0 Meet Aspiring Model Tonnie Adams

"I have been natural since 2005 for the purpose of freeing myself  from chemicals and to embrace my natural beauty. I love being natural and I encourage others to do the same. I'm from Chicago Illinois, I'm a fashion merchandising student. I started modeling when I was seven but decided to venture off into other fields. I hear from so many people that I should consider modeling and now am eager to give it a try. I feel beauty comes and many forms and I want to be a positive influence for all women and girls to love themselves. I can be reached at my email tmarinea@yahoo.com." - Tonnie Adams

Detail: Meet Aspiring Model Tonnie Adams

0 Model Tiffany Marie

"My natural hair journey came when I decided to do the “big chop”. I did it because my hair would grow,  but always break off and become thin at the ends. I went to the doctors and they told me it could be stress related, because they couldn't think of any other reason it would continuously break off.  So after doing my hair and finding the drain filled with damaged hair and the floor covered with hair after styling, I decided it was time to go back… Back to my real roots, and I cut it all off. I was amazed how fast, thicker, healthier, and longer it has grown in just thirteen months, and I look forward to more of the natural hair journey.

Most of the products I use vary depending on the style I choose. When I want my hair to be naturally curly, I tend to use Kinky Curly Knot Today and Cantu Shea Butter Leave in Conditioner. I seal my ends with an oil I mix of Lavender, Rosemary, Safflower oil, coconut oil, olive oil, peppermint, tea tree, and jojoba oil. Most of my products I use I try to make them as natural as possible, and I believe natural hair should not be expensive or high maintenance, but carefree and effortless. People tend to respond to my hair with either stares of amazement, temptation to want to touch it, and I have even gotten people to ask if it is all mines. I’ve had people of different races, and ages ask about my hair. Before going natural, I’ve never gotten stopped as much as I do with natural hair. Not a day goes by that I get asked about my hair care regimen, and I usually tend to spend as much time as I need to express the love of natural hair."

The advice I have given to people who want to go natural is that it is the best thing you could ever do for yourself. Going natural gives you a whole new perspective of loving yourself, and my advice would be love what hair you have despite the length, texture, and color, and that love will extrude from your scalp. Natural hair is not hard to maintain, and can be done with deep conditions, lots of moisturizing, and just allowing your hair to do its own thing. The saying goes “less is best”, and that is the best way to describe having natural hair." - Tiffany

To learn more about Tiffany, check out her blog Complex Beauty, or contact her on Facebook. 

Detail: Model Tiffany Marie

0 The Stunning Ebony Lunsford

Gorgeous photos submitted to the Naturally Beautiful Hair Blog by Model Ebony Lunsford.

Detail: The Stunning Ebony Lunsford

0 Meet Actress & Model Felizitas Cipolla

Name: Felizitas Miracle Cipolla

Q: What is your hair story?  Have you always loved your curly hair?

A: I decided to go natural during my freshman year of high school. I had been perming my hair since 4th grade and had just added highlights to my do which resulted in a very thin, unhealthy head of hair. I was teenager who, like most teenagers, was very critical of myself because my peers were; because of this I wasn't brave enough to cut my entire perm off and start fresh. I slowly grew my hair out and cut off my permed ends little by little. The in-between phase wasn't fun and at times I considered giving in to the chemicals, but I hung in there and as my curls emerged my love for them quickly grew. Now I love my curls because they are soooooo low maintenance. I love the versatility of my hair; I can flat iron it for that nice sleek look and be back to my crazy curls the next day with a little water.

Q: As a model, have you run into any issues with wanting to embrace your natural hair? Or have you had any pressure to change your image to fit in?

 A: I haven't run into many issues with my curls as a model. People typically LOVE my big crazy hair and it definitely fits my free-spirited personality. However, as "Bay Bridge" in the Miss CA USA Pageant 2013, I  am feeling the need to get a long straight weave, or clip-ins or something for the pageant, because I feel like that is what the judges will be looking for. If would greatly appreciate any help with my pageant transition,  so feel free to contact me on twitter or my facebook fan page if you’re a hair stylist who has experience dealing with natural hair and weaves (esp interested in "fusion" hair extensions).

Q: What are three products you can't live without for nurturing/styling your hair?

A: #1 "Curls" Brand "Cocunut Curlada Conditioner" #2 "Kinky Curly" Brand "Knot Today Natural Leave-In Conditioner" #3 "Kinky Curly" Brand "Curl Custard Natural Hair Gel"

Q: What would you say to someone who's thinking about embracing their natural hair, but scared about being rejected in various parts of their lives?

