Conscious Vibes October 2013

THE POWER OF REINVENTION

SHERRY

DIXON

ISOSSY DESIGNS

SPOTLIGHT

BEN OKRI

T WA A

TEENY

WEEN

Y

FRO

IONIS T U L REVO ICA JAMA

ING

10

STEPS TO

HEALTHIER

HAIR

LOCS CAREER AND NATURAL LIFESTYLE FOR THE SAVVY INSPIRATIONAL WOMAN

Refreshingly Different www.zayunubydesign.com

CONTENTS SHERRY DIXON

NATURAL HAIR SALONS

BUSINESS & CAREER TALK

INTERVIEWS

WRITERS CORNER

REGULARS

FEATURES

FROM THE EDITOR...

G

reetings and WELCOME TO OUR THIRD EDITION of Conscious Vibes magazine.

As we move from summer months into winter, I can’t help thinking about the number of people who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder, widely known as (“SAD”). At Conscious Vibes we are doing our best to keep you happy and motivated during this time with this bumper edition. The theme of the magazine is the ‘Power of Reinvention’ and is super packed with information and tips on how to brighten your days and adjust to the change in climate.

The magazine is filled with inspirational stories on how people have reinvented their careers and businesses to meet the ongoing challenges of a flat lined economical market as well as making personal growth decisions.

Our resident business and career writers give you a boost to ensure that you end of this year on a high. Whether it’s time to take that leap of faith to go after a promotion or new job; or you are simply looking for new ideas to accelerate your business profits – there is something for everyone.

Check out the fabulous fashion pages with Gitas Portal and award winning Isossy Design; both giving you an array of beautiful clothing for women and children whatever the season.

I am really impressed with the locs and natural hair designs we are receiving from the Natural Hair salons. Each edition they are becoming more and more outstanding, showcasing lots of creative ways to style your hair especially with the festive season soon approaching.

I for one, will be trying out a different hair style from the magazine each month.

In addition we have a new feature in line with the ‘Power of Reinvention’’ on how to spruce up our home Hollywood style with the use of different fabrics and colours.

And last but not least, don’t miss the Big Chop article. Read about how more and more women are cutting their locs or giving up the relaxer and starting all over again, without a wig or weave and just wearing a Teeny Weeny Afro (TWA).

Enter the Reinvention zone and enjoy.

ConsciousVibesM

Angela Small

Conscious-Vibes

CONTRIBUTORS Share Their Views

The Power of Reinvention … leading with the courage and conviction to overcome difficult times and having the strength to reinvent you and move onto bigger and better things ... this is my take on it!

This edition is so inspiring, the articles and stories have many examples showing that nothing is impossible! Starting over again is one of the toughest things a person can be asked to do. But most of us, at one point in our lives, are forced to do exactly that.

Remember that your mind is a beautiful tool, but when it dwells on the past it keeps you from enjoying the present. Never say, “I should have done things differently,” as blame can be like poison in the body and can halt you in your tracks. Accept what has happened and go on with your life because you really cannot change the past, but you can enhance the future, by moving on and believing in yourself, never allowing a negative thought to remain or linger, just reject it and replace it with a positive thought which is the power to reinvent yourself however you see fit.

Onwards and upwards I say!

Enjoy

Greetings one and all!

Well, another 3 months has passed and already we have an even better October edition for you.

This edition touches the subject of how the TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro) is transforming Jamaica, check out my article on page 12 where I have done the big chop and follow me on my journey “going back to my roots”.

I love the Zayunu by Design jewellery collection so much that I already have my eye on a few of her collection pieces to go with my TWA! I don’t know about you but I can definitely relate to the article “3 Steps to overcoming procrastination” but I can also honestly say that I am on the road to ending this year in the right direction. Like Sherry Ann Dixon and her article “Me, Myself and I”, I too believe in reinvention and I am enjoying a new chapter to me so reading her article was wonderful – “I am ME!” Hope you enjoy this edition as much as I have.

Stay blessed and keep it real!

Maureen

NATURAL

UK

HAIR SALON

M

y name is Jay Adegunle and I am 48 year old (yes I said it!!), self-trained, Creative Loc-stylist

I became the family braider when I was 11 years old! Braiding evolved into Locing, which I learned by doing my own hair. I started my Locs in 1994, and I maintain, colour and style them myself. It’s my way of leading by example!! I feel most alive when I am creating a loc-style, and it is the one aspect of doing hair that I enjoy the most .

I want to push the boundaries of styling Locs, so that people sit up and recognise the beauty and creativity of our Natural Hair. My buzz comes from my Clients, who provide feedback on how wearing a style makes them feel, and how people react to them and their styled locs.

My motto is ‘The only limits to my styling ability are the ones I place on myself. My styling creativity is Limitless’ I started Locs4Life in 1998. I am Trademarked as Locs4LifeUK™ I am currently putting together a Loc-styling e-book and I aim to have it available for sale via Amazon from October 2013.

Locs4LifeUK Vol1 will show my work from different angles with an explanation so stylists can re-create these styles.

My salon ‘Locs4Lifeuk’ is located at 459 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, London N13 4BS

Hair by Appointment Contacts: Tel: +44 0208 8868777 / +44 07971 101008 Email: locs4lifeuk@yahoo.co.uk Website: www.locs4life.co.uk Twitter: @locs4lifeuk Youtube: locs4lifeuk Facebook: Jay Adegunle (or) locs4lifeuk Linkedin: Jay Adegunle

Photography: locs4life.co.uk

NATURAL HAIR SALON - UK

Model: Roxanne

Style: locs4life

Photography: locs4life.co.uk

Model: Weininger

Style: locs4life

Photography: locs4life.co.uk

NATURAL HAIR SALON - UK

Model: Rosemary

Style: locs4life

Photography: locs4life.co.uk

Model: Maureen Style: locs4life

Simply share your story of how your partner proposed and send a picture to info@consciousvibes.co.uk The best stories win a pair of tickets Deadline for entries: 20 th October 2013

AFRICAN FASHION

Yo u w i l l s e e a s t r o n g e x p r e s s i o n of f emininit y w i t h i n e a c h collect ion, and a d e s i g n t h at appeals t o c o n f i d e n t w omen who c e l e b r a t e f a shion t hrough a d e s i r e f o r innovat ive d e s i g n , l u x u rious f abrics a n d t e x t u r e s and m e t i c u l o u s at t ent ion to detail.

Gitas Portal aspire African inspired cr to an internati audience.

Photography: sloetry photography | Model: Kami Peters | Makeup: Vivian Asampong | Designs: Gitas Portal

es to bring reations ional

B

" usiness founder MARIATU’s origin is a mixure of Sierra Leonean and Barbadian. Having lived in West Africa, and the USA, she pulls together her experience of fashion, art, culture and femininity into her work. As a self-taught seamstress Mariatu’s goal is to set a benchmark for diasporic inspired designs and recognises her talent as a God given gift.

Each collection is an expression and extension of her artistic vision; each garment is painstakingly crafted highest standards.

