by
Meosha
Introduce yourself!
M: My name is Masani Negloria. I currently live in Austin, Texas but am originally from a small south Texas town called Beeville.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
M: I have been natural my entire life and believe me it used to not be as fun. As a kid and growing up my hair was always a mess! I am Black, Mexican, and Native American. I didn’t grow up around the Black side of my family so no one ever knew how to properly take care of (or even comb) my hair, therefore it was always tangled or off in weird chunks that weren’t quite dreadlocks, but more just a shock of fuzz. I finally took initiative in my teen years and started experimenting with twists and twist outs and started rockin’ the fro 8 years ago. It still wasn’t as widely accepted back then so I’d always get dirty looks, laughs, and the ever so popular: “Why are you wearing your hair like that?”.
How would you describe your texture?
M: My hair type is 4b/c. I have mostly coarse, dense hair, but have a slightly different texture towards the nape of my neck where it’s a little finer.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
M: I spritz everyday with a water/vegetable glycerin mixture to help re-awaken my hair and to soften it before picking it out in the morning. My oil of choice is grapeseed for right now, but I tend to change those up with the seasons. During the summer I use coconut oil more. In the spring and fall I bring out the jojoba, and winter has been grapeseed or peppermint.
What does wash day look like for you?
M: I shampoo once a week and it’s about a 30 minute process. I used to just co-wash or do apple cider vinegar rinses, but recently I somehow decided to pick up a bottle of shampoo. Right now I’m using Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Ultra Shea Cleanse & Nourish Shampoo and Suave Professionals Rosemary & Mint Conditioner. I shampoo my scalp, rinse, apply tons of conditioner, finger detangle, comb (sometimes), air dry a little, then oil, pick out, and shape as it dries.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
M: When I don’t feel like dealing with my hair due to a bad hair day or just because I don’t have the time, I like to do scarf wraps with parts of my hair peeking out.
How do you combat shrinkage?
M: Moisturize! And do what you feel your hair wants or needs you to do.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
M: My ends definitely require more attention. Because I wear an Afro my ends are always exposed, which means they can get really dry.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
M: Love it and learn to care for it.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
M: Heat usually makes things worse for me and do NOT leave without moisturizing!
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
M: http://masaninegloria.wordpress.com/
http://masaninegloria.tumblr.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Afrostax
I’m also searchable on Twitter and Instagram as Masani Negloria 🙂
90 Responses
Her hair is beautiful and she is beautiful.
Also can anyone explain to be why her attire is such a big issue?
I actually like it but if anyone doesn’t please explain why you don’t
because I’m confused.
Loving your fro and style, Masani. Simply fab, girl.
Man, I wish I could get my afro to look as good!!
Someone with a bomb Fro like this is used to controversy and attention sure this crazy comments didn’t stop her head or Fro from hanging high
This is the fro of my dreams. I love it. Beautiful hair.
Beautiful hair. It’s amazing how so many women are embracing what God has blessed us with. Let’s love us and then others will too.
It really looks so scared……..
I click this article just to see why it had 78 comments….sad but true!
Is it me or does this lady a “70’s Fox” themed vibe to her?!!?!?!! LOL! Love the gold bathing suite and roller skates pic. From her iconic fro to her unique style, I admire it. Go girl!
Girrrrrlllll… You are rocking that fro and you have a great style! Keep on truckin because you are doing it right!
YOUR FRO IS EPIC I love the fro….so awesome sigh can’t wait for my fro to be that epic
Your hair is bad (as in great and beautiful)! 🙂
I haven’t picked my hair out since my TWA days. This makes me want to go for it.
Dang girl, you went there. I love the look of Afro’s. they are beautiful and wild. She is a soul sister in the featured photo and I like the picture where her tattoo is noticeable. One of the best features on here. I’m glad your still going strong after receiving dirty looks, I admire that.
A great feature…she has a unique style, confidence and authenticity.
