Naturally Meet: Karita

It's been a while since we've had a Naturally Meets post, so I decided to bring it back with a friend of mine. This beauty has overcome many obstacles and continues to climb, break barriers, and achieve a list of goals. She's very talented, wears many hats, is down to earth, and rocks natural hair. If you haven't already heard her name, be on the look out! I'd like you to Naturally Meet Karita Fleming!!

How long have you had natural hair? Over 10 years

What's your definition of natural hair? Just no relaxers, because to say chemical free is silly. You're setting yourself up for the impossible, because even dreadlocks require maintenance with conditioners and shampoos; all which have chemicals in it. Even the water we use to wash it has chemicals in it.

Do you have a favorite style to wear?  I love em all. My style changes when the wind blows. I can flat iron it straight, add color, or rock a giant afro. The possibilities are limitless.

Any must have products?  Just recently discovered Mane and Tail detangler, it is a life saver. It quite literally transformed my hair from a gnarled up monkey knuckle that would break a comb, into a healthy manageable tangle free mess of curls.

If you could suggest 2 things to someone who's considering going relaxer free what would they be? First, don't think just because your hair is natural you have to rock an afro for the rest of your life. As a model or actress, for me having to always rock the same style would be a career killer. Natural offers the same hair options as a relaxer, and in fact more, because you can now dye your hair, you can straighten it with a flat iron, wear weaves and wigs, play with textures, or you can rock an afro with little to no lasting damage to your hair.

Second, to be honest not everyone looks good with the afro just as some people can't rock short hair or red hair, or blond isn't your thing, but please really explore all your natural options, for instance like more people don't know this, but Queen Latifah has natural hair she keeps braided in cornrows or flat ironed.

What was your biggest hair mishap? The last hair show I did for Paul Mitchell. It was so terrible. They bleached my hair then died it 5 colors, and shaved a headband into my head and cut out little stars in the middle of my hair.

How did you cope?  After the show I went home and balled my eyes out. Let's just say a good chunk of that pay check went to getting me a nice wig for a month or two.

Where do you get hair styles/fashion tips from? From anywhere and everywhere, sometimes it might be an anime I saw, a film, book, my shoes, or the way the sunsets and the biggest is YouTube. Someone will know how to exactly what you want to do to your hair and tell you how to do it step by step. I learned how to cornrow my own hair last night for instance and I love making my own clothes so it gives you that too.

Do you have any fav hair sites, blogs, or magazines?  I look for inspiration from every possible source. I have to admit it, but I am that chick that loves getting the hottest styles first (just to be like you ain't up on this). So I usually watch YouTube for most of the fashion weeks from around the world. It usually is an indicator of the next big trends. I love love love Trendhunter.com. Being a model and actress means you have to take in a lot of media from music videos to magazines. Well, I haven't actually read a real magazine in a long time, but my favorite blog, besides yours, is MUSE from Paris, and Cutie from Japan, and of course ISIS from the U.K. As for films the biggest influence right now is, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," original version and anime from Japan. I have to stop there, because this would take over the whole blog to name them all off.

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What does your family and friends think about your hair? My mom is so not a fan, but my boyfriend loves it when I pull out my Foxy Cleopatra (my Afro's nickname).

Are you your hair?  Yes and no. Hair is dead; it isn't a living organism no matter what a hair commercial tells you. But what I do with my hair is an expression of me.

If your hair had a theme song, what would it be? Chaka Kahn 1979 "I'm Every Woman"

Did you transition from your relaxed hair, or did you do the big chop? I actually got bored of my hair when I was about 16. Like I always had long relaxed hair for most of my life, and one day I wanted my hair to be a reflection of me, so I chopped it all off like the chick from 28 days later and never looked back.

 Any pics to share? Girl, they are plastered all over my internet and facebook, but I have a few just for your blog.

Is there anywhere we can see more of you online? Recently I was featured in Vibe Vixen Magazine, and finished an editorial for ISIS, which is a British mag dedicated to natural hair. You can also see me on the first season of MTV2's Burnout the Ultimate Challenge, and soon to be aired Syfy Pilot "Wizard Hunters." Also check out my page and Facebook.

Twitter? @KaritaFleming

CLOSED: Hair Challenge 2014!

In case you didn't know, there's a hair challenge going on right now, and it is Free.99! I've decided to commit and join in with it. Basically it's for you to grow your hair naturally for the next two years. The challenge is for you not to wear wigs, weaves, or braid extensions! This can be hard, especially with winter coming, and protective styles, such as these, being worn a lot during this season. There are women from all over who are joining the challenge. There will be future events, before and after pics, networking, you can talk to others who have joined it, and more.

Over these two years you are to maintain healthy hair, and grow it to a length of your choosing. Here's a quick fact from the Natural Hair Challenge 2014 site:

"Hair grows about ½ inch per month, so in one year you could easily grow 6” of hair.  In two and a half years you could grow 15 inches of natural hair and even more if your factor in the hair you started with.  If you started with 4" of hair, that could easily total 19 inches of hair …"

I always try to keep my hair growing and healthy. Sticking with this is part of my New Year Resolution! I think it will be fun to challenge myself to grow my hair longer in this time frame! The other part of my New Year Resolution is to stick to things on my to do list. I always make a list of things I want to do, need to do, places I want to go, places to see, etc., but never get to them. My resolution is that once a month I will do one thing on my to do list!