Using different textures of fabric from across the globe, her designs are elegant, offering the wearer a unique composition of art and passion which

As a designer and a wearer of her own pieces, Mariatu celebrates fashion and sees it as a unique expression of individual flair and the emancipation of one’s inner beauty.

Simply put, Mariatu’s designs for Gitas Portal are Fabulous. Each piece is beautifully constructed and allows the wearer to showcase who they are comfortably and to promote African aesthetics through fashion.

Photography: sloetry photography | Model: Kami Peters | Makeup: Vivian Asampong | Designs: Gitas Portal

AFRICAN FASHION

“It’s all about the individual. Every individual brings something through interpretation of style. Therefore my designs do not dictate ‘this is fashion’, but instead asks of the wearer, ‘to enjoy, what Gitas Portal like to describe as, fresh but elegant, exotic and innovation design wear for women.”

VISIT GITAS PORTAL AT:

WWW.ETSY.COM/PEOPLE/GITASPORTAL2011

AFRICAN FASHION

Photography: sloetry photography | Model: Kami Peters | Makeup: Vivian Asampong | Designs: Gitas Portal

Women4Africa, award winner, Amanda Rabor is the founder of Issosy Children, an online clothing brand for boys and girls; using African and Asian textiles to create a contemporary range of clothes for children.

Congratulations on winning your award, how does it feel to be awarded the Fashion Designer of the year and how has this prestigious award impacted on your business?

Thank you so much."

It was an amazing feeling"of accomplishment and a sense of responsibility too. It’s my first time winning an award for something I love doing"and it’s special. When I see it on my mantle, it’s a reminder of the great things to come. The business impact is positive. It’s always good to collect accolades right.

Isossy Children has been described as your true calling, when and how did you discover this for yourself?

For me Isossy Children is a calling. It’s a creative calling but far more than that, it’s a calling to promote diversity and global clothing for kids. We incorporate African, Asian and Western cultures to create contemporary clothing that all children can wear.

The inspiration is transcending Cultural barriers and opening it up for all children. I believe it’s empowering for children to see African prints in their day-to-day expression and in turn it promotes inclusion and understanding. That is what I hope"Isossy Children can contribute to the upcoming generations.

INTERVIEW How can our readers access your children’s clothing line?

Go to WWW.ISOSSYCHILDREN.COM

We offer excellent customer service.

Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.

Also sign up for our newsletter to get special offers.

Your biography shares that you are born of Nigerian and Trinidadian parents, that’s a great mix; the Caribbean and African united. How was life being brought up in both cultures?

I am. Father Nigerian, mother Trinidadian."It’s"always"been interesting and at times challenging. We were raised with strong Nigerian values and then I embraced both.But I had British and American influences growing up too so I’ve always felt a little on the outside of things. Now I appreciate them all.

What’s next for you and Isossy Children?

It’s really about getting people to know about us so the focus is on marketing and building up direct customers."Additionally"we’re introducing a capsule collection for babies. I’m so excited about this because we will have beautiful shoes to match as well.

You have beautiful locs how long have you been wearing your hair like this and what inspired you to go natural?

Thank you. I’ve had my locs since I was 21.

I had relaxed hair from my teens and I decided that I wanted my hair to be natural and locs were a good fit. Sometimes I toy with getting rid of them and just exploring my hair, but I love my locs really. I cut them and I can colour them. It’s really important that they always look sleek and neat. They still have a lot of negative stigma attached to them so I’ve always wanted to show that as a woman in business, locs can work too.

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CHECK

AMANDA RABOR DESIGN AT:

WWW.ISOSSYCHILDREN.COM

CAREER & BUSINESS TALK

to Overcoming Procrastination Following Rejection

D

id you start 2013 telling yourself, that this was the year that you would finally pursue the career that you really want? Or did you tell yourself that you will take the necessary steps to finally give up the day job and pursue the business idea that you have been toying with for years?

What does having achieved this mean to you? What difference has it made to your life?

Once you have a good mental picture of where you want to be, contrast that with where you are now.

Visualise the job you are currently doing and are getting more and more fed up of.

How do you feel when you wake up in the mornings knowing that you have to go to work? How dissatisfied are you with the job? How often are you watching the clock, wishing the day away?

As we approach the final quarter of the year, can you honestly say that you have done all that you can to make that career change? Or are you no further near achieving it than what you were when the clock struck midnight on New Years Eve 2012?

Many of us make big plans when we encounter a New Year but unfortunately not so many of us see those plans through to fruition by the time the year ends.

For those of you that have achieved what you set out to achieve (or are on track to achieve it), well done! For those of you that have fallen off track, read on.

There are many reasons why we do not follow through with our plans, many of which are legitimate reasons, making it impossible for us to pursue what we said we would. Many people, start the year full of excitement, hope and determination but then when they do not see the results they want or get knocked back, they start feeling rejected and procrastination sets in. Before they know it December comes and they are no nearer to their goal than they were on 1 January of that year.

New Season - Start A new As the summer ends and we enter a new season, this is a perfect time to take stock of where you are, start anew and get back on track if procrastination because of rejection has been holding you back.

Rejection at job interviews; promotion; trying to sell a product or service can chip away at your confidence. Without even realising it, welcome distractions get in the way. The new series of your favourite TV show has started and you can’t miss it or you are so busy doing this and doing that, the time just slips away.

Because you have not been successful, it can make you doubt your ability to succeed, causing you to stop putting in the effort needed. Once you stop making

What is the gap between where you are now and where you want to be? the effort you will get to the end of the year not having achieved what it is that you want.

Once you start doubting your ability to achieve, you also lose motivation to go for it and the more uncertain you are of achieving success, it is harder to stay focused.

Based on the work of Dr Piers Steel, author of The Procrastination Equation, the following 3 Steps will help you to become more optimistic and increase your motivation, enabling you to continue in pursuit of your goal.

1. Create moments of success Have you ever felt a real sense of achievement when you have accomplished something challenging?

Did it make you feel more confident?

Rather than looking at what it is that you are trying to achieve as an overwhelming project, break down the tasks that daunt you in to small chunks. Keep track of your progress as you achieve each chunk and celebrate your successes along the way.

Remember success breeds success!

2. Visualisation Visualise yourself in your dream job or running the business that you desire to own. How does it feel knowing that you have achieved it? What does it look like? What are you doing? Who are you working with? Who are your clients?

Once you have made this contrast and if you are optimistic about making your dream job happen, you will be more motivated to pursue it.

3. Be inspired Seek inspiration from others who are more optimistic and believe in themselves.

Socialise with people who will encourage and uplift you. If the only people you are associating with are people who are pessimistic, it will hold you back.

Listen to inspirational speakers, read inspirational books or watch inspirational movies about people that have overcome adversity to achieve success.

This will all serve to inspire and motivate you.

Wipe the slate clean Do not beat yourself up if you are not where you had hoped to be. Having recognised that procrastination is holding you back, you are now in a position to do something about it and end 2013 heading in the right direction.

Following these 3 steps will help you to end the year more motivated and actively in pursuit of your goal.