**disclaimer**it looks like she’s got some color going , but not sure if natural color or not ..she didn’t mention dying.
She’s not dying her hair with color, or frying it with heat and people are mad that she’s only wearing it in an afro. Seems she’s being the most natural as she can be. Heck she wasn’t even using shampoo for a while just ACV and conditioner. People should be praising her according to all the criteria on here about how to be the closest to natural you can be. Im just shocked. She’s not altering her natural curl pattern with twist outs or braid outs, and she doesn’t hate her shrinkage. Yet some found something still to complain about. Seems like people just have to have a problem, can’t ever just be happy for someone.
My friend thank you!!!
Literally leaving it to grow as it should.
No ‘curl defining’, straightening and “necessary” twist outs / ‘length checks’.
No no no, sometimes black women you’re own is too much! On top of that many will dislike what I’m trying to tell them and completely fortify themselves with their wall of truth. Please just look back and read some of the comments…”groovy” “political vixen”… some of you sound like white people. You don’t compliment her hair but state ish just to state it.
secondly yes I understand what some are saying with the clothes and posing. I ha be eyes. which made me see her beautiful HAIR. Also she knew she was sending them to a “female” tailored website. it could be ignorance with her thinking it was edgy or a different fashion take. I don’t know. but she wore a swimsuit on a set with a photo backdrop. if she was by a pool you wouldn’t have said nothing. how many young girls on bglh do you see with tank top and shorts. them too tight for deliverance skirts and shirt. the backless mini dresses with the big booty that does more danger to our image than a lady BLATANTLY (that’s what p*sees me off!) trying to address a theme. below I’ll send a link of one particular bglh post women were gawking over. even shouting at men for commenting on what they were gazing at. seriously. just sharrap and view the hair. you wait for a woman to wear a swimsuit at a photoshoot to call her a slut but not when she’s in heels and the tightest short dress known to man. out of the two which is seen more in public and ends with girating in front a penus and a one night stand! o.O
Isn’t it amazing that we ALWAYS have to find something to complain about? “She’s not wearing enough clothes” “She’s not black enough” “she hair typed herself wrong” OMG, people get over it.
Swimsuits,especially bikinis are skimpy by their very nature. It could be that Masani is a bathing suit model. The way she communicates with her body is more towards the male gaze than the female, which is why some women are offended. I personally don’t wish to see her half naked, but I’m not the editor of this site.
I’m Happy to see someone with hair identical to mines rocking a big picked out Afro. I’m much too scared to do that so I keep my hair in protective styles (large braids mostly). She makes me want to really wear my own. Very pretty girl too!
Do it girl! Strangers seem to think my fro gives me third-eye guru knowledge or Hendrix talent, and I get a hell of a lot more dates, Lol! I’ve come to like the awe it inspires. I’m sure you’d be gorgeous rocking your fro!
I think it definitely dedneps on your hair. I use Salon Grafix dry shampoo and it works great! I have long, thick, very curly hair and I straighten it in the winter. It takes about an hour to straighten so I definitely want it to last. I’m also a runner so I dry shampoo my hair after every run, brush it through and run the blow dryer over my hair for about 5 minutes and I’m good to go. I only get away with this in the winter because I don’t sweat all that much, but I definitely recommend trying it!Oh and some of them definitely do make your hair white, so avoid the powdered ones. As for making my hair feel dry? Definitely not!
Normally I don’t comment, but I have to say that her provocative, skimpy outfits overshadowed her beautiful hair and took attention from the purpose of the article – hair. Some may call me a “hater” but I think there needs to be more space for honest, respectful dissension on this site. It’s pretty boring reading the comments and it’s all “love, love, love” and anyone who questions ANYTHING, is labeled a hater. Let’s stop being sheep and respect other people’s opinions as long as they are respectful.
shes wearing bathing suits!!! so now bathing suits are skimpy now?? omg you people are ridiculous. and yes you are being a “hater”
Yup. I’ve noticed that about features on various hair pages. Don’t like it either. Just ignore them. We are the minority audience.
