Interview: Featuring the Beautiful "Shana Stokes"

Singer, Model, Actress

Natural BG: What inspired you to become natural? How long have you been natural?

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S. Stokes: I think going natural is one of the best things I have done in my adult life? No more days of harsh chemicals, burning my hair and my skin with curling irons and the best no more going against the natural state of my hair. It took a long time to get aquainted with the real me. Most of my hair doing life have been spent making my hair doing something it really didn't want or was not meant to do. So in 1999 I ended the millennium with the statement. "I will no longer relax my hair and see what happens".

Natural BG: How was the transition of going from "relaxed" to "natural"? What was your initial first thoughts and feelings?

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S.Stokes: That was the start of it. I finally said goodbye to the chemicals and hello to, you guessed it CHAOS!!! Yes, I said chaos because as we all know the transition, especially in the early weeks and months is very difficult, in every sense of the word. I had to get to know my hair, as we had never really met in it's natural state. After alot of frazzled days and nights. I had asked myself if I had made the right decision. Was "being natural" really worth all of this? Then I remembered something my mother told me when she started letting me do my own hair. She would stand in the mirror and say "be gentle", and I realized that was the key. I had to be gentle.

Natural BG: Can you please fill us in on what it means to be "gentle"

***

S.Stokes: Being gentle meant I had to rethink the way I combed my hair, washed my hair and even looked at my hair. I had to start accepting my hair for what it was, not for what it used to be. I had to accept the fact that I had tight curls that would tangle and dry out easily. But I also realized that my hair is strong and the perfect frame for my face. No longer did I see my hair for what I forced it to be but for what it was meant to be.

Natural BG: Can you share how you care or "treat" your hair, and what type of products do you use?

***

S.Stokes: Now I treat my hair the way I do my children, with love and care. When I wash it I don't do anything that strips my hair of it's natural oils. I rinse it with warm water while I am in the shower. Then I use a rich conditioner. I also finger comb it while I am in the shower, to loosen the curl which makes it alot easier when I pick out my hair later. After the shower I apply a great product called "Curl Meringue" from Miss Jessie's. Their products are especially designed for natural hair and are really nourshing. They are kinda pricey but well worth it. If youcan't do that I also suggest a weekly hot oil treatment. It makes your hair and scalp feel great.

Natural BG: How do you "protect" your natural coils overnight?

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S.Stokes: In addition to the above I try to protect my hair. I sleep on a silk pillow case (I have a hard time sleeping in scarves). A couple times a week usually after a deep condition I wear a head wrap to protect my hair from the elements and allow my hair to rest. It's also a great look if you do it right.

Natural BG: Do you have a website or any other ways to keep in contact as you continue on this beautiful natural journey?

S.Stokes: http://www.nadiaunique.com/

Natural BG: Any last advice or suggestions you would like to share with us before we end this interview?

S.Stokes: Again the key is to understand your hair and accept it for what it is. It is apart of you and something you should be proud of. So if it's kinky, wavy, short or long. It's yours and you should be proud. Make your crowning glory work for you.

Thank you Shana Stokes for sharing your story with us! Look forward to hearing more from you soon!~

"Natural Brown Gurl"

Full interview 11-21-10 with ...."Shana Stokes"

Stay tuned for the "Natural Brown Gurl's" first interview with Shana Stokes she's a Actress, Singer, and Model of more than 15 years experience. She's a proffesional performer on stage and in front of the camera. She brings you a great story of her natural journey! Stay Tuned~

"Natural Brown Gurl"

What I am Reading..."Curly Like Me" by Terri LaFlesh

I won this book playing backwards trivia on the Nappturalite Blog Talk Radio Show, (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/nappturalite), and this book has been a true blessing! I have learned so much about my natural hair, this book brings a clear understanding of how to care for your coils. This book makes me fall in love all over again with my hair! Below is one of my favorite quotes so far from the book:


"Now that the damage was gone, my entire head of hair felt different from how it ever had before. It was soft and shiny, even directly after shampooing. The curls were firm and confident. I'd never experienced this creature before, and I became suddenly and fiercely protective of those fresh curls furling from my head like new fronds on a fern."




