Rock Your TWA

Viola Davis Rocks a Fierce TWA Hairstyle

2012-02-07T11:47:00.001-08:00

Photo of acclaimed actress Viola Davis from the LA Times

One of my favorite African American actresses just showed off one of the fiercest twa hairstyles I've seen on a celebrity naturalista. The Helps Viola Davis has rocked the natural hair world with her short crop feature spread in the LA Times. Let me just say she rocked it!

Viola Davis's natural hair compliments her strong

ethic features and gorgeous eyes. From the LA Times.

What I love most about Viola Davis' twa hairstyle is its simplicity. It's very chic. Her strong ethic features are the only accessories she needs. Her twa hairstyle is classy and sassy. It's just a hot, natural look. And girlfriend is WORKING IT!!!!

What do you think?

Kim Coles and Dr. Drew Discuss Relaxed vs. Natural Hair Debate on Life Changers Show

2011-11-25T09:12:00.000-08:00

Last week, Kim Coles and a line up of relaxed and naturals discussed the natural vs. relaxed hair debate on Dr. Drew's Life Changer show. Check out the slide show in this Huffington Post recap.

I say DO YOU! If you want to rock your natural hair, long short, medium, twisted, coiled, straightened or whatever way pleases you, do you. if you want to rock your hair relaxed, weaved, waved or whatever do you. Just don't forget to love yourself. That's what it's all about. Do it for you!!!!

Repair a Bad Dye Job

2011-10-05T08:26:00.000-07:00

Me after the blonde
was put in my hair.

A couple of months ago, I decided to go blonde in order to deal with the gray hair that I have. Bad idea!!!!!

It came out a firey orange and my edges, which are naturally lighter anyway, were really, really yellow and made me look ghostly. I also had pink highlights. My head was a mess.

I rocked my orange TWA for a couple of days....even received some compliments. But I hated it. So I set out to find a resolution on Google and learned that I could fix it myself. And, that's just what I did. Here's how.

Have you ever experienced a bad dye job? How did you fix it?

Protect Your TWA; Learn How to Make a Satin Pillow Case

2011-10-04T08:37:00.000-07:00

We all know how important it is to protect our curls...especially at night when we are asleep. To help, here's one of my early You Tube videos. How to make your own satin pillowcase. Check it out.

What If First Lady Michelle Obama Big Chopped and Rocked a TWA

2011-10-03T12:28:00.000-07:00

First Lady Michelle Obama
Photo courtesy of whitehouse.gov

First Lady Michelle Obama’s stylist, Frederic Fekkai has said her beautiful, silken hair is all-natural and relaxer-free. I think it’s wonderful that she’s a natural sister. She’s beautiful and her hair is beautiful. But as I think about her hair I wonder….

What if Michelle Obama decided to show her natural curls? What if she did the big chop? What if she decided to rock a TWA hairstyle?

First off, my opinion is that her hair would be fierce in its naturally curly state. And, I think a TWA would make her already polished appearance shine. But…

What would the different “establishments” have to say about it?

Would the republicans, democrats, tea partiers and the Obama haters take issue with her rocking not only a natural hair style but a TWA hairstyle? Would they spew hairisms and call her character into question? Would a teeny weeny afro be viewed as an acceptable hairstyle for an active First lady?

What would the natural hair naysayers have to say about her hair? Would they love it or hate it? Would they say she is setting us back? Would they call her hair inappropriate? Would they see her as unprofessional?

Would those hooked on the creamy crack (relaxers) suddenly decide to take the natural hair plunge and do the big chop? Would weave-lovers decide to cut their haircare budgets and ditch the weave?

What would the natural hair community have to say? I’m pretty confident that the natural hair community would accept it…love it…want to get it. But, I can’t speak for everyone.

What do you think? How do you think First Lady Michelle Obama would look rockin’ a TWA hairstyle? Do you her teeny weeny afro would start a trend? Would it start a controversy? Would her natural curls be a bad look for President Obama’s presidential campaign?

Yvonne: Rocking Her TWA and Loving It

2011-09-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

Yvonne's Rockin' TWA

Today at work, I met this nice young lady named Yvonne. Off course, she is rocking her TWA. She was kind enough to allow me to take a quick head shot of her on her way to lunch and share her TWA story with me. Thanks, Yvonne!

