Respect the 'Fro

On 27th August I attended Respect the 'Fro, an event dedicated to the Afro held downstairs at Cottons - Rhum Shack in Islington, London, a lovely venue with a Caribbean Restaurant upstairs.  It was all about the kinks and curls and respecting the Afro.  This was a great opportunity to meet and greet natural beauties who showcased and displayed today's styles and tomorrow's headliners.  I was there to promote my latest anthology, Hair Power - Skin Revolution.

It was great to meet likeminded women, particularly Sonia of Evelyn Products, based in Cardiff, whose Fro Her range is formulated to naturally alleviate many common hair ailments.  Created by experienced cosmetic chemists, their range only contains ingredients which work with the hair's natural moisture balance and pH balance.  For more visit:  http://www.evelynproducts.com/

My favourite was Belinda's presentation on her journey to natural hair, referencing the film Malcolm X - the scene when Malcolm X (played by Denzel Washington) has his hair straightened.  Malcolm X has said that this action of wanting hair like a white man, was the first step towards self-degradation.  Belinda continued her powerful and inspirational talk by sharing some of the mistakes she made at the beginning of her natural hair journey, e.g. cutting her hair, dyeing her hair and using 'natural' relaxers. "There is no such thing," said Belinda. 

Belinda emphasised the need to do your own research using the Internet, or books.  In fact, Belinda has started to create her own products and is working on launching her hair care range next year.

Belinda's Hair Advice and Tips:

• Take photos of your hair journey
• Admire other Naturals BUT LOVE YOUR HAIR!
• Not every product or hair tool is for you.
• Find your own regimen, e.g. of washing/treating your hair
• Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise (particularly the ends)
• Use protective styling; protect the ends so that your're  not touching your hair everyday

For more visit Belinda's Blog:
http://www.4nappiness4eva.blogspot.com/

Her final words were:

YOUR HAIR IS YOUR CROWN,
WEAR IT LIKE A QUEEN

Photos - Top: Belinda delivering her presentation;
Bottom: Nicole and Belinda.