A: I would say be like Nike and "Just Do It" lol No, but seriously, there are MANY different ways to tame and style natural hair so for anyone who's considering "going natural" they shouldn't be apprehensive due to free of being rejected. It may take sometime, but you will find a natural style that works for you. In your personal life, those who truly love you for who you are wont reject you just because you decide to embrace your natural mane. In your career, you may have to tone down your natural style in certain instances (i.e. interviews), but it's called adaptation people; once your out of that interview or off from work you can let your hair down, or out so no worries =)

Q: How can we keep up with you and your modeling ?

A:  Welllllll although I'll never turn down an opportunity to model (because I love it and believe in being well-rounded), I am focusing on pursuing my acting career. I am also representing "Bay Bridge" in the Miss CA USA Pageant 2013. Anywhoo, to keep up with my acting career, as well as my journey to the Miss CA crown you can "like" me on Fan Page www.facebook.com/felizitasmiraclecipolla and follow me on twitter @felizcipolla. Thankies loves =).

Detail: Meet Actress & Model Felizitas Cipolla

0 Aspiring Model Susan Daniel

"I'm Susan Daniel, Nigerian based in Verona Italy.  I decided to go natural and had the big chop in 2010. But with not having experience [with natural hair] I had my ups and downs and messed it up. But by March of this year, I regained my love for my natural and honestly going natural really helped my self-confidence and made me admire and love me more. I would love to be a model. That’s a dream that I'm hoping will come through. My number is 00393409319483 and my email address is suzzywitbowwow@yahoo."   - Susan

Detail: Aspiring Model Susan Daniel

0 Meet Safia from French Guiana!

Where are you from: My name is Safia and I come from FRENCH GUIANA. If I can say a few words about F.G, it's that when you arrive there you are amazed by its lush Amazonian rainforest that gives the extraordinary view of a green ocean from the plane. The specifity of F.G is certainly the ethnical and linguistic diversity. We have Amerindians, Haitians, Dominicans, Brasilians, Indians, Europeans, Chinese and descendants of African slaves. All of them lives together harmoniously, there is no ethnic stratification like I have noticed in some other countries.

Tell us about your Natural Hair: Now regarding my hairstyle, thanks to my mother, I am deeply tied to my african roots so I decided early that I would have a magnificent mane of natural hair. I started my locs only 6 years ago though. Today, I am proud to be one of the many examples showing that locs can be clean and stylish. I have a successful and blossoming life, locs never prevented me from all of my accomplishments. I think that it is the struggle of our generation to revolutionize the vision of locs and break the erroneous prejudices that this hairstyle suffered. Personally, through modelling, I am participating in valuating natural black hairstyles."

"By the way, I congratulate the excellent initiative of your site, Karen. It shows fabulous [doll] models with natural hair crowns, who reinforce black pride. You can be sure that as soon as I have a daughter I will buy each single doll that you make!

Your advice to others: My message to the readers is - we can be feminine, modern, brilliant, attractive, stylish, sexy, trendy, creative, successful, and all of that with natural hair!!! Plates, braids, afro, locs, short... whatever the way u comb it, thank you to all the proud women who have a natural hair crown, and doing so, participate in the upliftment of black beauty!

For the readers who want more information about my hair regimen, they can find me on my facebook page:  where i share positive energy, spiritual thoughts, and natural hair pride, or on my facebook profile."

Detail: Meet Safia from French Guiana!

0 Natural Hair aspiring model - Monique

Meet aspiring model Monique! "My name is Monique and I have been growing my hair natural for about 4 1/2 years. It's a decision I went back and forth on for quite some time.  It was not until after giving birth to my

daughter, did I finally make the decision to begin the awesome transition of no longer perming my relaxed hair. I began by inserting twist in my hair, using weave rather than doing the ultimate chop. As
I began to be happy with the new look and feeling this brought to me; I decided on using the twist as the method to loc my hair. As new growth formed, I would then twist the root of my hair. I continued
this process until my hair grew to a great length, in which I decided to remove the weave. I love my locs, and although it’s a transition that brought upon lots of time and patience, it’s a decision I am extremely
happy with."  - Monique.  To contact Monique, you can call her at 1-786-566-3180. 

