INTERVIEW WITH SHANA

INTERVIEW WITH SHANA FROM BROOKLYN, NY

PJ: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN NATURAL?

SHANA: I have been natural for seven years now

PJ: WHY DECIDE TO GO NATURAL?

SHANA: I decide to go natural because I didn't need to perm my hair

PJ: DID YOU DO A BIG CHOP OR TRANSITION?

SHANA: No big chop just a regular short hair cut

PJ: WHAT DO YOU DO ON 'BAD HAIR' DAYS?

SHANA: for the most part I don't have bad hair days because I keep a weave in my hair LOL

PJ: DO YOU SEE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR HAIR SINCE ITS NATURAL VS WHEN IT WAS RELAXED? IF SO, WHAT?

SHANA: Yes I see a difference. Whenever I do wear my hair out it frizzes right up. If I would've had a perm I wouldn't have that problem.

PJ: DID YOU RECEIVE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK FROM FAMILY/FRIENDS WHEN YOU DECIDED TO GO NATURAL? IF SO, HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT?

SHANA: I receive good feedback .My mother was like no one told me to perm my hair in the first place because I didn't need it.

PJ: I LOVE MY NATURAL HAIR BECAUSE...

SHANA: Everyone loves the natural look

***PICTURES ARE ALL OF MY NATURAL HAIR***



INTERVIEW WITH DANIELA

PJ: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN NATURAL?

DANIELA: I have always been natural with long hair until April 2011

PJ: WHY DECIDE TO GO NATURAL?

DANIELA: I had always been natural. It was just this one day I decided to go to the Dominican hair salon on my wedding day to get my hair done since my original beautician had canceled. I was so nervous that I didn’t even notice that the beautician placed a relaxer in my hair until my scalp was on fire. An me with scabs all over my head but not visible to view “THANK GOD”.  Which not only stripped my hair but I lost all of my natural curls to my hair along with the volume.

PJ: DID YOU DO A BIG CHOP OR TRANSITION?

DANIELA: I consider it big because it was lengthy hair. So yes, I cut it to my ear loop and gradually cut the rest of the relaxer out/damage hair .

PJ: WHAT DO YOU DO ON 'BAD HAIR' DAYS?

DANIELA: Wet -N-Go is my best friend!!!

PJ: DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE HAIR STYLE?

DANIELA: Right now I am in the middle stage where my hair growth is in between and no style can` save it. So it is Wet-N-Go for now. I am looking to try something new very soon.

PJ: WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO'S STRUGGLING IN THEIR TRANSITION?

DANIELA: Be patient, the reward is to see your hair in a much healthier state. Look in the magazines to get ideas of styles that maybe you can switch too and read blogs like this one to get ideas.

PJ: WHAT PRODUCT(S) ARE YOU REALLY FEELING RIGHT NOW?

DANIELA: Well I use Carol Daughter. Honestly it was given to me from my brother & his girlfriend for the repair of my hair as a Christmas Gift (That tells you how bad it was looking, LOL). Seriously, the product lasted since December 2010 and It is the best investment ever!!! All you need is a drop of the product and not over use it. I don’t use it every day because of course I am nervous of it being still a product with chemicals.

PJ: DO YOU SEE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR HAIR SINCE ITS NATURAL VS WHEN IT WAS RELAXED? IF SO, WHAT?

DANIELA: Of course!!!! It is ALIVE. The natural curls are completely back, fuller, healthier and shine is better. Oh, let’s not forget the horrible split-ends are gone!!!!!!!!!!!!

PJ: DID YOU RECEIVE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK FROM FAMILY/FRIENDS WHEN YOU DECIDED TO GO NATURAL? IF SO, HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT?

DANIELA: No in fact it was encouraged to get my hair healthier from my immediate family members but since I had always had  long hair. The family and some friends wasn’t too thrilled about my hair being temporary short and now I am scissor happy. Trying to be patient LOL….. ( I so want to cut it again)

PJ: I LOVE MY NATURAL HAIR BECAUSE...

DANIELA: It is at its healthiest at the age of 31. The last time it was like this was probably when I was 15 years OLD. I feel as though your outside reflects your inside; so if I feel beautiful on the outside I know my insides are gorgeous ROTF.

RELAXED JUNE 2010

RELAXED JUNE 2010

NATURAL 2011

NATURAL 2011

INTERVIEW WITH FRANCESCA

PJ-1: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN NATURAL?
FRANCESCA: I've been "natural" since the winter of 2010.  The reason I put natural in quotation marks is that I still have a slight problem of relaxing my edges, which I'm trying to stop.