Carol Stewart is a Personal Development, Career and Business Coach and the owner of Abounding Solutions.

Further details about Carol and the work that she does can be found at Abounding Solutions. http://aboundingsolutions.com

CAREER & BUSINESS TALK

It’s Time to Get Ready for Salon Success.....

I

f you own or manage a salon are you the best kept secret on the high street?

Your hair salon is ticking over financially.

The books are relatively full and the walkins are sitting comfortably reading an out of date magazine while they wait for an empty chair. But is there more that you could be doing to take your business to the next level without bursting the marketing bank?

Whilst many salon owners depend on word of mouth referrals and local promotions, have you thought about the benefits of introducing a dedicated social media strategy to attract new clients; increase productivity and take your brand to stratospheric heights?

Yeah right, I hear you say as you raise your eyebrows and contemplate skipping to the next article, but hold your horses and think about this.

You already know your target market inside out. What they like, what they don’t like. You know the trends and you definitely know there is room to grow your client base, market share and more importantly, your profits. Here are 3 simple, cost effective ways to kick start your social media campaign.

Spread the Word Create a fan page on Facebook and open a Twitter account which will update viewers of the latest styles that your staff are creating on the shop floor. Keep these accounts PROFESSIONAL! If customers are willing start uploading the finished looks, then create an online photo album. This is a great way to showcase your work and the technical prowess of your stylists. Get customers to sign up to your page and also get them to recommend your page – start building a tribe. You can upload the latest looks for the season; do a round-up of hair and fashion shows and more importantly, start entering hair competitions and let your customers follow your journey. There are lots of ways that you can keep the page interesting. You can promote special offers, competitions, provide advice, create joint ventures and promotions – just be imaginative with your content and involve your staff to get ideas!

The best thing is to get a junior member

under estimate the public’s obsession for gaining online information.

Develop a Loyalty Card Scheme

of staff to be responsible for the page updates. Link your tweets to your official website and Facebook page because it’s important to keep everything synced. A word of caution, do keep strict controls on content to avoid the potential of reputational damage.

The important thing about having a Facebook and Twitter account is that it allows you to have a more global shop front that reaches a wider audience and is much more interactive than your official website will ever be. Research claims Facebook has 1.15 billion active users and Twitter has 500 million users. So these are no small shop windows.

Get Visual The general public is obsessed with cookery programmes and celebrity lifestyles so why not create your own YouTube channel and start promoting your own mini “how to” shows. YouTube is a great way to flex your salon’s creative flair to a wider audience and production is inexpensive and videos are quick to upload and share.

Why depend on traditional television to get your own show, when YouTube has one billion users and four billion views per day. What are you waiting for? get filming!

Many a social media phenomenon has been created on YouTube, so do not

Loyalty schemes are not only for supermarkets and global stores. This is a great way to get customers to stay with you, spend more money with you and incentivise them to stay loyal to your salon.

Introducing a loyalty card scheme does not need to break the bank in terms of setting up and running. Think creatively.

Bring a friend and if they spend a specified amount you get a 10% discount on your next appointment; 10% off certain treatments or appointments; or buy six treatments and get the seventh free! The potential is endless. Know the buying motivators for your different customers based on age, lifestyle and your niche and just do it!

Remember, loyalty schemes work best when you get your staff and customers involved in the process. Ask customers what would be a great way to boost the perceived value of a loyalty card scheme.

Ask staff what they want to do more of in terms of promotions. Also consider, do your customers prefer cards, key rings, online vouchers or all?

The great thing about loyalty schemes is that they give your salon additional promotion for a relatively small investment and ensure that you create different levels of loyalty cards – general and VIP cards!

Remember it’s cheaper customers than lose them.

to

retain

Sonia Brown MBE is an entrepreneur, writer, uber connector and business advocator. With over 20 years in marketing, branding and life skills development, Sonia is an authority on many areas of business, leadership, diversity and branding.

For further information visit www.nbwn.org

Opening Times:

Monday - Thursday 10-7pm Friday - Saturday 10 - 8pm Sunday closed all day

658 High Road Tottenham London N17 OA8

Photography: Oriigin Culture

NATURAL VIBES

NATURAL VIBES

Photography: Oriigin Culture

Photography: Oriigin Culture

NATURAL VIBES

NATURAL VIBES

Photography: Oriigin Culture

LOCs-in Natural Around Town

nd u o r ed a hair! p p na ral s u t n a bee heir n s ’ ho ing t w e Se , rock n tow

BE FEATURED IN THE NEXT ISSUE

Show off your natural hair in the next issue by sending us a picture to:

info@consciousvibes.co.uk www.conscious-vibes.co.uk facebook.com/ConsciousVibesMagazine twitter.com/consciousvibesM

Products for the Protein-Sensitive

Why is protein included in many hair products?

Neno Natural Connect with Neno Natural

@ NenoNatural LongHealthyHair

The protein structure of relaxed hair is compromised by the relaxing process.

Extra protein is need to replace the protein that has been lost. Because many women have relaxed hair many products naturally include lots of protein.

Natural hair on the other hand tends to have adequate protein so protein overuse is a real risk.

Which products contain protein?

Most products contain some protein the difference is simply the concentration of the protein.

What form does the protein take?

Protein-rich deep conditioner usually contain hydrolyzed proteins. Hydrolyzed proteins are proteins that have been broken down to a small size so that they can be taken up more easily into the hair fibre. These smaller proteins bind quickly and aggressively to hair fibres.

What types of products are rich in hydrolyzed protein?

• Protein-reconstructor treatments • Volumizing or thickening shampoos and conditioners • Many leave-in conditioners • Setting lotions • Many gels

What should you look out for on an ingredients list?

If you have protein sensitivity you will want to avoid products that have one or more of the following listed in the top ingredient. Generally, products list the ingredients used in the highest concentration first so if one of these is less than 5th on the list there probably isn’t much in there. However, a) some marketers try to trick people with alphabetical listings! AND b) you can’t tell whether being listed 4th means there is 30% of that ingredient or 3%!

• Amino acids, e.g. silk amino acids • Animal protein • Casein • Cholestrol • Collagen • Keratin • Milk protein • • Panthenol • Rice protein • Soy protein • Wheat protein This should help you understand which products have a lot of protein and whichproducts do not.

VISIT NENO NATURAL WEBSITE AT:

WWW.NENONATURAL.COM

WRITERS CORNER

We Are Not Our Hair

I

met with up with the Whittaker family during the last of the summer days at the beginning of September 2013. The sun was shining, the temperature sizzling as we sat outside a restaurant in Islington enjoying our discussions about hair and careers. I was truly blessed to be amongst a family of sisters, all rocking different natural hairstyles.

Five ambitious women, originally from Derby, pursuing their careers in London, while maintaining that ‘they are not their hair’ I am not aware of any other family where all of the siblings wear their hair in different natural hair styles.

Each sister shared snippets of their individual hair journeys, and beliefs that their hair is not considered a problem in education or the work place.