....stay tuned for more about "Curly Like Me"...I have just started reading this book...as I finish there will be a book review posted!


"Natural Brown Gurl"

Fierce & Natural TIPS

Fabolous & Fierce Natural Hair Tips!
Having Natural Hair can be alot of fun it so versatile and the styling options are endless~


TIP #1: LOVE your True inner beauty* Know that you are beautiful and enjoy the hair God has blessed you with!

TIP #2: Before going out on a date or a night on the town do 30 minutes of Cardio it gives your skin a NATURAL GLOW and causes great blood circulation in the scalp which causes hair growth!


TIP #3: Have fun with your natural hair! Think out of the box...don't be afraid to try different styles. Finger Coils, Rock your Fro", 2-Strand Twists, Braid Outs, Bantu knots, Chunky Twist Outs, Blow outs, Corn Roll Styles, Pin-up Styles,...Buy Cute Flowers to pin in your hair , Stylish Hair pins, Barettes, Hair Clips, headbands, & MORE!

TIP # 4: Join a Natural Hair Group in your area and network with other naturals and exchange natural hair tips and learn/educate your self all about your hair! Log on to http://www.meetup.com/ Find a local group near you!

TIP #5: Drink Water,drinking 8 glasses of water a day is good for the hair and body promotes moisture in the hair/scalp. Water is great for releasing toxins from the body as well*

TIP #6: Book and appointment with a Great Natural Hair Stylist! Educate your self before trying natural hair products! Save money by SWAPPING products vs. buying~

TIP #7: Be CONFIDENT! Schedule a appointment to get a manicure/pedicure (Every girl loves a nice MANI& PEDI!!). Also, getting your eyebrows shaped razor/wax. When you look good ...it makes you feel good~

TIP #8: RELAX & CONDITION! When you Deep Condition/Pre-Poo, grab a hot steamy towel/steamy cap for your head . Take that time to kick back and relax grab your favorite DVD, and use this as your "Me" time for your self.

TIP #9: Have fun with MAKE-UP! Schedule a Make-up Consultation and get a make-over! Try new colors! Learn about your skin type and develop a great skin regimen or learn more about your current skin routine.

TIP #10: Love your COILS! Embrace it! Fall in love over and over with your hair!


I hope you enjoyed these TIPS!*
Please feel free to leave a COMMENT*

Reflecting back on my "relaxed" days..spending hrs. in SALONS

First, I want to say not all the hairstylist I ever been to leave me waiting to have my hair styled ...hours and hours on end.....I have had fast salon visits (typically 2-4 hours) ..some hair stylist have excellent manners and educate you. However, most out of my 17 yrs of being "relaxed" never taught me how to care for my hair outside the salon. I never really knew what kind of shampoo/conditioner was being used on my hair....let alone the setting lotions, hair sprays ect.. some bottles would be un-marked..or the station was stacked with so many different products I never knew which one was being used (But back then I never really cared, my focus was having a HOT hair style).....





Typical visit, I arrive early in the morning and leave late at night.....I would get my hair washed and set maybe 3-4 hours into the actual visit, sit under the dryer for 1-2 hrs. (I mostly had short hair ..so I would dry QUICKLY within 45-60 mins) ....I would watch girls get their hair styled, hours would go by, I would just sit and sit and read books, watch tv, read magazines, make a few calls (the # quest. would be from the other end was "How much longer you gonna be there"? I never knew..) ...







Reflecting back on when I had a relaxer... I remember going to the hairdresser. Going for hours and hours on end, I would arrive at 8am and leave at 8pm ! Yes a 12 hour day! I would go through all the hours of sitting and sitting ..sometimes not even eating because I was afraid she would skip over me. I want to reflect on the 2 worst Salon experiences; the first is when I went early one morning and it was so packed (I had somewhere to go that night) well needless to say I left at 2am the next morning! Yes, I had to go straight home and go directly to bed on a fresh hair style (trying to sleep "pretty" ).






