Tag Archives: Healthy Curl Spotlight
Healthy Curl Spotlight: Alexandria of Sporty Afros!
I’m so excited to have Alexandria of Sporty Afros as today’s Healthy Curl Spotlight! With her co-founder Whitney, Alex runs a great blog that gives tips on fitness, nutrition, and natural hair care! I truly believe that hair health is directly related to physical health, and Whitney and Alex have really done a great job of combining those topics, and helping natural women put their health first! I could go on and on, but without further ado, let’s get into Alex’s journey!
1.) Tell us about yourself! Where do you live? What do you do?
I am from and live in Dallas, Texas. By day, I am a Media Relations Manager, by night and mobile, I am the co-founder for Sporty Afros. I also am a certified sports nutritionist and motivational speaker in which I encourage and educate women on how to live a healthy life from the inside out.
2.) What influenced your decision to be natural?
Whitney Patterson, the other co-founder of Sporty Afros, went natural 6 months before I did. As she went natural, she joined me at the same time when I began training for my first triathlon. 6 months later as we completed our first triathlon together, I decided to go natural too. I guess you can blame her for me going natural as she blames me for being a triathlete. lol
3.) How do you take care of your hair?
The biggest way I take care of my hair is focusing on the inside out. Taking care of the outside of my hair must start on the inside, so I make sure to incorporate a variety of healthy meals that will also aid in hair growth in addition to exercising But of course CurlRehab readers already know this!
My specific hair regimen varies during the year. When I am training for a triathlon, I have a simple and religious routine because I am dealing with a variety of difference exercises such as swimming, biking, cycling and yoga. When I am not training, I have a more relaxed routine and play around with various products and styles. I am avid on keeping things simple and focus on 3 basics: oil for scalp, moistening my hair and sealing my ends. Outside of this I take an organic multi-vitamin, B-complex and Biotin.
Oh yeah, and you know a sista loves some wigs! It’s the perfect protective style and keeps me looking refreshed after a 2 hour bike ride.
4.) For the product junkies out there (almost all of us), what are some of your favorite products to use?
I am really anal about the products I use so the ones use, I LOVE!
First things first, you know I love our Sporty Afros products. Seeing the hair growth on Whitney’s hair from her using Ayverdic hair oils sold me. Thus, I started to use them and haven’t looked back. After people saw the growth of our hair and kept asking about the oils, we began selling them because they worked! Plus, as you know making Ayverdic hair oils is like baking a cake!
Unfortunately, I used to have very dry hair thanks to the good ole Texas heat. So after researching and testing, I came up with G+ spray. Whitney saw how shiny and refreshed my hair was looking one day and she became hooked. Like her, so did other folks.
Outside of our own products, I am a huge lover of 2 other main lines. I love everything by Amazing Botanicals. Their pomade, gel and Black soap are staples for the past year and half. I also fell in love with BeautifulBrown Baby Dol’s Body oil and Conditioner. I personally know the owners too, so I feel better knowing they make their products with love, care and passion.
I also like a few other products such as: Aveeno deep conditioners, Cantu Leave in conditioner, HairRules shampoo and Miss Jessie’s deep conditioner. I secretly have 12 year relationship filled with the LOVE for Aveda products but they are very expensive. I purchase a product once a year as a birthday treat.
5.) Have you encountered any problems with your hair? (breakage, dryness, etc) How did you deal with them?
Girl Yes! Here are my main 3.
1- Transitioning – This process was a hot mess and my hair couldn’t take it. So I just cut it all off and kept my hair refreshed and moisturized under a wig. This helped me out a lot!
2- Dryness – I experience a lot of dryness from Dallas/Texas heat. Man was my hair dry like wheat! As I stated before, I ended up creating the G+ spray to add in moisture back into my hair. I think it’s the one product I cannot live without. I keep a bottle with me at all times!
3- Bald Spot/Broken Hair- Thanks to increase of stress and being busy, some of my hair was falling out and I learned I had a slight bald spot. That is not a good look especially when you are on TV and speaking to people about hair care!! But it happens. I made sure to have a weekly scalp massage and increase my hot oil treatments with our Ayverdic hair oils and mixed in some castor oil to stimulate my scalp. I also simplified my hair routine and left my hair alone. It’s grown back so much!
6.) In what ways, if any, has your natural hair changed the way you view yourself, or how others view you?
