Naturally Obsessed

1.  Breifly explain your hair routine.

I co-wash my hair weekly with Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner only.  I also deep condition my hair weekly with Aubrey Organics GP Conditioner.  I use shampoo to thoroughly cleanse my scalp every 3 months.  I usually wash it when it then load my hair with Giovanni Direct leave-In Conditioner and detangle it.  Then I seal it with coconut oil or jojoba oil.  I ususally wear my hair in twists for a week to allow my hair to rest then the following week I wear it out.

2.  Have you ever regretted your decision to go natural?  If so, why?

Not at all!!  Going natural is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

3.  What is the best thing about being natural?

Rockin big hair!!  I love big hair!  It is so fierce!  I also love that it is ealthy and unique.

4.  What 3 products can you not live without?

Giovanni Direct Leave In Conditioner

Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner

Coconut Oil

5.  What 3 products would you never buy again?

Aubrey Organics Island Naturals and Blue Camomile Shampoo, Giovanni Vitapro Fusion Leave In Treatment.  They all made my hair feel dry and stiff.

6.  What makes your curls "Glam Curls"?

I use Giovanni Direct Leave In to enhance my curl!!  I love the different sized curl my hair has.  Some are coily, others loose, some curly/wavy.  My curls are Glam Curls because my hair is big and FIERCE!!!!  Gotta love natural hair!!

Her hair is AMAZING !!!!!

To see more of Chime aka BrwnSkinBeauty's hair journey please visit the links below...

Fotki : http://members.fotki.com/lifesacatwalk/about/

Chime also designs graphic tees for African Americans who embrace and celebrate their culture.  Really cute stuff...Click the link below to check them out.

Sunkissed by Chime : http://www.cafepress.com/naturalgirl

Glam Curls is a new feature here on Naturally Obsessed that gives other naturals a chance to share some their knowledge with the rest of us.  Come and share your story, you'll never know who you might inspire.  If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of please review the following questions and send in your answers and 2-3 pictures that showcase your beautiful hair to the email below.

1. Briefly explain your hair routine.

2. Have you ever regretted your decision to go natural? If so, why?

3. What is the best thing about being natural?

4. What 3 products can you not live without?

5.What is your ultimate hair goal and what steps are you taking to achieve it?

6. What is your favorite hairstyle for your natural hair?

7. Who are your favorite curly/kinky celebs? And why?

8. What makes your curls Glam Curls?

Please send your answers and pictures to kkq1984@yahoo.com

I look forward to hearing from you :-)

KKQ

1. Briefly explain your hair routine.

1. A day before I wash my hair, I apply coconut oil.
2. Next day, I put my hair in loose braids.
3. Apply Aubrey`s Organics Shampoo to scalp & massage in.
4. Dilute Aubrey`s Organics Shampoo with warm water in a cup and pour it into the braids and squeeze the braids in a downwards motion.
5. Apply Aubrey`s Organics Conditioner on braids, leave on for 2 minutes.
6. Pour water water in a cup and pour it down each braid until the shampoo & conditioner is gone.
7. Un-braid (one section at a time) and detangle with a wide tooth comb.
8. Apply a thin coat of Le Kair Cholesterol Cream or Qhemet`s Biologics Alma & Olive Heavy Cream on each un-braided section then braid hair back up, continue with all sections.
9. Let hair air dry.
10. Finalize with a spray leave-in.

After I let my hair air dry. I'll usually style my hair the same day (using hair stylers like Miss Jessies, Oyin Handmade or Blended Beauty) in braids or twist n curlers; then in the morning I un-braid or un-twist and that's my style for the week. I wash my hair in braids to prevent further tangles and elongate (prevent shrinkage) my hair.

2. Have you ever regretted your decision to go natural? If so, why?

No, I do not regret going natural because I have never chemically processed my hair. I do regret not accepting my hair. I use to damage my hair with excessive heat and I use to always apply fake hair to my hair without giving my hair a break and some TLC, but I'm learning now and I'm proud of my hair.

3. What is the best thing about being natural?

It's who I am! I wouldn't change or ask someone else to alter their natural hair texture, so I don't believe anyone should tell black women or men to do that to theirs. I say that because in the media there is only one form of beauty, and it's daunting to have to see that everyday and sad that people believe in that. I love when people embrace who they are and show the world they aren't afraid to be who they were destined to be and that is why natural hair brings such power, strength and dignity. 