PJ-1: WHY DECIDE TO GO NATURAL?
FRANCESCA: Initially I chose to become natural because I really wanted a new look, I wanted dreadlocks.

PJ-1: DID YOU DO A BIG CHOP OR TRANSITION?
FRANCESCA: I'm still in the transition mode.  I don't know when I'll bring myself to do the "big chop" because I'm not comfortable yet with short hair.

 PJ-1: WHAT DO YOU DO ON 'BAD HAIR' DAYS?
FRANCESCA: On a bad hair day I might tie a turban like scarf on my head or put a hat on.

PJ-1: DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE HAIR STYLE?
FRANCESCA: Yes I do, since I been going natural I normally keep my hair in Bob Marley twists or kinky twists.  I like this hairstyle because of its natural look and gives me the feeling of how I would look when I do decide to lock my hair.

PJ-1: WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO'S STRUGGLING IN THEIR TRANSITION?
FRANCESCA: This advice is something I'm still trying to accept and use but, there will be a time where you'll feel unattractive and you want to grab the "creamy crack" and slather it on.  But, if you know you have a goal and this is what you want to do let confidence be your hairstyle on those days.

PJ-1: WHAT PRODUCT(S) ARE YOU REALLY FEELING RIGHT NOW?
FRANCESCA: I'm not too familiar with most of the products out there but right now I like this shea butter leave in conditioner.  Whenever I twist my natural hair I put a little bit of it in my hair the night before and it smells good and feels nice the next morning.  Right now I can't remember the name.

PJ-1: DO YOU SEE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR HAIR SINCE ITS NATURAL VS WHEN IT WAS RELAXED? IF SO, WHAT?
FRANCESCA: Ha, the difference is very obvious.  My hair is stronger now, while it was relaxed I colored it a lot and that contributed to it breaking.  Now, I still like to color it but the effects aren't as harsh as when I was completely relaxed.

PJ-1: DID YOU RECEIVE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK FROM FAMILY/FRIENDS WHEN YOU DECIDED TO GO NATURAL? IF SO, HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT? FRANCESCA: My best friend was completely against it.  We used to go to the salon together, get our nails done together, and shop together.  But, with this new hair transition a new style sort of came with it, we still get along just the same even though we don't see eye to eye on what's fashionably "in" now.

PJ-1: I LOVE MY NATURAL HAIR BECAUSE
FRANCESCA: its a representation of me slowly getting rid of artificial things in my life.

RELAXED

I twist my hair very often too avoid "bad hair" days. No hair is bad hair though.  Oh and I look really mean in this pic, sorry.

Natural

INTERVIEW WITH SHAKERA

SO, I KNOW YOUR HAIR IS NOT NATURAL, BUT YOU WORE WEAVES FOR YEARS. WHAT MADE YOU REVERT BACK TO WEARING YOUR OWN HAIR?

I wore sew-in weaves for 10yrs straight and my main reason was my hair was growing very thin because it was not getting the treatment it needed to grow healthy. While having your hair braided up all the time does make your hair grow but, it also damages the ends which causes hair breakage. You have to allow your hair to breathe for a certain amount of time and receive hair treatments. I wanted my hair to be as healthy and thick as it was before I started wearing weaves.

DO YOU NOTICE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR HAIR NOW PRIOR TO WHEN YOU WERE WEARING THE SEW-IN WEAVES? IF SO , WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

There is a big difference. My hair has its original thick texture and no breakage. When I was getting my hair braided up in weaves I would leave some of hair out in the front and some in the back. Plus I would just perm that part of my hair which let me have two different textures and my hair was at two different lengths. The constant relaxing of just certain parts eventually broke off the front of my hair. My hair would grow very thin because of the constant damage. Now my hair is stronger and grows all at one length.

WOULD YOU SAY YOU DAMAGED YOUR HAIR AFTER WEARING WEAVES A LONG PERIOD OF TIME?

Yes but the main reason was I wasn’t taking care of my hair in between each weave. I should have taken at least 3-month breaks in between weaves to get my hair treated with conditioning, trims, and hot oil treatments. I truly recommend that if you get weaves you should only keep it in for 1-month tops.

            Your hair does break off when you constantly braid it up.

WHAT WAS THE MAIN REASON YOUR WORE WEAVES?

