Meet Shawna

Tell us about yourself.

I am a driven young woman who loves to be involved. Outside of working at a communications company I volunteer with various organizations within my community. One of them includes, as a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., the New Mexico Divine 9 Council.

Tell us about your hair.

I am not sure exactly what my “hair type” is. I have tight ringlet curls and when picked out my tresses resemble a 70 style afro. My hair loves moisture! If I flat iron my hair, and it is raining outside (even before a drop of rain touches my head), the curls begin to spring into action. My hair does not do well in the dry New Mexico climate without a good leave in conditioner.

What inspired you to go natural?

Two things inspired me to go natural. First, my hair was not growing. Before my first perm, my hair was halfway down my back. After the perm, it would not grow longer than shoulder length. The second thing that inspired me to go natural was my college experience. I was finally around other girls who had hair similar to mine and I saw how healthy theirs was. I decided to stop relaxing it for a while and see how it turned out.

Did you transition, are you currently transitioning or did you do the Big Chop? Why did you choose to do your selected method?

I let my hair grow out and trimmed the relaxer out bit by bit. I was by no means bold enough to cut all my hair off, especially since it was already short to begin with. However, if I went with the big chop I would have avoided a strange period of new growth mixed with old relaxer! It wasn’t the prettiest hair time for me. Luckily when my head was finally filled with curls, I was pleased.

Was this your first attempt going from permed to natural hair? If not, how many times have you tried? What made you go back to permed hair and what made you decide to go natural again?

My first attempt in going natural was successful. Do I think about getting a perm again? Occasionally. Will I get another perm? Probably not. I keep in mind how damaging relaxers are to hair and how many style options are available for natural hair. Also, a major part of me staying natural is how much hair growth I’ve experience without having a relaxer.

What is your favorite hairstyle(s)?

My favorite hairstyles are braids, twists, and large curly afros. I have yet to try braids on myself but I think they look beautiful. My easiest personal style is just pulling my hair back into a large ponytail creating a crown on ringlets on my head.

Which products do you like to use?

I switch products often as I have yet to find an absolute favorite. Currently, I am using Shea Moisture. So far this product has been okay, but I will be on the hunt for something new once I’m out. I give much credit to my natural friends out there in the kitchen making their own products!

What is your hair care ritual? Do you do it yourself or do you go to a salon?

I don’t have much of a daily ritual. I wash my hair once a week and wrap it in a bonnet at night. When I have extra time in the evenings I’ll put a leave in conditioner and twist my hair before putting my bonnet on. The only time I go to the salon is to get my ends trimmed about every 6 weeks. With the weather getting colder I will have to soon find a regimen that moisturizes my hair regularly.

Where else can we find you on the World Wide Web?

I find time to tweet and blog every once in a while. I can be found on twitter @shawnabrown10.

What do you want Permed to Natural readers to take with them after reading your story?

I say to Permed to Natural readers (who are not natural): Just do it once! At least see what your natural hair texture is like. If you hate the new look, you can always go back. To the natural readers: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles. There are so may for us to choose from!

Ish People Say Videos…

You guys know these videos are super funny. Below are some of my favorites. I am not going to lie. The ones that apply to me, I may have said some of that stuff.

GULITY!!!!

2-Years-Old!

Permed to Natural is 2-years-old today!

Who knew I had so much to say. I didn’t. I just wanted to start a diary about transitioning from permed to natural hair. Then I feel in love. 

I have enjoyed my last two years as a blogger. I got a little recognition in the media and look forward to getting more attention soon. But sharing my experiences (of any kind) has been extremely therapeutic and I plan to continue to share me with you for many years to come. If it wasn’t for you guys checking in daily, blogging wouldn’t be as much fun. So I have to thank each of you for inspiring me to reveal my hair as well as my personal life adventures.

I also want to say Happy Founders’ Day to all of my Determined, Elegant, Loyal, Tenacious and Admirable Sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Ninety nine years and counting!

