Dr. Tinka Barnes is the wife of childrens' book author, Derrick Barnes, who was featured on the site not too long ago. I admired Dr. Barnes' locs so much and just had to get her to share her natural experience with us!
1. How long have you been natural? And if you haven't been natural your whole life, what prompted you to make the change?
I have actually been natural all my life. I have never had a perm, relaxer or jheri curl. My dad initially would not let me and as I got older I was to scared to do it.
2. Do you feel that anything changed in your life when you became all natural?
I really embraced my natural essence when I was 26. I looked in the mirror and realized I was beautiful just as GOD had created me. No make-up or weave was needed to make me feel more sexy or breath taking. Just pure and simply me.
3. Can you describe to us your loc'ing process?
I started locking my hair in my first year of medical school. I had auditioned for a West African dance ensemble and made it to be one of the principle dancers. So I decided to go all the way and lock my hair. I was nervous but excited at the same time. I had no problems starting my locks, because the Lord surely blessed me with thick nappy hair! I simply washed and cleaned it than I took two sections of hair and twisted them together all over my head. That was the start of the best thing I could do for myself and my overall sense of beauty.
4. What's your current haircare regimen: (how often you wash, what products you use, retwisting locs,etc.)
I wash my hair on average every one to two weeks. I never really had to twist too much because my hair loves to stay together. I only twist now-a-days when I wash. I usually braid up three locks together and let my hair dry over two days then take it all down to get the curly effect. I use to do Bantu knots, but Lord knows my hair is too long for that now and it gives me a monster of a headache! I also use a hair drying hood sometimes, along with the super rollers, to add a different twist to my locs. The grease I use is called "Natures Blessing" and I love it! No bees wax cakes up too much. Maybe a little when I was first starting out but that was it. Wrap up your hair at night and spray for extra moisture in the morning with organic root stimulator. That's about it. 🙂
5.What do you love most about having natural hair and locs specifically?
Its amazing still how many compliments I get from men and women alike regarding my hair. I never started my locs with the intention of extracting compliments from people. (But a little flattery doesn't hurt.) I love my locs because they are all mine and real, no extension no miracle grow, just natural. Bo Derek wishes she could have my tresses!
6. Any advice you would like to share with those who may be considering getting locs or going natural, in general?
Going natural really starts from within. It is a mind set, an attitude. And that's one thing all sisters have is an attitude. We have a choice how that attitude is conveyed to the public. You can not be overly concerned with what popular culture calls beautiful. If don't look like Beyonce, Halle Berry or Alicia Keys thats better than fine. You have to embrace who you are know and love your whole self from top to bottom as GOD created you. Take control of your beauty and your happiness, BE NATURAL...
I have actually been natural all my life. I have never had a perm, relaxer or jheri curl. My dad initially would not let me and as I got older I was to scared to do it.
2. Do you feel that anything changed in your life when you became all natural?
I really embraced my natural essence when I was 26. I looked in the mirror and realized I was beautiful just as GOD had created me. No make-up or weave was needed to make me feel more sexy or breath taking. Just pure and simply me.
3. Can you describe to us your loc'ing process?
I started locking my hair in my first year of medical school. I had auditioned for a West African dance ensemble and made it to be one of the principle dancers. So I decided to go all the way and lock my hair. I was nervous but excited at the same time. I had no problems starting my locks, because the Lord surely blessed me with thick nappy hair! I simply washed and cleaned it than I took two sections of hair and twisted them together all over my head. That was the start of the best thing I could do for myself and my overall sense of beauty.
4. What's your current haircare regimen: (how often you wash, what products you use, retwisting locs,etc.)
I wash my hair on average every one to two weeks. I never really had to twist too much because my hair loves to stay together. I only twist now-a-days when I wash. I usually braid up three locks together and let my hair dry over two days then take it all down to get the curly effect. I use to do Bantu knots, but Lord knows my hair is too long for that now and it gives me a monster of a headache! I also use a hair drying hood sometimes, along with the super rollers, to add a different twist to my locs. The grease I use is called "Natures Blessing" and I love it! No bees wax cakes up too much. Maybe a little when I was first starting out but that was it. Wrap up your hair at night and spray for extra moisture in the morning with organic root stimulator. That's about it. 🙂
5.What do you love most about having natural hair and locs specifically?
Its amazing still how many compliments I get from men and women alike regarding my hair. I never started my locs with the intention of extracting compliments from people. (But a little flattery doesn't hurt.) I love my locs because they are all mine and real, no extension no miracle grow, just natural. Bo Derek wishes she could have my tresses!
6. Any advice you would like to share with those who may be considering getting locs or going natural, in general?
Going natural really starts from within. It is a mind set, an attitude. And that's one thing all sisters have is an attitude. We have a choice how that attitude is conveyed to the public. You can not be overly concerned with what popular culture calls beautiful. If don't look like Beyonce, Halle Berry or Alicia Keys thats better than fine. You have to embrace who you are know and love your whole self from top to bottom as GOD created you. Take control of your beauty and your happiness, BE NATURAL...
