Why I Chopped Kenyah’s Beautiful Curls…

 Kidz corner, Natural hair  7 Responses »
Apr 302010
 

At birth:

1st week

A few months later:

And then it became too much too fluffy as we hadn’t cut off the birth hair, so we chopped it short:

Boy did it come back with a vengeance, 5months later…

Last week…

Now…

Why? It was becoming a mammoth task maintaining it. She couldn’t sit still while I did her hair. She’s got the most manageable hair but she’s just not ready for those long periods sitting still while mommy plaits her hair. All she wants to do is….play, play & play like every 1yr old would. Another thing like our previously featured Olwethu, she had started scratching her head frequently.

I honestly think she looks like a boy now & miss her crown so much…ag it’ll grow back. I might just keep it short until she understands what “KENYAH WEE, SIT STILL PLEAAASE!!” means.lol

Kenyah & mommy

Emma…

 Natural hair  1 Response »
Apr 282010
 

I’m from Diepkloof, Soweto and I work as an office manager for a consultancy firm in Melrose.

After years of plaiting braids on my relaxed hair in hopes that it would grow longer, it completely fell off, it was breaking and was badly damaged.

My challenge is that since I cut my hair 2 months ago, I feel like it is not growing the way it should. It is still really short and I have a feeling that it will stay like this for a while.

Advantage is that I don’t spend so much time on the mirror like I did when I had my relaxed hair and braids, and I have vowed never to put chemical on my hair ever again.

My friends and family were really surprised when I big-chopped as most people knew me with braids, but I had really positive feedback from most people.

I don’t have a solid regimen, I just wash my hair and put in a bit of moisturizer; not sure if it’s a good thing or I should be doing more.

I’m not a fan of dreadlocks, so I will just let it grow freely into a Afro (excited).

Hair Envy: Goapele

 Natural hair  4 Responses »
Apr 232010
 

Most of you know Goapele Mohlabane as the music artist who sang “Closer” and recently her song “Milk & Honey” has been receiving a lot of air play. I was amazed to hear that she is a daughter of an Israeli Jewish mother and a South African father who grew up in Diepkloof, Soweto (but was an exiled political activist for a while); hence her  Setswana name, Goapele (pronounced: Gwa-pe-le).  Representing!

I love her music and I think she has the most beautiful dreadlocks…

Feast your eyes…

What a stunner!

Lebo…

 Natural hair  13 Responses »
Apr 212010
 

I’m from Sebokeng in the Vaal.

Growing up I had long relaxed hair which most people envied. So when I cut it in my matric year in 2000, I had a lot of disappointed fans. I found relaxed hair too demanding as you have to relax it every month, comb it or have it curled – which I hated.

I was a tomboy and a rebel.I hated all these lady-like things, which drove my sister crazy and at some point I wanted to be a Rastafarian..lol. So locks fitted perfectly with my image and personality– plus natural hair is also glamorous!

I‘m very lazy when it comes to hair care, so dreadlocks are perfect for me. I haven’t really come across any challenges besides being called Jah lady.lol. Advantages: back in the days when there was still a few of us with locks, I used to get a lot of attention; which I enjoyed very much.

In 2006 i chopped my locks as i didn’t really like their size/thickness. They were thin and when twisting them together I thought they looked horrible. I tried freestanding natural hair and that didn’t work. Afro is too demanding; the regular washing and styling was just not for me. I LOVE dreadlocks because they require less maintenance.

My man loves my locks. He wouldn’t have me any another way. My family has finally accepted them and they were very disappointed when I cut  them. Even today, my sister still reminds me just how stupid I was. Some of my friends are proud to have a friend with dreadlocks.

I wash my hair with Jabu Stone shampoo every 2 weeks and twist with the Jabu Stone beeswax once a month. I apply molding cream every 2 days. I’ve never experienced any problems with Jabu Stone products,so I m sticking with them. I like the fact that I can get them at every cosmetic store (Clicks, Charlie Parkers…etc)

Mapawu in Braamfontein is definitely my favorite hair salon. I started my second locks with them. They really understood what I wanted and I loved the results.

The Lovely Claire Mawisa

 Exclusive Celebrity Interviews, Natural hair  7 Responses »
Apr 192010
 

You went away for a while (London) to pursue your modeling career, and came back rocking some seriously hot kinks on your head. What led to you going natural?
I had just left SABC 1 and needed to break away & “disappear” from media attention. My intention was not to model or to work in TV in England. The intention was to get a new perspective on things, be as carefree as possible and see the world. I had a short Afro when I left and it turned out to be the most convenient, (and cheapest!), way to maintain my own hair in the UK. I just felt that natural was how God created me, why fight it?

Locs are easier to manage than freestanding natural hair. Do you ever miss your Afro?
Yes, I miss my Afro every once in a while. I miss the variety of other styles I used to love to do like cornrows and braids.

I like the thickness of your locs. Is it what you had in mind when you decided to lock or did you want them either thicker or thinner?

Thank you! My favorite locks in the whole entire world were Rudeboy (Paul Mnisi) Paul’s locks! Wow! Long, thick and rich! Those locks were always my reference.
That is why I locked them myself because no hair salon can do that. I don’t think locks should be in perfect rows and spaghetti thin. I adore bongo locks!
I think that’s what locks are supposed to look like.
They have more character that way.

