"Natural Me": Sabina

         What is your name and where are you from?

My name is Sabina from Nigeria but I currently live in the United States.

How long have you been natural or transitioned?

I have been natural since 2009. As u all will see in my picture I did the “big chop” and went from there.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you are in your life  

I am a professional and a student. Professionally I am a Clinical Lab Scientist (a.k.a lab geek)…I love the profession but currently in school working toward my Pharm. D (Doctor of Pharmacy)….I love God, love reading books, love travelling, and love my family dearly..(Bella Joya being one of them…my cousin)….I would one day love to own an N.G.O. to help the less privileged in Nigeria and also to make a difference!!

Why did you decide to go natural?

Initially, going natural was a spur of the moment…Bella Joya and I decided to do the big chop and try the look, I stuck with she, she backed out on me and came back to being natural after a year. Now I just love the look and it’s a lifestyle for me.

What are some of your favorite Hair Products?

Any great conditioner (garnier fructis, Giovanni, Burt bees, suave…just to mention a few)….Also coconut oil, grape seed oil, almond oil, jojoba oil (expensive as heck), Cantu Shea butter, honey,

What is your current hair regimen?

When I do not have braids or a weave in my hair, I shampoo wash and condition it twice a month, and co-wash it the other 2 alternating weekends. After that I apply the hair products I’m feeling at that time, and most off the time put them in 2 strand twists….Then I wear them out in a twist out of a comb out…Sometimes, I get Bella Joya to put them in these ridiculously tiny twists she does and I have that for about a month.

Currently I have braids (kinky twists) in my hair…sometimes I just want my hair to rest from my tugging at it daily.

(Shrinkage is horrible, but for the most part I maintain my length. I noticed that if I twist my hair moist and not dripping wet, I maintain more of my length).

What is the toughest challenge you have had to face with your natural hair?

Toughest challenge…hmm that’s a tough question because for the most part my hair is very soft... (P.S Bella Joya hates me for that…she swears she will chop them off in my sleep…lil wench)…I have no issues I can recall…. :)

Do you foresee any changes to your hair?

Changes…hmm…I really want to lock my hair….summoning up the courage to do it gradually….Going back to relaxed hair…nope...not in the near future….Haircut…I get my hair trimmed from time to time but not anything drastic.

Words of advice for naturals out there.

Hmm….what can I say…Find your balance. Initially you will be a product junky but you will soon find what works for you and you will stick with it. Also look online, check what other have to say…Trial and error really is how you will make it…..Its a beautiful journey and I have never regretted my decision. I absolutely love it.

Where can we find you?

Face book…I don’t have a blog though…L

Lastly, Bella Joya is my lil cousin…she is the little sister I didn’t have…Very down to earth, focused and determined little fella…..Thanks for asking me to be on your blog…or else….(you know what I can do…lol)…but on a serious note, I’m proud of u! Mwuahh!!!


Hope you enjoyed


XOXO


Bella Joya

Sock Bun Experiment

Hey Guys,

I tried the sock bun!!
I liked the results.. what do you guys think

XOXO

Bella Joya

Wash 'N' Go

Hey Guys,

I finally took out my mini twists this weekend, and after thee weeks.... those twists were ready to crawl off my head..lol
De-tangling was not as bad as I thought it would be.. I simply parted my hair into sections, sprayed each section thoroughly with a mix of water and olive oil. I slowly separated each section of hair with my fingers, and then de-tangled using a wide comb,and my tangle teaser.

After washing I decided to try out the 'curl junkie' products I bought. I stated off with the 'Curl Rehad' which I used to deep condition my hair.

I let this sit on my hair for about 5 hours.. ( I off course was taking a nap while all of this deep conditioning goodness was going on.)
After I rinsed this out my hair felt soft.. and smooth to touch..
Then I decided to try a wash and go style..
I parted my hair into sections, and then applied the 'Curls Assurance Smoothing Lotion' followed by the 'Curls in a bottle'



The result:

On day 2, I just spritzed my hair with waster.. fluffed.. and voila

While I was styling my hair.. it was extremely white, and I thought it was going to be like my Eco-Styler experiment but it ended up being a very successful "Wash N Go style. By the time my hair dried, all the white residue was gone, and my curls looked beautiful. I will definitely try this style again.