2013 Watch Out!!

With my Sorors at a Founders’ Day Luncheon in New York 2009. Yep that is a perm in my hair. I started my transition in September of that year.

Meet True

I have known True before she knew herself. Our families have been in touch since I was four-years-old. True recently found me on Facebook after years, maybe more than a decade, of being apart. Our families reconnected on Christmas morning. There was a lot of screaming from excitment on the telephone. Once I noticed True’s hair, I had to spotlight her. Check out her hair story below. 

Tell us about yourself.

I’m a 32 year old woman in Wilmington, N.C. originally from Queens, New York.  I am in the process of finishing school with plans also of starting my own business.

Tell us about your hair.

I have short, dark brown dreads that I love.  I’ve had dreads once before and restarted them because of the damage relaxers and coloring combined have done to my hair. My hair is very thick and grows faster. I think it’s healthier when natural.

What inspired you to go natural?

My initial set of locks was inspired by my mother’s friend. I thought her locks were beautiful and I wanted to emulate that same beauty.

Did you transition, are you currently transitioning or did you do the Big Chop? Why did you choose to do your selected method?

I transitioned about the spring time of 2011 and I did the big chop because my hair was already damaged and falling out due to the relaxer.  So I had no choice but to do the big chop.

Was this your first attempt going from permed to natural hair? If not, how many times have you tried? What made you go back to permed hair and what made you decide to go natural again?

Well as I stated above this is not my first attempt at locks and the reason for chopping off the first set was because the job market in this state was not excepting of my bright red locks.  I think had I just cut them and darkened the color it would’ve looked more like braids and it would not have been a problem. The relaxers damaged my hair so it had to be cut.

Have you ever done anything to your hair that you now regret? (Aside from getting a perm if that is what you regret)

I didn’t know that putting bleach in permed hair would cause breakage.  I wouldn’t put bleach in my natural hair but in relaxed hair.  I let a hair dresser do that and my hair just fell out. This ultimately led to my new set of locks.

What is your favorite hairstyle(s)?

I like locks styled in updo’s and or in unique ways.

Which products do you like to use?

Taliah Waajid, Carol’s Daughter, IC hair gloss, Cantu Shea Butter Sheen Spray, and to lock my hair I either use Taliah Waajid lock it up or Jam (hair gel) in combination with Jamaican Lime Locking Gel.  There’s no build up, it doesn’t flake and it lasts at least a month.

What is your hair care ritual? Do you do it yourself or do you go to a salon?

Right now I do it myself. I used to go to the salon but going every month to every other month is costly.  So I learned to do it myself.  I’m in the process of learning how to color my own hair with no bleach and also trying to build up my confidence to style and put my hair in a funky up do.

Where else can we find you on the World Wide Web?  

I’m on Facebook as Blooming Flowers and you can follow me on twitter at @TFLUV.

What do you want Permed to Natural readers to take with them after reading your story?

Natural hair is not for everybody. Do your research if you are contemplating going natural and decide what is acceptable in the field you work.  Tame your mane and look presentable when going through the process because appearance and first impressions matter in this society.  Once you get your flare and your style going stick with it and be proud of your God given natural beauty!

Out and About Around Taos

Taos, New Mexico is really a great town. It’s laid back, hippy-like and artsy. Most of the stores and galleries open around 10ish and close around 5ish. No one seemed to be in a rush. The car wash took almost an hour and there were only a few in the line up. Horses, cows, goats and rams were along the road in the middle of the downtown area. I like the feel of this city. So I want to share it. Enjoy the photos below.

Once an historical church this gorgeous restaurant forages their menu regularly. I love places that do that. Make a reservation. This place fills up fast.

My box braids are holding up nicely. Thanks Mom!

Later that night.

Venison. You guys know this was not my meal. Antelope is also on the menu. Their meats are not Wild Game. The animals are raised for this purpose.

Just give the Chef notice and a delicious vegan meal will be prepared for you. Rice, quinoa, broccoli rabe, spinach, squash and tomatoes. Deeelicious!