4. What 3 products can you not live without?

Just 3! Okay, Coconut oil, Aubrey's Organics Shampoo and Giovanni Direct Leave-In.

5. What 3 products would you never buy again?

Cantu Shea Butter leave in, Avalon Organics Shampoo and Burt's Bees Shampoo

6. What is your favorite hairstyle for your natural hair?

An up-do or braid out.

7. Who are your favorite curly/kinky celebs?

Erykah Badu, Laura Izibor and Tomiko Fraser

8. What makes your curls Glam Curls?

No one person has my exact hair!

To see more of Olivia Rose, click on the links below...

Fotki : http://public.fotki.com/precious-olivia/

Blog : http://www.xo-weekendluxury.blogspot.com

1. Briefly explain your hair routine.

I make no-poos.  I use soft (mild) soap to clean my hair but only when it is very dirty.  After my shampoo, I apply a mask, which I choose according to the state of my hair and the mood I'm in.  I alternate between Garnier's the mask, walnut oil and leaf peach tree, hair mayo or my own homemade mask.  Then I rinse my hair with lemon juice to remove the limestone that's put on my hair from the shampoo.  I hydrate my hair with my own homemade cream.  Lastly, I plait my hair up to prevent too much shrinkage and in the morning I'll have a nice afro.

**Note Mamiky is french girl and her English is not all that clear in some parts.  If you have any questions about her routine please contact her at one of the links listed below.  Thanx KKQ**

2. Have you ever regretted your decision to go natural? If so, why?

Of course not!!! I really like my hair like this.  It makes me feel more beautiful and happy when I'm wearing my afro and other natural styles.  With natural hair we can do all types of styles.  From very eccentric to a very simple look.  I'm proud to be black.

3. What is the best thing about being natural?

My hair is shiny and healthier than ever before.

4. What 3 products can you not live without?

Shea Butter (The best)

Coconut Oil (Great shine)

Fantasia Ic Gel (Gives great waves)

5. What 3 products would you never buy again?

Products with chemicals

6. What is your favorite hairstyle for your natural hair?

 Afros, Vanillas (2-Strand Twists), Stuck Braids (Cornrows), Twist Outs and Braid Outs

7. Who are your favorite curly/kinky celebs? And why?

Ya Ya DaCosta, Jill Scott, India Arie, Nubian, Wakemma Hollis, Erykah Badu

8. What makes your curls Glam Curls?

 The fact that I can constantly change up my look because I'm a real chameleon...lol

**To see more of Mamiky's hair journey or to contact her click the links below**

Blog :  http://brownskin3.blogspot.com/
Fotki : http://public.fotki.com/Afrolicious3/

**To see more of Notsoshy28's hair journey click the link below**

http://www.youtube.com/user/notsoshy28

1.Briefly explain your hair routine.

 Hmm... It is always changing! LOL. Let's see: dc once a week, co-wash once a week, acv rinse with every wash, henna gloss once a month, moisturize daily and/or when necessary

2. Have you ever regretted your decision to go natural? If so, why?

 Nopers. The only thing I regret is not doing it sooner!

3. What is the best thing about being natural?

 The versatility, baby. The styling options are limitless! Natural is unique and it's fly.

4. What 3 products can you not live without?

 Aloe vera gel
Trader Joes Tea Tree Tingle conditioner
EVOO

5. What 3 products would you never buy again?

 Aubrey Organics B5 Design Gel
Oyin Juices & Berries spray
That's it

6. What makes your curls Glam Curls?

What makes my curls Glam Curls is that they are MINE. My curls are unique to me and my swag. They are coily, spirally, and fly!

**To see more of AGrlCanMac please visit the links below**

http://members.fotki.com/vivacious1083/about/

http://agrlcanmac.blogspot.com/

http://www.youtube.com/user/vivacious1083

1.Briefly explain your hair routine.

I cleanse my scalp 1-2 times a week and my hair once a week with shampoo bars.  I follow with deep treatments once every two weeks, and use a regular conditioner otherwise. I moisturize my hair with leave-in creams and conditioners, then seal with oil based products.  I mainly style my hair with moisturizing pomades or natural gels in braid-outs, twists, twist-out, up-dos, and styled wash n go's.

2. Have you ever regretted your decision to go natural? If so, why?

No. There have been times when I wished that I had all the knowledge I needed to find the perfect natural hairstyle for an occasion or to understand everything about my hair. However, I know that those things will come with experience and experimentation.  

