Natural Hair Challenge!!!

If you haven't heard the buzz, I started a Hair Challenge. Actually it started back on October 1st but you can still join and extend the end of the challenge (originally March 30th 2011) by one month. Happy Hair Growing!! (HHG)

Natural Model: Meet Ms. Ashley Steele!

I thought it would be great to show that natural hair is considered beautiful even in a tough industry like modeling. That's when I linked up with Ashley Steele to do this blog. Enjoy the interview questions and spread the word on Ashley representing Ohio!!!

1) how long have you been natural? If you haven't always been natural what inspired you to go natural?

I have been natural since 2005. I made the switch when I went off to college. I never did the big chop, I slowly phased the relaxer out of my hair getting trims every now and then; it didn't take too long!

2) what is your favorite thing about your natural hair?

The fact that I don't have to do much with it to make it look good. I don't have to sit in a hot salon for hours on a Saturday, or risk burning my scalp with chemicals. Just keeping it clean and moisturized works. I also like how BIG my hair is! I think it frames my face very well and emphasizes my prominent African features.

3) what is your favorite natural hair style?

Either a simple twist out, or when I pin it up into a mohawk…Natural chic. (: I need to find some new styles to try...

4) would you consider yourself a product junkie or do you keep it simple?

I'm always trying to try the newest thing out, or something someone just wrote a rave review about. I wouldn't say I have a set routine because of this so yes, product junkie! (: I'm currently using Carol's Daughter products (almost the whole line lol).

5) What are your thoughts on this "new natural hair movement"? Do you think it's a fad or a trend that's here to stay?

Its a movement I'm glad to see! Natural beauty is the best kind! Some ladies use lace front wigs and tracks and lets just say it's not always a good look. I'm not afraid to be who I am! It's beautiful! (: I think it is definitely here to stay. I get compliments on my hair all the time, and lots of women tell me they are also considering going natural. Women I know who have been natural for years I'm sure have embraced it for life.

Questions concerning modeling w/ natural hair:

6) I'm pretty sure most naturals can agree that we can see more and more Black women going natural. This is also being reflected on t.v. And in some magazines. Working in the modeling industry, are you seeing more Black models embracing their natural hair?

Sadly I'm not. In the industry it is all about your look, natural or not you have to present yourself better than the next. So if it includes fake lashes, tracks, or implants some women will do it. I'll go as far as fake lashes lol. At a casting call, I'm usually the only natural. I can recall 1 occasion where there was one other than myself.

7) do you find it more difficult to book photo shoots because of your natural hair? When you do get a call backs for jobs do they want to straighten your hair or add straight weave for a more European look?

Actually no! People prefer to work with me in my natural state, telling me it makes me unique and really enhances my facial features. I do however want to get a few photos in my portfolio with my hair straight. It helps to be versatile and be able to wear different looks.

8) has anyone ever tried to convince you that relaxing your curls would be better for your career? If so what did you tell them?

Nope! I think they know better (: I'm stubborn!

9) if you found it too difficult to find work because of your natural hair would you consider chemicals again?

No, it's not worth it. And I don't think I'll be presented with that problem. However, if I am, I hope the stylist has the time and patience to wash, blow dry, deep condition, comb, twist, blow-dry and then straighten! No more chemicals for me!

10) what advice would you give other aspiring natural hair models trying to break into the industry?

Don't be intimidated by the fake. Embrace your natural look, your natural essence and natural beauty. Your confidence can help your shine brighter than the competition! (:

I LOVE all of Ms. Steele's answers to my questions! Love her look too! Definitely someone to put into your "natural hair inspiration" folder! lol

You can check more of Ashley Steele out at www.AshleySteele.com or on Twitter. Her screen name is MsAshleyS
BTW, LOVE THE LOOK IN THE SECOND PIC! TO CHECK OUT THE T-SHIRT AND SOME MORE CUTE URBAN WEAR GOT TO ILOVETHEHYPE.COM

Which Hair Typing System is Better?

