Let's Call it Practice

I apologize profusely for the lack of my own pictures. I hope to have my own camera soon *chagrin*

I'll try to make it up to you by showcasing some pictures of twists I practiced on my younger sister, Asia. These are by far the worst, totally janked by how she's always "sleepy" when it's time to do her hair.

Look at those cheeks!

Luckily the twists weren't the end product *makes face*. When they dry it will be a very cute twist out (...I hope) that'll slowly work it's way to Mickey Mouse puffs like it did a couple of weeks ago:

Now that is cute.

Peace, (and the) Love (of), Afropuffs,

Jade

Reconnecting to Move Forward

When I started this blog, I tried to find a name that would catch the ear and still be relevant. Suddenly, I thought about a conversation I had a while ago with an acquaintance of mine with a cool name.

Fonti and I were chatting on Facebook when the topic turned to my recent haircut. I hardly transitioned; I was afraid to have short hair, which is the main reason I ran to the clippers. Heh. I explained about my decision to go natural.

"For me...going natural is really a return. I'm going back to my original self, getting reacquainted with the way God made me."

I realize even more now that that is what is happening, and that is the way. I had to reconnect with my natural being before I could move forward and grow into a better person.

My decision to stop relaxing and cut my hair has yielded more than just a new do. I had to redefine my standard of beauty to accept all different kinds. I have focused on my health more, wanted my hair and skin to flourish, so I pay more attention to what I put on and in my body. I look at all the lotions and potions I used in the past and wonder how my skin didn't just fall off! Yet, something else has occurred. I'm trying to improve my outsides and insides physically, and I'm focusing even more on improving my true inside: my personality, my soul. This is the most important change. I'm stopping all the gossip, lies, and betrayal that plague female friendships. I try not to constantly complain and focus on what I am blessed with. I stop myself from saying the first hurtful thing that pops into my head just because my boyfriend made me angry. I tell my temper that it is not the boss of me. I am more aware of myself and how I affect others around me. I now aspire more than I ever did to be a better person, to be beautiful inside and out, realizing that when you have inner beauty, the outside all falls into place.

Has anyone else felt this? What have you realized on your natural journey?

Thunderstorm Thoughts

I awoke this morning to a monstrous crack of thunder, followed by the pit-pat of a soft rain. Closing my eyes, I listened as it pitted on my window sill; patted on the dewy grass. And I knew that if I suddenly wanted to hop out of bed and run around out there, nothing was stopping me.

I couldn't help but smile.
Happiness is so simple.
Jade <3

A Bone To Pick

Okay, what is up with these Dr. Miracle commercials?!





In one commercial, a Black woman runs to the mirror and screams in horror at the state of her hair. She exclaims, "I need a miracle!" comeplete with tears. Suddenly, "Dr. Miracle"'s hand pops out the mirror holding one of his products and says "You need this, etc." Fade to a picture of the full line, (with that big box of No-Lye Relaxer showcased in the middle, by the way) and return to the scene at hand. The woman now returns to the mirror with long, shiny, straight-and-hot-curled hair, profusely thanking Dr. Miracle and falling in love with him.

Is it just me? Or does that tee you just a bit?
Dr. Miracle and his commercials are circulating madly on most channels that they know black women watch. This type of marketing is no news, but I don't see how he (and they) sleep and night knowing they're praying on the insecurities of millions of black women, reinforcing the belief that your original, natural hair is ugly and that You Need a Miracle.

The strategy of this marketing is diabolical. Apart from the woman crying at her self in the mirror, the advertising includes the Other Woman "Whose Hair You Want" who makes sure you know you need a miracle, Dr. Miracle at that, and the Successful Black Man who lusts after your long straight perfection. And at the head of all of that, the company gave their product as face, soliciting your trust with a Black doctor who obviously only has the interest of his people at heart.

What really grinds my gears is that a relaxer is never the answer to the problem presented in these commercials. Yes, the woman's hair was dry, frizzy, and all tangled and knotted but that's nothing a good twist-out regimen couldn't fix.
We black women are made to believe that our original self is ugly and we have internalized it. Companies like Dr. Miracle's reinforce and make profit off of this fact and we allow this!

Finally, the use of a black spokesperson really attracts the target demographic. Black people must learn that most of these companies who do that and slap "African" on everything are usually white owned. Would you be rushing to buy these products if a business suited white man was telling you your kinks need a miracle?Think of it that way. Because that's the way it is.


Peace out.
Angry Jade

Ethnic Trend Part 2

Celebrities aren't the only ones walking the path of ethnicity. I've also noticed an increased amount of natural haired brown men and women in commercials. I'm sure many of you have seen the Pull-Ups commercial with Lyon and her dredlocked mom, and even though I wanted to speak on it, it was old news by the time I started this blog. However, this morning, I had the pleasure of seeing a Splenda commercial abound with curly heads. I'm not big on sweeteners, but one lovely lady sipping tea even had a TWA. Unfortunately, I've had no luck finding a link to the commercial online.