There were several reasons now that I think about it. First it gives you that length you always want when you can’t grow it yourself and I was lead to believe that if you wore sew-in weaves your hair would grow because you are “giving your real hair a break” that is such a lie. Now that I know what I know now I wish I never would have put weaves in my hair. Your hair will grow if you treat it well.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE HAVING A BAD HAIR DAY?

Well I have a short cut now so when I have a bad day I can either wear a hat or simply spike my hair up with spritz and have the messy short cut look works every time.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU RELAX YOUR HAIR?

I relax my hair every 4 weeks. My hair is short now so I have to make sure the back of it is lying flat so I make sure my perms are done in a timely fashion.

DO YOU THINK YOU WILL EVER GROW YOUR HAIR OUT NATURAL?

I am not sure. I always said I would never go without a perm. I do agree perm does do a lot of wear and tear on your hair but I believe if you use them moderately you should be ok. I think if I get a very low cut I can go natural but I will do that later down the road.

DO YOU WORK OUT? IF SO, HOW DOES IT EFFECT YOUR HAIR?

Yes I do work out and I usually tie my hair up when I do and it usually doesn’t sweat at all. I put spritz on it prior to working out so everything stays in place.

DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE HAIR STYLE?

Yes my signature style is my side part in the front and short all the way around. I like my eye slightly covered to give a little style.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR HAIR THE MOST? 

               My hair is the healthiest it’s been in years. I love its texture now. My hair grows nicely and is manageable. I didn’t think my hair would ever recover from the damage I did to it but fortunately it did.  

ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL PRODUCTS/HAIR TOOLS THAT YOU JUST CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT?

My Mizani hair sheen is wonderful. I don’t like heavy oil sheen on my hair so Mizani gives my hair that clean finish that doesn’t weigh my hair down.

WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU, HOW YOUR HAIR LOOKS OR THE HEALTH OF YOUR HAIR?

I would definitely say the health of my hair is more important. I do not want to be 50 yrs old with 2 strands left on my head lol.

2001

2004

2008

2009

Regardless if you're relaxed or natural, what's most important is that your hair is healthy. I really believe that it's not always about the products you use on your hair but what you put in your body. Your hair is like a plant...you have to water it to grow. With that being said, drink plenty of water, exercise, and take care of yourself PERIOD!

Lata, CHAN, PJ1

INTERVIEW WITH MINAH

PJ-1: Why did you decide to ‘go natural’?
MINAH: I decided to go natural because relaxers did more damage than good. The only thing the perm was helping was my edges. So after I was turned on to the doobie (in 1998) I realized that all I needed to say was 2 phrases " Purple rollers" and " Blow dry my roots por favor" after that I was good until the next month. Also I decided to color my hair and I was told that you can’t have color and a relaxer at the same time so one had to go and I love my Honey Blonde color.

 PJ-1: How long have you been natural?

MINAH: Wow I believe I have been natural for about 10 years now. It’s a love hate relationship.

 PJ-1: What do you do when you’re having a bad hair day?

MINAH: Add a head band with a messy bun to the side, a bun on top with a side swoop bang or a ponytail.

PJ-1: How often do you apply heat to your hair?

MINAH: Depends… in the summer NEVER it’s a wet and go situation All other months…not often at all. I blow dry it after washing and flat iron it for initial styling.

PJ-1: What product are you really feeling right now?

MINAH: Extra virgin olive oil and carrot oil.

MY SUMMER CURLS

MY HAIR STRAIGHT

MY BAD HAIR DAY (SIDE BUN W/HEAD BAND)

ANOTHER SUMMER LOOK

  

I Just love the many different textures of our hair.....Who's up next?...Signing off, PJ-1, Chan

INTERVIEW WITH SHARA

PJ-1:Why did you decide to ‘go natural’?
SHARA: I had been thinking about going natural probably since my early 20s. I wanted locs at first... But didn't have the guts to cut all my hair off. Years passed and the natural idea never left my mind. I really decided I would not perm my hair anymore when I saw a young lady in the salon get her hair pressed and she didn't have a perm (it looked so nice!). I think the more I matured, I became more conscious about being African American...hence I wanted to embrace all that came along with being of African decent, most distinctly...my real hair texture.

PJ-1How long have you been natural?
SHARA: My last perm was Nov. 2, 2007. I cut off all the remaining relaxer exactly a year later Nov. 7, 2008. A little over 2 yrs ago now.