Melanie (Locs) In 2002 Melanie returned to her hometown, Derby, after she left Bolt Burdon Kemp Solicitors in London where she was a legal assistant. The reason she mentioned this is because, with the help of her sister, Jacqueline, she did a leaving speech and one of the things she mentioned was that in the 8 years she has been with the firm she has had about 200 different hairstyles!

How true that was! She loved having her hair in cute styles but didn’t realize the relaxer was weakening her hair. In 2006, she returned to London to work for

Melanie, Maxine, Jacqueline and Judith Bolt Burdon Kemp as she had clearly outgrown Derby. All her sisters had natural hair and she had contemplated whether or not she should do this too, so, in 2008, she did. One thing that didn’t cross her mind was “How will her work colleagues view her now?” and that was because they always saw her as a person and her hair doesn’t make her who she is. However, she does get quizzed about her locs often; questions such as “how often do you wash your hair?” and “how often do you cut your hair?” for her, she sees this as educating her colleagues!

Maxine (Locs)

Her personal belief is that she is a changed person now that she is growing her locs. She has become more aware of her culture and being called a Nubian Princess by the ‘Nubian Princes’ always puts a smile on her face!

On January 7th 2007, at the age of 39, she finally made the transition after having relaxed her hair from natural and then returned to natural hair, she decided to finally locs her hair. It was a long time coming, but she eventually got there.

Maxine’s natural hair journey started when she was in her 20s. She always wanted to have locs but never felt quite confident enough to make the change, but always knew that she would have locs one day. In the late 90s she had natural hair and would wear it in twists and, for a long time, she did very little with it other than wash and twist it every couple of weeks. At this time she was 30 years old and, for some reason, still not confident enough to locs her hair although she thought about it often.

She works for the local authority and her peers see her daily with her locs. She likes being seen as a smart, hardworking team player as opposed to just the black lady with locs but she is not her hair, she is herself.

Jacqueline (Sister Locs) Jacqueline embarked on the life-changing event of saying goodbye to relaxers and extensions with the support of her twin sister Judith back in 2001.

Having both recently spent an interminable amount of time taking out long extensions; they went into a barbers shop together and asked for grade onehair cuts. Looking back, she thinks that was the first step in a long and unfinished journey of knowing who she is, where she’s come from and where she wants to be - or, to put it in other words, for her it was the start of becoming a strong, confident black woman.

She changed her career not long after having her grade one so at the age of 35 she was called to the Bar. As soon as she became a Barrister in a commercial setting she started to grow her sister locs. She wondered how her colleagues and her instructing solicitors would perceive her in a profession where black people are rare and locs are even rarer. She is pleased to say that her natural hair (in whatever guise) has been treated with indifference by all.

The decision to ‘keep it natural’ has given her the confidence to do other things in her life, which she would never have considered possible.

Judith (Sister Locs) Judith has never been one for spending time on her hair. She is actively involved in sports and always has been. It was for this reason, over 10 years ago, she decided to go to a grade one after years of hair extensions and relaxed hair.

This was the best decision she ever made. She maintained this ‘style’ until August 2012 when she fancied a change. She decided to grow her hair but she wanted a style that was low maintenance and natural. Three of her sisters had already started their journeys with locs and looked great so she thought “why not?” She had been living in Spain for

five years so it was far easier to start the locs when she relocated to England, which she did in January this year.

She is currently working as an HR Administrator to finance a Degree in Languages, which she started in February this year. Her real passion is languages; She speaks Spanish and she will be starting French in September. In the future she either wants to teach Spanish here in the UK or use her language skills in a career, maybe in the Tourist Industry.

Vivene (Teeny Weeny Afro) Vivene shared her decision to go natural on her 36th birthday. It was cut, bleached and coloured.

Her reason was mainly that she had inherited a patch in the middle of her head from her mother, which signified that later in her life it was going to go thin anyway, so she thought, “why not cut it?”

Vivene says, “She is not her hair” India Arie sings; “Vivene lives the life and share that her hair is there for the ride”. In Vivene the beginning she started with twists but her hair wasn’t the growing type so when it got to its maximum length (short) it wasn’t a good look for her, so, off they came.

Her fire red look is sassy and gives her an air apparent, in that she means it’s nearly always the first thing people say to her (“your hair is red”) and her response is always; “is it?”

Her barber and her rarely need to say anything when she is in the chair as he knows her head and each time the hair gets cut it is always a different look. So having natural hair bleached and coloured is a good look for her.

WRITERS CORNER

Fighting the Elements

C

urly or straight, up or down, scraped back in a bun or a bushy ponytail, yes it is true my hair is versatile, but it is not all it is cracked up to be. Despite of all these options, I tend to scrap it back in a bun.

It is the easiest solution.

When reflecting on my 35 year relationship with my hair, invariably, my familial history and cultural heritage becomes illuminated.

So what begins with a hair stands enters into a journey about relationships, self esteem, shadism, race and yearning for acceptance. I wonder if my European counterparts have such a richness of experience when talking about their hair, I suspect not.

My mother is black and my father is white, I grew up with my mother in North-West London, where there were a hand-full of other ‘mixed race’ (I prefer the term fusion flavoured) girls. The other fusion flavoured girls tended to wear their hair down, this was probably due to their mothers being white and possibly being more liberal with their daughter’s hair. Or it could have been the novelty factor of having a brown child. I am not totally sure. What was clear was that some girls’ hair needed some sisterly love, a good comb, some oil, and plaits. Being liberal has its rewards but grooming did appear to be a real problem and sometimes paved way for ridicule. Comedian Wanda Skyes’ highlights this point in the following clip (youtube.com/watch?v=2xwBJiKFygw).

In my household, hair grooming was essential; my hair was only out for a limited intermission between fortnightly Dax induced cane row sessions – that was it! I was not totally happy with this arrangement. I fully appreciated my cane rows when it came to the matter of swimming but for the most part, I often envied my white-mothered counterparts (not the ridicule element) and longed to have waves and curls flowing down my back.

By my teens, I assumed full responsibility for my hair, I remember being excited when I brought my first Babylis tongs from Argos – oh it was a disappointing affair. Heat and Dax did not bode well. I recall trying unsuccessfully to get a bonnet of curls and being beaten by the sizzle and fry of the first segment. Blow-drying was no easier, the front quarters I could barely manage, but the back, forget it! And as for help? By this time my mother was well in the midst of Rastafarianism and chanting ‘since I throw the comb away’, so for the most part, I was out there on my own.

A high school friend introduced me to Pink Moisturiser. Oh, how I loved it and I was never out of stock investing in the pump action super-sized option. It only occurred to me in later years that it made my hair lifeless and limp? Nevertheless, I thought I had found paradise, besides it was a pourable product, and came in a sexy pink bottle, far superior to the scoop, dollop and rub of the Dax tub. At the same time, a hair revolution was taking place in the playground amongst my black friends. They left school on Friday looking much the same as they had done for years, only to return on Monday with a totally new look – the straight perm had arrived. In combination with, what I can only describe as, ‘gelling down’, a procedure where any remnants of hair surrounding the brow were stuck down to the side of one’s face.