I have a habit of being excited by the smallest things, so I'm not going to start dancing around my bedroom yet. But I would like to see how this "trend" continues.

Just wanted to share.
Peace.
Jadeite

The Kink Logs: A Man's Perspective I

I've decided to ask many ladies and lads that I know in my new series called The Kink Logs and The King Logs: A Man's Perspective. My very first interview is from a man so I started with AMP first. (Ooh, AMP...I like that.)

The Man With the View: Adam 19, Savannah, GA.

Jade: Firstly, what is your relationship with your hair?
Adam: I clean it, twist it, and keep it moisturized. I care for it like any other part of my body.

Jade: With women, are you more attracted to long hair or short hair?
Adam: I don't really have a preference for that; I've dated women with many different hair types and lengths.

Jade: What style do you prefers on Black women (weaves, afros, wigs, other)?
Adam: Natural. Natural styles like braids or an afro look better on Black women than unnatural styles. There is a natural style that works for every woman, and every one should find those that look best for them.

Jade: How do you feel about the Black Haircare Industry and its target on Black women?
Adam: It's bad, really awful. Marketers from all industries (especially the beauty industry) play on the insecurities of women so much that they convince them to buy chemical-laced products that only cause harm, all to make a profit.

Jade: This is a two-part question. Does a woman's relationship with her hair affect her relationship with you?
Adam: Definitely yes. The women who won't leave the house unless they've spent whole days in the salon and shelled out hundreds of dollars--that type of obsession with the outside only leads men to believe you have something to cover up on the inside. With a natural haircut, it really counts when you don't try to hide what you naturally are under added hair or chemicals. Also I love the girl I am with now and I love her cut, because when she made the decision to go natural, she did it for herself, and loves herself more. Most women are obsessed with what others think, and sporting a little afro shows you don't give a damn.

Jade: Tell of a time when a woman's relationship with her hair affected you in the past? If it has at all.
Adam: Hmm...the last time my girlfriend relaxed her hair really upset me because we had had a discussion previous to that incident where she promised not to anymore. And I remember how she gave really lame excuses for it as well, heh. Other than my current relationship...most of the ladies I've dated had natural hair. There is one who wore ponytail pieces; in hindsight, I realized I was least attracted to her.

Jade: What thoughts cross your mind when you see a napptural woman?
Adam: Immediately, she has bucketfuls of confidence. It takes confidence for a lot of these natural styles! I definitely appreciate that. There is nothing more beautiful than the real you.

--End AMP Log 1--

Adam offered a good view on what some men feel, and I will definitely continue this series. I want to learn the various perspectives of many men. Who out there is pro relaxer? Who spouts all natural love but only like naturally straight hair? Who thinks the afro is the sexiest thing on the planet?
We'll find out soon, wink.

Peace. Love,
Jade

Ethnic Shaved Head Trend?

I will admit I am far far late in speaking on this but my heart is battling with both sides of this topic. Apparently, there has been an influx of young black it-girls shaving part or all of their hair off and it's becoming the "new trend".

On one end, I am happy girls like Cassie and Rihanna are confident to take clippers to the head in the public eye. And let's not forget Solange, who has cut all. of. it. off and her hair type definitely looks a little kinked up in there <3
Besides, I abhor the word "trend". This word implies a passing fad, a little teenage phase that trendies have fun with for a little while and then drop like a lover who you've outgrown. Hinting that this natural mindset won't last long and we'll all be back to hiding our kinks and coils. Boo.
What's a bald-head/natural trend for one is a bonafide style for another, so trendies need to properly represent.

It's definitely a style for me, with my afro not even an inch high yet, heh. Since crossing over, I love to see others join, but don't call it a trend! That hurts. I'm never straightening again.

I hope to start hosting some beautifully natural pics soon.
Peace. Love,
Jade

Ooh, Aah!

You have got to take a look at this.

When I saw the first picture of Ladene (designer/stylist) with her fat, sexy dreads I was in love.
I'm so happy that I happened upon this gem of a tumble. There are so many beautiful natural styles, from the long fat dreads to a bald head.
Take a look man, really!
And take a look here, because I luv this blog.

Long-Term Transitioning versus Short-Term Transitioning

Transition: The period after your last relaxer, during which you cultivate new, natural hair growth while the relaxed ends are still attached. I've noted, not by any spoken rule but more general shared thought, that long-term starts at about six months, and short-term is any time less than that. The transitioning period ends with the "Big Chop".

During my submergence in the natural scene, I marveled at all the long term transitioners. They were so patient, so diligent in this phase, and when they finally chopped those nasty ends, had six inches of natural hair, maybe even more.