Again. Who cares if you don’t like it. Yes you are in the minority….mean-spirited, too much time on your hands, most people have lives and better things to do with their time.
Don’t worry – you are right. These days whenever anyone mentions anything about being decent there is a massive backlash. On the internet everything is acceptable – the way women dress these days is so unfortunate. Don’t let them dampen your voice – you are right. It won’t be long till people start getting their ‘private’ pats out in the name of fashion and feminism.
I would agree with your statement about respectful dissension except… How is denigrating another person’s style respectful? If one has moral reservations about seeing people in bathing suits (seriously though, have your never been to a beach?) then one can choose to avoid offense by not reading the feature. Why should your moral reservations have an impact on what everybody else sees?
Personally, I think this style icon is beautiful, and I really did love everything about her feature. Of course, seeing confident, feminine sexuality doesn’t offend me.
I think she should have been categorised as a style icon rather than a hairstyle icon. Her fashion speaks louder in this feature imo.
REALLY, NOW? That’s hilarious to me, because while this lady is styling, all I give a flying flip about in this feature is her hair.
You and all of the rest of the negatives in this thread should take your respectability politics and have several seats. Respectful dissension is fine when it’s reasonable and not loaded with personal insults to the subject of dissension. I haven’t seen a comment yet in this thread that fits that classification.
Dananana, you’re really bananas cause I didn’t insult her!
Lol, I didn’t find her outfits bothersome. She has a unique style.
Your comment did make me feel better about my thoughts on her hairy underarms next to the watermelon tat though. I felt shallow. Why did her pits scrunch up my nose? I know I have bourgeoisie tendencies, so your judgy comment made me feel less judgy.
I don’t think you’re a hater, her fro is killer and her dog is cute. If her attire bothers you so much, do what I do. Hold your hand up and look at what is important.
I dont think you are a hater, you have your own opinion.. which is a reflection of your thoughts… so it also has something to do with what you pay attention to.
Differences in opinion is not the issue. It is the intent of the person, where it’s coming from and how the message is presented. Some people have very limited thinking; they are judgmental, condescending and rude. Just like everyone else there are things that people do constantly that I dislike but I will not impose my belief system on them, I will not wrongfully judge them, I will not publicly humiliate them, I will not express my concern and or opinion in a condescending manner and depending on the situation, I will not express my opinion if it is not asked of me. I encourage any healthy dialogue no matter how much we may disagree.
Right on, intent! Great comment!
Humiliation and condescension cloaked in ‘opinion’ is utter BS. Own up and call a thing a thing.
…..but you ARE being a hater. And it’s not her fault that YOUR eyes chose to wander. She’s a grown woman who can wear whatever she pleases, and she doesn’t dress for you or anyone else. She’s here to share her hair story.
If you claim to want to know about her hair but couldn’t pay attention to it, then you probably weren’t that interested in it to be begin with.
WOW. You people are on the ignorant side….get a life. Who cares if you don’t like what she’s wearing, I sure as hell don’t! I don’t care for a lot of people’s styles I bet they wouldn’t like it if I’d be all in their face telling them how I don’t like their style or their outfit, etc!
seriously there are only 5 pictures out of 21 that she is in a swimsuit, you are most certainly a hater.
Fro for the gods! You ooze AWESOMENESS! Rock on whatcha bad self!
SHE DOES NEED TO PUT SOME CLOTHES ON
Awww, here YOU go… We already covered this. All she needs to do is stay Black and fabulous.
You, on the other hand, need to stop being so judge mental where it doesn’t concern you and turn off your caps lock while you’re at it.
*judgmental
Gorgeous fro!
