*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally
Introduce yourself!
N: Hey hey!!! My name is Naima, I’m from the GO’ better known as the Chi (Chicago, IL) South Side ALL day 😉 lol. I’m a full time lover of Jesus / full time graduate student in a Master of Social Work program. I graduate May 2012 (Yippers!!!!!). I’m also a school social work(er) intern at a middle school / natural hair model.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
N: I made the decision to go natural for a few reasons. My hair was damaged. I always wanted to go natural and was tired of punking out. I wanted to show God that I was thankful for what He’d given me. It was my way of telling God that I accept everything that He has given me because it is perfect, and I won’t try to change what He has already perfected. I wanted to finally become the person that I was created to be.
When and how did you transition into natural hair?
N: I got my hair colored July 2008, got it relaxed August 2008; it fell out. I spent 3 months nursing my fragile hair. In that time I was researching natural hair on YouTube. I got REALLY inspired and decided October 11, 2008 that I would cut my hair for the New Year, January 2009. I woke up the next day, called a friend over and we cut my hair off on October 12, 2008! When it’s time, you know! As of 10/12/08 4:32 P.M. I’ve been natural.
In what ways (if any) has going natural affected you?
N: Going natural has given me the opportunity to see myself as I was intended to be. I was going through a huge transition, growing spiritually, undergoing a fitness journey, and from that time I’ve lost 60 lbs. and become vegetarian. It’s given me a chance to know and love myself more. It’s been a makeover inside and out.
How would you describe your hair?
N: Baaaaby my hair is THICK! It’s thick, soft, coily, kinky, cottony, and curly; it just depends on which section of my head you’re in. It’s always been thick though, even in my relaxed days. I’ve never had a day when I didn’t love it, honestly.
What is your regimen?
N: I like to keep it simple. Usually I’ll wash my hair on an as needed basis. I usually don’t use shampoo, but just clarify with baking soda and do an apple cider vinegar rinse. I detangle with V05 Moisture Milks Conditioner; it’s my staple product as well as castor oil for my scalp (from the laxative section of the store). I use olive oil, Lustra Silk Curl Max Activator Moisturizer and Long Aid Activator as I moisturize my hair. I use a leave in conditioner (Giovanni / Miss Jessie’s Baby Butter Cream) and plait my hair to stretch it as it air dries. I’m digging Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding for wash & go’s.
How do you retain length and moisture in your hair?
N: I clip my ends about every 3 months and moisturize with castor oil, olive oil, and activator, coconut oil (in summer), and vegetable glycerin.
What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from?
N: I have learned that it’s not okay for me to wear wigs, specifically lace fronts as a “protective style”; it snatches my hair out. Sulfates ruin my scalp too =/.
What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
N: Give it love and attention. I’m not rough with it; I take my time with it.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
N: Yes, my YouTube name is Naimae. I have the best subscribers! Here is my link: http://www.youtube.com/user/naimae?feature=mhee. I WILL be making more videos. I’ve been having technical difficulties, but I will be uploading in the future.
My Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/naimae7 and Twitter: ChoclatCherokee.
Anything else you want to add?
N: Just thanks for checking me out. I’m honored to be featured =). Feel free to contact me…Let me know if BGLH sent you. Be blessed all *muah*
simply stunning!
Very enjoyable read! I smiled at you knowing the date/time of your transition and the line, ‘I’ve never had a day when I didn’t love it, honestly’. Gorgeous hair, gorgeous photos and liking that shade of blue l/s on you. Years ago I’d prime a dark base, sharply line and fill-in Bourjois’s blue l/s and dust a shimmery blue metallic on top, loved the effect.
a beauty.
i need a tutorial on the hairstyle in the first pic though.
Wow those pictures are gorgeous, and love the hairstyles in each one as well. That skin is so clear, your skin regime definitely works for you 🙂 care to share ?
She is beautiful! I love the thickness of her hair! So beautiful! Great photos! Wow!
Pretty girl!
Stunning- I can’t do a blue lip tho. Congrats in the weight loss as well!