Now your son. I’m quite sure he’s a big boy now. would you consider locking his hair as well.
I can’t wait to lock Neo’s hair! He’s 5 now but plays a lot in the sand and mud, so we keep his hair really short so that we can wash his head on a daily basis. Will wait a bit longer before we go the lock route.

Which products do you swear by?
I use any shampoo and conditioner, with that I’m not picky. I dye my locks so I need to treat my hair regularly, for that I use Perfect Choice Cholesterol Treatment. For my scalp, Jabu Stone Hair Nourisher. For moisturizing my hair Jabu Stone Multi Purpose Spray. When my hair is really dry, I use an oil moisturizer.

Now let’s touch on your career. What have you been up to lately?
I’m currently freelancing. Nothing permanent.

Is it a challenge to get jobs in your industry with natural hair? Or does it work to your advantage?
My natural hair makes getting jobs SO DIFFICULT! I’ve lost many opportunities because clients do not want to “associate themselves with rastafarians”! What?! Huh??! Hello??!
I’ve been asked to cut my hair MANY times. I recently shot a commercial that I almost didn’t get because of my hair. It’s sad but true. My industry is based on appearance, and natural hair, or in my case, bongo locks, are not received as well as a weave.

Do you do your own hair, take it to a salon or have a stylist?
I’ve only recently started going to a hair salon. My hair is getting long and managing a good wash at home is getting trickier and trickier! My arms are exhausted by the end of it all! Otherwise, for the most part, I’ve done my own hair till now.

And the who’s whos you loved working with during your modeling career?
I enjoyed working with many many people when I used to model. To name them here, I’m sure I would leave someone out!

Would you go back to the runway?
No. I want to be validated and recognized for my ideas, thoughts and intelligence. Modeling doesn’t get me excited anymore. Plus, there are younger, prettier girls that want it more than I do. It was the right time to move on when I did.

Future plans?
Who knows?!!!

Ladine Hair Softener: Leave-In Conditioner

 Hair care & Products  17 Responses »
Apr 122010
 

I think I may have found…”The One”

I mean, my hair has never been this soft…and the smell is just divine. I also use it on my one year old’s hair & love how her curls just come alive. It’s also good for detangling her hair.

I bought it at Le’ Looks hair salon in Eastgate Shopping Centre but I’m pretty sure one can get it at any black hair salon; paid R75.00 but I’m not complaining at all..and definitely going back for more when this one finishes, which won’t be anytime soon as a little goes a long way.

I only use it:-

  • right after rinsing off my conditioner(with cold water) and towel-drying
  • when my hair feels extremely hard & dry (every second morning) and follow up with a mixture of Castor oil & olive oil.
  • On my daughters hair after a wash & when it feels & looks dry. I only use it on her hair as I don’t wanna overload her hair with lots of products. It alone is enough for her curls.

Ingredients:

Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Isopropyl Mystate, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone Copolyol, Strearalkonium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Rosemary oil, Wheat Bran Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor oil, Trideceth-9, Tocopherol, Ethoxydiglycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Fragrance(parfum), Amyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, FD & C Blue No1(C142090)

Rachel Stewart

 Fashion & Beauty, Natural hair  1 Response »
Apr 062010
 

Stunning jewelry & hair accessory designer, Rachel Stewart was kind enough to share her hair progress with us.

I have been natural for 20 years, but I always shave my head bald every few years…this time around I’m going to see how long it can get.

My fav style:

May 2009

March 2010

My routine:

  • I co-wash everyday; I don’t use shampoo
  • I put on some Shea Butter and Cantu moisturizer and let it air dry
  • I like to keep it simple

I only blow-dry for photo-shoots and when I go out on the town, so about once a month I blow it out…but on a day to day basis, I wash ‘n go…blow drying weekly would be much too damaging and probably wouldn’t have retained as much length if I did.

I also use a growth aid called Megatek. It makes my hair strong and keeps it from breaking so I can actually retain my length.

I also never trim my hair…that’s defeating the purpose of growing it too long. If it’s healthy, there’s no need to trim. It’s a myth that trimming hair makes it grow. Your hair grows from the inside of your head; trimming does not affect that whatsoever. If you had 10 long strong beautiful nails, would you cut them? No…same goes for hair.

I sell jewelery and would say 40% of my sales are international; from places like England, New Zealand, Spain…even South Africa!hello

Of course we had to ask about her superhot make-up and how we love  that red lip.This is what she had to say:-

  • red lip??…well I don’t wear red lipgloss or lipstick (your kidding right?), my lips are pinkish/red color, so I normally wear a clear or nude lip gloss…(some girls are just too blessed)
  • I only wear concealer where needed and finish off with a mineral bronzer.
  • I like eyeliner and smokey eyes.
  • I’d say the best makeup tip is to have good skin…take care of your skin, it’s the best “makeup”.
  • I use the oil cleansing method (OCM) on my skin. For the past 3 years I have only cleansed my skin with olive and castor oil; no soap or toner. It turns out when I stopped using soap, my skin stopped breaking out; it cured my cystic acne and gave me skin I didn’t have to cover with foundation like I had to for almost 20 years…here’s more info on the method

You can find more on Rachel’s art and jewelery on:

Rachel Stewart Shop
Rachel Stewart Jewelry
Rachel Stewart Art

 Older Entries

Facebook

Get the Facebook Likebox Slider Pro for WordPress