French Native Beauty - Anaïse

Today's Natural Beauty is Anaïse (it sounds like "Anna-is", it's a french). She is from French Guiana.

Q: What is your hair story?  What kind of hair styles have you rocked, before embracing your natural hair?
A: I was 12 or 13 years old when I started relaxing, but I met problems with breakage, lot of length gone and damaged hair! I was 15-16 years old and I thought I would prefer a short and healthy natural hair, rather than “long” and damaged relaxed hair. Then I decided to do a big chop once. Unfortunately, it wasn't so easy at this time because I wasn't enough mature to embrace my natural hair. Indeed, relaxed hair is a standard for a lot of people. I decided to go back to relaxed, as it took a good length. 

Q: When and why did you decide to start wearing your hair naturally?
A: I was around 19 years old and I left my country to study in France. So it was easier to wear my hair in my teeny weeny afro again! Before going to the plane, I went to a hairdresser for the big chop again! No laughs, no unkind remarks… it was easier, new friends, new schoolmates, new life, new community! You know, living in French Guyana is like living in a small village, and it’s harder to correspond with a beauty standard or ideal because people like to talk, gossip, and give "advice". Obviously, in France there are many black people who don't like kinky hair and prefer relaxing but in general, "indifference" is the norm. I realized we can be pretty the way we are. Everyone has complexes and some unkind remarks that can hurt, so you can choose to pay them no mind even if it's not easy everyday!

Q: Did you have any big fears about going back to your natural texture?
A: Hum...looking like a guy! But I found great ways to feel more feminine. Since the BC, I've tried to take care of my hair, my skin, make up, jewels, etc.

Q: What are three products you can't live without for nurturing/styling your hair?
A: Organic Root Stimulator's Olive Oil Moisturizing Lotion, Curl Junkie's Hibiscus & Banana Deep Fix, Bioshine Intense's aloe vera treatment (Brazil)

Q: What would you say to someone who's thinking about embracing their natural hair, but scared about being rejected in various parts of their lives?
A: Appearance isn’t the most important thing (humor, intelligence, temper, points of view are far more important in terms of relationships), but people sometimes act like is. Everyone wants to be loved and appreciated for who they are, but you also do your best to be an “attractive person”. I’ve never really felt ashamed about my hair but there was a gap between my natural hair (+ other things) and some TV idols. Today, I feel prettier than ever because I'm not challenging a beauty standard. I understood 

 there is difference between  "my beauty" and "the ideal of beauty".

Q: How can we keep up with you and your journey i.e. blog, twitter, facebook, fotki, tumblr, personal or professional website? (Optional)
A: I have a blog but if you don't speak french, it's difficult to understand!  http://nefertarians.blogspot.com/

Thank you Anaïse! Gorgeous pictures and I enjoyed reading your interview. ~ Karen

Nikeisha from Trinidad

How long have you been growing your Loc's?

I’ve been growing my locks for about 10 years. I’ve been completely natural for around 12.

What made you decide to grow your hair naturally without chemicals?

When I finished school and started to work, the girl that sat next to me respectfully suggested that I give my hair a rest from the chemicals – my hairline was pretty damaged. It’s funny, cause although I knew my hair was over processed and my hair line forsaking me, from being pulled back too tight, too often, I never even thought about taking a break. It always seemed ‘natural’ to keep getting a relaxer. In fact I started braiding with the intention to resume relaxing after a couple months.
I took up Art classes and began making friends with the older people within the group. Amongst them, was a really robust respect for African heritage, which I kind of fell into. Around that time as well I became a born again Christian. I stop just attending to God casually and really knowing Him and understanding the beauty He purposely gave to me.  The enlightenment and homage to African culture was more of a healthy appreciation than a black supremacy/ fight the power kind of thing. I was just really infatuated with my dark skin, my nose, my frame and every kink in my hair. It was awesome.
So with all that going on around me, in my head and in my spirit, I just never got another relaxer; locks came some time after.

