Barbie of the Week: Meet Michaela

1) Why locks?

Why knot?  I used to rock a fro in high school. I was teased, but I loved my hair it was big.  I used to cornrow my own hair while I was in college. I would try a different style every week. It was time consuming, but it looked nice. Then I cut it off really low. That was a mistake. My friend gave me a lining! Ladies beware of the lining!  After college, I still had natural hair, but going to job interviews proved to be interesting since I had a massive afro.  The braids weren't considered professional.  I wore a fro to work, but since I am allergic to doing my hair it quickly got out of control.  When I started locking I realized how easy it was. 

2) How long did you wear your hair before going natural?

I have been natural since high school. I actually only had two perms in my life. After the last one I told my mom, never again. I won't tell you the year, because that may give away my age.

3) How did you wear your hair before going natural? 

My mother did my hair. Usually, I had it pressed, except for the two perms and a 

small stint in fourth grade with a leisure curl! That's right, zap the cap!

4) What's your favorite hair products? Why?

I don't have one. I use olive oil when my hair is really dry. Other than that, I don't do anything to it until I have to wash it.

5) What or who inspired you to lock?

I like to live a low maintenance life.  After walking around with a fro for about 8 years, I was tired of washing my hair so often, picking it and braiding it every night. I let it go wild until my mother told me to take care of it.  I had it cut into a low cut fade. Very easy or so I thought. I had to go to the barber shop every two weeks. So I quit that. I don't want to go anywhere every two weeks. The other thing with barbers is finding someone who won't cut you like a man. I finally found one I liked and he closed his shop.  

6) What do you like most about locks?

Low maintenance. 

7) What hair items/products you can't live without?

Shampoo and conditioner. I do like tea tree oil. I love how it makes my hair feel. 

8) What advice would you give to women contemplating growing locks?

Do it and enjoy the funky stage in the middle when they are too short and not quite long enough. It doesn't have to be for some deep metaphysical reason. It's just hair.

9) Anything else?

When you look at your hair in the mirror think about little Willow Smith's song! I love whipping my hair!

10) How can you be contacted? (blogs, twitter, websites, facebook etc):

http://www.knowroad.blogspot.com

http://www.rsummercamp.com

http://camproadless.wordpress.com
twitter: camproadless

Thank you for reading. If you have locks or natural hair, and would like to be featured as a Barbie or Ken, please email me at synethiae@gmail.com for more information.
Remember to leave your comments and subscribe to follow me.

Syn

Barbie of the Week: Meet Nadya

1) Why locks? 

After being in Japan for a little over year I realized that the only way to maintain and grow my hair (without relying on harsh chemicals and/or weaves or braids) was to lock it. I personally prefer to keep my hair low because of the low maintenance but I always knew that if I was to ever grow my hair again it would be with locks. As I continue to grow as a person I try to live a more natural lifestyle. A part of that is by growing locks.

2) How long did you wear your hair before going natural? 

Before "going natural" I used to have a dry curl in my hair and at it's longest it was about shoulder length. 

3) How did you wear your hair before going natural? 

After deciding to stop using harsh chemicals in my hair I cut it all off and kept it low (and texturized) for a little over 3 years. Then I came to Japan, leaving my barber in Jamaica. He is the only person I actually trust to cut my hair. Since coming to Japan I had my hair cut once by a friend and it was a scary experience. That's when it became clear to me that I was going to have to grow my hair out. I wore extensions for a while then I after that I decided it was time to lock it. 

4) What's your favorite hair products? Why?
I primarily use the Jamaican Mango and Lime products but I also use Oyin hair products from time to time. However my all time favourite product would have to be Oyin's Shine and Define gentle styling Serum because it smells amazing and it leaves my hair feeling silky smooth. 

5) What or who inspired you to lock?
Deciding to lock was a personal decision for me however my best friend's locks as well as other friends and family members close to me helped to motivate me to make the right decision when the time came. 

6) What do you like most about locks? 

I love how locks serve as a celebration of black beauty. In society we are too often bombarded with images of beauty that look nothing like us (as black women). To me, locks make the unapologetic statement "Black is beautiful."

7) What hair items/products you can't live without?
Currently, I've become obsessed with hair beads of all colours and shapes. I think they make my locks unique and they represent who I am as an individual. 

8) What advice would you give to women contemplating growing locks?
For anyone out there who is contemplating growing locks I would say, be patient and enjoy the journey. It's one thing to have long beautiful locks but growing as an individual while simultaneously watching and feeling your locks grow is the most rewarding feeling of all. 

9) Anything else?
Thanks to you Synethia for making me a Barbie! Your blog is great! :o)

10) How can you be contacted? (blogs, twitter, websites etc):
My personal blog is www.nadyadee.com and my twitter is @nadyadee. I also post random photos on my tumblr: theoneandonlynadyadee.tumblr.com.

Remember if you have natural hair or locks and would like to be featured as a Barbie or Ken, please email me at synethiae@gmail.com for more information.

Thank you for reading. Until next time run wild in fashion, beauty, health, hair and style.
Syn

Barbie of the Week: Here's to New Beginnings (Cherrianne)

Meet Cherrianne.

Why have you decided to lock your hair?
Because it is versatile and the longer it gets the more styles I can do.

How long have you had locks?
1 year and 2 months

What's your favorite hair product? Why?
Cherie Amore because it adds moisture to my hair. I also enjoy using olive oil.

What or who inspired you to lock?
I think locks is the essence of black women that's who we are; Beautiful.

Instructions on doing Cherriann's hairstyle
Her hair was interlocked using the interlocking needle. Then a small portion of the front was sectioned off and held in place with rubber bands. Starting from one side all the way to the other side of her hair was flat twisted and held in place with rubber bands (for longer hair you may go ahead and use hair pins).

 A vertical French roll was made and met the hair at the front of her head.

At the front, a portion was taken out to create the bang effect. The remaining portion was rolled and held in place by hair pins.The hair that was left out created a mini sweeping bang.

This hairstyle was created in less than 10 minutes. More hairstyles to come for short to medium length locks from Cherrianne.

Thank you for reading my blog. If you would like to be a Barbie or Ken, please email me at synethiae@gmail.com.

Happy Holidays.
Syn

Barbie of the Week: Here's to New beginnings (Ruth)

Meet my sister Ruth. She started her lock journey about 4months  ago. The beginning phase can be the toughest but Ruth opted to go for the "young natty"(Jamaican term for a person especially a Rastafarian with locks in the beginning phase) look. This look worked well for her as can be seen in her photo above.

                                                  Three months after.

Here's how the hairstyle was done. First her hair was interlocked using the interlocking needle. Then, the sides were flat twisted. Two rows on either side. Finally Bantu knots or chiney bumps (Jamaican term for Bantu knots) were made.

She completed her look with a large pair of hoop earring and an over sized necklace.


If you would like to be featured as a Barbie or Ken of the week, please email me at synethiae@gmail.com for more information.


Thank you for reading and remember subscription and comments are welcome.

Syn