Hey lovelies! If you are transitioning or are already natural nine times out of 10 you already heard about hair types. I remember the first time I heard about it, I immediately looked it up. I felt like well, now instead of labeling hair either good or bad now we have a numbering system! YAY! (hint of sarcasm)....Here is the 1,2,3,4 hair typing system thanks to Curls.biz and Naturallycurly.com

Type 1: Straight hair. It has the most shine. It is also the most resilient and is the hardest to damage. Because the hair is straight, natural hair oils can run down the shaft easily and there for this hair is the oiliest.

Type 2 (wavy): In between straight and curly hair. Has more sheen then curly but less than straight. More prone to frizz
2a- Can alternate between straight and curly
2b and 2c- More resistant to styling
Now this is where it gets more detailed. Type 3 and 4 are what most of us Black naturals have.

Type 3 ( curly): The curl pattern is definite. When it is pulled it has an S curl pattern. It is very climate dependent meaning that the more humid it is the more frizz there is. This hair is also damage prone. If not taken care of properly the curls can appear dull.

3a- Big, loose, shiny curls. The shorter the hair the straighter the hair. Think Julia Roberts big red curls.
3b- Medium sized curls ranging from ringlets to tight corkscrews.
3c- Tight curly corkscrews. Can be curly or kinky; strands tightly packed together. aka big hair.

Sizing:
3b- side walk chalk circumference
3c- pencil or straw circumference

Type 4 (Kinky): Very fine and fragile. Won't have shine but will have sheen. Actually very soft and will feel silky.
4a: Very tightly coiled and has s pattern. Has more moisture than 4b. Coffee stirrer circumference
4b: less defined. Has a Z shape pattern
4c: There wasn't much said about this type but I can imagine that is is less defined than 4b and still carries the Z shape pattern.

Okay, now that we have the traditional hair typing system out of the way, what is different about the LOIS system? In my opinion it doesn't divide us because people who are in the 4 category will have some of the same hair issues as those in the 3 category. It decides what your hair needs by the way your strands curl, the thickness of your hair and your hair texture. Take a look:
L - If the hair has all bends, right angles and folds with little to no curve then you are daughter L.

O - If the strand is rolled up into the shape of one or several zeros like a spiral, then you are daughter O.

I - If the hair lies mostly flat with no distinctive curve or bend you are daughter I.

S - If the strand looks like a wavy line with hills and valleys then you are daughter S.

You may have a combination of the LOIS letters, possibly with one dominant. If you cannot see one letter over the others, then combine the letters. Example: LO or IL or OS..

Find Your Strand size:
A strand of frayed thread is about the thickness of a medium sized strand of human hair. If your strand is larger than this, then your hair is thick. If your strand is smaller than this, hair is thin, or fine..

Find Your Texture:
Shine is a sharp reflection of light while Sheen is a dull reflection of light.

Thready - Hair as a low sheen, with high shine if the hair is held taut (as in a braid), with low frizz. Wets easily but water dries out quickly.

Wiry - Hair has a sparkly sheen, with low shine and low frizz. Water beads up or bounces off the hair strands. Hair never seems to get fully wet.

Cottony - Hair has a low sheen, a high shine if the hair is held taunt and has high frizz. Absorbs water quickly but does not get thoroughly wet very fast.

Spongy - Hair has a high sheen with low shine with a compacted looking frizz. Absorbs water before it gets thoroughly wet.

Silky - Hair has low sheen, a very high shine, with a lot or low frizz. Easily wets in water.

Now take my hair for instance. I have mostly O curl and some S in the back since my curls are looser there. My strand size is smaller than a piece of thread and my texture is cottony. And by the LOIS system I think it is easier to find out which products are better for your hair. For my hair I would buy lightweight products that add shine and define my curls, reduce frizziness and add moisture. Let me know what you all think. Peace and Blessings.