Meet Sunday Sophisticant...Nakikke!

1.Tell us about yourself:

Hi there. I am Nakikke Wallace Johnson originally from Baldwyn, MS yet residing in Columbus, MS. I am married to a loving husband with two step-daughters who also have natural hair. I have two furry babies, a Schnauzer/ Yorkie mix named Hogan and a Chihuahua named Rocky. I am the Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life at Mississippi University for Women (The W). I am also a stylist for Stella and Dot as well as a QC Make Up Academy student. I love all things fashion, hair, and jewelry.

2. How long have you been natural? And why did you become natural?

LOL … well … it depends … I go by my first big chop date, March 17, 2010. I have not been natural completely throughout my hair journey. I relaxed when I decided to grow my hair out for my wedding back in 2012 and I relaxed in August 0f 2014 just because I  wanted a change. I am very spontaneous when it comes to my hair. When I decided to return back to my natural hair, I didn’t do any research beforehand. I literally saw a girl in an Essence Magazine and I was like  … “I wonder what my hair would look like that?” SO I went home after work, went to the bathroom and cut my hair into the cut I saw in the magazine … and then went out for St. Patty’s Day drinks with friends. Brave? Maybe … Smart? Not really. I did no research and I used whatever products I had on hand so after failing at it for about two weeks, I called my sorority sister who was already natural and she told me to go You Tube and the blogs. Having always been a student at heart, I immediately dove into all things natural hair. I still continue to refresh myself by keeping up with the latest information. Nevertheless, I say I have been natural since 2010.

3. Describe your hair and/or health (if it  aids in hair care) regimen.

I surprisingly  have always had a healthy head of hair and scalp. I was taught at an early age how to take good care of my relaxed hair. Now that I am more “seasoned,” I am paying more attention to the health of my  scalp and my natural texture. I have developed several food allergies as an adult and I am also allergic to sulfur.  These days I rock a shaved head (buzz cut/fade) and I love it. It makes no sense to have long hair down your back but your scalp is a mess. I make spur of the moment decisions when it comes to my hair … I let it be a freeing experience anytime I’m starting to feel pressure to be put in a box or categorized. That is why I love big chopping  because it is such a freeing experience. I accept me for me and I love me for me … anytime when I start to question that love for myself … I go back to free myself all over again. I keep products and a routine simple with the LOC method (Liquid application – water; Oil – whatever I feel at the moment; C- cream/leave-in conditioner to lock in the moisture.)

4. What are your favorite hair care/ health care products?

I have always loved Shea Moisture products. I use their conditioners, soaps, and hair oil. I love Eden Body Works Peppermint line and their deep conditioners. Right now I am using the shampoo and I love to feel the clean tingle on my scalp. I also love a good Shea Butter Mix (such as the one from Organically Yours or One Love Naturals - find her on ETSY.com) When I am “woofing,” I use Sporting Waves Gel Pomade. When you are rocking a tight fade or a buzz cut, you need a good brush and a doo rag (for wave training). In the winter and spring months, I take a hair, skin, and nail vitamin and I don’t skip out on my scalp massages.

5. What are your hair care and/ health care always and nevers?

(1)Always use water/drink water. We need water on the inside and out … a lot of it so drink up. (2) Always be confident – Never let people put you in a category like “only natural”. I am so much more as a person than my hair. (3) Always have fun – Never let natural hair nazis tell you what you can and can’t do. Never let ignorance dictate how you look and feel.

6. Two tips to help others on this journey.

(1) When you are reading blogs, pinning on Pinterest, or watching YouTube videos; please don’t look at a person’s long flowing locks and picture your hair the same. Our hair coils and kinks are all very different. Go check out the beginning of their journey. It’s ok to have a hair crush but don’t obsess about getting your hair to look or grow like hers. It’s ok to have a hair twin but  make sure that her hair texture is  as close to your texture as possible.

(2) Accept yourself and your hair for what it is and see it’s potential. Don’t wait for others’ approval concerning your journey. Most people won’t get it, will discourage you, and will talk about you. It’s your journey and everyone won’t be along for the ride.

7. Contact information …

You can see my crazy journey on Instagram - https://instagram.com/nakikke/

I’m on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nakikke

Tumblr –  https://www.tumblr.com/blog/nakikke

Thank you for the opportunity to share a piece of me with you all.

Be blessed,

Who is this week's Sunday Sophisticant? KaDiedre Talley, that's who!

Who are you?:

Mother of Kingsley. I love all things cosmetology!! I enjoy making others feel beautiful through hair. 

When and Why did you decide to return to your natural hair?

January 2014 I embarked on the journey of natural hair. Becoming natural was a little challenge for myself to see how long my hair could get without a relaxer. It's been a year and five months post relaxer & 10 months post BC. 

How would you describe your hair?

My coils are 4c, and my shrinkage is the DEVIL! I always think I'm bald until I do twist-outs. Lol.

