Decadent Beauty-Ariel

I was on public transport a few weeks back when I saw this Decadent Beauty and I had to feature her here.

DB: How long have you been natural and what led you to go natural?

Ariel: I have been natural since February 2010. I choose to go natural because of my kids, I never have time to do my hair also because I feel if your really beautiful inside and out then your hair doesn't matter, and I would stay natural after watching Chris Rock in Good Hair.

DB: What do you think is the best thing about being natural?

Ariel: Its convenient, and it shows the natural beauty of a person with no fake stuff.

DB: What is your current hair care regimen?

Ariel: I just wash,brush and go.

DB: Moisture is so important for black hair. How do you maintain moisture living in such a dry climate?

Ariel: I grease my hair alot but right now trying to find a good moisturizer is difficult.

DB: Do you have any words of wisdom that you'd like to share with transitioners or newly naturals?

Ariel: love your self and know being natural is being you 100% no added fakeness just you and the true beauty within you.

DB: Is there anything else that you'd like to add?

Ariel: I love the comfort of being natural and i love my hair and i love not wasting time and money on products that take away the true beauty of my hair.

Friend Ariel on Facebook.

Satwian-A Decadent Man's POV

 

DB: How do you feel about women that wear weaves or wigs?

Satwian: It's not my favorite look on a woman.

DB: How do you feel about women that perm their hair?

Satwian: If it has a fly cut and works for the woman, I say go for it.

DB: How do you feel about women that wear their natural hair?

Satwian: Jill Scott instantly became sexy to me when I saw her on Mo'Nique rocking her 'fro, a short cut or natural hair is sexy to me on woman.

DB: With women that have natural hair, what type are you most attracted to (loose, curls, afro locs) if any?

Satwian: All of the above works for me. I love a woman who is in love with the natural state of her being. It says a lot about her character in my opinion.

DB: Do you like to run your fingers through a black woman's hair?

Satwian: I only touch a black woman's hair when asked to...part of my southern ways ;-)

Check out Satwian's custom handmade jewelry here.

Herbal Conditioning Hair Spray Recipe

Here's a basic and easy recipe for a conditioning hair spray/spritz.  It can be used to refresh the hair or as a detangler.

1 c Water, distilled
1 Tbsp Lavender flowers
1 Tbsp Nettle
1/2 Tbsp Chamomile
1 tsp Sage, dried or fresh
1 tsp Peppermint
1/2 c Vegetable Glycerin
1 tsp Vitamin E Oil/Grapefruit Seed Extract/Tea Tree Oil (preservative)
8-10 drops Essential Oil of your choice (optional)

Infuse the water with the herbs by boiling them over a low heat for about 10-15 minutes.  Let cool for 10 minutes then strain infused water into a bowl.  Add in vegetable glycerin, vitamin E/grapefruit seed extract/tea tree oil and essential oil. Mix thoroughly then pour into spray bottle.

Hair Myths & Mockeries

This video was sent to me by a friend. Interesting to say the least.



It then lead me to post the following segment after listening to Monday's episode of NPR's Tell Me More. Guest host, Allison Keyes did a segment called Keep Your Hands Off My Hair, which I'm sure at least 95% of black women can relate to. And of course I have to reference this great article, Can I Touch Your Hair from Womanist Musings.

Share you thoughts.

29 March 2010 Update
I appreciate the discussion this topic has sparked. Here are the some reactions.

Decadent Beauty Ada

DB: How long have you been natural?
Ada: My last relaxer was in April of last year. So I've been natural for roughly a year.

DB: What do you think is the best thing about being natural?
Ada: Oh my. The list is endless.  My hair has character, it does its own thing; very unpredictable. My hair breathes...lol! But really, just the fact that I don't have to hide under anything. I do not have to go to extreme lengths to fit a certain mold. I can achieve a bunch of styles with my hair. I can morph into an afro, make it coily, curly or blow out in your face or just plain straight. What is there not to love? Oh and of course I do not have to run away from water!

DB: What is your hair care regimen?

Ada: I wash and condition my hair once a week.  I usually mix olive oil and coconut oil into my conditioner. I deep condition twice a month with either Aubrey Organics Island Natural Conditioner or a homemade banana conditioner (a blend of banana, egg, honey, olive oil, coconut oil and caster oil. Sounds yummy huh?) Because my hair is very coily, I get about 80% shrinkage. This means my hair will look like a TWA even though I have at most 5 inches of hair length. Because of that, whenever I am done with conditioning my hair, I usually section my hair, apply whipped shea butter, making sure I coat each strand and then braid the sections. Lately I have challenged myself to protective styling so I usually braid my hair into four big cornrows for the week. This also helps to check my hand-in-hair disease.

DB: How do you maintain moisture?
Ada: I maintain moisture by sealing my ends with a heavy butter and oil after washing and conditioning. During the week I'll mist my hair as needed.

DB: Any words of wisdom that you'd like to share with transitioners or newly naturals?
Ada: Trasitioners, look for styles that require little to no manipulation because it can get frustrating especially when you start getting a lot of new growth. Also look to do styles that blend in with your hair texture. When I transitioned I wore my hair in straw sets or I'd attach a faux afro puff. I transitioned for six months and BC'd because I just couldn't go any further. My hair was a tangled mess. Do not be afraid to do a BC.

To new naturals, I'll advise to be patient. At that stage you probably are looking for what works for you in terms of products and styles. When you do find what works, trust it will be a breeze from then on. Don't get caught up trying to get your hair to do what it can not do *cough* curl definition *cough*. You have to get to a point where you love your hair with all its hang ups or it will just be a frustrating journey. Please don't be too eager to try the next flaming product. If you find what works for you, stick to it (I need to take my own advice, lol).

DB: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Ada: That's pretty much it! Feel free to check out my YouTube page. I do cover songs and will be putting up my own originals when graduate school lets me, lol.