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Where are you from?
K: I’m from Boston, MA but I’m a sophomore at St. John’s University in Jamaica, Queens. I’m a singer/songwriter/writer—I write songs and stories.
When did you go natural?
K: In February of 2006 when I was in the 10th grade. My mother had all these Black hair care books around the house and they all pretty much denounced relaxers as the devil … hehe. I got real brand new on my mom and told her I didn’t wanna get touch- ups anymore. I really just expected to get my hair flat ironed every two weeks until forever. Wearing my hair completely natural? Like kinky/curly/nappy? No straightening? That was never the plan. I never even considered that an option.
So what changed your mind?
K: When I took out my braids second semester, I started flat- ironing my own hair (YiKES!) Then when I got back home, I went back to flat- ironing every two weeks at the hair salon. My stylist told me “If you’re gonna wear your hair straight all the time, you may as well get a relaxer.” She had been telling me this ever since I went natural, because I was still in her chair religiously every two weeks. She told me that although being natural was always better for the health of my hair, the heat damage I was getting from the frequent flat- ironing and blow drying was even more damaging than a relaxer would be.
Now, idk if that’s completely true or not, but it woke me up. I was frying my hair! So I started looking up hair care blogs (like this one, which i LOVe) and doing my hair myself. I’m not gonna lie to you– the first couple months were rough. My mother nearly disowned me. But now, I’m a regular Kimberly Kimble! owwwwww*
My scalp behaves so much better! I haven’t had dandruff or an itchy scalp in months. And of course I feel like now I am a complete Nubian goddess ;-) I have nothing to hide. My hair has no secrets. This is what I look like.
What style do you like to rock?
K: My signature hairstyle is my fauxhawk. Every week when I wash my hair, I tell myself “I’m gonna do something different this week.” And every week I end up throwing my hair back into my fauxhawk. It’s just so easyyyy and so reliable. And nobody recognizes me without it!
What do you use in your hair?
K: I use Herbal Essences Hello Hydration to co-wash. Every once in a while, when my hair is dry and sad from product buildup, I clarify with Giovanni Tea Tree shampoo. I use Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine as a leave- in and I seal my ends with raw shea butter or castor oil… or a combination of both. Right now I’m in love with Hollywood Beauty’s Olive Oil Cholesterol. I sleep with it. It makes LOVE to my hair. LOVE!
Do you have a website where we can find you?
K: My blog is BAOww.blogspot.com
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