Me, I've always been a right now type of girl (which may backfire one of these days, heh). I transitioned from April to June and simply did not have the fortitude to fight through the breakage, awful hair days, and general woes that come with caring for two very different hair types on a transitioning head. I took the risk and ended up with the teeniest weeniest of afros. Aside from having only one style for a moment, I am happy with my decision.

Instead of wondering in my head why people choose the path they do, I did a little lurking.

Short-Term Transitioning
Pros:

• Faster start to caring for your natural hair
• Easy to love, super-cute teeny weenie afro
  
• No pressure to straighten to meld the relaxed and nappy textures

Cons:

• One style (the "short Natural") until your hair lengthens
• If you know you will be uncomfortable with such short hair, this option is not for you. No regrets!
• Many look down on the teeny weenie afro as not feminine enough.

Long-Term Transitioning
Pros:

• Natural hair at a longer length
• More style options
• Able to fully dispose of all relaxed hair (some short-terms retain relaxed ends until next trim)

Cons:

• You must be very patient.
  
• Excessive breakage at the demarcation line (where relaxed hair and natural hair meet. a very weak point in hair.)

Truly, there is no competition, as the ratio of long-term to short-term transitioners is around 1:1. Most make the decision to transition long-term to avoid the shock/horror/liberation that is the teensy afro. This is very understandable (yet, I did call myself a punk for feeling this way), and everyone should do what's most comfortable for them so there's no distress, no regret, and no trying to convince them to come out of their panicked state and put down the no-lye.

For more stuff, Nappturality has a Transition Support forum.
As always, feel free to share your ideas.
Nightie night,
Jdot

Counting Up

Not much my way today, so I decided to code a count-up clock celebrating my big chop. I need one, considering it's always been hard for me to do calendar math.

Make your own Countdown Clocks

I'll just check back here every so often. I do wish it counted in months to simplify even further.

Napptural Routine

While browsing different sites, I saw that many experienced curlies have developed a routine. I also noted that many beginning curlies (such as myself) are still going through a trial-and-error period until they discover what's best.

Hmm...what's my routine so far?
With my teeny weenie afro, I've been sporting a conditioner-wash-and-go-and-pick using Pantene Relaxed & Natural Conditioner. To moisturize I use Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil, and 100% Pure Shea Butter (surpriseherb.com) once after the shower. During the day I spray my hair with water to keep it moist.

It worked for a moment..yet lately I have been experiencing build-up and excessive dryness. I have decided to change this routine by conditioner-washing less, changing my routine from everyday to every two or three days. I also need to be more diligent on deep conditioning. Hopefully I'll find something that works for me soon, yes?

And if anyone has any ideas at all, feel free to share!

Peace ^_^
Jadeite

Geekalicious Moment

Now blogging from my new hp laptop, gift from the mother.
The guy at Best Buy gave me his number... but I must decline, as I am happily in love with another Nerdy Boy.

Peace.
Jade

The Elusive 4a Curly

Last night, before drifting off under the tv drone, I couldn't help but feel a slight disconnect to the curly community. I was excited to join women who have quit Standard Beauty, but I couldn't help to feel a little down because, well, where are the others like me?

I follow many great websites on being a curly gurl, yet it saddens me a bit that the pioneers of these sites don't have my hairtype. Most fall in the lovely 3c range, and I wonder if their 3c advice shows results on my 4a mane, excluding other factors such as porosity, density, and others.

I understand that with "scab hair", I won't quite know what my hair type truly is until it grows more and the scabbies are cut away. Yet I can make an educated guess, and it looks pretty afro to me.

Enough moping.
Seriously though, where are all my 4a sisters?

Sincerely,
Jadeite

Postscript: Scab hair is hair that has been affected by relaxer seeping into the hair follicles, causing it to be crunchy, hard to manage, and less responsive to product. Nappturality has an article discussing the existence of scab hair here.

Original Self- Welcome

I tried this once before but I'm gonna do it forreal this time. I have (at last) fallen to the craze of putting my musings out for the rest of the anonymous world to see! And I felt I needed someway to keep track of my Relaxed-to-Natural transition.

Here's a Q&A bit so you know a bit about me.

For how long did you relax your hair?
My first relaxer was around age 7, and I didn't call it quits until around April this year. That's about 10 years of that horrid stuff.

When was your Big Chop?
My bc was on June 26th, 2009. It's been almost a month since then and I am still scarexcited. I suppose I can safely guess that the look of my hair is the 4a kinky kind.

How do you style your hair?
The only option I have currently is the ever-loved teeny weenie afro, which sometimes looks a little frizzy as some of my relaxed ends are still attached. I am deathly afraid of trims, but I suppose I'll just have to close my eyes until it's done.

And lastly (for now), what was your reason for going Natural?
I was tired of hating the water. We humans are cruel to ourselves.

I decided to share my journey with others who are natural, TWA'd, long and lucious, or in between hoping we can all connect.
Peace.