When my transition to natural hair started back in late April of 2009, today's featured naturalista maintained one of the first YouTube vlogs I encountered that was dedicated to natural hair. I found her vids were informative, she was extremely down to earth and her hair was definitely fab! I'm sure most of you are familiar with this talented young lady (she has her own business on the side!), and if you're not...you're in for a treat! : )
Meet MissKrisNew
How long have you been natural?
I've been natural for 2 years and 5 mths the be exact.
And if you haven't been natural your whole life, what prompted you to make the change?
I actually have not been natural my entire life. I most likely would have if I hadn't gotten a relaxer by my step mom. She was the first to ever put a relaxer in my hair. I remember like it was yesterday because for one it burned like heck! and for two it was my very first relaxer and to top it very first "traumatic" hair experience. lol Aw man I went CRAZY when I had that thing in my head. Needless to say when my mom found out she was furious! But it was too late to turn the tables so after that my mom then began to put relaxers in my hair. I believe I was probably 7 or 8 at the time that I got my first one. What promoted me to actually make that change from RELAXED to NATURAL was actually a situation I encountered inadvertently. I was in need of re-dying my hair back to black and in need of a relaxer as well... WELL, no one told me that this idea was a no no...lol I ended up buying this product from PROTECTIV that had a foam dye and relaxer mix... *NOTE TO PEOPLE* NEVER BY THAT PRODUCT! Well, once I put the product in my hair (the relaxer and foam) my hair started to IMMEDIATELY come out by the clumps once I rinsed it! Of course I began to panic! Luckily I wasn't completely bald the first go around, although al ot of hair was lost. I tried to camouflage what happened to my hair by wearing curls in it non stop. Unfortunately though it go to an unbearable point and I just decided to cut it off. I was ready for the change. So I did it. Not really knowing that I would be enjoying this natural hair journey as much as I am. I originally thought to grow my hair out to a decent length and then relax it again. But I've grown so much within myself while going on this wonderful journey of naturalism that I personally don't want to go back to the "crack"!
[this picture was right after my BC in August of 07]
Do you feel that anything changed in your life (i.e. Boost in confidence) when you became all natural?
Yes. A TREMENDOUS amount has changed in my life since becoming natural. ESPECIALLY my confidence! I strongly believe that because I started off with very short hair it helped me be more fearless and fierce! I also learned a lot about my inner self and how much patience I had, because this journey is one that needs LOTS of it! I felt STRONG and invincible in a sense. Sounds crazy but true. Also I felt a sense for FREEDOM when I became natural. I was more comfortable with who I was and I was able to express myself in ways that I would not have been able to do in the past.
When and why did you start your blog & vlog? Um... I started my blog back in May of 09 and I started my Vlogs in Feb of 09 I believe. My first video was actually my natural hair journey video. Apparently a lot of people out there like it! lol I always get compliments on it!
What types of topics do you post? I try to be pretty versatile in the topics that I post. I try not to just talk about natural hair because I mean, lets face it... there's MORE to talk about then just that! lol So I speak on a lot of different things on my blog especially. My videos are getting a little more versatile. I plan to talk about a lot more than what I have already but mostly that channel gears towards natural hair.
What do you love most about blogging/vlogging?
I love the fact that I will get emails and comments telling me how much of a help I've been to someone out there. I mean seriously I never though by me making videos that I'd inspire as many people as I have to keep going with their natural hair journey. It amazes me. Although it's pretty difficult to reply to everybody I do try to reach out to most. It's an honor to me. I remember when I met one of my YouTube viewers by accident! lol It was a surreal experience because she REALLY was happy to see me. I mean she literally cried a little bit! She explained how much I've helped her and how I inspire her and that just really touched me! It's pretty freakin cool to have people show you love like that. I mean I aint Beyonce' or anything ya know! I'm just Kris! lol Cool. DownToEarth. Love to crack jokes. KRIS. So I have to say that moves me the most. I LOVE IT.
How would you describe your hair?
I think I have 4b hair. I'd describe it as FUNKY. I try to wear it in styles that are stylish and still presentable for work( for those that watch the videos). Now that I've dyed my hair It's SUPA FUNKY! lol I'm loving my little strip on the side! lol Brings my own sense of style to the table.
What are 5 products your hair can't live without?
I don't even know if I have 5 to be honest! lol I'm not crazy about products like that. I usually use products from ORGANIC ROOT STIMULATOR . That's like my staple line. I can't live without the ORS HAIR MAYO CONDITIONER and I have to say I can't live without this Tea Tree Setting Foam I've been using for the past month. It's GREAT! I use Coconut oil and ORS HAIR MOISTURIZER.
What words would you leave with someone who is thinking about going natural?
I'd say to anyone going natural to be 100% sure that you're ready for encounter this wonderful journey of the highs and lows of being natural! STAY ENCOURAGED! and BE STRONG! As being natural isn't for everyone BUT once you go natural YOU KNOW WHEN IT'S FOR YOU and when ITS NOT. In my case... I KNEW and I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER WITH THE NATURAL ME.
When did you start your online business and what types of products do you sell?
I started my online business
( http://beanie4meplusurban.bigcartel.com/ ) back in May of 09. It actually started off of someone commenting on a hat I wore in one of my videos and then suggested I sell them.
I thought about the idea for a sec and just decided to go for it! Although making beanies wasn't on my to do list for 09..lol I said to myself "what the hey! I'll just post a few on my blog spot and go from there! If they like it I'll just continue to make more!" Needless to say, they loved what I posted! Business was great! Still is. Of course I've had some trials along the way. But for the most part I've done okay for myself. I have that this is a very interesting adventure I am on with this online business, but I love it, and I love what I do. I was always into making things. My very first business was selling handmade jewelry I created back when I was 19 yrs old.
It was great but didn't last long... I strongly feel that if at first you don't succeed try try again! Now I am taking this new business a lot more serious then the last, as I should though. I want to make a living of what it is I enjoy doing you know? So now that I've lived and learned (STILL LEARNING THOUGH DON'T KNOW WHY I SAID THAT) I am happier and I feel even better that I can sell expressions of myself! Beanie4me has a different urban style to it and although some may like it, MANY love it! That makes me a happy camper!
Do you have any other electronic means that we can use to keep up with your natural journey? (i.e. Fotki)
You can find me on
TWITTER - http://twitter.com/misskrisnew
YOU TUBE- http://youtube.com/misskrisnew
YAHOO- misskrisnew@yahoo.com