AHHHHHH
She’s gorgeous and I LOVE her nose ring!
i like the fact that her regimen and products she uses are simple and inexpensive. it really goes to show you that you don’t need $50/bottle conditioners and labels from foreign countries to have a beautiful and healthy head of hair! simply beautiful naima! keep up the grow work! lol
I feel that same way, sista’s back in the day had huge fros from just grease n water…not all the over priced stuff available now!
+1!!
Beautiful, I love super thick hair 🙂
Lovely hair!
I especially like the hairstyles where she’s wearing a red top/red lip combo and the one where she’s wearing blue lipstick.
She is gorgeous and has some gorgeous hair and hairstyles !
Standing and clapping. Bravo gorgeous!!!
I love this. I cant wait to start trying these regimins.
can you please do a tutorial for the hairstyles you have in the pics wearing the red sweater/red lipstick, and black-n-white striped tank top/blue lipstick? i just printed them off here at my work to try to do them at home, but can’t see how you did the back 🙁
if you already have a website, please pass along the link!!
I read about having acidic conditions for your hair, tried lookin for acidic shampoo, only found pH balanced. Wow! Thanx Naime I’ll be gettin that apple cider vinegar rinse pretty soon. I know its gud for my hair but could someone explain again to me why?
Hey tapiwa! I can’t give you the science but my experience with acidic hair formulations has resulted in MAJOR curl and wave definition and phenomenal shine, strength, moisture and softness. I recommend finding a pH that works with your hair and scalp. For instance I’ve tried ACV, lemon juice and aloe as leave-ins or rinses (my fave is aloe gel) and found mixing with water to a pH of 4.5 is nice for me. I’ve also had phenomenal results with amla, shikakai and hibiscus as a hybrid cleanser, conditioner and hair mask. Individually and combined they have a pH of… Read more »
I find that diluted ACV rinses work wonders for my itchy scalp. Acidic pH is suppose to close the cuticles of the hair strand making it shinier and more defined. Just did an ACV rinse yesterday and my hair was GORGEOUS immediately afterwards. I fill an eight ounce applicator bottle with water (usually cool water) and add a teaspoon or two of ACV. After I shampoo,deep condition,and rinse out the conditioner, i squeeze the ACV/water mixture throughout my scalp and hair. Great results…i do my rinse every once in a while, but am considering making it a monthly routine.
Eagerly waiting 😉
You are SHINING out here, sister!
AWESOME. Love the hair and styles. Thanks for post.
These posts never get old! I’m like a tween girl squealing over a boyband with these hairdos. They’re going in my “goals” folder!
LOL!! Love your enthusiam!
Sister, you are Beautiful with a capital B but please take out that nose ring. With all due respect you look a thousand times more stunning without it. Take it from a man that loves, knows and cherishes black beauty. Peace.
This comment reeks of ignorance. How can you say you love & cherish black beauty and then try to tell a black woman how she should look? Do you really think she’s walking around trying to please you? Take a seat.
LOVE IT! I love to see ladies on here with hair similar to mine. LOVE THE THICKNESS! I’m going to check out her youtube channel right now
She is GORGEOUS!!! Love her locks and her overall look!
I remember her from the IS Fashion Show earlier this year, she was my favorite model in the show. We saw her afterwards at a restaurant and she was so nice. Beautiful person with gorgeous hair!!
Patiently waits for Naima to respond back to us ladies :). lol.….
Gorgeous!!
She’s cute!!
I appreciate the shout-out to Jesus! Stunningly beautiful and I really like the thick hair and so many styles! Work, I’m subscribed on YouTube!
Gorgeous!! You go girl for that 60 lb weight loss! You look fab and I loved your hair story!
Beautiful hairstyles.
What a gorgeous woman! I love her hair.
I think that it’s awesome that she has allowed her going natural to extend to her inside (eating healthy, exercise) as well as the aesthetics.
[…] Blue By keeping her hair and makeup subdued, Style Icon Naima shows how you can rock a blue lip without looking ratchet. She’s giving us an awesome […]
You look like my exact hair twin in pic #13 however pic # 9 is the texture appears different.…hmmm