Check Out My #HairStory on the IAM MY Hair Blog!

I'm so excited to have been featured on the IAM MY HAIR Blog to share my #HairStory!  The creator, Janae, is a sweetheart, and I was lucky enough to have met her at #Curlfest. :)

Anywho, make sure you swing by the IAM MY HAIR Blog, and check out my feature. :)

Until next time,

Ashley, xo.

Make sure you swing by the IAM MY HAIR Blog to check out my feature as well as some other naturalistas, tips, and advice.  Do you have any questions for me about my feature?  Comment below!

Curlfest: The Ultimate Summer Picnic

Curlfest, Prospect Park, BK 2014

On Sunday, June 22nd, a couple of friends and I packed a blanket and some snacks en route to Prospect Park, Brooklyn for Curlfest.  Curlfest is described by the Curly Girl Collective as "the ultimate summer picnic" where you go to enjoy music, games, vendors, and the company of your friends and fellow curly girls.

Spotlight Monday: Andria

Tell us about yourself.

> My name is Andria; I'm from Chicago, but I hope to move to New York in the near future.  I want to become an editor for Vogue or Teen Vogue.  I'm a very shy person and become really reserved in huge crowds.

How long have you been natural?  What is your hair type?  Describe your curls!

> I have been natural for a year and a half.  It will be two years in July!  I don't hair type because I can never find my hair on those darn charts, but I would fall in the 3 range.  Part of my hair is wavy with spirals at the end and other parts are just spirals.  My edges don't really curl at all; they (for the most part) stay semi-private, which is why it's so easy to lay my edges down.  The front of my hair doesn't have deep waves like the rest of my hair. 

Did you transition or big chop?  Why did you take that route?

> I transitioned but wanted to big chop so bad, but my mother wouldn't allow it.  Had I been who I am now, I wouldn't have listened and just went for it lol.  Hair played a big part of who I was; I was always that dark skinned girl with "good hair".  So when I told my mother I wanted to cut my hair off, she had a fit and gave me an either or situation.  So, I waited until my hair was to my ear and cut it.

On big chopping-- how did you feel?

> I was so excited when I saw my curls.  I wasn't a child getting relaxers when I was younger, but I always got my hair pressed, which damaged my curls.  I remember growing my hair out and posting it on hair blogs asking my type, and I would always get that it wasn't my real curl pattern, and that I was black so my hair would be much nappier than that 4 inches of growth I had.  Funny thing-- that was really my hair texture.  Either way, I was willing to accept whatever grew from my head.

What was it like when you experienced your natural hair for the first time?

> When I cut my hair I felt so happy because I did it for me.  I didn't care about how long my hair was; I didn't even do it for the health of my hair.  I just wanted my hair to be curly.  When I wore my first wash n go I was so excited; I didn't care that it stopped at my ears!  I loved my curls.

What are some of your favorite products? (top 3)

> Cantu Shea Butter leave-in repair cream, Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie, Eco Styler Gel

What are your go-to hairstyles?

> My go-to styles would have to be braids, buns, and wash n gos.

What is a haircare lesson that you'd share with someone who wants to go natural?

> One hair care lesson I've learned is to NOT FOLLOW HAIR TRENDS!  I can't stress this enough.  I do not believe in only buying products geared towards African Americans, nor do I believe in not clarifying your hair with a shampoo.

What are your hair goals?

> I just want my hair to remain healthy and to grow out.  I recently cut it just because, so now I just want to get back to the length it was before.  Anything longer would be a bonus.

How do you feel about your hair today?

> Since I cut it and it's growing out, I'm back in the "awkward stage".  But I have to say I'm enjoying it.  I didn't realize how much I missed my hair at this length.

Instagram: anicolec_

YouTube: andriachildress

Do you have any questions for Andria about her natural hair journey?  Comment below!

My Thoughts on BeautyConNYC

Last week, I was chosen by @BrandingMuse on Instagram to attend BeautyConNYC.  BeautyCon is a "fashion and beauty summit for the internet's most influential and everyone who's obsessed with them!" (http://www.beautycon.com/about/).  This year, it was held at at Pier 36, which is way downtown.  It seemed like fun at first, but I wasn't impressed.

