Where are you from?
C: I’m from Long Island, NY and I am Haitian American. I’m currently a college student at Adelphi University.
When did you go natural?
C: I did my big chop on October 30, 2006. At that time I was 17. I was influenced by my sister to go natural. She helped me appreciate how beautiful natural hair can be when you know how to care for it.
Was it difficult?
C: Yes it was very dificult because initially my Mom and my family and friends were against it. To them natural hair was seen as unattractive and low class. Also before my big chop my permed hair was long, thick and healthy so they didn’t understand why I cut it. With the encouragment of my sister and many others I was able to go through my journey as a fly natural bella!
What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learn from?
C: The biggest mistake I’ve made is neglecting to trim my hair.
What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
C: The most effective things I do for my hair are deep conditioning, hot oil treatments, protein treatments, trimming split ends and carefully detangling my hair with water/glycerin from bottom to top.
Please give a short tutorial for one of your favorite styles?
C: Curly Twists. This style can be created on old or new twists. I take small perm rods and I wrap about three twists around it and continue until all my hair is wrapped in a perm rod. After wrapping my twists in a perm rod I place it in a vertical position on my head so that when I take it out it will resemble a drop curl. When I’m finished I put on an alcohol free hair mousse and then spray my hair with a little teatree oil. I wrap my hair with a satin bonnet and go to sleep. The next day I just take out the permrods carefully and style it. Optional: For a more curly look you can unravel your curly twist for a defined twist-out.
What do you use in your hair?
C: I pretty much create homemade concoctions for my hair! I try to use all natural products like water, henna, alma powder, shea butter, teatree oil, glycerin, coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil, aloe vera plant, milk, honey, avocado, yogurt, tea, mayonaise, eggs just to name a few. Lol! I also try to stay away from hair products that contain alcohol or petroleum.
What do you like about being natural?
C: The reason why I LOVE being natural is because it’s different, beautiful and so versatile! Also I feel that natural hair represents my artistic personality so much. I am so happy that God finally opened my eyes to see how beautiful my natural hair is. God has helped me to realize that my hair is a blessing and not a cursing.
If your hair had a nickname, what would it be?
C: It would definetly be called Rebel because my hair loves doing it’s own thing sometimes! lol. :)
What is your wish for all black women?
C: My wish for all black women is that we learn to appreciate and embrace the God-given beauty we have! I think that if all black women did this as a whole we would become more confident, strong and gain more respect from men and other races.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
C: Yes you can find me at http://public.fotki.com/caramelbella/.