I think this journey has taught me to take better care of myself and show others how to do it. I really think about what I put in and on my body in a completely different way. Being natural has helped me, along with Whitney, to stop caring so much about what people think and do what we want to do. If you follow us on twitter, facebook or on our blog you can tell we take chances and go to the beat of our own drum instead of the norm. Sporty Afros was founded in this manner as we were the first and only site that connected the dots between hair care, fitness and nutrition.
7.) What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned about your hair or yourself since being natural?
The biggest lesson I have learned is to how to have healthy thick hair while training for a triathlon. Lol
YAAAAYY! Thank you so much Alex for agreeing to be featured! Your answers were SO informative! I’m gonna have to check out some of your links myself! Ladies and gentlemen, make sure to check out Sporty Afros for tips on fitness, healthy eating, and MOST importantly, 
keeping your hair right and tight while you stay fit!
If you would like to be featured, all you have to do is let me know! Send me an email at CurlRehab@Yahoo.com, or tweet me @CurlRehab!
Healthy Curl Spotlight: Kiki
It’s Wednesday, and time for another Healthy Curl Spotlight! Kiki has agreed to let you all take a peek into her world today, so enjoy!
1.) Tell us about yourself! Where do you live? What do you do?
Well my name is KiKi and I’m in Florida. I’ve been natural since Nov 26th, 2010
2.) What influenced your decision to be natural?
Nothing at all believe it or not. I woke up one morning and noticed how beautiful natural hair is. I’ve always been natural (face wise) so I figure why not go natural hair wise, it’s a beautiful thing!
3.) How do you take care of your hair?
I wake up every morning, spray my hair with water, put a little bit of conditioner in and go about my way. Short, simple, and to the point
4.) For the product junkies out there (almost all of us), what are some of your favorite products to use?
I use Mane & Tail shampoo and conditioner and I also use Shea Moisture’s Curl Enhancing Smoothie along side of my shea/mango mix
5.) Have you encountered any problems with your hair? (breakage, dryness, etc) How did you deal with them?
When I first BC’d in Nov 2010 my hair was super dry and brittle. It got so bad that my hair started to break in sections to the point it wasn’t repairable. So I did a 2nd BC June 04, 2011 and since then my hair has been growing natural and beautifully.
6.) In what ways, if any, has your natural hair changed the way you view yourself, or how others view you?
It hasn’t changed at all. I noticed I take more care of my hair now but I don’t view myself different nor does anyone else. Even my friends whom are relaxed don’t view me any different. They embraced my decision to go natural.
7.) What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned about your hair or yourself since being natural?
Being natural isn’t easy, by any means. They say it’s simple to just BC and start a new as well as easy to take care of but it’s so much more than that. When you BC you experience the dry and breakage stages of your hair because it’s not as much and natural hair is always ALWAYS going to be high maintenance because of the need for products that work for your hair to keep it from drying out by the end of the day.
Thank you so much for sharing, Kiki! If you all want to see more of Kiki, check out her blog Luv N Knappiness!
As always, if you would like to be featured as a Healthy Curl Spotlight, just email me at CurlRehab@Yahoo.com! I’d love to have you!
Healthy Curl Spotlight: Yolanda!
Hello everyone! The first Healthy Curl Spotlight of the year is Yolanda!
1.) Tell us about yourself! Where do you live? What do you do?
I just moved to Atlanta…”you know the state”;). I love it here! ALL things natural hair go down here! For a living and a passion I am an Executive Chef for a large casual concept company. Means two things, I run that joint AND I can cook if I WANT to.
2.) What influenced your decision to be natural?
Chemical burns, heat damage, and my hair falling out in clumps. That and my hair refusing to “take” a relaxer because it was SO damaged.
3.) How do you take care of your hair?
With tender love and care. I steam, wash, and deep condition once a week. I twist or style it into styles that will last at least a week if not more. I don’t like to manipulate my hair daily if I can help it. I make sure to keep my hair moisturized and my ends sealed. I protect my hair EVERY night with a satin bonnet or a scarf (which my man prefers the scarf lol). I also rock protective styles about 95% of the time. Im on a mission to retain length this year. Most of my relaxed life my hair didn’t surpass neck length because I never retained it. I want to show myself that I can grow healthy hair past my shoulders.
4.) For the product junkies out there (almost all of us), what are some of your favorite products to use?
