stylist who can and will guide you through your journey. Black is beyond beautiful.

My last relaxer was between October and or November of 2009. My descison was made from constant breakage from perms and or weaves. I was tired of my hair dressers routine with the excessive hair and everything that I switched stylist. I began going to the new stylist in Jan of 2010 and I loved it; however the problematic area just got on my nerves. All this to say on March 2nd I went and got all perm cut off and now I have coils. I was watching every youtube video I could get my hands on and decided to do the do. My hair was longer than most videos I've seen because of the brief transition. Funny thing is the BC was not the scary part it's being natural go figure.... I am still adjusting, but I am learning to embrace my hair.... The is me signed Newly Natural

Thanks Scswild for the support. I'm glad you enjoy my videos. I definately try to do my part since I live in an area where Natural divas are definately the minority, I make it a point to embrace it. I try to make it look nice everytime I go out bc people think nappy hair has to look bad and unkempt. We are definately proving them wrong. I've also decided to back off in my approach. I have had several girls asking me about it and giving me kudos for what I'm doing. I try not to push it down anyones throat, but provide helpful info if they ask about it. Much love and Blessings to you my beautiful Sisters!!!

One day I just got sick of the perm drama and showed up at work with a self-cut TWA. It was so well received that by the END OF THE WEEK, 2 more sisters in the office did the same thing! This was actually the first time I went natural, which was about 10 years ago. Since then 2 of us have gone back and forth, and one has remained natural. This is my 4th time going natural (since July '09). Thanks to sites like this one and youtube videos, I don't plan to perm again, as I finally have education and support.

I have a few women at work that consistently comment on my hair...all for the good. One sister is really contemplating it. I've noticed that if I am honest about products, the time it takes and the things I can do with my hair, more sistas are responsive. I LOVE this site and Wakeema Hollis' hair. Her hair and the styles keep me going. Preach on, preach on!!!

I agree with Lovely Locs! I was recently in the beauty parlor for my monthly trim when I was approached by a sister who was curious about my hair. It felt good considering I am newly natural(I BC'D in December and have a TWA)The sister said she was on the fence. I told her to do the research, look at photo's lots of photos and go surfing on you tube. Thank all of you ladies for my inspiration too! Summyr1988 - I enjoyed your videos, very inspiring and helpful.

Hi Sisters,
It's a beautiful struggle and The Peace & Beauty Project stands with you. We're going to host a screening of A Girl Like Me here in Orlando to spark positive dialogue and make affirming changes. Would love to hear your feedback (www.sakile.org).

XoXo,
Karen

I always compliment ladies wearing natural hair styles & ask them for tips on caring for it,who did their styles,what products they use,etc.I also make it a point to tell them about the new products out there for natural hair. So far NONE of them are familiar with CURLS,Qhemet,Ms Jessies,AfroVeda,KinkyCurly or use of ayurvedic products for our hair. A few know about Carol's Daughter.I'm a teacher & the librarian at my school uses that line.There are a few natural teachers but one just went back to perms! Most just wet their hair, apply some oil & call it a day. I do notice that KinkyCurly sells out FAST from Whole Foods altho I've only met one woman who uses it & she was looking for some the day I was there. It was sold out.

I'm currently wearing a wig while growing an afro.Had a huge one in the 60's-70's then 28 yrs of curly perms.I did the BC myself in Feb 2009 & am pampering my hair with good products & trimming off scab hair. I hope to have it healthy,scab free & ready to wear out by summer.

when i first went natural i was so stuck in wearing half wigs to cover up my short new look but soon i grew the confidence and now wear my hair out i started goin natural in june and cut all my relaxed ends off in septmeber to october....anywho now i have a friend who wants locs and everytime she sees me she is like omg i love your hair its so pretty and people that i would think less of wanting my look wow me and are like wow something is different what did u do to your hair i love it. So im glad to encourage people that watch me because i have the confidence and good poise.

I have one relaxed girl that works closely with me. I catch her staring at me all the time. I just smile and wave. lol. She has talked about going natural and tells me she likes my hair. My name is the same on youtube Summyr1988.

Hey Laquita - How are you lady! That's awesome, so we're basically on the same page with this resolution. Great minds...

Hi Lovely Locs - I say you and your daughter should go for it! And yes that's true, when the curiosity to go natural is there, they will approach. It's great that many women are comfortable enough to do so.

Hey Summyr1988, sounds like you're quite the role model at work. That's great! At my job, whenever I get on the elevator and the very few black women at the firm see me, they're always staring at my hair. Once and I while I get a "love you're hair!" and other times I get "I wish I could do that." And that's where the diaolg begins! An opportunity always seems to present itself. I'd love to check out your YouTube channel. Let us know what it is! The Editor

This was also one of my resolutions

WOW! My daughters and our loctician have been discussing this very thing for well over a year now. My daughters and i wanted to write a series of short essays about our hair journey to locs and natural hair for the relaxed sisters.

Recently in church a sister who said she'd had it with her hair shedding form perms, wanted to know about my locs. It was the best converstaion I've had about my locs with someone who isn't natural ever.
She has stated that she is going natural first. She means she's going to get an afro first. Then she says she'll exlplore locs. She was thirsty.

It's funny but i believe when they are thirsty, we won't have to approach them, they'll apporach us.

This was actually one of my new year resolutions. To try to be a better ambassador for the naturals. I have commited on my youtube channel to making videos focusing on relaxed girls and transitioners to help encourage them. I also have a couple ladies at my job that are going through their transition bc they have seen the success that I've had with my hair. They send me emails asking about products and whatnot. This is a great idea.