Where do you live?
C: I run my very own handmade jewelry business, PeaceImages Jewelry (http://peaceimages.bigcartel.com), in the City of Angels by way of San Diego. Lived in St. Louis for 5 years, and in a month Iโll be moving to ATL with my fiance. Life is for the living and I intend to do just that. But Iโll be a Cali girl for life ๐
Why did you go natural?
C: Every relaxer I can ever remember burned. And not a little annoying burn, but scabs-on-my-scalp-afterwards burn, and only after being on my hair for 7 minutes at a time. Then the neutralizer shampoo burned even more than the perm, because my scalp was so raw. (I cringe as I type thisโฆ) After a while I just realized that perms werenโt for me. No two ways about it.
When and how did you transition into natural hair?
C: Iโve always been very experimental and impulsive with my hair. One day, in 2000, after letting my touch-up lapse I just decided to stop perming altogether. I flat-ironed my hair for about a year, dyed it using Feria in 2001 and all the permed hair broke off. Wore a pixie cut until I got tired of maintaining it, then cut it Amber-Rose short and rocked my natural little coils (which got GREAT reactions from passers by). Let it grow back out chemical free, in 2002, and rocked weaves when I felt tempted to re-perm it! I did love me some straight hair!
When I was finally ready in 2004, I began rockinโ the fro full time. My mom will be the first to tell you that the relationship between me and my hair was a religious one! I mastered my hair in its permed state. I could do any style, keep it in for days, change it up in a flash! It was my โthing.โ It took me a long time to get used to hair that was going to do whatever it wanted, no matter what I did to it. Releasing that control was a process. It still is a process some daysโฆ
In what ways (if any) has going natural affected you?
C: Honestly, Iโm not sure I can say that Iโve gone โnatural.โ I am chemical free, but Iโm also guilty of using products with petroleum in them, toothpaste with fluoride and blowing out my hair so it looks straight when I need a change. I run a business that demands nearly all my time, so I do what works for me, and I take care of the hair I was given the best way I can. Learning to work with the texture and thickness of hair I was given has taught me to accept, love and appreciate myself 100%. This is me. Take it, or leave it ๐ And that is freedom!
How would you describe your hair?
C: I donโt know my hair type, all I know is that itโs EXTREMELY thick, and strong. I hear this question often: โGiiiiiirl, how do you deal with all that hair?โ Iโve done SO many things to this mane, and sheโs bounced back each and every time (relaxers, cut, heat everyday, hard gels, heavy extensions, wigs, bad weaves, good weaves, color). Her coils canโt be tamed. I blow it out, the fro is back in hours. It grows fast, is very soft, easy to detangle and shrinks like a son of a b*tch ๐
What is a brief description of your regimen?
C: I use Motions shampoo, conditioner and leave in conditioner 2โ3 times per month. I moisturize my scalp and ends with Motions Marula Natural Therapy Scalp Oil, or coconut oil every night before bed. Shea Moisture works best for moisturizing my hair. I wash in the shower and keep it sectioned off in 4 parts during the entire process start to finish. It minimizes tangling and makes it easier to manage! The whole point is to keep my routine as basic as possible because my business demands 100% of me all the time!
If I want to style, I braid my hair while itโs wet with a mixture of shea moisture, lottabody and eco styler olive oil gel. If I canโt wait the 48 hours it will take to dry fully, I use my hood dryer, on a cool setting, for about two hours.
My mom blows my hair out for me, and insists on using Royal Crown to keep it protected. She is old school and really doesnโt give a damn that basically itโs olive oil and vaseline. lol.โฆ I love my mom so much, and no one has been caring for my hair longer, or better, than she has. So I donโt argue. I just shut up and enjoy the wonderful bonding that takes place between a mom and daughter when are doing each otherโs hair ๐
What mistakes have you made with your hair that youโve learned from?
C: Iโve learned that my hair speaks to me. It tells me what it likes, and what it doesnโt. And when I donโt listen, I get into trouble! Also, Iโll never color my hair again unless itโs with henna.
Whatโs the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
C: I moisturize! In addition to the products I listed above, I drink lots of water and take fish oil supplements! Southwest weather is very dry and arid, and moisturizing is something I have to do daily!
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
C: My new website! http://www.peaceimagesjewelry.com
my Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/peaceimagesjewelry
and my boutique! http://peaceimages.bigcartel.com
Anything else you want to add?
C: To the people who are transitioning, and to whomever else this applies, this is YOUR journey. Go through it in your own way, on your own time. No one is judging you if you rock a weave to make your transition easier, or to change up your options, and no one is judging you if you end up re-perming because you arenโt quite ready to take this on. Everything happens in its own time and ITโS JUST HAIR. I really think we take it too seriously sometimes. We all just need to love each other and support each other no matter what part of the journey weโre on.
Simply Beautiful!!
Hi! I love your look. And I just got my necklace in the mail from you. Itโs perfect! Thank you!
You better work C! I love itโฆBeautiful
[โฆ] If you ladies out there are considering going natural, are happy with your current style, or are just tired of the natural vs. not argumentโฆ Black Girl with Long Hair did an awesome interview with Camille on the topic. I suggest you read the full article here. [โฆ]
Beautiful! Kind of make me want to do a blowout when my hair gets longerโฆ
LOVES her! Dope hair and jewels!!
I love camilleโs mane & her top notch customer service sprinkled with professionalism! Her shop is great & the quality of her โpeacesโ is superb!:)
I agree. Sheโs all about customer satisfaction! Sheโs a great businesswoman.
Sheโs beautiful inside and out! My favorite line was the last: โ[We] need to love each other and support each other no matter what part of the journeyโฆโ
DOPE!!!
B U T ful!!!!
Peace, Love and Chocolate,
Tiffany
Gorgeousโฆand the jewelry to live for!
Sheโs very pretty! And I just went on her site and the jewelry is gorgeous!
She is fine.
i love her work and she has such a beautiful and positive spirit!
use these just once or twice forโฆ
every 100 words to avoid exceeding the acceptable keyword density. the way to write a good blog that gets real traffic is quite simple really. make it interesting, entertaining and informative with everything in its โrightโ place. you donโt need toโฆ