"No, you look too ethnic"

When I first thought of transitioning I wanted to simply do braids for a few months.
My dad told me naw, that'd look too "ethnic".

In my job "ethnic" is NOT good!

My mentor, when I first started, told me how she had to change her hair to fit in. For some reason curls seemed to be the best bet.

When I got into real estate I was still in high school, and hadn’t found "myself".  So when we had the conversation about hair my hair was like this:

(I'm a Rihanna head, so I copied her a few times.)

Along with my wardrobe, I didn’t scream professional at all!!

So up until now, my hair has been in a most short cut in various styles.

I had not done micro braids in a LONG time and now that I have them I see myself looking younger and less professional.


The other day I put on simple brass colored hoop earrings and my younger sister told me "No, you look too ethnic". Which translates to hood rat, to be honest.

So now I'm finding it harder to DRESS MY HAIR up.

(I know this is something I will have to do with my natural hair; I just didn’t expect it with braids).

Lately, I’ve been wearing more blazers and overcoats/ for some reason I think this helps my look out, lol.

Here are a few shots.

(I just love how this pic got messed up around me).

I struggled for a long time with not being able to dress the way I want, and looking too old. I felt like I was losing all my good styling years (lol). Having my hair permed gave me the ability to still dress cute without looking too young.

*Anyhow I wore this outfit with braids I think it’d appear that I was a younger girl wearing my mom’s clothes.

This just happens to be the name of the game that I chose to play.

I’m currently straddling the line of “ethnic”, and work appropriate.

No matter what people say, your appearance is a huge deal. I know this first hand.


I don’t think there is ANYTHING wrong with looking ethnic, but do I think other people do?? HECK YES!

Here’s my personal reference, Toni from Girlfriends ;)

-Toni Montana

"You having a hard transistion??"

My friend asked me this when she came to visit me at work.  To be EXACT, her words were "WHATS GOING ON WITH YOUR HAIR??? You going through a hard transition?"


This wasn’t the first off color joke I had gotten about my hair, but it had been the most straight forward.  Most people pussy foot around what they think of my, not wanting to hurt my feelings. 

NOT to say she hurt my feelings, because I really did appreciate her honesty.

I often worry about what clients will think of me with natural hair. I am already young and don’t want to be looked at as a confused college student (that's the impression I get from some natural ladies).  The other week I found out what a customer thought of my hair.



First of all, my approach to selling home is a very laid back, personal feel. 90% of the people I meet like to pursue a friendship with me following our first encounter. Needless to say people feel VERY comfortable with me, at times a little too much.


I had a young couple come in and we spent an hour or two together previewing homes and going over prices. Before they departed I gave them business card.

 

This picture is on it, and obviously my hair looks much more different than the 2 strand braids!


The husband then proceeded to tell me "See, I like your hair right here" (pointing to the card). "This right here" (Pointing to my hair) "....not so much".

I laughed it off.


What can you really say after that??

Curse him out, and lose a sale?
In THIS economy?? NEVER!



So, those two instances got me to thinking......its braids time!!


Luckily my little cousin can braid her butt off! I obviously got the family discount, of FREE.99!


So, that’s the current state of my hair, micro braids. :)




-Toni Montana

My LOVE

Favorite Nail Polish!

It’s nude and FABULOUS!
Sooooooooooo mild yet gorgeous, am I alone on this one???



(Will post the bottle later)

So, they will probably think I'm Angela Davis

This among other perceptions about natural hair scares me!

At work Im the only black person, I usually wear my hair SLICK AS POSSIBLE with curls to blend in.

 and now I will be embracing my "curls" aka naps!

 



I have to work with what I'm given!


Lately, my style of choice has been 2 strand twist braided down on both sides of my head (one side bigger than the other) and the back neatly tucked in.

(i'm experinceing an insane amount of breakage, with my permed ends, so it appears to be shorter).

I sell real estate, so I dont see my collegauges often, just mostly on Wednesday during our weekly company meeting, and beause of the holidays and a snow storm I hadnt seem them in a while.

When they finally saw this style, they said it was "cute", matched with my outfit.
That response is cool, lol, I guess.


I'm just weary that after I BC I will be looked at as a super pro black kind of chick.
From my experince, some peoples point of view on natural hair is a jaded one. They have a few people that they know and automatically assume you are attempting to duplicate that person.

Case in point, Halloween. I wore a BIG afro and all of a sudden I was Foxy Cleopatra.

I'm certain when I have a TWA I will be Florida Evans. Lol.

Anywho....just my thoughts on hair in the office.
As I get to the point where my hair is no longer "nappy" and now natural, I will be able to tell you all what I did to overcome the stares and questions I know I will face.



-Toni Montana

Big Chop 2011

big chop 2011

Video to display my Big Chop Journey!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGlXHOgJ8HQ

Ambitious Girl

*Fierce*

"My ambitious girl, I wont forget you, I just reflect on how I aint met you, yet boo you somewhere, getting your life in order." Wale

Hello World my Big Chop came and left. It was historic moment. I made it happen on 1/17/11 and the experience was like no other. I feel so free. I thought I would have cried but I didn't. And guess what if I could I would do it all over again. So many kept telling me "Don't do it Ms. Celie" well guess what India Arie said it best I am not my hair. Prior to this experience I was always wrapped in having shoulder length for fear I would be called ball-headed, but in the words of my dad "its just hair B" and you know what he is so right. Its just hair, I can grow it back. And if it don't grow I can rock a mean wig or weave.  I don't have much to write since I'm still getting to know Naturalmony but in due time I should have a lot to say.  If you have any questions please feel free to hit me up. I am not much of a writer but I do enjoy talking. :) Pics for your viewing. Videos will be uploaded tomorrow.

Love, Live, Laugh, Life
*Naturalmony

Jump in, Jump out, Turn yourself about!

Jump in, Jump out...Introduce yourself!

          So we did go a little old school with that, lol.



       This blog will serve as a diary for my 2 sisters and I through our natural hair journey. We are all new to the journey, yet very dedicated. While we all wish to have healthy journeys we are all taking a very different route to achieve this goal! This first entry is just a SMALL synopsis about us, the route we are taking, and the current state of our hair.

JuiciMo:
Age 17, High school Senior
Poison of Choice: Full Sew In Weaves
Hair Goal: Bra Strap Length (2 years)
Transitioning (1 Year)

 Current Hair

ToniMontana:Age 20, Realtor
Poison of Choice: Hair Dyes
Hair Goal: Stretched Shoulder Length hair by end of year.
Big Chop (March '11)

                                                                       Current Hair

Naturalmony:
Age 22, Business School Senior/Probate Court Clerk 
Poison of Choice: None
Hair Goal: Armpit length in Year and a half
Big Chop (01/17/2011)

Current Hair

        Well...this is US! Our YouTube channel should be linked to the site by tomorrow, which will have various tutorials, outfit of the days, reviews, regiments, etc. Being that we are all different ages, have different styles, and different lives this blog and channel should be quite interesting. Hope you enjoy!




-My Sisters Keeper