3. What is the best thing about being natural?

The best thing for me is having it all.  I can work in unison with my hair’s health, nature, and still wear beautiful hairstyles. I once thought I had to choose one over the other; that I had to work against my hair for it to be stylish and manageable.  I now know that my hair can do what it does naturally, while still shaping into versatile hairstyles where my creativity is the limit.

4. What 3 products can you not live without?

All my hair needs is to be gently cleansed, conditioned, and moisturized.  I could not live without my Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream, my Giovanni 50/50 conditioner, both used as a leave-in, and my Chagrin Valley shampoo bars, which detangle and cleanse without lifting natural hair oils.

5. What 3 products would you never buy again?

I will never repurchase Aubrey Organics White Camellia conditioner, Eco-styler clear gel, and Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey. The oils in the White Camellia frizzed my ends, the plastic and protein in Eco-styler hardened my hair for a week,  and the smell of the Mimosa Hair Honey reminds me of DAX hair grease :-}

6. What makes your curls Glam Curls?

My hair is my canvas. My passion to create styles out of inspiration and work to perfect them, make my curls Glam Curls :}

** To see more of Copa Canary's hair journey click the link below**

http://members.fotki.com/Copa-canary/about/

1.Briefly explain your hair routine.

Every week I spritz diluted vinegar and baking soda on my scalp and rub with my fingertips to cleanse it, I let it sit for about 5 mins and then rinse with cool water then I co-wash with V05 Moisture Milks: Passion Fruit Smoothie with honey and EVOO added and again rinse with cool water leaving a small amount in. Every other week I DC with Coconut Milk with honey and EVOO added and I also rinse it out with cool water while leaving a small amount in. I detangle while rinsing the condish out and also while I’m styling, in both instances I use my hands. I don’t really use combs or brushes with the exception of the rat-tail comb for parting when doing regular sized braids and the brush for the very rare “real” detangle and for puffs. For the most part I always style my hair when it’s wet and I use coconut oil or EVOO and sometimes Shea Butter depending on the season. I try to spritz my hair daily with my moisture mix depending on the style and the weather. When I don’t I just use EVOO or coconut oil.

2. Have you ever regretted your decision to go natural? If so, why?

NEVER! I love my hair to death and I’ll never get a relaxer ever again in life!

3. What is the best thing about being natural?

The self confidence, the freeing feeling it brings, standing out in the crowd, the ease and variety of styles (When I first went natural it gave me the confidence to start styling my own hair. Before going natural I never trusted myself to style it on my own, all I would do was wash, straighten, and put it in a ponytail), and lastly my new found love for hair in general (my mom says I have a hair fetish! Lol!)  To me being natural is the greatest feeling in the world!

4. What 3 products can you not live without?

1. My Moisture Mix Spritz (Contains Water, EVOO, Rosemary Oil, Lavender Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Peppermint Oil, Glycerin, and a bit of V05 Condish)
 2.  V05 Moisture Milks: Passion Fruit Smoothie (with Honey and EVOO added)
 3.  Coconut Oil/Coconut Milk

5. What 3 products would you never buy again?

Any product with mineral oil and petroleum in it and also any gel other than Aloe Vera gel and ORS’s Twist and Lock gel (even though I don’t use gel anymore besides for puffs).

6. What makes your curls Glam Curls?

My curls are Glam curls because they never look exactly the same as anyone else’s. There are other girls/women with a similar texture and curl pattern like mine but our hair is unique in the same.

**To see more of Jaybby04's hair journey click the link below**

http://members.fotki.com/JayBby04/about/

1.Briefly explain your hair routine.

I try to keep it very simple.  I shampoo my hair once a month with whatever shampoo I have lying around.  I co-wash once a week sometimes twice a week .  I deep condition once a week and I usually leave it on overnight and detangle in the morning.  I try to massage my  scalp every week with either Coconut Oil or EVOO (ex. virgin olive oil).  And lastly I moisturize my hair ( esp. the ends) daily with Pure Unrefined Shea Butter or just spritz it some water mixed with a light conditioner.  I only trim when necessary,  which is not very often.

2. Have you ever regretted your decision to go natural? If so, why?

During my transtion I thought long and hair about my decision to go natural.  I knew going in that it was going to be a learning process but I was ready for it.  And I never looked back.  My hair is the strongest that it has ever been.  And I'm so proud of how far I've come and how much I have learned in the past year.