What are some of your favorite products?
My favourite products are Wave Nouveau Finishing Lotion and Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. As we say here in Trini – it bes’! The combination keeps my hair light and soft. I’m also loving Aubrey Organics Clarifying Shampoo, it gently removes excess everything, without stripping my hair. About a year ago, really close friend of mine, started sharing all the info she was coming across on natural hair. Sites like thenaturalhaven.com, hairlicious.com, napturality.com. Since then I’ve been creating my own hair regimen and my hair’s responded well – it’s naturally blacker and shinier. But I have learned, the hard way, to go easy on the quantity of products I put in my hair at a time, since it could be a little difficult to get them all out and they then remain in the locks. Not cool.

You’re from Trinidad. What is the culture like there?

Trinidad is actually part of a twin island state – Trinidad and Tobago. My country is definitely unique and undoubtedly blessed. We have a ton of natural resources, invented the steel pan, have lots of beaches, pretty birds and flowers - all that cool Caribbean stuff. But our richest treasure is the people themselves :-).          (To read the rest of Nikeisha's Interview, click on READ MORE to continue......)



I think we have every race on the planet here! And because of that there’s this plethora of cultures, tradition, religious celebrations, holidays and FOOD. It’s awesome! We’re also one of the more advanced Caribbean islands in terms of our global relationships etc, but we still manage to be pretty laid back. Lol!

Is natural hair something that is loved and embraced where you’re from? Or are there still a lot of societal pressures to have long straight hair?

Girls with natural hair aren’t scorned, jeered or met with any prejudice in most circles; the stigmas are slowly dissipating. Within the very large relaxed hair community, there’s a general heated and vocal apprehension about going natural. I talk to girls all the time to find out what they think about transitioning and everyone is like, “Girl you don’t know how hard my head (hair) is!” Long, straight hair is the aspiration.   I personally think that growing up, Caribbean girls had a hard time, no pun intended, with the products on the market. There was nothing over the counter that gave our hair what it needed. So, since there’s so much choice for relaxed heads, I guess they’re thinking why look back. I try to make them look forward in my own little way, pointing them to the resources that I’ve come across that teach us how to be good to our hair and give it the chance it never had.

What is your advice for anyone looking to go from process hair to their natural texture?
Firstly going natural doesn’t have to about being eccentric, artsy, hippie or rebellious. It’s just about appreciating all that the Father has given you. Why do all the other races accept what grows out of their heads and we are so discontent? There’s no need to be :) Don’t get me wrong; I think a woman has a right to do whatever she wants with her hair. But it really hurts me when she turns to a relaxer because of a deep-seated and unfortunate inferiority complex and or dissatisfaction with who she is.
Also, if you’re going natural – get knowledge! There are lots lovely ladies with fantastic sites (like this one!) with great information. Some of my favourites are lecoil, natuallyleslie, naturalhairhaven, napturality and beautifulbrowngoddess and chescalocs on Youtube. Also take a look at the style galleries for inspiration, there’s so much you will be able to do with your natural hair.
Natural hair is so, so versatile; the experience doesn’t have to be a frustrating one. Soft, black, shiny, lustrous and long hair looks like a dream but it really isn’t – it’s beautiful reality.

You can find me online at:
nikeishajoseph.viewbook.com – I’m a photographer. Woot!
twitter.com/bornagainfriend 

Giveaway Winners for International Beauty!!

Good morning everyone,

Last week, I posted a challenge for a Naturally Beautiful Hair Giveaway. The 2 prizes for this giveaway are 2 separate 3-piece sets of Peruvian Earrings. The challenge was for the readers to submit links to photo's of international beauty, from around the world. There where 6 photo's that were submitted, each beautiful because of the cultural richness. The two winners are:

**Angel: Her photo is of Gambian beauties in their traditional dress.

**Natural In the Making: Her photo entry is of a young Samoan woman practicing for Tausala.

Congratulations to the two winners. Remember, which ever winner that contacts me first at naturalhairbeauty@gmail.com, will have first choice in what package (#1 or #2) they want.

Also, I want to thank all of the people that participated in this giveaway. It is always a joy to see something new and beautiful from another country and culture. Please take a look below at the rest of the entries.