.....My second worse experience...is when I waited about 10 hours in a Salon ..well the shop was about empty my hair was washed/set ( I was the last one left). However the hair stylist ( I was one of her REGULAR CUSTOMERS come every 2 weeks) I was going to...well she actually shut down her station and flipped out the lights grabbed her purse and was heading towards the door when she noticed me! She quickly apologized and said, " Oh totally forgot about you" (I was furious, and highly dissapointed) as she rushed and did my hair.







These are some of the things I don't MISS about being "relaxed"... I really never had a fun going to the salon because most of the visits were lengthy and uncomfortable. You already have to deal with the perm, and feeling the spritz hit your head (pores are all open from the relaxer) and let's not forget the hot curling iron sometimes coming to close to your scalp! I always thought this was how it was until I discovered the beautiful world of being natural.......







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"Please feel free to leave a comment, this article is not meant to offend anyone who has a relaxer or to put down all salons or hair stylist ..these are just some of my personal experiences.."
"Natural Brown Girl"

Natural Hair Tips "After the BIG CHOP"

Here are a few tips :


* Co-Washing - Washing your natural hair with CONDITIONERS only
(Currently I am using "Organix")
After Co-Washing towel dry or let it air dry. BECARFUL NOT TO USE HEAT!* Also, natural hair products work better when applied to DAMP hair.*

*Moisture! Moisture! Moisture! - Applying Shea Butter all throughout your hair( 100% Raw Shea Butter) is EXCELLENT for "Locking" in moisture after "Co-Washing".

Forming a CURL PATTERN: Work the curls in with a NATURAL hair gel (No Silicons/Sulfates)..I usually just rub in coconut oil, shea butter while my hair is damp and work in the CURLS.

STAY AWAY from products that contain MINERAL OIL/PERTROLEUM !

You may also apply a Shea Butter mix (Shea Butter mixed w/ oils) to your hair as well for moisture throughout the day.



Drink 8 glasses of water a DAY for moisture for your hair/body!


Spray ( Purchase a Spray Bottle) your hair with Essential Oils/Carrier Oils blended (as needed) you can MAKE up your own or purchase them at your local natural store.
(I make my own!)

*Maintaining at night - Sleep with a silk bonnet/scarf (Turn it inside OUT to protect your edges!)

*Deep Conditioning- Once a week Deep Condition! Choose your FAVORITE conditioner and apply throughout the scalp and massage , and cover your head with a plastic bag; then wrap a hot steamy towel around your head for 60 minutes (Note: you may also use a STEAM CAP)


*Scalp Massages- Massaging you scalp PROMOTES great blood circulation in your scalp and stimulates GROWTH. (Note: Choose your favorite oil for the massage!)


Be confident, Be beautiful, and have fun!*
Stay tuned for more tips.
"Clarissa"

Natural Hair Tips "Co-Washing"

Co-Washing- washing with conditioner ONLY. Using conditioners that are SILICON,SULFATE, and PARABEN FREE! Also, you can add BAKING SODA to your conditioner to CLARIFY.

Note: If you MUST use shampoo DILUTE it! Add half conditioner/half shampoo and don't forget the baking soda!*

Above is a Few out many conditioners you can use for "Co-Washing".

"Clarissa"

Goat's Milk & Chai Soap

I use this soap in combination with the "African Black Soap" it's great to use right after, along with Vitamin E oil as your moisterizer! I use it also as a daily facial cleanser. Great for all over the body as well. This soap makes my skin do silky and soft, it smells good, and it last quite a long time about 4 -6 weeks. Furthermore, also use the Goat's Milk & Chai "solo" as well..especially during the colder months when the skin is drier.