Detail: Natural Hair aspiring model - Monique

0 Model - Tamirah

Meet Model Tamirah!  "Tamirah is 13, height: 5'7, and lives in Houston, Texas.  She is in the 8th grade and  attends a home school cooperative called STEP (Science, Technology, Educating, Partnership). Tamirah was just featured in a movie called Pride of the Third Eye, directed by an independent film artist by the name Ms. Lisa Harris. Tamirah just finished a play called Kuumba both pieces she had the lead role.
Tamirah loves children, photography, fashion, style, and most of all modeling - something that she really aspires to do. The only problem is that most modeling agencies are not accepting of girls with Natural Hair. We have been to a few and we were asked and told that she would not go far with her hair in Locks. Tamirah loves her locks and wears them proudly, she is proud of her natural beauty. If you need more information please feel free to call Terri Collins (Mom) 832-292-2192."  - Terri

You can also email Terri at terri.collins@rocketmail.com or tamirah.collins@yahoo.com. I wish Tamirah the best of luck in her modeling career. 

Detail: Model - Tamirah

0 Hair Model for Loctician Ansylla

I had a great time being a hair model for Natural Hair Stylist, Ansylla's My Hairitage Workshop. It took place in the Bay Area,  on February 2012. Ansylla traveled in from Maryland, to show local locticians how to create various loc styles, no matter what length the hair. As the instructor, she was very knowledgeable and has a very light touch. No matter what hair style she demonstrated on my hair, I never felt any discomfort or painful pulling. With each style coming out with great detail and perfection, the fact that I did not feeling any pain on my scalp was amazing. Ansylla is a talented loctician and a great teacher. I look forward to seeing her again at  future events. To read more about Ansylla, go to My Hairitage Holistic Hair Care. For the next scheduled workshop, check out August 2012 My Hairitage Holistic Hair Care Workshop on Eventbrite.

Detail: Hair Model for Loctician Ansylla

0 Meet Model Kenya Thomas

I had a chance to speak with Kenya Thomas, who is a beautiful model that rocks natural hair. And here is what she had to say about herself and her modeling career - 

"I believe life is full of blessings, and it's our job to manifest them! ^_^ I'm Kenya, and I'm a Model/Actress. I've been modeling for almost 3 years, and I'm blessed to say I've been on the cover and featured in a plethora of National and Local Magazines, modeled for celebrities like Nicki Minaj's Hairstylist Terrence Davidson, Miss Tina Knowles on BET's Monique Show, and Korto Momolu from Project Runway ...Been interviewed on a few TV, Radio, and Web Shows, and plenty more under the sun. I played Tori Torres on the 2nd Season of Sophomores, which aired on Comcast Channel 24 every Thursday. I've also done other acting work in Movies like Zombieland & Tyler Perry's Why'd I Get Married Too, TV Shows like Single Ladies, Short Films, and Commercials for companies like Adidas and Sofn'Free. I have countless blessings, yet I count them everyday =).  My plan in life includes Modeling and Acting internationally, while traveling and hosting Modeling workshops for aspiring Models ALL over the world. That's the kind of life I'm working so hard for now. Blessed day!"

Kenya Thomas, Model 

Facebook,  Website, YouTube & Model Mayhem

  

Detail: Meet Model Kenya Thomas

0 Interview with Charisma Manley

1.  How long have you been natural?

My last perm was in August of 2008. However, I transitioned for nearly two years after.

2.  Why did you go natural?

My inspiration came from many of my close friends going natural in high school. Also, I became a big fan of Kai at maneandchic.com, and followed her through her transition. I was so interested to see what my true hair texture looked like and just how long I could grow my hair, so I started my transition in my Junior year of college.

3. Do you have any favorite hair care products?

 I truly don't have any staples. Even three years later, I'm still experimenting with products. I have used and liked SheaMoisture, Kinky Curly, Miss Jessies and Jane Carter.  Also natural products such as coconut oil, olive oil, apple cider vinegar and raw shea butter. I'm still searching for staple products, but in the meantime I'm enjoying experimenting!

4. Do you have any favorite natural styles you want to share?

My go to style is the puff pony tail...quick, simply, easy.

6. Did you do the Big Chop? if so, what was that like?

 I never truly did a big chop. With my last perm in August 2008, I transitioned until 2010 with trims in between. I let go of the last permed ends in June 2010. Even so, that was such a liberating day to finally be free of the perm and able to wear my hair completely natural!

Charisma was photographed and interviewed by photographer Leon Dale. Thank you Leon for sharing this interview and beautiful photos with the Naturally Beautiful Hair Blog.

Leon Dale Photographer.
http://www.LeonDale.com
678 698 1604

Detail: Interview with Charisma Manley