The Unpolluted Me

-excerpt from 4/10/2010-

[I'm totally excited to attend the Hair Show today!

The International Convention Center will be overflowing with

so many amazing vendors, and beautiful consumers, artists,

and entrepreneurs. Jane Carter said it best last night at the

Natural Hair Meet up hosted by @MahoganyKnots

and @CurlyGirlLexi, "the energy in a room full of natural

women is like nothing else, its almost cerebral." She was so right!]

There is a confidence that exudes from a woman, or a man, who has learned to love and embrace what God created them to be. Positive energy radiates, and charges the atmosphere and becomes almost contagious. The false pretenses that we once surrounded ourselves with have crumbled, and they allow the true you through. Here I am World ... take a look.



I have noticed a change, within my newly embarked natural hair journey, in my own self image. I've never been one to struggle with self-esteem or self acceptance. However, I'd be less that truthful if I didn't acknowledge the magnetic pull to conform to the commercial standards of beauty, fashion, and mass stamp of approval of what is IN, HOT, and ACCEPTABLE. So to be surrounded by hundreds of people, who all have refused to be force fed a lie that tells me "my unpolluted self is not good enough," is a powerful thing. It becomes even more significant as the mainstream has been forced to recognize the neglected area of natural afro-textured hair. Natural beauties everywhere can't help but feeling a sense of pride as brands such as Miss Jessie's, Curls, Shea Moisture, and Jane Carter Solutions are now available in Target stores nationwide. At times this journey has been a struggle, but we stood up, we spoke up and we are being counted in a big way.

Summyr1988 (youtube vlogger) has a video that speaks of us being ambassadors to the world, in terms of creating a positive image of unprocessed African American hair. This is so true! How, can I encourage someone else to embark on a journey that appears to be eating me alive. If my hair is un-kept, dry, brittle, tangled, and has the ability to pop a rubber wide-toothed comb in half, I become a caution sign to turn the other way and run to the nearest BBS and buy that creamy-crack. Make sure you put your best you forward.

Though this blog will not solely contain natural hair postings, I will carry you through my journey. The Good, the Bad, the Ugly and the Fierce!! Look for product reviews, styling tips, the Do's and Don'ts of growing healthy beautiful black hair. I look forward to your input, helpful tips, and encouragement as well.

See You Soon
See You Often
--SamanthaRenae