Examples of things on my list:

1. Try a specific restaurant in town
2. Try out for a specific group I'm interested in
3. Attend an annual festival I never make it to
4. Visit some small local shops I've never been to

What is your New Year Resolution and how do you plan on sticking to it??? It's def not too early to start thinking about it! Have you ever stuck to a resolution that you made? What's the longest you've went? That leads me to this........a New Year Resolution Giveaway!!!!

To Enter You Must:

1. Follow me on Twitter, and tweet "I'm entering @MzDezy New Year Resolution Giveaway #NaturalHair" (Bonus Entry)
2. Like A Natural Hair Affair fan page on Facebook, and on the wall say what your New Year Resolution is, AND how you plan to stick with it. (1 Entry)

Rules:

1. Must follow me on Twitter, and tweet the above message (Bonus Entry)
2. Must like the Facebook fan page, submit your resolution AND plan (1 Entry)
3. All submissions must be received before 11:59 PM December 31, 2011

Giveaway Prize:

The winner of this giveaway will receive a gift basket with things to help them with their New Year Resolution!! You'll be nice and refreshed in the new year, and able to keep track of your progress. 

Included: Note pads to keep you on track of your new year resolution, a jar of my hand whipped shea coconut body & hair butter, a jar of my sweet almond body sugar scrub, a sample of my lavender bath salts, a manicure/pedicure tool set, and a pair of my handmade earrings!!!

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Helpful links:

A Natural Hair Affair Facebook fan page H E R E!!
@MzDezy on Twitter H E R E!!
Hair Challenge 2014 official site H E R E!!
Hair Challenge 2014 Facebook page H E R E!!

Essential Oils

Recently I had the pleasure of trying and learning even more about essential oils (EO). I've had some people ask me questions about using essential oils, what they actually were, and their uses. Some answers were provided in a previous EO post H E R E !!  After doing more research, and from the help of doTERRA here's what I've found.

FACTS:

• 50 to 70 times more powerful than herbs
• 1 drop of peppermint essential oil = 28 cups of peppermint tea
• Fight some viruses and bacteria

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There are 3 ways to use Essential Oils

1. Aromatic-- Breath in or use a diffuser. Kills germs in the air, opens airways, affects moods
2. Topical-- Applied to a specific area such as the head, ears, chest, back
3. Internal-- Depends on the EO. Can relieve issues such in the throat and digestive system

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Some oils I own are: 

Grapefruit-- EO are gathered from the rinds of the fruit. The acid in grapefruit can help seal your hair after washings. Try doing a rinse with this and other citrus EO

Lemon-- EO are gathered from the rinds of the fruit. Diffusing this EO can help cleanse a room. With this and other citrus EO you have to be careful if applying topically, then going into the sun. The citrus can magnify the sun's rays and make your skin sensitive to it.

Ylang Ylang-- Often used as a perfume. It has calming properties and can be mixed with coconut oil for the hair. It can also be used as a dandruff treatment

Peppermint-- Often used as a breathing and digestive aid, which is why you find products such as gum, toothpaste, antacids, etc. in peppermint flavor. It also stimulates the scalp, blood circulation, and can be added to a shampoo, or conditioner for added benefits.

Lavender-- Can be diffused and used as a calming aid and can help you sleep peacefully. This EO is good for sensitive skin if used in a water mixture spray for hair. It's also a natural antimicrobial, so it'll help fight germs.

Rosemary-- Another EO used for its abilities to help digestive issues, muscle aches and pains. A rinse made with this EO is good for oily hair and dandruff

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I've never thought about it before, but some EO can be used in food recipes too. The key is to make sure you check the contents of the EO you're using before ingesting it. Some EO out there can contain additives, so be mindful. A recipe I saw using EO was for salsa. Lime and cilantro EO were used in the recipe. I'm a big fan of salsa, so I'll probably try this out. You can find the recipe, and more information including spa treatments using EO  H E R E !! In case you didn't know I have another blog called Skinny Girls Can Throw Down Too, so be on the lookout for this recipe and more!!

