BGLH: where are you from? where you reppin?
ALICIA: I was born and raised in Arkansas and Iโve been migrating between here and Texas over the years. But Iโm back in Arkansas..for now..lol.
BGLH: when did you go natural and why?
ALICIA: Well I went natural in โ03 after transitioning 5.5 mos [was originally gonna be 2 years but I got impatient and frustrated with the textures at WAR!]. It was kinda like a happy accident how it actually was put into action. I got laid off from this job and kinda fell on hard times which lead to me not being able to purchase another relaxer! So funny! Iโve been wanting to go natural forever but I was too afraid. I was helping my friend with her transition at the time and she gave me a wealth of info and encouragement. At the time I was already frustrated because one perm [trying a new brand] gave me horrible baldspots with oozing scabs, thining and severe shedding. I switched back to the perm I used for years, but THEN my hair started rebelling! After the first shampoos it was like I needed another perm, I was so frustrated and fed up!!! So when I went so long without the perm, which was like three months, it was NOW or never for me. So Iโm glad I made the transition. ๐ I donโt regret it for nothing! I used to always look at pix of my family and be in AWE of the whole 70โs era. They were known for their fros!
BGLH: what products/ingredients do you use? why?
ALICIA: Right now I use whatever works for me and my hair! So I guess Iโm not a fully converted natural yetโฆIโm gonna really work my way to get there though..when i get my money right..lol!
But I can name some of my FAVS: [a] WATER! A must needed ingredient! [b] Parnevu TโTree Leave-in. [c] Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil Hair Treatment. It smells so good and makes my hair soft and shiny! [d] I also have a shower comb i just bought and [e] a boar brushโฆgotta keep the edges smooth! lol
BGLH: what products/ingredients do you stay away from? why?
ALICIA: Too much oil and grease. Fine toothed combs. I havenโt used heat on my hair in years! And scissors when Iโm not in a good mood! lol Also rubber bands that are too small or have metal clamps on them..BIGGGG no-no!
BGLH: what mistakes have you made in your natural journey that youโve learned from?
ALICIA: Worry TOO MUCH about what other people think about my hair! Too much heat [ESPECIALLY the first year]. Going color crazy. Combing too much or not enough especially with the lack of moisture. Lack of protective styles. Being too obsessed with length and texture [my hair is multi-textured I think due to relaxers but I love it now because thatโs what makes me unique]. Being afraid to try new things including extensions/pieces [yeah I know..lol].
Donโt be afraid of that! Itโs not like youโre neglecting who you are! Sometimes your hair and scalp needs a break plus itโs convenientโฆSTILL keep them maintained underneath..dig?!
BGLH: what techniques do you use for combing and washing your hair?
ALICIA: I always comb my hair when itโs wet. Sometimes I do a co-wash first. Also when I shampoo my hair, I plait it in sections before then scrub my scalp and bring the shampoo down the shaft of my hair. Afterwards I rinse and repeat if necessary. I condition/detangle or wait til I take the sections down to detangle when I apply my leave in and oils, keeping a water bottle handy. Last, twist or plait in sections in various sizes depending on my energy level! lolโฆ
At night 99% of the time I have a cap on it and 89% of the time I twist it or plait it in large sections before bed. I also keep it moisturized, not greasy. And if it feels grossโฆoff to the shampoo I go. And i keep my ends trimmed. I donโt have a set time, but when those ends feel bad I know itโs time. So donโt keep the length just to say you have it if itโs a HOT MESS!
BGLH: are you more a style person or a free-standing hair person?
ALICIA: Whatever Iโm feeling at the moment. But I mostly style because I like trying different things.
BGLH: how is your growth?
ALICIA: Well my hair naturally grows fast! It runs in the family. ๐ At first I was impatient when I first went natural, but after the 2nd big chop I was cool and actually appreciated my shorter hair..plus it was so cute. I never really got the chance to celebrate my shorter hair during the 1st big chop because I was so obsessed with length and trying to โgrowโ it. But now I just care for my hair and let it do wat it do! ๐ And the longer it gets the more you have to change up your regimen so that definitely takes alot of patience as you have to try new things. The main thing to stay patient is just to know why are you natural. Not to try to impress no one with the length. The compliments are nice though..but lately I been thinking about a 3rd big chop..dun dun dunโฆha! Well maybe not too much this time, maybe half..I donโt know..well maybe not! *sweating*
BGLH: whatโs the best thing about being natural?