Hope you enjoyed..

XOXO

Bella Joya

"Natural Me": Ify

       ·         What is your name and where are you from?

 I’m Ify from Nigeria but I currently live in the UK. 

·         How long have you been natural or transitioned

I have been ‘natural’ since like 2004 but then there were times in between that I texturized my hair (Bella Joya, you know naw).

·         Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you are in your life

I’m a student (almost a geek) cum singer (well in my mind) cum bag maker/ designer (also in my mind – I’m teaching myself how to make bags anyways). I like to dance as well.  I read a lot of blogs but the owners don’t even know me. Let’s just say I’m a lurker.

I would soo love to sing in a classy bar, maybe even own one. I would like to be an entrepreneur even though I’m majoring in biomedical science and looking to become a researcher for some time (yes I want to be everything)

·         Why did you decide to go natural?

I just like the look of it.

·         What are some of your favorite Hair products

Any conditioner I’m feeling at the time, some oils, Shea butter (ori).  I’ve done henna a few times and I think the results were ok.

·         What is your current hair regimen

Currently I’m in a weave (yes I know what I said). I also have this huge afro half wig that people confuse with my actual afro (bliss – sorry I like to leave my hair alone sometimes. Ok not really, because at night, when the wig is off, I’m there making sure it’s not locking on itself). I wash and condition my hair once a week (when I don't have a weave in). Afterwards, I put in large twists or braids and let it dry. Sometimes, I wash in twists too.

The shrinkage is the devil!!!!!!

I like to have my hair out. Twists make me look … errr not attractive although I do them once in a long while. They end up liking like locks though.

·         What is the toughest challenge you have had to face with your natural hair?

Well even when I had relaxed hair, my hairline was an issue (and no I didn’t do braids that much and still don’t).

 My hair also gets so dry that it makes me cut it a few times a year L. I have so many knots, and my hair just likes to tangle up so much. I have this secret fear that it may turn into locks when I’m not looking hehehehehehe. Not that I don’t like locks, I just don’t want them at the moment.

Maybe if things were not as bad as they are, my hair’ll probably be much bigger than it is at the moment.

I almost forgot, I get so much shrinkage, you think my hair id like 2 inches long when not stretched.

·         Do you foresee any changes to your hair 

Recently I considered a texturizer because my hair was doing sooo well when I had it – even though it was just for a bit (like substantial growth, almost no tangles - I used to do wash ‘n’ go’s then). But I didn’t get one though.

·         Advice for naturals out there.

Just calm down, it’s not that serious. Ok it is; but find YOUR balance and remember to make your choice and accept the result of your choice like a big girl. Also you may want to re evaluate your options every now and then to make sure you are doing what’s best.

·         Where can we find you

Errr the closest thing I have to a blog is some facebook page but it’s not hair related – IjemBags

My youtube page hmmm… maybe later, when I have good stuff up.

Please feel free to include pictures, and stuff

I’m also a ‘rootsdon’tlie’ stalker!!!! Stalkers unite!

 Thanks Ify for being a part of the "Natural Me" series!!!


NB: If you would like to feature in the "Natural Me" series just send an email to rootsdon'tlie with the subject line "Natural Me".


Thanks


XOXO
Bella Joya

New Blog Series: "Natural Me"

Hey Guys,
I decided to start a new series in my blog... and it is mainly to introduce all of us on 'Root's Don't Lie" to everyday naturals like you and me. So many times I see a lot of naturals gals and girls out there and I stay wondering what they do with their hair and how they do it.. So this new part of the blog will feature fellow naturals and give us a little insight into what they do and how they do it... Enjoy.

NB: If you are interested in being featured on "Roots Don't Lie", please feel free to contact me at jokejag@gmail.com


XOXO
Bella Joya