I purchased this Tomahawk at the Taos Pueblo village. I wish I had pictures to post. I was not allowed to use my camera or cell phone and I respectfully abided by their wishes. On January 1 there were dances for tourists throughout the day. Personally I did not like the dance. The men in the village made one motion during the entire routine. I thought it would be more, but then I thought, maybe that performance was for tourists only. True traditional dances are probably kept secret within the tribe as they should be. The village however was spectacular. There were mud houses with colorful doors and straw roofs, a grave yard, a half frozen running river, dirt roads and so much more. This village is considered a world heritage site as well as a national historic landmark. The photo of the village below is something I found on the internet. I wanted to give you something to go by.

There are people rafting in the river. Can you see the red boat in the water?

During my trip I moistened my hair naturally in the shower and applied my homemade hair cream daily to my scalp and braids.

Taos Ski Valley

I went skiing for the very first time at Taos Ski Vally in New Mexico! I screamed. I fell. I couldn’t get up the slope. I was afraid to go down the slope. I was ultimately a hot mess. But at the end of the day – I had FUN!

Check out the pictures below.

There is no satin or silk lining under this hat. I knew better.

With my ski instructor, Hank.

I told him not to let me go.

Okay, honestly, the only reason I fell was because I lost my balance when I turned my body to look behind me.

I am a pro after only one lesson and ready to sign up for the Olympics. Look how (wrong) I am holding those skies.

Taos, New Mexico – Casa Europa

During New Year’s Eve weekend I went to Taos, New Mexico to ski for the very first time and experience another treasure (the city of Taos) in the state of New Mexico.

During the next few days I will post pictures from my trip. I’ll start with the fabulous Casa Europa an adobe style Bed and Breakfast that highlights 18th Century architecture. The owners Lisa and Joe are gracious hosts and I truly appreciate Lisa going out of her way to shop for and prepare a vegan breakfast for me each day I was there. Lisa you’re the BEST!

Check out the pictures below!

Private entrance to the Spa Suite. This is where we stayed.

Jacuzzi.

All natural snacks purchased for me to eat.

Dinning area in the main house.

Lisa trying to hide from me as I took pictures of her kitchen.

Lisa and I.

Miss Dash, I called her Mommie, should win an award for Best Acting Skills by a cat. She is the owners’ pet and loved to run into our room whenever the door was open. The absolute pitiful look as if she lacked food and love took its toll and on our last day we gave her a bit of rice. 

Well after eating the rice Mommie jumped in the trunk of our car and was ready to come home with us. It’s a good thing we saw her before we pulled off.

Casa Europa; 575-758-9798; www.CasaEuropanm.com

Happy NEW YEAR!

Permed to Natural is sending wishes for a New Year filled with joy, peace, happiness and prosperity!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!!

Luminaria

Long before there were twinkling Christmas lights, the humble luminaria paper bags, filled with some sand and a candle in the middle, lit the way to the door of houses each Christmas Eve.

New Mexico’s luminarias are part of a southwestern tradition that has its roots in the 1500s, when bonfires were lit along roadways to light the way to midnight mass. They started as a Christian tradition, commemorating the birth of Christ, and the journey of Mary and Joseph as they found their way to the stable.

In the early 1800s, people began to use inexpensive paper bags instead of building bonfires. These small lanterns (called farolitos in northern New Mexico), have become a Christmas Eve tradition.

On Christmas Eve night I participated in a New Mexico holiday tradition and visited an area known as “Old Town” in Albuquerque. Below are photos of the luminaria lights and Christmas Eve performance.

Luminaria lights – paper bags filled with sand and a candle.

Sand and candle.

San Felipe de Neri Church is a historic Catholic church located in Old Town. Built in 1793, it is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Albuquerque.

San Felipe de Neri Church’s performance of Jesus’ birth.

Goats were part of the performance.

Permed to Natural wishes you all the Pleasures of the Holidays – filled with Warmth and Blessed by Peace!

Group Delivers Natural Hair Barbies to African-American Girls