Note: I purchased the soap from "Nature's Gift" at Stonecrest Mall*

Goat's nourishing components, including proteins, calcium, chloride, copper, maganese, vitamins A, B6, and E are a foundation of this soap.

Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Goat's Milk, Ch

ai Extract, Rose Extract

Benefits: Conditions, Hydrates, & Protects the skin

Use: on all skin types

Scent: sweet tea, rose

"Clarissa"

"I'm a Natural Chica Tote" by "Natural Chica"

The tote bag is now on SALE $10.95!

Click on the link below to place your order:

www.zazzle.com/naturalchica

Plus the site is offering and additional 10.40% off discount in honor of Tax Day that end tomorrow (Thursday). Use code (TaxDayZazzle).

Jojoba Oil

This is one of the first Carrier Oils I purchased when I went Natural. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this oil! I use it in my Shea Butter Mixes, I use it by itself and apply to my hair throughout the day.

OK, the benefits of Jojoba oil (HO-ho-bah): it's great for ADDING moisture to the hair, it's great for ALL skin types, can also be used as a hot oil treatment, it 's excellent especially if you have dry skin (it's a multi purpose oil) ...your hair will be left feeling beautiful and healthy.

Fact: Jojoba oil comes from a jojoba plant which grows spontaneously in the northern parts of Mexico, as well as Arizona and California

African Black Soap

I started using this soap at the beginning of the year. I purchased it from a store called, "Nature's Gift" (located at Stonecrest Mall Lithonia, Georgia) it was actually recommended to me. I gave it a try and I like it. It's great for exfoliating as well...sloughing off all those dead skin cells. I don't use it often perhaps once or twice a week.

This soap has TONS of benefits for the skin: used to treat acne, oily skin, psoriasis, eczema, and other skin ailments. More benefits includes balanced skin tone, improved skin texture, and clear skin (with daily use). I found that this soap dries my skin out so I use it in combination with another soap (*Goat Milk Soap* I will POST about that one as well) and I will follow up with Vitamin E oil as a moisturizer!

Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Palm Ash, Plantain Peel Extract, Papaya Enzymes, Salicylic Acid

"Clarissa"

Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner

I currently use this conditioner to "Co-Wash" with I LOVE it! It smells REALLY GOOD ( makes you think about being on a tropical ISLAND). It is very creamy and it softens my hair.

I also love the Mail in rebate that comes along with this product. Also, certain drug stores have BOGO (Buy 1 Get 1 Free) every once in a while on all the "Organix" shampoos and conditioners ( I purchased mines at Rite Aid $6.99). After using this product my hair is extremely curly and my scalp feels clean and fresh. Throughout the day my hair remain soft as well. Another IMPORTANT fact about this conditioner that it is SULFATE FREE!*

I recommended rather you are Natural or not!*

"Clarissa"

Savvy Brown

SAVVY BROWN

"One Woman's Journey to a Healthier life ...on a Budget"

It's Savvy's First Giveaway of the Spring!

1.5 Pounds of Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

(that's a $44value)

4/8/10-4/15/10

The Product Description: 29 oz Nutiva 100% Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

For more info: Log on http://savvybrown.com/

I love this site I joined SAVVY BROWN on Facebook/Twitter as well! Great information, I learned so much..you need to stop by and check out her BLOG it's a MUST see. She has some great tips on living "GREEN" !*

Clarissa

Why did you go natural? or Why are you thinking of going Natural?

I will went "Au Natural" because I wanted to stop using the harsh relaxers, and putting all those chemicals in to my scalp and body. Also, I began educating myself and found out that I can wear my natural coils so many stylish way without using harsh chemical and hair products. ....this is just one out of many reasons why I went "natural...I actually thought about being natural only for a short while...I transitioned for about 8 weeks! I am happy that I did ..I love every moment of it!
"Clarissa"

Please leave a comment.....

Natural Brown Girl 1st Post

Welcome to my Natural Blog! Please feel free to come back OFTEN and refer others as well! This is a place to POST natural hair tips, product reviews, & network with other naturals!