Meet Sunday Sophisticant...Tunisa

Introduction:

Tunisa Rice wants to live in a world where love reigns supreme, she has her own personal shoe fairy, ice cream causes no weight gain, and Bob Marley rides in on a white horse to sweep her off her feet. 

The 21 year old (with 19 years experience) mother of two is a photographer and graphic designer of her own company, Visual Chronicles and a professional network marketer with 5linxs. Her life’s mission is to simply leave the world a little better than she found it and to pursue life as an adventure orchestrated by God to be pursued with reckless abandon. Her hobbies include listening to music, reading, writing, photography and working with others to help them live more intentional and purposeful lives.

How Long Have You Been Natural?

Tunisa’s decision to forgo chemicals and go natural 16 years ago resulted from her experimentation with protective styles to strengthen and grow her processed hair. She simply fell in love with look of braids and two-strand twists and was amazed at the growth and thickness of her natural hair. At that time, Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu were also on the music scene and she found their idiosyncratic style to be bold, captivating and beautiful. The big chop was a very liberating decision in that in a sense it was a peeling away the notion that one is defined or beautiful merely on the merit of their hair type, style and length. There is nothing more attractive than a sister who works with what she has, sets her own standards and writes her own rules. Not being a stickler for the high level of maintenance required to maintain natural coils within 2 years Tunisa retired her afro pick for locs. It has been a match made in heaven every since. Her daughter who is now 8 also has locs.

Tunisa’s Regimen and Hair Tips:

Tunisa’s regimen for maintaining her locs is very simple. She drinks between 80 and 128 oz of water daily and a green smoothie a day. For loc maintenance approximately every 6 weeks she shampoos with Dr. Bonner Castile Lavender Soap (just a few drops heavily diluted with water), conditions with

coconut oil, and twists locs with a 50/50 mix of Mango & Lime Locking Creme Wax and Ors Lock and Twist Gel. Every other month she detoxes locs with an apple cider vinegar rise. For daily touch ups when locs appear dry she spritz lightly with solution of water, jojoba oil, ylang ylang and lavender.

Do’s & Don’ts:

Do have patience with the process you are essentially building a relationship with your hair, discovering what it likes and does not like. Do join blogs and groups such as Natural Sophisticant to connect with others who are on a similar journey. Do purchase a pair of huge hoops. Naturals and hoops go hand in hand. Do sleep with a satin scarf. Do allow locs to dry under dryer to prevent mold build up. Do not dry with locs with white towel...lint magnet. 

Do HAVE FUN...EXPERIMENT...BE BOLD...BE YOU

Meet Sunday Sophisticant.....Dana

Introduction

Hello Beautiful Natural Sisters! My name is Dana McGinister and I am a 43 year old natural beauty. I have been married for 18 ½ years and this wonderful union has blessed us with a handsome son. I am a 19 year National Board Certified veteran of education and in my spare time, I enjoy doing photography and relaxing. 

How long have you been natural?

I began my natural hair journey 3 ½ years ago. After years of perming my hair, I noticed that my hair was beginning to appear thin and my scalp was becoming more and more irritated. I decided in July of 2012 that I would stop perming my hair and see what would happen. 

Dana's Regimen & Favorite Products

The struggle was REAL at first because I decided not to do the BIG CHOP. After consulting with a few of my friends and associates, who suggested some products and hairstyles while I was transitioning, I got the hang of it. I can say that I tried a lot of products at the beginning of my journey. I knew people who were also transitioning during the same time, so we were able to swap products. My hair texture has changed a lot in the 3 ½ years of being natural. I would suggest to anyone who is transitioning to learn their hair type, pay close attention to how your hair reacts to certain products, and ask a friend before you buy. They may share products they currently have and this will save you a lot of money. Currently my hair is responding well to Cantu products. I use everything from the co-wash to the hair masque from the Cantu line. I also do the L.O.C. method every time I wash my hair, which has help seal in moisture. 

Dana's tips

One of things I was told in the beginning of my transitioning phase was to use as little heat as possible on my hair and I can say this was the most helpful advice. It forced me to be creative with styling my hair. In the 3 ½ years of being natural I have only used heat on my hair four times. I also make it a point to clip my ends every three months, by dusting. My favorite natural hair style is bantu knots. I love the results and have found that using Black Jamaican Castor Oil and Olive Oil ORS Smooth-N-Hold Pudding helps with the definition of the bantu curls.

The only regret I have is not starting sooner. I love my natural hair and find that I do so much more with my natural hair than I did when my hair was permed. To anyone thinking about or wanting to become natural, my advice is to be patient, seek help, and love a new natural you.

Meet Sunday Sophisticant....Kirstie!

Introduction
My name is Kirstie Manning. I am 24 years old from Verona, Mississippi.  I recently graduated from the University of Mississippi and now work for Human Resources on the UM Campus. My hobbies are designing, drawing, and scrolling through Pinterest.

How long have you been natural?
I transitioned from my last perm in the 10^th grade to 12^th grade years of high school. I would say I have been completely natural for 5 years now.

Kirstie's Regimen
For these colder months, my hair has been dry so I have been doing the L.O.C.O. method, which is Liquid(water), Oil(Shea Butter/Coconut Oil mixture), Cream/Conditioner(Crème of Nature Lemon Grass and Rosemary Leave-In Conditioner or Sulfur 8 Medicated Original Anti-Dandruff Hair and Scalp Conditioner) and Oil(OGX Hydrating Anti-Frizz Kukui Oil).  With the use of the Sulfur 8 Conditioner in the L.O.C.O. Method, I found that my (4C) hair was soft and moisturized for 3 days straight. After the L.O.C.O. Method, I’ll do a protective style or Twistout/Braidout for work.

Kirstie's Favorite Products

If it’s oil and it smells good, I love it! OGX Hydrating Anti-Frizz Kukui Oil smells nice and it’s good for smell and sheen for my hair. DOOGRO Mega Thick Growth Oil and Shea Butter/Coconut Oil Mixture are working well for the growth and moisture of my hair. 

 
Kirstie's Tips!!

1)   For these colder months, wash your hair once a week(preferably on Friday after your 9 to 5) and do the L.O.C.O. Method.  During warm/hot weather wash and condition every 2-3 days, especially if you’re sweating and exercising a lot.
2)   Be comfortable, confident, and patient with your natural hair.  Learn and love what your hair does and can do. Be creative. Find your way of achieving a style that you want.
3)   Use heat protectant!! Say NO to heat damage!
4)   When you take care of your body through a healthy diet and exercise, your hair will grow healthier.