Oh how I tried to have the ‘gelled down’ look, I fought hard for it, investing in pots of Jam and Hair Spritz (the new craze in afro-hair products), I tried whole-heatedly to duplicate the current trend. But to no avail, so I took it to the next level, and straight permed my hair in order to get the ‘black girl look’.

I soon realised my hair was not agreeable to such extreme interventions and in my quest to look like my friends, I was left looking like an anomaly amongst my peers, so scraping my hair back was my best option.

By my mid twenties, I had had my fair share of hair disasters; from chopping it off in my quest for the Halle Berry Boomerang look (an astronomical disaster of immense proportions) to paying an absolute fortune to have it blow dried. The straightened look usually ended in catastrophe, either the natural elements would wreak havoc, or the humidity at the party I was attending, would reduce my flowing locks to a mass of frizz – akin to the electrocuted look, it did not take too long before Today, there are an ever-increasing range of products for fusion-flavoured hair, some economical and some astronomical in price.

I have few preferences and no particular loyalties, I am happy to give different products a try. Blended Beauty has been a favourite (www.blendedbeauty.com) a truly great innovation with products tailor-made to the specific type of curls one has, but the product has become too expensive due to export fees. More recently, I have tried (I absolutely hate the negative connation in the name) Twisted Sista for £1 from a high street chain store and was pleasantly surprised. So I will give that a go for the meantime, until some new takes my eye.

“Overall, no matter what, I believe the best formula is self acceptance and embracing your elements, embrace them”

I give the straight look a total miss.

In late twenties, I began toying with the idea of going curly, as naive as its sounds. I had not really given it much thought prior; possibly because I was busy trying to look like everyone else and not using products that complimented my hair. Additionally, I had never considered using ‘white’ hair products, I had never been exposed to them, but by 2005 I had nothing to lose. I started concocting my own little potions in an attempt to activate my natural curls; a little mousse here, a scrap of 99p gel there with some form of moisturiser thrown in and hey presto it worked – curly locks. I have finally stopped ‘fighting the elements’ and embraced what is naturally mine. Today, I have two hairdressers, one white (for colouring purposes) and one black (for styling and trimming, on the rare occasion I risk the blow dried look) and on some occasions I’ll visit them both on the same day. In the main, I tend to where my hair back saving the curly look for ‘special occasions’.

Dad, Me (Keeley), Sister, Daughters and Mum

Keeley Taverner is a psychotherapist and group facilitator specialising in intimate relationships, her practice ‘Key 4 Change’ is based in West London. She is the proud mother of two adolescent daughters (1 daughter has locs) and passionate about the field of human development. For more information visit www.key4change.com

WRITERS CORNER

The Cycle of Life Promotes Change

Career How do we embrace this change?

Some of the areas to assess Passion Career development Challenge Variety Purpose Balanced life style

Family/Home Life

Mind & Body Physical

3 complimentary sessions/taster of coaching for women in business wanting to sustain their health and wellbeing goals.

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Healthy Eating

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ife4grace@gmail.com

www.graceforlife.co.uk

HEALTHY EATING RECIPE

Apple & Sultana Breakfast Bars

A

q u i c k a n d easy recipe for a busy and healthy lifestyle that is also nutritious and delicious!

My name is DebRose SearchWell and I have been a ‘raw foodist’ since 2010.

It wasn’t my intention to become a fully fledged raw foodist; I was just hoping to have a good detox in order to look fit and fabulous for an allgirls holiday to Antigua for the carnival.

I did a 12 week raw food programme under the advisement of one of my mentors Dr Derin of HealthRestore but had no idea of what was in store for me; it didn’t just help with the way I looked (clear skin, strong hair & nails, reduced body fat), it had the most profound effect on the way I felt and the way I thought. My energy levels went through the roof, I needed less sleep, I became a more positive and proactive person, I developed my multiple income streams, became financially dependent on myself and gave up my ‘plantation’ job, I invested in the necessary equipment and started experimenting with different recipes, so much so, that I now have my own raw food company called LibRaw (I’m a Libran), I am also conducting raw food workshops for adults and children, and I’ve recently been approached to be a chef at a health retreat in Spain for one week a month!

I also understand that raw foodism isn’t for everyone, and may be a bit difficult for some people to comprehend, especially as the weather gets colder, but it can most definitely be incorporated into a hectic lifestyle, and I hope to prove that by challenging you to make one of my favourite recipes, which is so quick and easy to make, no fancy equipment is needed and you can even get the children to assist with the making and eating! Quick, easy, nutritious and delicious, what more can you ask for?! Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food, Imhotep.

INGREDIENTS Apple & sultana breakfast bars Ingredients: 4 ripe bananas 400g oats 4tbsp tahini 4 tbsp ground sesame seeds 100g sultanas 100g dried apple pieces 1tbsp lemon juice 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4tsp salt METHOD Mash bananas in a bowl, add remainder of ingredients, mix well (you may need to use your hands), transfer to a baking tray, press down firmly and freeze for 30 mins, slice, serve & enjoy DebRose SearchWell Creator of LibRaw www.libraw.co.uk info@libraw.co.uk 07884 008 414

Celebrity Interview

Me, Myself and I

I

have always been the type of person who believes in reinvention. This is probably because I grew up with my grandmother, who was a seamstress; nowadays they would call her a dress designer. My grandmother would see a dress in a shop and by the time we got home, she had redesigned it in her mind and two hours later I would be wearing a better version of the one in the shop. She also made her own concoction of beauty products with natural products from her garden.

Everything was a test in our house as I was growing up and little did I know that in reality my grandmother was what we now call an entreprener. Beauty came naturally to her and I believe it’s because of her, my motto is “never say never”.

I entered the world of beauty whilst I was working in PR after realising that no one was representing the woman of colour, not in mainstream media anyway! So I decided to make that my job. I wrote articles and submitted them to black magazines and they were printed. I remember when I called the Voice and told them off for not writing engaging articles about the woman of colour and the Editor at the time thought I was crazy because I asked for my money back. She was feisty enough to tell me if I was displeased that I should write it myself, I did. I wrote my first beauty article in 1993 and the rest is history.

I then decided to study cosmetology and became a Cosmetologist and Make-up Artist, whilst working a full time job with two children.

If I was to talk about the subject then I had to understand it. Magazines and TV called me when they needed reference about skincare

and issues regarding beauty for the woman of colour and I remember saying to myself “I will never ever say never” because anything that I wanted to do, with the grace of God, I will succeed.

After a long stint as a celebrity makeup artist, I was offered the job as Beauty Editor for Pride Magazine and I found my joy. This position gave me the avenue to share my thirst for educating women about themselves. I learnt to speed read so that I could read material quickly, translate it and share it. This job was a challenge as every month I produced beauty, health and lifestyle pages and trust me, they became popular.

As I interviewed the celebrities, I would also share my information and this made me even more popular with many of them who are still friends. Later I became Editor but still kept a hands on approach and started writing features challenging women to empower themselves in order to be the best that they can be.

