The weekend was filled with natural hair glory.
I had the pleasure of covering natural hair stylist/guru Karen Wilson's event "The A-Zs of naturally curly and healthy hair"
Karen definitely laid out the A-Z of natural hair. She talked about everything from what products to use to the truth about your curls. She made sure that naturals understand that scalp care should be at the top of your list when it comes to healthy hair.
She also talked about the importance of moisturizing your mane with water based products, oils alone will not keep your hair moisturized.
She provided demonstrations of how to properly twist and untwist, coil and bantu knot your hair. This class was all about taking the "I can't do this to my hair...." to " yes I can do this to my hair"
There was even alittle crowd participation.
There were so many different facets of natural, below you can catch some of the lovely ladies in attendance.
Goody bags provided by Miss Jessie's.
I had the pleasure of interviewing the talented Karen Wilson and here is what she had to say:
1. What is the most common misconception about the maintenance of natural hair?
Most women think that naural hair is 'hard to maintain or hard to do'. The key is patience and practice. When women is taught the basics of their hair -- how to comb, properly moisturize, styling product and techniques, etc, then it will become easier. Women are simply unfamiliar with their hair! Overtime, styling and maintaining natural hair will become second nature! You won't even have to think about it. It will become just as normal to prep your hair at night, such as re-twisting it in large twists, as it was to wrap it and put a scarf on it when it was relaxed! But again, the key is patience and practice!
2. What advice would you give someone transitioning?
I would first advise transitioners to start feeding their mind with positive thoughts about their hair -- even if they are struggling to believe it. I think the mindset has to first change, and then the hair will follow! I suggest that women who are transiiton do hairstyles which mimic natural hair, such as twists outs, and rod sets, so they can get use to themselves with non-straight styles. I also suggest that they miminze the frequent use of the flat iron, so that they don't run the risk of permenantly straightening their naturally curly hair. Keep the new growth moisturized regularly and deep condition once per month!
3. In your personal natural hair care journey, what is something people may not know?
I haven't been a natural hair care expert or specialist! I was just as clueless as everyone else!
4. What inspired you to write your book?
I heard so many people what they 'can't' do as it relates to natural hair. I also heard the very same questions repeatedly by women, and these questions and answers is what inspired the book!
5. What can people expect to learn from your book?
You can expect to learn everything from how to properly transition, what to expect from the big chop, understanding and learning your natural hair, and they are many color photos of various natural styles, as well as step by step styling instructions! There is also a chapter relevant to preparing your mind for the big chop! This is my favorite part because if your mindset doesn't change, then it will be very difficult for you to truly embrace your natural hair!
6. What can people expect to see in the future from Karen Wilson Natural Beauty?
More books, more classes, and who knows, maybe even a product line!
7. In the world of social media how can people find you?
I'm on facebook at Karen Wilson Natural Beauty, twitter, instragram. You can always find me on my website,www.karenwilsonbeauty.com
If you want to learn more about what Karen has to offer, she has just published a book Yes You Can! A quick and easy guide to natural hair care. Available on her website and on amazon.com
xoxoStayFabulousxoxo