Spotlight Monday: Flose

Tell us about yourself.

> My name is Flose, and I am a recent Syracuse University graduate, where I double-majored in sociology and public relations.  I currently reside in Rockland County, New York, but I was born on the beautiful island of Hispaniola.  Poetry is my life and the answer to all my woes; I aim to share her with all who are willing to listen.  If there's one thing I want the world to know about me, it's that I'm a lover of humanity, and I am continuously looking for ways to help us all advance as a people.

MY Preference Between Aussie Moist & Hello Hydration Conditioners

In all honesty, this was not a PJ moment; I was in desperate need to find a new detangling conditioner.  I had been using the Tresemme Naturals conditioner, but I noticed that it was no longer working for me.  My detangling sessions took longer than usual and my hair felt dry after using it.  I honestly think my hair had gotten used to it.

Spotlight Monday: Mercedes

Tell us about yourself.

> My name is Mercedes, and I’m an ambitious 21 year old from Hot-lanta!  I'm currently a senior at Syracuse University in the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs, studying Political Science.  I aspire to fulfill my dreams of one day becoming a legend in both the entertainment and political spheres.

How long have you been natural? What is your hair type?  Describe your curls!

> I've been natural since the 8th grade.  That was the last time I had a relaxer.  My hair is very curly & springy.  The curls resemble little ringlets like the Shirley Temple curls.  My hair is very thick, but soft.  For the most part, my hair is very manageable.  I would say my hair type is mixture of 3A, 3C & 4A.

Did you transition or big chop?  Why did you take that route?
> I was actually forced to transition when a relaxer caused my hair to fall out in the crown area of my head.  The relaxer caused horrible scabbing, and once the scabs fell off, it took my hair with it.  I had a huge bald spot that got infected.  Going natural was the only option; I didn't have much of a choice.  I eventually found out that I’m allergic to some of the chemicals within relaxers (because I have a very sensitive scalp), which is one of the reasons I stopped getting them.  I was on antibiotics and had to use medicated shampoo for a year.  It took a total of 2 years to completely revitalize my hair to its natural state.  I've cut my hair several times, but my "Big Chop" happened during my freshmen year of college in 2010.  I cut my hair because of heat damage.  No dramatic revelations over here-- I just wanted my healthy hair back.

On big chopping-- how did you feel?
> I felt so beautiful!  I loved the feeling of simply rubbing moisturizer & oil in my hair without having to really 'do' anything to it.  I was very comfortable with short hair.  Cutting my hair isn't a big deal to me (I would do it again in a heartbeat).

What was it like when you experienced your natural hair for the first time?

> When I first experienced my natural hair after I stopped relaxing it, I hated it.  I was very athletic & played several sports, so the relaxer maintained my roots and edges from "drawing up" or "napping up".  It took a couple of years to get used to it.  After doing research on the actual maintenance, I fell in love with it.  I'm in love with my natural hair now to the extent where I'll go months without putting the slightest bit of heat on it (including a blow dryer). 

What are some of your favorite products? (Top 3)
> Raw Coconut Oil, Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Shampoo, and Miss Jesse’s Curly Pudding.  These are products that I liked, and I found that they worked best for my hair.  However, I’m somewhat of a product junkie, and I’m constantly trying new things in my hair routine, especially when the seasons change.

What are your go-to hairstyles?

> My go-to hairstyles are curly 'fros using twist outs, two-strand twists, Bantu Knots on semi blow-dried hair (hair is still fairly damp, just blow-dried to stretch the curls) and natural updo hairstyles.  I’m known to switch up my hair A LOT.  I always have different hairstyles and I'm willing to switch things up.

How do you feel about your hair today?

> I've been through a long journey with my hair, but it was worth it to obtain healthy hair.  I love my natural roots and curls!

Bonus: Check out Mercedes' growth as of December 2013!  She's definitely serving up fierceness in this pic, :)

Until next time,

Ashley, xo.

Do you have any questions for Mercedes about her natural hair journey?  Comment below!