I have been natural for about 1 year, I got so tired of the chemicals, allergic reactions, and my hair growing a certain length and falling out. So when I went natural, I didn’t do a big chop. I had just taken braids out of my hair and was dissatisfied with my own hair, so I went to the barber and took it from there.

I am definitely going to keep my hair this length, not only is it a blessing on time, but I think it gives a woman’s face definition. I always say, any woman can wear long hair, but not every woman can rock short hair!!!!

I am originally from Flint, MI and short hair was always a favorite in the Midwest. . .especially during the fall, your hair is a part of your wardrobe, you dress around your hairstyle, your outerwear has to flow just as smooth as your everyday clothing. A nice hair cut, earrings, makeup are all must-haves when wearing your TWA!!!

Jenee Does the Big Chop

2011-09-26T07:44:00.000-07:00

Jenee enjoys the scenery. Way to Rock that TWA Jenee!

I interviewed newly natural Jenee Taylor. She's rocking a fierce TWA thanks to her big chop. She took the leap, and it's paying off big.

RYT: Why did you decide to “go natural”?

JENEE: I'd been thinking about going natural for a long time. I actually tried it once several years ago, and failed, because I wasn't knowledgeable enough about maintenance for natural hair, how to take care of it properly, hair products to use/purchase, etc. I really wish that I knew then what I know now. I'd be about five years in on my natural hair journey!

RYT: Was the decision to big chop a hard one for you?

Jenee when she was relaxed.

JENEE: Yes, the decision was a huge one for me. I've wanted to do this for some time, but because I dont have a wavy or curly texture, every time I would tell someone what I wanted to do, I'd receive lots of "oohh girl, you sure you want to do that?" and "oh, i dont know about that. I like your hair the way that it is." And sadly, those comments kept me from going natural for a very long time.

But after some time, and after me really wanting to take the step, I just said f--- it, just do it. I got tired of the hair cuts, the over-processing, the expense. I wanted to be free. So I did it, and couldn't be happier. It's funny, those same people that were anti-natural-Jenee are the same ones that talk about how much they love the new hair on me!

RYT: How did you feel after your big chop?

JENEE: It was an adjustment for me. I've looked the same way for the last ten years of my life (for the most part), and even though my hair was already short, taking the extra step and chopping it off was such an incredibly different look from what I was accustomed to. It took some getting used to. And, when you've had chemically-treated hair for most of your life, there is also a "fear of the unknown" because you dont know what form your hair naturally takes. But it is definitely empowering when you finally do it. And even more so when you see your hair for the first time in its natural state and realize that it is just as beautiful curly as it is straight.

RYT: Who did your big chop?

JENEE: I wish I had a cool story to tell- like "I locked myself in my bathroom and at home with a pair of clippers and went IN!" But... I went to my regular stylist. She's actually a natural hair stylist, but I've gone to her for my relaxers and hair cuts and styles since I moved to Atlanta. She's incredibly talented and works with all hair- natural and chemically treated- but her preference and specialization is with the curlies. Needless to say, she was very excited when I decided to let her do my big chop. Now she wants me to lock my hair. Baby steps, woman. Baby Steps.

RYT: What feedback, comments or criticisms have you received from others?

JENEE: Initially, it was a big shock to everyone, but I got nothing but positives and oohss and ahhhs. I've spent the first month of my BC explaining the new 'do to each person that I run in to at work and socially. After a while, I wished i could get everyone I knew in life into one room for a Q and A and be done with it! *smiles* Every now and then I get the coworker that feels like they can sneak in and touch my hair (they get the side eye). And at least one a week, I get someone that tries to pick lent out of my hair (son... it's my gray...).

RYT: Do you plan to rock your TWA for a while or grow your hair out?

JENEE: At this point I really don't know. I'm excited now because i'm just getting to the point where I'm starting to see my curl pattern! Right now I have a "let it grow and see what happens" attitude. If it gets to a length where I really like it, I might keep it for a while. If it starts to grow and get awkward, I may cut it. Only time will tell :)

RYT: What products have you tried?