What are your hair’s must have products?

These are my favorite hair care products: coconut oil, Shea Moisture curl enhancing smoothie, jojoba oil, Doo Gro stimulating growth oil, and Jamaican Black Castor Oil. 

Fill in the Blank:

I Always: oil/moisturize my hair, protect my hair at night,  and detangle with conditioner.

I Never: use brushes on wet hair, use heat, or compare my hair growth to others.

What would wisdom would you share with our followers?

Be patient, this is what YOU wanted! Find products that best suit YOUR hair type! 

How can our followers contact you?

email : [ krowndkweens@yahoo.com ]

IG : KaDiedra Charlé

Meet Sunday Sophisticant....Jasmine!

Introduction

My name is Jasmine Howard. I like to think of myself as a delicate wildflower. God, family and friendship are very dear and near to my heart. I'm nothing without these 3. A year ago, I began my journey in elementary education as a Special Education Teacher. Also, I have my own business with It Works Global and am an aspiring singer. My hobbies include singing, dancing, styling, mentoring, cooking, and watching movies. I am a lover of amazing scents, music,style, good food, roadtrips, and fun. 24 years in counting and I'm still writing my story. 

How long have you been natural? What's your haircare regimen? 

I have been natural 2 years now. I wash and condition my hair twice a month!!! I seal my hair with oil and conditioner before every wash so that my hair will be easier to manage before the process begins. After, I detangle with a wide tooth comb. Next, I wash twice only focusing on my scalp and roots.Then I rinse. After, I deep condition for about 20 minutes( if I'm in the mood no less than 15 min. ) with a shower cap. I rinse that out and spray leave -in and part four sections for detangling. Once, that's done . I decide which products to use and then I style my hair based on the look I'm going for . Every morning and night, I water my hair like a plant (lol) with a water and oil mixture.

At night, I sleep with a silk bonnet. I take hair, skin and nail vitamins twice daily to aid in the health and strength of my hair.

What are your favorite products?

1. Hair,Skin and Nails vitamins by It Works www.Jazfit.myitworks.com
2. Water and coconut & grapeseed oil mixture (Dandelion cocunut & grapeseed oil by J.Trigg***    product line launching soon
3. VO5 kiwi lime Squeeze Clarify Shampoo and Conditioner
4. Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste by Curls
5. Lusti Naturals Argon Oil CurlWave Twist Gel
6. CANTU Moisturizing Curl Cream Activator
7. Cream of Nature Argon Oil Leave in Treatment

Natural Hair Tips!

IF you are on your natural hair journey my advice is to embrace "your" hair because there is only one amazing you and no replicas. Be patient with the process, find what products work for you, be consistent with your regimen and learn to love and honor the real unique you. One more tip, please do not compare your hair to anyone else's remember everyone is different and that's good thing.
 

Meet Sunday Sophisticant...Stephanie Hereford

INTRODUCTION:

I'm currently working at Asurion as a customer service representative. I'm also working on my degree in Psychology at Ole Miss. My hobbies are crafting/DIY and I love music. I also spend hours on YouTube and Pinterest watching all kinds of tutorials and looking for new things to try.  I love anything creative.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN NATURAL?

I have been natural for 2.5 years. I have always been intrigued by natural hair but never had the confidence to do the big chop myself.  I would go 3-4 months without relaxing but never fully committed to it.  I finally decided to go natural because I was really curious about my hair texture since I had been relaxed since I was a child. I had also experienced some breakage and thinning due to over processing my hair, and wanted to get my hair back to a healthy place.

WHAT IS YOUR HAIR CARE REGINMEN & MUST HAVE PRODUCTS?

I consider myself somewhat of a lazy natural. It's sad, but I really don't really have a hair care regimen that I use on constant basis. I strive to wash and deep condition my hair every 2 weeks but that doesn't always happen. Most nights I pineapple my hair or if it's really frizzy I re-twist it with water and coconut oil.   Health Wise, I drink plenty of water.

My Holy Grail Products are Water, Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Leave-in conditioner, Shea moisture coconut and hibiscus shine and moisture mist, and Coconut Oil. But I'm a product junkie, so I'm always willing to try new things.

WHAT ARE YOU HAIR CARE ALWAYS & NEVERS?

Always be good to your hair, and never compare your hair or yourself to others.

TIPS:

Two tips I would give to other naturals would be:
-1. Embrace every curl, kink, and coil that you have on your head. Don't compare your hair to others. Your hair is unique to you. It is a part of what makes you who you are. Wear your crown proudly.
-2. Do what works for you and feels good to you.  It's just hair, don't take it too seriously.  If you wanna to cut your hair, do it. If you wanna color your hair, do it. It's just hair!

CONTACT INFORMATION:

FB: Stephanie Hereford and Chic Natural Belle
IG: chicnaturalbelle