This lady seems low maintenance. If she likes to rock a fro or one puff most of the time it is her business. I like her confidence.
ok, I am merely curious, so please do not chop my head off…why do some naturals talk about ancestry concerning hair? She stated she Black, Mexican and Native American…what was the purpose? I don’t understand…
In this specific case, her background is somewhat relevant because she is saying she wasn’t raised around the black part of her family and that the Mexican/Native American part didn’t know how to do her hair. The assumption is probably that the black part would have (but we all know that isn’t necessarily true).
But I totally get your point and think its relevant in some cases.
Also this bust the myth that if you have Indian or other ethnic types in your blood line you automatically will not have Kinky hair so not true.
I think she wanted to explain her upbringing and how she learned to style her hair. It also shows that even if you are bi-racial, you can have type 4 hair.
Why can’t we just see the beauty in this young woman? There are too many nasty comments on this sight. There are always trolls running their mouths about something. She’s beautiful and her hair is fabulous! Plain and simple. Her pictures are great! To the lady that made a stupid comment, are you mad that you don’t have a big ass Afro? Go have several seats!
Excuse me, site**
Channelling Foxy Brown and the other beautiful Black women of the Blaxploitation Era! Rock it Honey! Rock it!
I Love your Fro
That is a mighty fro. Absolutely flawless. You look the head on the old school afro picks and that is a compliment of the highest order.
*look like
First of all, I love everything from that gorgeous, orangey-red fireball hair to your name, m’kay?
Second of all, love, love, LOVE all of the unadulterated fro porn! With and without the retro glasses and tees you are just bringing back the chic, sassy, awkward, 70s yearbook photo, teflon-coated self-esteem that was pure magic! That argyle leotard on your tumblr, gurrrrrllllll – I’m finding some fabric and sewing me that sucka!
Third, I have some of those same bathing suits from AA and wear them as outfits on the reg too….
i love your swimsuits. they are sooo cute. Also, that is one BAF! the shape is en pointe but the swimsuits gave me pause, in a good way, because i’m always on the lookout for a cute swimsuit, being that nice ones that are comfortable (well-fitting), affordable and classy or cute without being over the top are hard to find for whatever reason. good read
A bathing suit=stds? Sounds like a comment from a lonely fat ass. Who gets offended over a bathing suit? From the comments, you would think the woman was butt naked or participating in lewd acts.
Anyways, lovely hair.
lmfao right??
I got the line “why are you wearing your hair like that?” too! It’s crazy how people think my afro is a hair style. No! I came out the womb kicking and screaming, rocking this afro! It’s not going anywhere.
Fro so lush!!!! More naturals needed to fro the hair out, I think that’s the only thing left kind of untouched in the natural hair community, it’s almost like everyone (I mean most people) are afraid to.
Her skin is flawless. I love the classic look of her afro. Her wash process takes only 30 minutes with all that hair, though?! Shiiii… I need to know what YOU doing so I can get mine down to that time. I can’t seem to work it down any further than 1 1/2 hours, at best.
I know, right? I feel like I am missing something very important! Detangling alone takes me 1.5 hours minimum, in and of itself.
I feel your pain, for the longest time wash day would take 2 hours (this was at medium length, when it was BSL, it was worse. This was before I cut my fro off). However, I’ve managed to get it down to 30-45mins (currently at medium length since growing it out again). I found that Apple cider vinegar used as a conditionder/rinse stopped my hair from tangling as much, to the point where I don’t detangle most of the time (I wear my fro out everyday, in a shrunken state,4b/c hair) so it cut down my detangling time significantly. Also I went super healthy this year(eating mostly vegan meals) and I take an organic, food based multivitamin which has helped so much in terms of the softness & strength of my hair. Maybe one of those things could help 🙂
Thank you! I have tried apple cider vinegar before and didn’t notice significant results. I am not sure if I was checking for the ease of detangling, though. I will try again and see.
The health tip is great. I am trying to be healthier through both diet and exercise. I guess hair will he another motivation to eat right and work out. 🙂
Luscious fro!