Ohhh…I adore the Jane Carter line! You wanna get on my good side…give me some jane Carter Leave In and see if I don’t do a cartwheel *tru story, an employee gifted my a bottle of JC for the holidays and I did a round off in the kitchen LOL*. I also like Kinky Curly Knot Today. I alternate between the two. My favorite shampoo is Deva Curl Low Poo which Im almost out of. As a back up I have Kinky Curly Come Clean, good stuff as well. One & Only Argan Oil is my favorite Deep Conditioner , Kiss My Face Upper Management gel (soft hold with great results), Nourish and shine from Jane Carter for twists and moisture, DIY Hair Care Products Shea Butter Mixes and Hair Milk.*Pauses* Im not a PJ….really…..
5.) Have you encountered any problems with your hair? (breakage, dryness, etc) How did you deal with them?
I definitely had breakage and dryness issues in the beginning which I believe go hand in hand. Once I got a moisture regimen down and figured out what my hair responded to I began to have less breakage, And thus began to see some retention. However, I think my hugest problem to overcome on this journey was myself. A lot of my obstacles were psychological. The beginning of my natural hair journey was quite traumatic and it took me 3 yrs to fully get over it. I believe “scarred” is the correct term. Once I began to relax, do my own research, and have FUN with my hair I started seeing some great results.
6.) In what ways, if any, has your natural hair changed the way you view yourself, or how others view you?
I think my hair journey has softened me up a bit. It definitely broke me down but I can honestly say I felt like it built me back up too. I can be a bit intimidating, especially at work, but I noticed that when I wear MY natural hair my employees relax a little around me versus if Im wiggin, or weaving it. I don’t know what it is….I guess the fact that Im showing them ME makes them feel more comfortable. Some times they get too comfortable…had an employee the other day say “Your twists are cute but its been 7 days…you’re off tomorrow so re-twist them please.” She’s a natural too so I took it as constructive and let it ride lol
7.) What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned about your hair or yourself since being natural?
That I have “Good Hair” meaning I have healthy, beautiful hair….texture is NOT a factor!!! For decades I always thought my hair wasn’t good enough and that “If I had my mommas hair grade I’d go natural like her but I don’t…I got my daddy’s hair”… Now I know better and I learned that not only is there NOTHING wrong with my daddy’s kinky hair (its beautiful!!!) but uhhhh once I let my hair grow out I realized I DO have a similar texture to my mom’s. I also learned not to compare my journey or progress to another person’s journey. That can be frustrating and misleading. When I started having fun with and embracing what I have is when I became less miserable with my hair and more confident and proud of it. I also learned that whether I choose to or not that I can possibly be an impactive influence on another natural’s journey. Whether it is negative or positive is a choice that is made daily and I try to keep it positive!
“I … learned not to compare my journey or progress to another person’s journey” You are so right! Thank you so much for sharing girl! To see more of Yolanda’s journey, you all should check out her blog Curly And Lovely!
If you would like to be featured, I’d love to have you! Just contact me through e-mail (CurlRehab@Yahoo.com), and let me know you want to be in the Healthy Curl Spotlight!
Healthy Curl Spotlight: Peace
Hello everyone! Welcome our final Healthy Curl Spotlight of 2011, Peace!! I actually randomly found Peace at the World Natural Hair Show in Atlanta this past Spring. Weird huh? How did we find each other among thousands of people? It was destiny!! LOL!
1.) Tell us about yourself! Where do you live? What do you do?
About me…hmmm!! Well I’m 25, I live in Atlanta, and I am a Manager for Banana Republic. I love to sing, write music and play guitar. I also just started a blog which is a lot more difficult and time consuming that I thought it would me. But it’s fun nonetheless! Www.naturallypeace.blogspot.com
2.) What influenced your decision to be natural?
I saw my mom do it and she looked great! I was also become closer to the age that my mother would soon stop paying to get my hair done, and so I needed slightly less expensive hair so to speak. Also, I was very tender-headed and had a sensitive scalp. I was tired having my scalp burned and scabbing later, and the pain of new growth.
3.) How do you take care of your hair?
I sleep with a satin bonnet. I wash once a week. I try to deep condition and do a protein treatment twice a month. Most of the time I sleep in big twists to maintain my messy fro look! I try to get my ends trimmed at least 3 times a year. But now I’m trying to get into this whole “dusting” thing. Which is when naturals go through their own hair and cut little pieces that are spit and/or knotted.
4.) For the product junkies out there (almost all of us), what are some of your favorite products to use?
I just went back to using Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. It moisturizes my hair very well. I have Knot Today leave-in, Shea Moisture Raw Moisture Shampoo, Giovanni Smooth as Silk conditioner for detangling, and lots of different oils. Also I use Purabody Naturals hair butter and hair lotion. I have a full product listing of what I’m currently using on my blog.