3. What is the best thing about being natural?

The fact that it is MINE... And that I can have a differently look every week without having to waste money going to a stylists.

4. What 3 products can you not live without?

Coconut Oil

Fantasia Ic Gel (the clear one)

Pantene Hydrating Curls Conditioner

5. What 3 products would you never buy again?

Vo5 Conditioner (any kind)

Samy Instant Recurl Spray

Any product with Mineral Oil in it... My hair hates that stuff.

6. What makes your curls Glam Curls?

Because even if we share the same hair type (4a/3c), use the same products and do the exact same hairstyle our curls and kinks will always be different.  And that's why I love my hair.

**To see more of my hair click the link below**

http://members.fotki.com/kinkykurlyqueen/about 

1.Briefly explain your hair routine.

I wash my hair once a month at the beginning of that month (easier to keep track). I then follow up with using my Aphoogee Keratin 2-Minute Re-Constructor treatment. I detangle and then I use my Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In conditioner Repair and coconut oil to style my hair. Either in a twists for an awesome twist out or cornrows for an even cuter braid out. I Co-wash every three to four days. I have started to deep condition my hair now once every week on Mondays. My mix is: My regular conditioner Pantene Prov-V Daily Moisture Renewal, tablespoon of honey, 2 tablespoon of tea tree oil, and coconut oil applied from root to tip on wet hair. I use a heating cap for this process and I leave it on as long as I can. Longest I have left it on was for like 5 hours and the results were great! I trim either every month or every other month when needed.

2. Have you ever regretted your decision to go natural? If so, why?

No I have never regretted. My hair grew back way too fast for me to have changed my mind.

3. What is the best thing about being natural?

When I haven’t done my hair in like four days people still think it looks great. When it is time to redo my hair it doesn’t take long to do. Last and not least, I am totally in control of my hair and I can do whatever I want to it. If I mess it up, I am the one to blame.

4. What 3 products can you not live without?

Coconut Oil

Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner Repair

Aphogee Keratin 2- Minute Re-Constructor

5. What 3 products would you never buy again?

Anything with mineral oil in it or petroleum. Spritz, gel that flasks and leave white crap in your hair.

6. What makes your curls Glam Curls?

My curls are Glam Curls because they are different from the next chic’s and every strand has its own curl pattern and freeness.

**To learn more about Randerykah's hair journey click the link below**

http://members.fotki.com/Randerykah3/about/

http://members.fotki.com/Randerykah2/about/

http://members.fotki.com/Randerykah/about/

1.Briefly explain your hair routine.

In a few words, my routine is simple and very minimal.  My fabulous four products of choice are water, TRESemme's Moisture Rich Conditioner, Castor oil and baking soda.

I wash my hair every 3 to 4 days.

For simple co-washing, I use diluted or straight TRESemme's Moisture Rich.

Since my discovery of baking soda, I've incorporated it into my cleansing process.  I add 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda to about 20 ounces of warm water.  I saturate my hair with water then apply half of the mixture and allow for it to sit for 5 minutes and scrub with my finger tips.  Then I add the other half of the mixture and rinse.  Next, I condition, detangle, rinse, seal with Castor oil and style.

OR

In an empty bottle, I add 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda, about 2-3 inches of conditioner and enough water that its an inch above the conditioner.  Next, I shake to combine the ingredients.  I apply the mixture to my scalp and scrub with my finger tips.  Then I condition, detangle, rinse, seal with Castor oil and style.

2. Have you ever regretted your decision to go natural? If so, why?

For me, there's nothing to regret.  I love styling and the presence of my hair.

3. What is the best thing about being natural?

The styling options and the mere fact that I don't have to depend on a stylist.  I love that even when a style doesn't turn out to my liking, it can be fixed with a few bobby pins.  When all else fails, do a puff.  They are simple elegance.

4. What 3 products can you not live without?

Water

TRESemme Moisture Rich Conditioner

Castor Oil

5. What 3 products would you never buy again?

I haven't experimented with too many products to have three, but I can do without the VO5 conditioners.  the consistency is too thin for my hair.  I found myself using half of the bottle for one wash.  Granted the price is very easy on the pockets, but in the long run I was spending more money.

6. What makes your curls Glam Curls?

Every kink and curl is uniquely my own, which makes them glamorous.

**To learn more about EbonyPrincessH's hair journey click the link below**

http://members.fotki.com/EbonyPrincessH/about/