ALICIA: Being natural is the BEST thing Iโve ever done for myself and YES I did it for me inspite of all of the naysayers and opposers and funny looks, even from my own family! Itโs versatile..pretty much whatever I wanna do to it I CAN! Plus I LOVE BIG HAIR! I always have. Itโs fuller and fluffier, much softer and bodyFULL. Most of all, itโs uniquely ME!
People always ask about going natural and they have their conceptions but I always give it to them straight! This is a journey, it takes work and patience. And it takes more maintanance and care than people think. So if anyone is reading this article and is thinking about going natural or is in transitionโฆbe patient, set goals, know your motives, get the facts, do your research. Thereโs many options and supportive sites on the net, especially if you donโt have support like I didnโt. But if you know this is what you want to do, you wonโt regret it so donโt let anyone make your step down on your decision. ๐
Alicia is a singer, songwriter, beatmaker, and self-described fashionista.
For more photos of Aliciaโs hair (and other things) check out these sites:
hair: http://public.fotki.com/ButtaFlyBaby/
music: http://www.myspace.com/buttaflybaby
personal/fashion: www.myspace.com/alicia_verne
vlog: http://www.youtube.com/user/herFLYness79
Ok, now how fly is her hair!!! Iโve not had hair envy for years
but I think it is creeping up now.
i loooove her hair!โฆfresh as hell
Oh my goodness, her hair is so fly! Wowโฆ when I think of having healthy hair, thatโs what I think ofโฆ soft, fluffy, BIG! That is impressive! Iโm lovinโ the โhawk picture in the middleโฆ this gives me something to aspire toward (even though Iโm not supposed to be aspiring for my hair to necessarily look like anyone elsesโฆ lol ๐
@ everyoneโฆ yes her hair is super fresh. and sheโs super sweet! iโm always impressed by the people who agree to be profiled on BGLH.
Her is awesome and sheโs so pretty.
Man. She is murdering fools out here! Her hair is the biznezz! My hair is trying to be like hers when it grows up.
You and your hair are beautiful!! Too fly!!
wow i am having serious afro envy. her hair is fab! i especially loved her advice to those who are going natural. great interview!
Iโm loving her hairโฆhmmm, I never thought about washing my hair in plaits (I might try that).
alicia,
you are a beautiful woman! your hair suits you perfectly! all the best in all your endeavors!
Her hair is, to have a Tyra moment for a second, FIERCE! So so loving it.
Simply beautiful! Such a lovely lady with crazy awesome hair!
What a gorgeous gal, I think she is the best rock solid regimen yet. She and her hair rock!
Alicia, you are gorgeous thanks for sharing your story. ๐
She and her hair is absolutely gorgeous!!! My hair aspires to be like hers!
LOVE her hair. Her fro is what Iโve been wanting foreverrrrrrr and canโt get my hair to do. Its beautiful.
I love love love her hair
Her hair is serving as todayโs motivation for me to continue my natural journey! Itโs sooo pretty! I had to send the link to my mama so she could appreciate the flyness that is Ms. Alicia!
Talk about ROCK SOLID!!! Every picture is beautiful.
Seeing as how I just recently went natural, seeing her hair is positively refreshing. And encouraging. 6 more years to go.โฆ*sigh* lol
The pictures with the the afro just grabs me inโฆher hair looks so healthy and soft in those pics. And her make-up is very fly as well.
Alicia, you and your hair are absolutely beautiful !
-brownjay
This is a very very great article. I like this article so much. I hope that you will post more and thank you for sharing.
Always fly, always beautiful!!
Aliciaโs hair is so full and healthy. Very inspirational.
her hair is gorgeous!!!!!
girl your hair is beautiful!
I love her hair. OMGoodness, it is fly any way she wears it. LOve it, love it, loves it!!!
She Is AweSomeNess!!..I love Her StyleโฆHer MakeUpโฆThe Hair Is EveryThing..Natural Beauty.โฆ:)