My decision to leave Pride was because I thought I was ready to retire at the age of 52.

So I decided to work in Saint Lucia and became the Editor in Chief of SHE Caribbean. Little did I know that I only needed a rest. Saint Lucia was wonderful and I rejuvenated my spirit there. I learnt about myself and found my true purpose – I was born to motivate. I was born to encourage and stimulate the next generation to walk strong. So I returned to England and started a group called ‘Women on the Crossroads’ which encouraged women to motivate and encourage each other along the way. I organised conferences and dinners

through Women on the Crossroads. I met so many talented women who just hid their natural skill because of lack of self-belief. This was an issue across the islands and countries where I travelled.

So again I reinvented myself, I went on to study Confidence Building and Assertiveness. I also had a radio show on Sundays where I interviewed celebrities and local business people who shared their journey – the ups and downs – in order to encourage and motivate others. I am now a qualified Lecturer and Life Skills Speaker and through this journey over 6 years I found ME. From the days of working in PR, I changed hairstyles about 10 times. I have had curly perm, weave, afro, died my hair bright red, spiked it up and flattened and waved it. But in the last 10 years my natural locs was my favourite hairstyle. I enjoyed that journey of twisting and locsing. I never ever apologised for the choice of changing over to locs. This was a decision I made whilst I was at the top of my career and if anything it made me more assertive, more proud, more ME! Last August, I reached the ripe age of 60 and I am celebrating. I am reinventing again. My locs were tired and breaking badly so I decided to cut them all off and go really short. I am enjoying my bald head with a twist. I can feel the breeze on my head, I can wash my hair every day and I love the colour I found under those locs – a natural brown.

This new found hairstyle is now giving me a lot of attention. Why? How could you cut off your long locs? “Why not”, I say.

“The art of reinvention is to anything you want to do, and at any age you choose to do it” I reinvented myself 3 times in my life – at 30 when I became a Make-up artist/Cosmetologist, at 40 when I went into Publishing and became a Beauty Editor, at 50 when I became Editor and now at 60 I am choosing to empower, motivate and stimulate women who want to be the best that they can be.

I am ME!

www.womenonthecrossroads.com www.sherrydixon.net

Richard Barr Photography

Sherry Ann Dixon

Celebrity Interview

Interviewed by Griot Chinyere

D

uring the August bank holiday weekend I attended the ‘Under the Sun Storytelling Festival’, mainly to listen to ‘Ben Okri’.

The opportunity arose for me to interview him and as he is my favourite author I took advantage of this opportunity.

Griot Chinyere: How can we use Storytelling to empower the Global Afrakan community?

Ben Okri: We cannot liberate ourselves with our stories until we get beyond our pain, our anger our….. which is residual because of the racial injustice underline we need to get beyond.

Stories that free us are connected to what we really are and not how we are perceived that we are perceived. It is the double nature of that perception, we need to get beyond. First we need to tell all of our stories, where we came from, where we are, to where we want to go. We need to include whatever our past is into our stories, we cannot cut it off, we can’t just say our story starts here.

The very nature of our story likes its roots, it likes its branches, it likes where the roots go, where the roots come from, we need to accept all of our past, that is the material of our story, with which to work toward the story of the future.

The acceptance of our past with all its difficulty is what is going to liberate our present.

We should not be a people whose

but our perception should be imaginative. The first element is the imaginative reclamation of our own stories. The liberation begins with the move from the historical to the imaginative.

People feel that when you make the move from the historical to the imaginative that you are betraying your personal story. That is not the case at all, I would say you are liberating your story, liberation begins not with history, but with imagination.

We need to include in our personal sense of ourselves the storytellers of our past. We need to include the storytelling voice of our communities.

“

voice, the tone, the beat of our stories.”

perceptions are merely historical

We tell stories to one another in the African and Caribbean community all the time, we are natural storytellers. We make a distinction between the stories as we tell one another and the stories of ourselves as we tell it to the world. I am saying we need to break that down, remove that wall so it is one in the same.

Starting with the voice we use to tell stories to ourselves and each other, we need to reclaim that. That intimate, individual playful slightly jousted voice we use with one another, we need to use that voice openly so we can include the bigger story we are constantly trying to tell. I would

It was an honour and pleasure to speak with ‘Ben Okri’. His words inspire and encourage my work further.

Please join me on The Griot Way Storytelling Training, This weekly course set over 3, nine week terms is a time for participants to prosper and grow, fully establishing their own storytelling voice and the creation of an original Afrakan story.

ONLY £240 for complete course

like us to be a forward dreaming people rather than a backward looking people. We tend to be more backward looking, I don’t mean we are backward, I mean in terms of always looking over our shoulders. Bob Marley said, what he noticed when he first came to England, is people always look down when walking in the streets, people should look up. That is what I am trying to say. We should look forward.

Storytellers free a people, storytellers are the liberators of people. Stories show that in the life of a people there is continuity that is what stories do.

We need more storytellers in our community. We need to let people know and be aware that there is this new unexplored possibility.

Amongst all the other things you can be, an engineer, a doctor, dentist, lawyer, teacher, one of the other things you can also be is a storyteller. It is a noble thing to be, it is an ancient thing to be and it is a future sighted thing to be.

Begins Thursday 3rd October 2013, from 6.30pm, The Albany, Douglas Way London SE8 4AG. Further details:

www.shanti-chi.com/#!tgwcourse/c1qhs.

Feel free to email

with enquiries.

MALE INVENTION

A Black Mans Journey to Achieving His Dream!

A

s a young man Derek envisaged being in the Armed Forces. He was not clear where this idea came from or for that matter why he felt the urge to join the forces. It was quite simply something that was ‘inside of him’, a passion he had to achieve.

He left school in 1979 aged 16 without achieving any measurable qualifications and after a succession of poorly paid warehouse and labouring jobs, Derek finally decided to pursue his desire to join the Armed Forces. In September 1980 he arrived at RAF Swinderby in Lincolnshire for recruit training.

Life in the RAF was fine for Derek. There were clear rules and regulations – this structure would only benefit him – and he knew if you worked hard the rewards were great.

Yes, there was a lot of discrimination, but if somebody played with you one would simply ‘box bwoy face’… perfect! He met a wonderful array of ‘big people’ who joined the forces in the early to mid-1970s. Essentially they ‘knew the runnings’ and this helped him and other young black men to navigate the system.

The RAF offered Derek many things, a career as a logistician, promotion to the rank of Sergeant and most importantly, it provided him with an opportunity to re-engage with his education. After 23 years of service he decided it was time for him to leave. He had travelled to many countries, engaged in active service and he was leaving as a mature man with a vast amount of life experience and a clutch of including two Degrees.

In 2003 Derek was on the road again with a decision to make. Does he join the Police or does he continue his career in logistics or does he move into the world of education? He had never forgotten his early years in the British education system and wondered how many others had had a similar experience. He then gained his first role as a Training Manager for a Work Based Learning provider before moving on ‘quite quickly’ to Nottingham Trent University. His role as an Aim Higher Development

manager enabled him to work with students in Nottinghamshire to emphasise the importance of achieving qualifications.