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 EO have an almost limitless amount of benefits and uses. Here are some for the head:

Dandruff can be helped with lavender, rosemary, and cypress EO

• dilute the EO with water, massage into the scalp, then rinse after about an hour

Dehydrated Skin can benefit from lavender and geranium EO

• apply topically to the affected area

Dry Skin can benefit from lemon, geranium, and chamomile EO

• apply topically to the affected area

Eczema can benefit from geranium, thyme, and helichrysum EO

• apply topically to the affected area as needed

Hair Loss can be helped with thyme, rosemary, and lavender

• dilute 5 drops EO in a carrier oil (olive, jojoba, etc) and massage into scalp every night

Head Lice can be helped with lavender, lemon, and geranium EO

• dilute and apply to entire scalp, shampoo, and rinse 30 mins later. Repeat daily for several days

Itchiness can benefit from oregano, lavender, and peppermint EO

• apply topically to affected area as needed

Oily Hair can benefit from basil, thyme, and cypress EO

• add to shampoo when washing hair

Psoriasis can benefit from melaleuca, roman chamomile, and helichrysum

• apply topically to affected area a couple times a day

Sunburn can be helped with lavender, helichrysm, and melaleuca

• apply gently to affected area

I'm usually the type of person who sticks to what they know, especially when the "know" is a good one, and works! The usual brand of EO that I buy is Aura Cacia. You can read more about the brand, and learn details on specific EO  H E R E !!  EO by Aura Cacia I usually see at natural food stores, health stores, or just about anywhere that sells organic items, or supplements. The price I usually see for a bottle is about $12.


A new brand I've recently tried and like is by I Heart doTERRA. You can keep up with the happenings of doTerra by following on Twitter @iheardoterra or by visiting the site  H E R E !! On the site you can also get a FREE sample of EO to try.



Have you tried and essential oils yet? Which brands, which kinds, how do you use them? Let me know!!

Naturally Meet: Toia

Toia is an AWESOME photographer I had the pleasure of meeting, and working with on multiple occasions!!!! I was drawn to her work, because she has no boundaries. Toia doesn't limit her work to rail thin, salon perfect hair wearing, flawless skinned, 6'8" models. Her spectrum and mind are much more open than that. She is very true to herself, her work, and life. I love that in her! Even though she's been SUPER busy she managed to help me out by answering some questions, and providing great info for me to pass on. Here's your turn to Naturally Meet, Miss Toia!

When did you become natural? May of 2006 was my last relaxer.

Did you transition, or do the Big Chop? I transitioned first and then did my big chop on January 26, 2007 after watching Malcolm X.

What influenced you to become natural? I admired the uniqueness of being natural. I had tried to transition for five years before I actually went natural. Then, I met a local photographer who traveled all over the world taking images of beautiful people in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. I saw one image of a girl with really strong African Features. She was from West Africa. I thought she was not attractive, and I wondered what made him choose her to be photographed. He told me that he thought she was beautiful. I felt a bit guilty, because I realized as old as I was that I had been taught to hate those features that are unique to Africans and African Americans. It was self hate. I felt ashamed. I kept looking at the image, and I realized that I shared the same features (wide nose and full lips), but that I was somewhat of a hypocrite, because I hid mine behind a long silky wrap of chemically relaxed hair. I decided at that moment to go natural and to stand firm in my decision this time

What's the best thing about being natural? The cost! Economically, it is cheaper (besides experimenting with different products on my hair). I no longer have to spend 65 dollars for a relaxer. Also, I do not miss sitting in a chair for hours on end. I'm so glad that's not me anymore! 

Top 3 fave products? Carol's Daughter Hair Milk, Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner, and Apple Cider Vinegar.

What's your hair routine? In the summer, I wash with an apple cider vinegar rinse in the shower. I then use a cheap conditioner to comb through to detangle. After that, I rinse thoroughly and then apply either the hair milk OR the conditioner (depending how my funds are). I never comb it after detangling. I allow it to dry with the product on, in ringlets. In the mornings, I shower and allow the mist to spray my hair and I may apply a little more product as needed. In the winter, I have my hair wish, blow dried and flat ironed professionally, or sometimes I do it at home.

What do you love the most about being natural? I love the versatility and my hair seems so much healthier. It's growing like a wild fire!  

More Information provided by Toia:

~~~~If you're interested in learning more about the Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse  H E R E !!  is a helpful how-to video.

~~~~Want to learn how to condition your hair like Toia described above? Watch this how-to video H E R E !! This is what Toia had to say about it:

"I also condition and comb my hair through in the shower. After doing this, I NEVER comb my hair again. I put the next product in and let it dry in ringlets. That's if I'm doing the conditioner only. In this video, the girl uses a plastic brush to define her curls, but I don't like it. It makes my hair too flat, so I just let it air dry with conditioner after conditioning in the shower. I use a cheap conditioner in the shower and rinse it out. I use a heavier one after showering and let it air dry with the conditioner in it."

~~~~I myself have used the Conditioner Only Method. You can find more information on how to do this H E R E !! This site shows you the results of this method on different hair types.  

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Helpful links for networking, videos, and more hair information:

• Rustic Beauty via YouTube  (she doesn't have a channel anymore but you can search for old videos)
• Curly Chronicles via YouTube 
• Pretty Dimples via YouTube 
• For Networking 
• Nappturality 
• Grow Afro Hair Long 

The following are some photos of me that Toia has skillfully taken! Remember these photos are protected, copyrighted, and permission for any and all use must strictly have permission from Toia herself.

Wearing a Twist Out

Two Strand Flat Twists on the side with loose two strand twists in the back

Small two strand twists

 You may find more about the wonderful Toia, her craft, and maybe a photo or two of me    H E R E !!