This month we want to Highlight an Entreprenuer and an amazing lady: Yonnea!
Name: Yonnea
How long have you been natural?
My last relaxer was in September 2006. I transitioned for about five months, then I did the BC February 2007.
How did your natural journey begin?
My natural journey began when I decided not to get another relaxer. I didn’t know anything about transitioning. The only thing I did know was that I was going to wait until my new growth grew out a couple of inches before cutting off all the relaxed hair.
Journey..
I got to the point where I was tired of getting relaxers and chemical dyes in my hair. In September I found myself doing my usual routine one week before a relaxer, BEATING the mess out of my head with my fingers trying not to scratch my scalp with my nails. I also had an attitude all week long because I didn’t feel like putting a relaxer in. I was so tired of doing this same old dance every eight to ten weeks. So I decided to let this be my last relaxer.
I was always playing with my new growth all the time, it felt good to me. I would daydream about how it would feel to have this texture all over my head.
Even though my transitional period was horrible and I had two different textures in my hair battling each other, I still wanted to become natural. I didn’t know what to do as far as styling my hair so I wore my hair slicked back into a pony tail until I had enough courage to do the BC.
After I did the BC I decided to learn about afro textured hair. I had this new found thirst to know everything I could about my hair in its natural state. I purchase a few books and spent hundreds of hours researching the internet. At the time I was in need of products but most of the ones I found were packed full of chemicals. I didn’t decide to stop getting relaxers to pack a bunch of chemically driven products in my hair. This is when I decided that I will make my own hair line. I already had a business making body butters and lip balms, so why not make a hair line?
I love this ride I’m on with my hair journey!!!
Tips for Newly Naturals and those who may be lost
I know that the advice everyone would gives is to be patient. Ok that’s great, but really I don’t have that much patience especially when it comes to my hair. I’m not going to be a hypocrite and tell you to do something I can hardly do myself, lol. I think the best thing to do is to keep yourself busy with lots of research on natural hair, it can become addictive. If you really want to know what’s going on in that mane of yours you need to do your homework, the information is out there. This is what the journey is all about “GETTING TO KNOW THY HAIRTM”. There are blog sites, video logs, natural hair books, and even natural meet up groups you can become a part of. Start documenting and take plenty of photos so that you can truly see if your regimen is working or not. Try different products but please plan a “Natural Hair Budget” or use simple ingredients you can find right there in the kitchen. And of course, try different hairstyles. Play with your hair, this is how children learn about the world through play so this is how you would learn about your hair. PLAY IN IT!
Your hair care routine?
Everyday routine: My everyday routine is moisturizing the mess out of my hair. Four times a day I spray my hair with my leave in condish moisturizing spray and seal my ends with my oil when needed.
Spring & Summer Routine: “Wash and Go Hair” Co wash every other day, refresh wash and go with moisturizing spray on days I didn’t co wash, clarify wash once a week, deep condition twice a month, hot oil treatment twice a month, henna treatment once a month, ayurvedic clay mask for hair once a month.
Fall & Winter Routine: “Protective Styled Hair” Co wash once a week, clarify wash twice a month, deep condition once a week, hot oil treatments twice a month, henna treatment once a month, ayurvedic clay mask for hair once a month.
Products You Use:
My favorite product is my “GPS Oil” it is loaded with lots of organic herbs and oils that help soften and condition the hair while aiding in retaining hair growth. I use it to seal the moisture in my hair and as a scalp massage oil. I also use my “Honey Habiscus Leave In Condish” this adds lots of moisture to your hair and scalp and I love the ingredients of course. Other products that I use in my hair on a regular is my “Honey Coconut Milk PrePoo Mix” and my yummy “Chocolate Ayurvedic Deep Hair Mask Treatment”. I’m also in love with Trader Joes products and of course, Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap to clarify my scalp. For more information visit my YouTube page.
So How Do We Achieve Growth?
Keep your hair as moisturized as possible and always seal in the moisture. Keep a clean scalp, avoid product build up and try not to use so much heat. Do as many protective styles as you possibly can. Use the “Search and Destroy Method” whenever possible, I check my hair for split ends twice a month. The most important thing of all is to drink plenty of water and get that scalp stimulated by exercising. You can also do a scalp massage every other night using a good herbal oil. Remember to protect that hair at night with a satin scarf and satin pillowcase.
What Has Kept You On Your Journey Going Strong?
My strong support system has kept me growing on my journey!!! My family is always there for me with lots of love and encouragement, they keep me going. I am also a part of a wonderful Natural Meet Up group located in Columbus Ohio called Nappturally Me. We have 56 beautiful and handsome members and counting. There is a lot in store for this meet up group in 2010 so if you’re in the area don’t miss out, come and join us. The website is www.meetup.com/NappturallyMe . I am so blessed to be surrounded with people who really want to see me succeed in everything I believe in.
Why do you love to make videos on YouTube? And what makes your channel different?
Well, I just started not too long ago. My main reason for making future videos is the fact that I am very passionate about helping women and men trying to get to know their real hair. Afro textured hair is like no other, this really amazes me. I want to share all the information that I’ve learned. My office is stacked sealing high with all the information I’ve gathered on natural hair. No matter how much I collect, it doesn’t stop, it keeps pilling up.
How can we achieve the perfect twist-out?
I cannot help you with a perfect twist out because I do them less than a couple of times a year. I can help you with the nice and soft braid out I was sporting on my vlog: www.youtube.com/yonnea. I start off with clean and conditioned hair that has been moisturized and sealed using my leave in and oil mentioned above. I always air dry my hair in four single braids. When it’s about 80% dry I take them down and mist my hair with my “Organic Herbal Seal and Shine Spray”. I wear my hair like this on the first day. Before bed I braid my hair into twelve single braids using my “Rosemary and Horsetail Pomade”, if you have relaxed ends curl them with perm rods. I sleep with a satin scarf on my head, the next day I take them down, separate and mist them with my leave in condish and I’m good to go. This is exactly what I did before I recorded my first YouTube video.
Come check out my product at Yonnea’s Natural Beauty website: www.yonnea.com
More Photos:
Well folks that is all! Hope you enjoyed.
Stay Blessed and Afroniquely You!
Written on February 8th, 2010 at 7:00 am by afroniquely
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