After 2½ years Derek felt that he needed a ‘posting’ and moved on to a role at New College Nottingham. He started work as the Senior Coordinator for 14-16 provision, this involved supporting students who did not enjoy the ‘traditional’ school system and felt that education in a college would provide them with more vocational options. Seventeen months later Derek was promoted to Programme Area Manager and this was where he cut his teeth managing two schools of learning; understanding more about curriculum and the education system.

In 2012 Derek applied for the role as Head of Academy for GCSE’s again at New College Nottingham. GCSE provision was in ‘special measures’ and he felt that with the right team they could fix it - he was galvanised by his early educational experience and wanted to ensure that young people had an opportunity to gain those vital GCSE qualifications which essentially are the gateway to future academic/vocational progression.

In his first year A* - C grades improved from 43 to 55 per cent – the sector average is 3 per cent. Black and Minority students were, in the past, categorised as the worst performing cohort in this Academy. However, under Derek’s watch they were amongst the highest achievers and many have gone on to the 6TH Form Academy to pursue the ‘A’ levels they require for access to their chosen careers such as Engineering, Nursing and Midwifery: Others intend to go onto University.

His Principal and his team were enthralled by the results.

However, they were intrigued to learn that Derek was not totally happy with results. In his view although fifty five per cent of students had achieved high grade GCSE’s forty five per cent had not. His focus has now turned to ensure teaching and learning is improved in this new academic year such that ‘we can close the gap!’

Derek has achieved his dream and is now in a position to impart his wisdom on our future, the youth!

Written by Derek Dawkins, edited by Della Thompson

ps a r w d a e h ir e h t p k a c r o r w s a ie l e b r it cite’s

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BBEEYYOONNCCEE K

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WITH CELEBRITY STYLE

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DITIONAL HEAD WRAPS

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TA ACOSTA A DA YAAYYA PBBEELL LL

M

arie-Bernard Salines is the founder of Marie Bernard Designs (MBD) an interior design practice based in London.

Marie advises on residential projects by creating layout, improving space, as well as illustrating how to transform ideas into practical and original timeless schemes. Marie’s skill in understanding the client’s individual needs, enable her to visualise their desire, making the design process enjoyable, and inspiring. She has also been commissioned to outsource, specific pieces mainly antiques for fine restaurants in Tokyo, and private homes in Kuwait among other private enquiries.

As the cooler weather takes hold and summer comes to a close, here we are entering the autumnal bliss.

At this time of the year there’s nothing more exciting than planning new projects around the house and looking for the latest interior collections for a more comforting mood.

To help you stay ahead of the curve, MBD shares tips for a seamless autumn transition.

To give a scent of the fall trends, pink is a key colour for A/W ’13. The subtle hue of dusky rose, pairs perfectly with autumnal greys, brown and black.

S

tone and wood are really being showcased in their natural stripped down state, really showcasing the beauty of the material in its natural form. Natural materials are an everlasting classic that will be widely used this A/W ’13 so you can invest in well knowing that your choices won’t date.

will bring warmth to your interior when layered against rich leather furniture. Ageless, elegant plaids, checks and tartan patterns are among the favourite in home interiors this season. ouse.

Babington H

Sommerset

UK

Josephine H ome. Londo n

trendzona

The quickest way you can smarten up a room is to add a fresh coat of paint. You should consider the amount of natural light that gets inside before choosing the colour of the paint. If you have a small room, go for bright colours on the walls to create the illusion of space, and accent the walls of a large room with a toned down colour.

Silver and silver grey tones are among the favourite neutral palette.

The secret is that these tones will go with almost all colours. To make the best of it, introduce a contrasting colour to underline the grey tones and to give the room more personality.

To really make a statement in your home your furniture. It’s a little opulent, but spot on trend for the new season.

Ultimately, and not least detail, combine different textures together; mix Lamb’s wool Angora throws with Chunky Knit Throw. Layer your armchairs and beds with cosy throws and bed linen, will result into just what you aspire at this time of the year, a pleasant feel of warmness. Harmonize with woollen or velvet cushions to achieve a stunning and stylish new look. Don’t be afraid to blend patterns, as long as they complement each other.

DKor. Interior Designers. Miami

If you wish to reinvent your living space, and show your exquisite taste, try touches, and bring a new ambiance and cosiness into your home, after all this is the very essence of what a home should be.

Marie-Bernard Designs

MARIE-BERNARD SALINES

Head Interior Designer

MOBILE

07961 547429

SKYPE

marie-bernard972

EMAIL

info@mariebernarddesigns.com

WEB ADDRESS

www.mariebernarddesigns.com

NATURAL

HAIR SALON

america

Natural Hair Salon

NATURAL HAIR SALON AMERICA

E

minent for her creativity, style, passion, splendor and confidence, Petuanna “Petra” Matthew is the epitome of natural beauty and pride. She is the owner of Nat’ral Xpression Hair Health & Beauty Palace, the home of exotic hair styles, natural hair care, dreadlocks and braid classes and manufacturer of Paradise Bliss hair and body oil. The doors to her own styling arena opened in December 2008, but she has over 17 years of hair styling experience.

Her unique hairstyles and extraordinary talent has not gone unrecognized. Her styles are often desired and complimented. Petra has gained national and international recognition in competitions such as St. Thomas’ Beauty Expo Hair War Competition 2009 and Taliah Waajid’s Loc Mania Competition at the World Natural Hair Show 2010 and 2011. Recently added to her list of accomplishments, her salon was voted best beauty salon in St. Croix for 2013 by USVI Daily News readers.

Her clients affectionately call her the “Loc Doctor” because

her expertise and love for the natural is unparalleled. She often encourages others to embrace their identity to show strength and real beauty. Petra shares her knowledge through her specialized seminars. She travels throughout the Caribbean and mainland to service clients with group appointments.

For registration and further information please call 340-772-4247, 340-332-7555 or email natralxression1@gmail.com.

Can also be found on FB, Twitter, instagram and LinkedIn

Nat’ral Xpression Hair Health & Beauty Palace The Royal Experience P.O Box 4092 Kingshill, St.Croix USVI 00851 www.natralxpression.com natralxpression1@gmail.com (340)332-7555

NATURAL

HAIR SALON

MODEL Amanda SALON ADDRESS Nubian Naturals Hibiscus Drive Husbands, St. James Barbados, West Indies STYLIST Kelly Sealy-Benjamin PHOTOGRAPHER Glenn Benjamin

We Are They Key to Your Locs Instagram & Twitter - Follow us Today @NubianNaturals www.nubiannaturalsonline.com (Coming Soon)

MODEL Catherine Rock SALON ADDRESS Nubian Naturals Hibiscus Drive Husbands, St. James Barbados, West Indies STYLIST Kelly Sealy-Benjamin PHOTOGRAPHER Glenn Benjamin

MODEL Joy Graham SALON ADDRESS Nubian Naturals Hibiscus Drive Husbands, St. James Barbados, West Indies STYLIST Kelly Sealy-Benjamin PHOTOGRAPHER Glenn Benjamin

NATURAL

jamaica

HAIR SALON

A

s our name In addition to our services suggests, such as natural styling, Beautiful Earth loc services, braids, Natural Hair nail services, massages Haven is the place to get and facials we provide all things natural for hair products and information – plus nails and skin! We for at home care in are focused on caring for between salon visits. All hair, nails and skin and in the products we use and our nurturing environment sell are made from natural we are dedicated to ingredients and have helping you discover love no harsh chemicals or and flaunt your natural preservatives to damage beauty. We are here to the hair. We also focus provide an exceptional on local ingredients and salon experience and Jamaican Virgin Castor pampering in a relaxing, Oil and Jamaican Virgin peaceful, professional Coconut Oil are two of our atmosphere; a place faves! where every client Beautiful Earth Kingston If you are unhappy with can immediately feel your hair visit at one of Shop #3, Oaklands Commercial Centre 114- comfortable and at ease.

