Tell us a little about you and when and why did you decide to start wearing your hair natural?
My name is Darnetta. I have a 19 year old BabyGurl, two Boos (sons), 11 and 7, and an almost 2 year old GrandMan. This July I’ll celebrate my 13th year of marriage. I coexist as a published author and poet (Genesis) trying to get her jewelry business off the ground, but I’m so infatuated with the process of creating something that I don’t get to do much selling. I work in a middle school by day so I have a little crazy in me.
I began my natural hair journey in the late 90’s. My best sister-friend suggested I do a big chop and I protested the idea from the start. I was a practicing cosmetologist at the time and was so consumed with doing other people’s hair that I began developing less interest in my own. Between my friend’s suggestion and being uninterested in my own hair, the natural thing became more enticing to me. I did it and I can’t imagine wearing my hair any other way.
What was your biggest hair obstacle to overcome?
SHRINKAGE! It is the most common obstacle women with natural hair have, but it’s also an unnecessary battle we choose to engage in. The truth is there’s nothing we can do to stop it. We must work with it and move on. Once I really believed I couldn’t conquer shrinkage, most of my hair woes disappeared. Instead of focusing on what my hair couldn’t do, I started paying attention to what it would do. It hasn’t been total bliss, but I’m much more comfortable with shrinkage now.
What are three products you can't live without for your hair?
I can’t live without water, shampoo, and moisturizer. I’m pretty low maintenance. I put a little olive oil and water in a spray bottle and spray my hair a couple times a day. I’m not dedicated to any particular shampoo or moisturizer, but I’m very loyal to ingredients. The most valuable advice I’ve gotten throughout this journey is to pay attention to how certain ingredients interact with my hair. I had to start reading labels, researching, testing, and drawing conclusions. Yes, you will become a hair scientist during this process, but the understanding and knowledge you gain is priceless.
What are your favorite styles to wear?
I typically wear an afro puff. When I’m going out, I do a full blow out (afro) or a quick twist out.
Which natural sites/blogs do you follow?
Curly Nikki www.curlynikki.com
Afrobella www.afrobella.com
Easy Natural Hair www.easynaturalhair.com
I also follow a lot of natural hair pages on Facebook
Any advice for the newly natural sisters?
Being natural is as high or low maintenance as you make it. As with any other type of hair care, being natural involves a certain level of commitment or you’re not going to be happy along your journey. It’s okay to just want healthy hair. If getting jazzy with it isn’t your thing, there is nothing wrong with that.
Learning what ingredients/products work with your hair is crucial.
I would also ask newbies to keep in mind that having natural hair is a choice; just as chemically processing hair is a choice. Neither one is better than the other so don’t believe the hype and don’t indulge in the madness. Celebrate your sister regardless of her hair choice.
Do you have a site/blog/facebook to follow?
One Word at a Time www.poeticgenesis.blogspot.com
Lady Di Accessories on Facebook www.facebook.com/ladydiaccessories
Lady Di Accessories on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/LadyDiAccessories
Thanks so much for allowing me to participate.
Would you like to be my next Curly Sister? I have slots available for OCT/NOV/DEC. Send an email to lchwriter@gmail.com
