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"

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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?

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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"