Loving it! The fro looks so plush. Also your routine is proof that natural hair isn’t time consuming. Wash, condition, oil, fluff n go.
Not trying to hate but why so many pics of her with hardly any clothes on? I thought this was about her hair, not her body. Also the hair is just an Afro all the time. I would like to see someone who shows more variety in her HAIR styles and not so many booty shots.
Are you serious?? Someone get this prude off the internet.
This woman is obviously comfortable in her skin and she’s not being vulgar by any means. Also, her fro is GORGEOUS and different when most people shown are rocking twist outs or braid outs.
Her fro is a breathe of fresh air and is encouraging to see. Shoot it makes me want to rock a fro myself, lol.
Considering you dont see many unmanipulated fro styles (ie, non-twist/braid outs, knot out, etc) often highlighted on youtube / blogs, her fro IS unique.
seriously? of 21 photos, she’s only exposing skin in 7 of them. and of those 7, 5 of them are swimsuits, and none of them are butt shots. you’re allowed to show skin in a swimsuit right? and her afro is beautiful. get your life, ma’am.
I stand by my original statement. Don’t c the point of the pics with hardly any clothes on and don’t c the point of showing her Afro over and over. It’s the same style, no real creativity, anyone with 4b/c hair can pick it out into a dry looking Afro. I have my opinion, which I am entitled to, and u can have urs.
You seem to be missing the point. This site along with many others is a source of hair inspiration to many. There are many women who are still embarrassed and ashamed to wear their fro. There are also many who still hate their own hair. There are also many who may want to wear their fro but they are afraid of wearing it because they assume it wouldn’t look right on them and they also fear what others would think. Masina and others a like can motivate and inspire these women to be themselves. Your comments were neither constructive nor positive which is why you are getting these responses from others? Nothing is wrong with differences in opinions it is about the intent and how you deliver your message.
Although Bhamanon went about her comment rather condescendingly and in such a judgmental manner, there is *some* truth to her statement. Because this is the Internet, it IS important to be mindful of what we choose to transmit through social media and such at our own discretion. However, if this natural hair style icon is comfortable sharing these images, more power to her! And also, this woman’s hair is lovely. It is unique in the sense that she keeps it simple by rocking a ‘fro like this, which to me is inspiring because not of a lot of naturals that I know (*sigh* including myself) are keen on the idea of doing such a thing for fear of knots, tangles, and the like. I find it refreshing that BGLH featured this young woman!
Urbanbusbabes right now is featuring a girl right now on their site who is just wearing an afro….in every pic (gasps!!!!) also. I don’t see anyone over there complaining. I can’t believe you called her afro dry looking. I have to wonder if some of the animosity has anything to do with this girl saying that she is part mexican and native american. I feel like if she was “all” black no one would dare call her afro dry looking or even complain that all she is doing is wearing an afro in every pic. I think this goes back to the whole biracial child or person stereotypically having the unkempt hair because mom didn’t know how to care for it, and I feel like your comment is saying that she still doesn’t know how to care for her hair so why should she be featured here. That’s my deduction.
Hmm..Seems like no matter how you look at it, you have nothing meaningful to say about her. If she was dressed to your standards you still would have complained about her not having enough hair style variety. You want variety? There are many other women on this site that showcase various hair styles, go check them out and let this lady enjoy her afro. Variety is not only limited to hair styles, it also includes people and their choices to wear their clothes and hair any which way they please! Some of us including myself prefer braid-outs and such 99% of the time and that’s ok, while Masina prefers her beautiful afro and that’s fine too. Let people be. Masina your afro is both beautiful and luscious! Keep rocking your hair any which way you please!!!!
I thought the point of this site is to look at hair. I am also not ashamed of my body, but don’t feel the need to post pics of myself in bathing suits and underwear on the internet where anyone including potential employers can c them. I have my own values and moral standards that I go by and the people who disagree with me have theirs. With all the unwanted/teenage pregnancies and STDs goin around, maybe some people should consider how they present themselves, since there are young girls who look at this site and seek to emulate how these young women dress and act. If this was ur daughter, would u want her to post these pics?