5.) Have you encountered any problems with your hair? (breakage, dryness, etc) How did you deal with them?
My hair can get terribly dry in the winter and summer. In the winter, I use the SM Curl Enhancing Smoothie with a little shea butter on top. In the summer, I use a glycerin mix and shea butter mostly or my Purabody Naturals lotion and butter. And as with most naturals, keeping those ends from splitting is always a challenge. For this problem, almost every night when I get ready for bed, I put a leave-in mix on my ends and coat them with shea butter to ensure that they are moisturized.
6.) In what ways, if any, has your natural hair changed the way you view yourself, or how others view you?
It boosted my confidence. I felt and still feel more and more beautiful the more my hair changes and grows. As for others, I get lots of looks and questions from all people – Blacks, Whites, Asians, etc. Everyone always wonders how I get my hair to stand up, or why it’s so big, and if it’s all mine!!! It makes me proud to be black 100% of the time!!!
7.) What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned about your hair or yourself since being natural?
Be careful with pressing and coloring and MOISTURIZE!!!. Those are 3 of the biggest lessons I’ve learned! Also I have learned that you have to be happy with who you are. Hair won’t change what’s on the inside, you have to do that.
“Hair won’t change what’s on the inside, you have to do that.” PREACH girl! Thank you so much Peace, Good luck on your journey! Remember to check out Peace on her blog!
If you are willing to be featured, let me know! Send me an email at CurlRehab@yahoo.com! I’d love to have you!
Healthy Curl Spotlight: Lavonna
1.) Tell us about yourself! Where do you live? What do you do?
Well, I am 24-years-old, raised in Houston, TX and currently living in Dayton, OH. I love music and singing, hanging out with friends, and practicing my bass (when I have time). Currently, I am in my 3rd year of graduate school pursuing my doctorate in Clinical Psychology. I hope to work with children who have experienced trauma and I plan to write some books, a devotional, and be a motivational speaker.
2.) What influenced your decision to be natural?
I’ve been natural most of my life. When I was in middle school I started begging my mom to let me get a perm. Since I went to boarding school for high school my mom finally let me get one although she was still opposed to it, she figured I wouldn’t be able to press my hair in the dorm. My junior year in high school I went back to being natural because a lot of my close friends were doing the natural thing too. But then came college and I went back to a perm in my second year. It was short-lived though and I grew it out. Finally, I got to graduate school and got my last perm during my first or second year. My hair was breaking off and getting thin and truth be told, I never really knew how to take care of permed hair because most of my life, I had natural hair. Last year August my mom came to Ohio to visit and she was telling me about different products for natural hair. I decided to give some a try, and it made the natural hair process SO much easier! So bottom line, I would say that I wanted my hair to grow and be healthy so that ultimately influenced my decision to be natural.
3.) How do you take care of your hair?
I’m constantly adding new ideas in terms of hair care. I wash my hair at least once a week, twice if I can. I deep condition every week as well when possible but a minimum of once a month. Every morning I spray water on my hair and put in my oil mixture. My oil concoction is made of Grape seed oil, Almond oil, Avocado oil, Tea Tree oil, Castor oil, lavender oil, sage, and Jojoba oil. The last four I added more recently. But these oils have done wonders for my hair. The oils don’t have to be done daily, it depends how dry your hair tends to be. I do as little manipulation of my hair as possible. I only comb my hair if I’m detangling it otherwise; I fluff out an afro or twist out, etc. with my fingers and do it as gently as possible. I also do a lot of protective styling like twists and up dos that can last a week or two. No heat. Unless I am consciously deciding to press my hair (which is rare) I do not use heat whatsoever. On the rare occasion that I do, I use grape seed oil before I blow dry and press because it is a heat protectant. Always comb from the end to the top when detangling. One neat trick I learned is to plait the hair before you wash and then unbraid each section to wash and then braid it back. This will minimize the amount of tangling that occurs and will allow for minimum strain on the hair when detangling.
4.) For the product junkies out there (almost all of us), what are some of your favorite products to use?
I love Kinky Curly Knot Today Conditioner and Shampoo. Best I’ve ever used. Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic is great too! It is a good replacement for gel. It is ideal for a wash and go but I’ve found that it does wonders for twist outs and bantu knots. It really defines your curl and gives a bit of a shine AND I believe it’s all natural. There is also Extra Butter by the same line and that is awesome for twists as well as adding moisture to an afro. I use Miss Jessie’s deep conditioner. Now that I’ve learned what works best for my hair, I’m becoming less of a product junkie but I definitely have a lot of things that I no longer use!
