I'm so excited to have my first Boda Hair post! Boda is Spanish for wedding, and of course I'm going to be featuring the hair of some beautiful natural brides! I'm delighted to feature my first natural bride, especially since she's one of the friends who helped me during my transition to natural! This chica is known to rock her afro with pride and usually with a flower at the side : ) When I saw the pics from her wedding, I immediately asked if I could highlight them on the blog, and I'm so glad she agreed!
Meet PEACE
Háblame
How long have you been natural?
I've been natural for about 3 yrs. I stopped perming in August 2005, and did my BC in March 2006!! I wanted to go natural mainly because I had been studying about the end time prophecies in church and realized that I will not have time to go and find a hair stylist if I ever have to run to the hills! And Secondly I was tired of getting scalp burn, and then scabs! They hurt!! And my mom had done it the year before so I figured I'd be ok!
Did you have any stereotypes about natural hair or those with natural hair beforehand? If so, what were some of them and has your viewpoint changed?
I didn't really have any stereotypes. Granted the ones (natural girls) that I did see, were very hippy-like but I fit that mold anyway!
Do you feel that anything changed in your life (i.e. Boost in confidence) when you became all natural?
I definitely felt more beautiful! It was something about rocking the fro that I felt powerful and like I could conquer the world, especially knowing that my hair was not like everyone else, including those who had dreds. Even dreds can look really professional, but an afro, people will look at you funny somedays!
If you went through a transition process, how did you care for your hair during that process (styles...products you used, etc.) ?
Ahh. the Transition! I hated it! I never cried sooo much in my life! I felt so ugly having the two different textures in my hair and not being able to do anything about it. Thankfully in college, you can wear headwraps! But to care for my hair, I did the same things i did before, but I definitely used more deep conditioning to soften the new growth. At that point I was using Motions shampoo and conditioner and Dark and Lovely's Relaxed and Natural shampoo and conditioner. I learned from my sister to mix products!
What do you love most about being natural?
I love the versatility. I can do what I want when I want and change it right back. And I love the fact I get to wear flowers in my hair everyday.
What words would you leave with someone who is thinking about going natural?
Think about it before you do it. Just like locking, going natural is a journey and staying natural is another one. Some people quit because there is a point where its really tough during the transitioning, but stick it out. Pray.
Any sites where we can keep up with your journey: YouTube, fotki album,any other picture sharing site...etc.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33050909@N04/
NOW FOR THE WEDDING FUN!!
How long did you have your style in mind before the actual wedding?
I knew for over a year that I would wear my hair in a fro with a flower. Thats what I'm known for and thats where I'm most comfy. Thats the me that people see everyday.
Can you give us some details on how you cared for your hair the night before the wedding and how you styled it the day of? (ie. products used...)
I really didn't do anything differently. I washed it Thursday before the wedding and blew it out a little and did my big twists at night to give it that funky look. The day of, I just left it twisted most of the day since my wedding was in the late afternoon (4:45pm) but when I was ready, I took out the twists and spread them apart with my fingers. I put a hump in the front with bobby pins and left the rest out! I'll have a wedding album up soon! But the basic hair pics for the wedding are in the link to my Flikr album.
Did you feel any pressure to straighten your hair or get a weave for your wedding?
Initially yes, because SOOO many people kept telling my I should straighten it. But they also told me that I shouldn't wear flat sandals with my wedding dress either. But did I really listen....! I didn't give in. I wanted to be me.
What would you tell someone who is feeling pressured to "hide" their natural hair for their special day because of what others around them are saying?
Do you! Don't worry about what anyone else has to say because in the end you wanna feel YOUR best, not someone else's. If waking up in the morning, wearing a fro, and sticking a flower in it makes you feel just EXQUISITE... the BE THAT WAY. Just be you and be happy.