PJ-1 What do you do when you’re having a bad hair day?
SHARA: If I can't wear a hat I try to make it neat, walk with confidence as if it's suppose to look like it does, and keep it moving

PJ-1:How often do you apply heat to your hair?
SHARA: I don't really keep track. Its whenever I'm in the mood to straighten it...is all based on my mood.

PJ-1:5. What hair styles do you get the most compliments on?
SHARA: Twists, twist outs, up-do's, and straight

PJ-1:What product are you really feeling right now?
SHARA: Kizzie's Stay-Put hair pomade by carol's daughter, evoo, evco, Trader Joe's tea tree tingle conditioner, shea butter (raw), eggs & mayonnaise as a conditioner, castor oil creme (jar with the pink top) by bronner bros, super gro by bronner bros, apple cider vinegar tonic for the scalp, miss jessie's curly buttercreme, and h2o (water)!

PJ-1....And she is an example of a true product junkie...I asked what PRODUCT is she really feeling right now and she gave a LIST! LOLOL

ME IN 2007

THE BIG CHOP NOV 7, 2008

ME TURNING 29

ME NOW...

News Anchor Goes 'Natural' & Ratings SOAR

A follower of the blog (Anika) sent in this post:

News Anchor Goes 'Natural' & Ratings SOAR

Nov 30 | by YBF

Going natural is the new trend for many African-American women. We've got the story of a Florida news anchor whose process lead to a ratings increase when you read on...


And yes, we're WELL aware the story came out over a week ago.  But we felt this is a positive story that can never get too much attention and we wanted to post it here as well.  Chill.

Rochelle Ritchie of WPTV-TV in West Palm Beach, Florida decided to let her hair go 'natural' and let viewers see the transformation. During the process, the ratings of Ritchie's show increased. When she first told the idea to the news director, a white man, he had no idea about the process. The news director said," I had no clue this was an issue. I never heard about it, and I had African American friends. I instantly bought into this story. I had not seen this story done. It brings up a safety concern." His only concern was that the viewing audience wouldn't care but the feedback proved positive.

Ritchie also posted her story on a website.

"Making the decision to go natural was not an easy one, especially being a black female reporter. After graduating Western Kentucky University in 2004, I accepted an editor position at a local TV station in my home of Lexington, KY. I had sent out tons of resume tapes hoping to one day be a reporter. But I didn’t get one interview with my relaxed shoulder length hair. One day an anchor, black female, told me I needed to get extensions if I wanted to land a job. I got extensions and made a new tape with my new look and I started getting calls immediately. From there the belief that I needed extensions in order to be hired set in. I spent more money on my hair than anything. In six years I spent $9600, my student loans are $9500, so that should give you an idea of where my priorities were.
“The story about going natural developed while I was having a conversation on the phone with a friend at work. My producer heard me saying, ‘I am going natural, I am tired of wigs, weaves and relaxers.’ She (producer) asked me what I meant by that and I showed her YouTube videos of black women who were on the journey of going natural. She was stunned and said, ‘Rochelle that would make a great story for sweeps.’ I pitched the idea and with her support as well as our female anchor they allowed me to do it. My news director’s response was great. His only concern was just keeping up with the process of my story and hair. My general manager is a great guy and totally supported me as well.
The fear of getting a new job with my new look does not scare me because I believe my work and passion for this business will shine through.
“I have had such an AMAZING response from the community. People of all genders and races have completely supported me with positive feedback. Of course if there were any negative emails my news director does not send those to me. But personally I haven’t gotten one email or Facebook comment that was negative. A matter of fact many of my white and Latino colleagues say I look more professional. I believe this as well. I feel I look more polished and sharp. I also feel like I think better without all that fake hair on my head! lol….
“For my ‘black female reporter hopefuls’ I say let your work show your ability to be a good, excuse me a great reporter. My story is a way for me to pave the way for black women’s hair to be acceptable not just in the professional world but on TV! I would say if you are natural. Keep it neat. And if you are worried about getting a job the fabulous thing is we can straighten our hair for the interview and go back to our beautiful curls when we leave.
“Do I have any regrets? Yes I do. I regret denying my natural beauty. I regret falling into the belief that I needed to look a certain way to get into this business instead of believing in my ability as a reporter. I regret allowing someone to cover me up. But no more! This is me, Rochelle Ritchie a natural, professional and happy television reporter. And I feel more confident now than ever before and look forward to climbing the ladder of success with all my kinky curls.”

Interesting story. And it says a lot that this many people were at least interested in hearing a real story about a YBF woman and her natural hair. Your thoughts?