JENEE: Oh gosh, some of everything. I went on a product-shopping-spree when i first got my BC, trying everything. To name a few: Beautiful Curls, Kinky Curly, Jane Carter conditioners, Design Essentials Natural product line (my stylist is a distributor), iC styling gel with aloe vera, and several Miss Jessies Products. I've found a combination that I like right now (but it literally changes every other week). My daily routine includes these products:

Aveda Dehumectant (keeps my hair from getting frizzy)
Care Free Curl Activator (its old school, I know, but does a better job keeping my hair moisturized than some of the "fancy" products that I've tried)
Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue (awesome product for my hair type! really helps define my curls)

RYT: Please tell us what you like the most and/or least about being natural?

JENEE: I love my freedom! I'm no longer a slave to the relaxer! I'm not saying that I'm anti-relaxer, because I'm not. I may even go back to straight hair one of these days, who knows. But just knowing that I don't have to go to a salon every other week for maintenance, once a month for a partial and a trim. It's expensive and I was tired of a) paying so much money, and b) spending so much time in a salon.

And it feels good to get caught in the rain and not have to run from it like it's kryptonite.

Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: Nine Months In: You No Longer Have a TWA If...

2011-08-24T12:54:00.000-07:00

Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: Nine Months In: You No Longer Have a TWA If...: by TiAnnaMae of The Fab Life for... Free For all of you who are not in the know, TWA stands for Teeny Weeny Afro, which is what I have...h...

Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: Malinda Williams- Natural Hair Celeb Interview

2011-08-08T11:41:00.000-07:00

Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: Malinda Williams- Natural Hair Celeb Interview: "If you follow hair blogs and forums, then you've surely seen the recent pics of actress Malinda Williams, from her photo shoot for Denim Ma..."

Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: Is Your TWA a Pain in the Neck?

2011-08-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: Is Your TWA a Pain in the Neck?: "Autumn T. writes: Honestly, when I was relaxed, I was totally oblivious to whether or not my HEAD was leaning a particular way… leaning..."

Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: Sweetdrk1- My Daughter Did the Big Chop!

2011-08-03T12:51:00.000-07:00

Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: Sweetdrk1- My Daughter Did the Big Chop!: "Every parent wants the absolute best for their children! As a woman with a daughter, you yearn to be someone she can look up to, someone t..."

Calling all Big Choppers

2011-08-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Did you just go natural and had your first big chop? Did you go through a hair change and decide to start over with a new natural TWA style? If so, we are looking for stories about the big chop. If you’d like to submit your own stories, please complete the Big Chopper interview questions and email a few pre- and post-big chop pictures to twahairaffair@gmail.com. Please enter “Big Chopper: (Your name and City)” in subject line.

My TWA Hair Affair

2011-08-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

I love my TWA hair. The funny thing is I didn’t realize how much I loved it until I went natural and tried to grow out this full head of flowing curls. I’m not a very patient person at all, so trying to grow my hair out was not the best idea. First of all, I hate the in-between stage which is right around six months post-big chop. Second of all, I hate trying to style my hair. I like to wash and go. Also, about 60% of my hair is a wavy texture so the ends are really straight. Finally, I just look really good (at least I think so) with TWA hair.

So how did I fall in love with TWA hair? Continue reading to find out.

You Tube's Taren916 Does a Big Chop

2011-05-04T19:40:00.000-07:00

If you don't know by now, Taren916 did the big chop a few weeks ago. Because she had long hair for so long, she received mixed reviews. Some of her followers loved it; others hated it and were very critical. Personally, I feel it's her hair. And, she looks great with it. The one thing all naturals should do is DO YOU. If long hair is you, rock it. If short hair is more you, Rock Your TWA. Forget the naysayers and do what makes you happy. After all, it's YOUR hair.

Check out Taren916's video and share your thoughts.

Beyonce Move Your Body Video for First Lady Michelle Obama's Healthy Kids Campaign

2011-05-04T19:22:00.000-07:00

This is not a TWA Hair post but I had to shout out Beyonce for the cute curls and doing this video for the First Lady, Michelle Obama's Move Your Body Campaign. i <3 it.