116 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 8

our salons we guarantee We strive to provide that we will do our utmost the best service to all Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm our customers and Sunday by Appointment Only for that reason, initial

consultations are free!

Phone: 1.876.631.9165 | 1.876.476.1763 (Digicel) | Call or walk in and 1.876.790.1890 (LIME) let’s help you take the frustration out of caring Beautiful Earth Mandeville for your hair, nails, and skin naturally! Services Shop #1, Bank House Mall, 37 Manchester are available 7 days a Road, Mandeville week by appointment at best to get you to that our salons in Kingston Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm point where you are in and Mandeville.

Sunday By Appointment Only love with your hair again.

Phone: 1.876.962.7575 | 1.876.476.1763 (Digicel)

Natural Hair Haven Kingston: Shop 3, Oaklands Commercial Centre, 114-116 Constant Spring Road, Kgn 8 Call: 631.9165, 476.1763 (Digi), 790.1890 (LIME) Mandeville: Shop 1, Bank House Mall, 37 Manchester Road, Mandeville Call: 962.7575, 476.1763 (Digi) Website Blog Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Helping you discover, love, and flaunt your natural beauty!

NATURAL HAIR SALON JAMAICA

OMG!...... I Finally Done IT

I

n November 2012 I decided that this will be the last time I relax my hair!. In the past I have always said I am going to grow out the relaxer, but you know how it goes when that regrowth starts coming at yah and you have that special event to go to, “what am I gonna do with my hair?” and if you’re anything like me, I always have a relaxer kit in the bathroom just in case! Anyway, since my last ‘touch up’ back in November 2012 I started to realise just how many women have gone natural and this gave me the inspiration to do the big transition. So I went through the phase of doing the jumbo plaits which I loved because it did not take too long to do and it was easy to take out. However, I found that living in a hot Country it was sometimes too hot having the plaits in (I really don’t know how some women cope with weave and the plaits in the hot sun), so eventually I started thinking more and more about doing the big chop. I started to attend different meet-up events about going natural like Curly-Centric Jamaica, where they discuss styling, treatment and overall care of natural black hair, and to my surprise I found that if you did not turn up early you were lucky to get in (these events are very popular in Jamaica). Nine months later and after looking at numerous natural hairstyles and going for a free consultation at a Natural Hair Salon, I decided that it was time…….. On the 15 th August 2013 I went to Beautiful Earth Natural Hair Haven, Shop 3 Oaklands Commercial Centre, Constant Spring Road, Kingston and here is what happened……….

First my hair was saturated with water so we could see the relaxed ends to chop off. Can you see my 9 months of regrowth?

Then the lovely Alicia did the first chop!

and she chopped……..

OMG! I done it now, no going back - hhmm I think I should add a bit of colour to my ends now -

look at the curl definititon…..

under the dryer to help colour take to hair, Alicia done a twist cornrow style then back under the dryer

and there you have it…...

When I walked out of the Salon I said to myself, what have I done? I sat in my car for about 10 minutes trying to get use to this new person and to be honest I could not decide if I done the right thing! Whilst driving home I kept looking in the mirror and seeing how beautiful my curls looked but I still wasn’t sure if I liked it. By the time I reached home and started playing around with my new look, taking tons of pictures and seeing it in the sunshine well what can I say, an enormous feeling came over me and then it hit me…. Girl you done it, you are now 100% natural. Reaction from family and friends is “What have you done”? “Why you chop off you hair”? And then…. “But you know it really suits you”!

One week later I decided to go even further and get my TWA (teenie weenie afro) cut even shorter and I am telling you there is no looking back, I am having so much fun with my new look, I am loving the wash and go and the simple routine especially when going to the beach or swimming! I love the new me! Doing the Big Chop has really made me feel even more like a Nubian Empress, I had really forgotten how beautiful my natural hair really is, I am looking forward to the following months deciding whether to grow my natural hair long or to keep it short – keep watching!

Peace and Love! Maureen

NATURAL HAIR SALON JAMAICA

NATURAL HAIR SALON JAMAICA

TRAVELLING TO JAMAICA, CHECK OUT OUR NATURAL HAIR SALON CALLED JUS NATURAL LOCATED IN THREE PARISHES

NATURAL HAIR SALON JAMAICA

JUS NATURAL HAS THREE BRANCHES AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS JUS NATURAL HAIR STUDIO PULSE COMPLEX

JUS NATURAL HAIR STUDIO MONTEGO BAY

Broomfield

Samantha

Yessener Greenland

Natural Hair Revolution Growing in Many Different Styles

T

he Teeny Weeny Afro lately has been steadily making its way up the preferred hairstyle ranks for Jamaican women. They’re saying that this hairstyle is fun, easy, funky and freeing.

So what is a Teeny Weeny Afro (TWA)?

It is a hairstyle worn at a length of three inches (8cm) or less; this style is typically worn by women who have cut off their relaxed or damaged hair and have decided to wear it in its natural state.

It is also referred to as ‘The Big Chop’.

Pros and cons of TWA

PROS

Some women have stated that they are feeling sexier with their TWAs, this statement is confirmed by a lady I met at an event and she was rocking her TWA with pride.

She said “it’s something about not having all that hair covering my face, it brings out my natural beauty, my smile is bigger and my cheek bones are more pronounced and I wear it with confidence and a twinkle in my eye. If that’s not sexy, then what is?” I had to agree with her, as she was looking good, with a tint of blond at the end adding an extra attraction to the style. However, it has been stated that women with natural hair are often associated with consciousness and not sensuality.

A young gentleman shared with me “TWAs are too short, almost boyish, and mainly for women for who are way too deep and don’t know how to relax and enjoy life. “I like my woman to look glamorous”. I asked him what glamorous meant to him and his response was “women with elegance and a lovely hairstyle”.

CONS

I say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and not to get caught up in other people’s perceptions.

“Ladies continue rocking your TWAs of self is the way forward“ If you’re looking to rock a Teeny Weeny Afro, then ask your hairdresser/barber to set the hair clippers to a 2 or 3 and get snipping away.

Angela Small Editor at Large