5.) Have you encountered any problems with your hair? (breakage, dryness, etc) How did you deal with them?
I’ve been blessed not to have any problems to this point.
6.) In what ways, if any, has your natural hair changed the way you view yourself, or how others view you?
Natural hair has been a confidence booster. I think there is a certain level of confidence needed to do it because it is so against “the norm”. I’m glad that I can embrace my natural curls. Others have said I’m brave for doing it, a lot of people don’t think they can do it. I’d say they just don’t want to do it. Nothing wrong with that, it’s not for everyone and it takes a lot of work, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing or you don’t have a plan when you sit down to do your hair.
7.) What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned about your hair or yourself since being natural?
I’ve learned that it is okay to be me. If someone has a problem with my wearing an afro or feels that I should wear my hair straight to work, well that’s their problem. I have to walk with confidence, people see that confidence and I think that helps them accept that I am who I am. I’ve also learned that being natural isn’t as hard as people make it out to be. It can get a little pricey, especially if you want to use natural products and mix your own products BUT it’s so worth it when you see your hair is healthy and growing much faster than before.
Thank you for sharing Lavonna!! If you would like to be featured as a Healthy Curl Spotlight, contact me at CurlRehab@yahoo.com! I would love to have you!
Healthy Curl Spotlight: Tiffany
1.) Tell us about yourself! Where do you live? What do you do?
Hi!! J I am a 24 y/o RN that lives in the Metro Atlanta area. J
2.) What influenced your decision to be natural?
Well…I’ve ‘gone natural’ at Least three times. Twice in middle school (since I was convinced relaxers were stunting my hair growth) and this latest time started the second semester of my Freshman Year of college. (’06)
3.) How do you take care of your hair?
Hmmm. Well…I try to keep it clean and moisturized. I have itchy scalp and chronically dry scalp so these are my main demons so to speak. L Right now though, I’m washing it less because I’m loc’ing my hair. It will be 2 months on the 24th of November!!
4.) For the product junkies out there (almost all of us), what are some of your favorite products to use?
Unfortunately for this question I rarely use products on my hair anymore. On my loose hair I never figured out a ‘holy grail’ of products. Things I used on the regular though were Giovanni’s Direct Leave In, Eco Styler Gel and Shea Butter. I leave products up to my locitian Kiyomi at The Good Hair Ship in Lithonia, Ga. She’s Awesome and makes her own products!! Even though its expensive to pay for a professional retwist and style every three weeks (because it pains me to make it to four lol) it is soooo stress free!! When my hair locs I’ll start doing more myself. At least that’s what I tell myself.
5.) Have you encountered any problems with your hair? (breakage, dryness, etc) How did you deal with them?
BOY. Breakage, dryness, you name it. But in hindsight it was mostly due to coloring my hair. My hair was always prone to dryness but the last incident involved BLEACHING. A serious no-no. I’ve pretty much colored my hair everything in the rainbow (many shade of red, black, blue, green (by accident), Pink (by accident), blonde) but the bleach literally stripped the diameter of my strands. There was no reviving it. I wasn’t retaining length. I gave myself two options: Cut off all the color or loc my hair.
6.) In what ways, if any, has your natural hair changed the way you view yourself, or how others view you?
I think it has definitely aided me in viewing myself in a more positive light. Its more than attractiveness. The stress and time and many lessons learned with my hair have made me appreciate hard work to say the least. Lol. In regards to others, I think people have come to identify me with my ever-changing hair styles. Changing up my hair OFTEN to possibly ‘risky’ do’s were something I never had the confidence to do earlier in life. At some you have to just do what you think is cute and keep it moving.
7.) What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned about your hair or yourself since being natural?
I see this all the time but No One’s Hair Is The Same. You can look at regimens and YT vids and blogs all day but until you try out those things and find something that works for Your hair you’ll always be in limbo somewhere unsatisfied with what God gave you. It’s easy to covet what others have. Also, I learned that my hair actually has curls! They shrink AT LEAST 75% from wet to dry but they are curls nonetheless!
Thank you Tiffany! Your locs are looking good! Good luck on your journey!
If you want to share your hair story, contact me at CurlRehab@yahoo.com! I would love to have you featured!
I'm Holly, a chemist, foodie, and natural hair enthusiast! Here I share product reviews, DIY hair recipes, the hair journeys of others, and my own journey! Whatever the texture, style, or length, I'm dedicated to bringing Healthy back! Welcome to Curl Rehab!