I see where you are going with this but it is not my place to past judgement. I think in this case it is a matter of perception and we both seem to be looking at this from a different angle. These photos are not vulgar in my humble opinion and it appears that she is trying to send a message which is to be comfortable in your own skin, no matter who you are and what you like. I would not want my under age child posting photos like this but when she becomes a mature and responsible adult, it is her choice as long as her intentions are positive.
I meant, no matter who you are and what you *look like.
Wait wait wait, so you’re upset because you think this girl displaying her afro in a swimsuit on a natural hair site is gonna get young girls so turned out that we’re going to end up with an STD/teen-pregnancy epidemic on our hands? Ok…
Quick let’s all hide our ankles and necks, too much skin. And our faces. And those sexy sexy fingertips and toes. Can’t have these little girls thinking that we’re loose women up in here.
If this was my daughter I would not have an issue with her posting pictures of herself in a swimsuit on the internet if she is comfortable with it.
She’s gorgeous…and refreshing to see a fro sported. I like that she shows her beautiful body. Why should such a beauty be covered up. There is nothing about these pics that are shameful. Keep doing you Masani!!!
Usually the ones that complain are the ones not comfortable in their own skin. Says more about them than you.
Oh gosh get over it! She is rocking a fro without a twist/braid/something-out. How many times as BHLH highlighted someone like this young lady? Not a lot, if at all-I can’t remember-and I read BGLH everyday.
And so what if she’s wearing a bathing suit? Kinda reminds of the 50’s and 60’s when afros were more in and braid-outs were not really in existence. She looks so retro. Maybe that’s what she was going for. Leave her alone. You said your piece. Move on. Everyone is asking you to. Everyone likes this young lady’s look and you must accept it. You don’t have to accept it in your mind, but you must accept it here on BGLH. Please don’t keep this in your mind though. It’s not worth it.
Warning, this post is not a black thing, it’s a women thing. Bhamanon, you saying that her wearing a bathing suit and posting it on social media means she is encouraging sexual behavior and if she got pregnant or an STD its her fault is COMPLETELY out of line. What about the partner in the situation? How dare you take away any blame from men/the partner and put it all on women. Too many men think they are God’s gift to women and it is because we allow them to think that whatever bad happens it is the women’s fault, they will claim WE tempted them and lured them into bed WE allowed them not to use a condom WE decided to keep the baby etc. etc. NO you chose your actions as well and I shouldn’t have to live with the consequences alone. Just because a women dresses in a way that makes her happy doesn’t mean a man has to sleep with her. The way you dress has nothing to do with actions you take. The girl in the turtle neck could be the biggest freak on the block. Maybe she is dressing sexy for herself and she likes her body so she wants to show it off. Maybe they are just some of her best pics since they look pretty professional and she wanted to show her best. I hate when people go and blame women. Why do we slut shame amongst ourselves? As women when we should support each other. She can wear whatever she wants and shouldn’t be targeted for wearing it. If she gets pregnant I assure you it wasn’t the clothes she wore and I guarantee there was another party involved who played a huge role in it. Now that I’ve said that, I really love the hair. I wish my fro was as full. I thought she looked great in every picture.
Yes! I love everything you have said. I was thinking the same thing when reading the comment.
Although you dislike the skin she shows, I appreciate it. I have the same body type as her, and it is nice to see someone that looks like me be so comfortable in their own skin and look so beautiful. It forces me out of a “everyone but me is beautiful” rut because I can’t deny that she looks like me and is beautiful. 🙂
What booty shots are you even talking about? There are no a** shots here, you nut.
Somebody’s been drinking too much “haterade.”. The pics are very tasteful and professional….but opinions are like assholes, everybody has one. Lol
Fro is too fresh.
What a pretty lady. I love her fro and hair loving personality.