Wednesday, August 31, 2011

A first for this Naturalista...tripped me out!

Today I experience a first... Today I received my first "stranger hands in my hair" experience...I wasn't sure how to react but I felt very accomplished as a Naturalista!!! What is it with people??? Do they think it's ok to put their hands in your hair? I equate this act equal to putting hands in my face! Am I over reacting? Or is this such a horrendous act that warrants such a reaction? Tell me about your first "strangers hand in your hair" experience and your reaction to this!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Electric Straightening Comb use and review...

For my sisters wedding I straightened my hair for the first time in a long time. I did it once myself with my flat iron to check my length. My sisters wedding was the second time and this will make the third time in 16 months since I began my transition that I have rocked straight hair.

I thought my Natural Hair Stylist would use the straightening comb or hot comb to do my hair for my sisters wedding, instead she used a mini "super" flat iron that had everything laying down in its place. That brings me to today. Here's what I did:

Wash Routine:
I co-washed, let air dry until it was about 50% dry, sealed in the moisture with olive oil, detangled and braided. It dried completely overnight and I woke up the next morning ready to rock straight hair. Sn: My hair felt wonderful. This was my first time sealing in moisture (but that's another post for another time!)

My Intentions
It was an errand and shopping day for me so I wanted hair straightened for a side-swept ponytail. Not to go out or look professionally done but definitely nice.

Straightening:
I read the directions and it said DO NOT USE WHILE PLUGED UP! That's pretty much it so I was ready to use it.
I parted my hair in what I thought were small sections but my hair was too thick. So I had to part it again. When putting the comb through your hair, you have to check to see if its too hot by placing it on a napkin or papertowel to see if it scorches it, if not it is safe to put in your hair...it to two to three rounds of scorched napkins to get the estimated time it should he plunged in, also to learn to hold the comb correctly. So all in all it took me about 45 minutes to straighten as much as I did.

I didn't spend much time really straightening my hair because I didn't want it "bone straight" just semi...

My review:
I liked the way my hair came out. Once straightened it felt very soft, manageable and it didn't feel scorched or smell burned. So I liked the hot comb method...ok...but a flat iron or curling iron would have did that and more in terms of styling. Just my opinion.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Marriage...the experience...

2 weddings, in 3 months...
We can all say it together..."WOW!"

I had the experience of being a "blushing bride" on May 21, 2011 when I married the handsome love of my life...

Then I experienced being a Matron of Honor for my sisters wedding 3 months later...when she married her partner in crime for life.

During this time I have discovered that I love weddings! I don't want to be in anymore but seeing them, planning them! It warms my heart to think of all of the possibilities that I and my sister as brides faced during that period of time right before you walk down the aisle. It is a special time and I am happy to have experienced it.

I love that my sister and I shared both of these weddings together, her being there for me and me being there for her! The sentiments of that will always be with us and I believe that we will always be thankful that we had one another to calm each other down, to give our very honest opinions to and to encourage one another when the planning didn't go as planned! So this is to my big SIS, I say thank you for being my ace in the hole at my wedding and for allowing me to be yours...I love u and congratulations!


Friday, August 5, 2011

The beauty of natural

I think that things in their natural state are just...beautiful!


It has been very encouraging to me to see other women, Black women returning to their roots. Whether because its the latest "trend" or because they are mixing things up or because they are trying something new...It's happening, they are doing it and that makes. me.proud.

People try to minimize the Natural Hair Movement(NHM) by calling it a "trend", but here is what I think...for many years it was wrong to look or be different from the majority therefore we have perms and plastic surgery which transforms us into something that we would like to look or be like. But that's not the way God made us...

But now, we are breaking away from the streamlined view of what beauty is or should look like and we are going back to our natural state...the way that God made us... It is my belief that people see it, they like it and they want to try it- hence the movement...and that's ok with me...

It takes hard work, courage and strength to stand tall and boldly in a world of people who view beauty onesided and say "My name is Tomika Robertson and I am Au'Naturale"!

Go ahead...you cans do it!

Here is a clear view of my curl pattern:

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

30 day blog challenge

I'm going in!

30 days, a blog entry a day...

Let's see what subjects I will blog about...

Check out my first post below and come back daily for more...

I am excited!

Lessons learned on my journey to Au Naturale

16 months post relaxers to the day...this has been a journey! A journey that I have enjoyed overall.
(Mini rant coming {please accept my apologies} in 3...2...1)
Yes I said overall! Some days have been a challenge for me while others haven't! Some styling methods, mechanisms and styles have been great for me but some haven't. But I will repeat myself...this journey to au-Naturale I have enjoyed...overall...

You wouldn't believe me if I revealed to you how I stalk the Natural Hair Community(NHC) and some people keep it real when speaking about their journey, their styling and their likes and dislikes about their natural hair. But some people will flat out lie to you and say "just try it you will love it" which you will but they give the impression you won't have any bad hair days -and that is NOT true!
So here is what I have learned on my transition to au-Naturale hair journey:
1. There are so many products to use on transitioning or natural hair that you have to choose what works for you...my advice, don't be a PJ (product junkie) like me. Talk to other naturals and see what works for them, try it and stick to it or research for yourself!

2. Natural ladies don't mind you walking up on them in grocery stores or department stores asking about their hair regimen. I met a nice woman by the name of Tamala by doing so...

3. Natural hair products can get expensive but sometimes the results are worth it!

4. When transitioning, it takes a while to get to know the two hair types that come with transitioning but as soon as you do, things get drastically better.

5. I don't have to be gentle to my hair...my hair responds to my heavy hand better than a gentle touch.

6. You don't have to do or try everything you read in the NHC...

7. Transitioning is not for everyone neither is natural hair. So people can't deal with the commitment, the probing about why you went natural or the sometimes uncomfortable feeling you get when others are checking you out in a good or bad way...and it will happen.

8. Everyone will not like your natural or transitioning hair. Especially your friends and family. Those that are close enough to you to voice their opinion to your face...
8b. It's ok to tell them to keep their negative opinions to themselves.

9. Accessories can be your best hair friend

10. Trying different styles, products and accessories can be fun.

What have you learned about yourself or your hair on your natural hair journey? What advice would you give to newly naturals?
Love, peace and hair grease my peeps!

Monday, August 1, 2011

From Grace to Glory...this is our prayer.

Tomika and RR sitting in a tree K I S S I N G. First comes love [check] then comes marriage [;) check] then comes Tomika with a baby carriage...[...]...soon we pray.
There have been difficulties, delays and some off tracking too. But now the process is starting, we are talking about this and planning for it...but when will it actually happen??? We are not certain! God has a plan and I am waiting to hear what the plan shall be.
But make noooooooo mistaken, I am ready for operation make babies!