Hair Stories & Secrets: Yaya, Solange & Corinne

When I'm flying there is absolutely one thing that I must have stashed in my carry-on....and that's a copy of InStyle Magazine. I love the smell of a fresh magazine and the way its' crisp pages feel between my fingertips. But most of all, InStyle's pages are full of new and fresh content that always leaves me drooling for the next issue.

This time around, I decided to pick up InStyle Hair. Which to my surprise was as delightful as InStyle which focuses mainly on Fashion & Beauty. In the Special Spring 2012 Issue of InStyle Hair there is a feature on celebrities: Yaya Dacosta, Solange Knowles & Corinne Bailey Rae. 

The title of the excerpt is called "Natural Wonders"...sub-titled- "How three curly- haired beauties learned to stay true to their roots." The article is quite delightful and shares products, tips and hair stories from the three lovely ladies. 

Hair Story: Yaya who has never had a relaxer, shared her hair story about being ridiculed as a little girl because of her natural hair. Not succumbing to others version of beautiful hair, she joined a group of girls with natural hair and came up a list of commandments. One of the commandments being, " I will never relax my hair." 

New naturals should take a page out of Yaya's book, by finding a natural hair support group. There is nothing like positive energy when you're undertaking a new venture.  The natural hair journey can be difficult, so it's important to find women who share your views and struggles to keep you on the right track. 

Hair Secrets: Yaya makes her own shampoo and conditioner from essential oils. To keep her hair shiny and healthy, she massages coconut oil onto the roots and ends of her hair every day. 

Product Must Haves: Goody Ouchless shower comb, 365 Everyday Value Organic Pressed Virgin coconut oil, and Sedu revolution pro 6000i dryer. 

Hair Story: Solange shares her childhood memories of her and sister Beyonce in their mom's salon. She doesn't take her hair too seriously and says how she dyed it bright Crayola red and had to chop it all off because of breakage. Solange loves the versatility of natural hair and hasn't had a relaxer since she was 15. In the article she quotes, " I'm not a poet just because I have an Afro!" Which is a common misconception of women with natural hair. 

Hair Secrets: Before shampooing, Solange usually detangles her hair with a wide tooth comb to prevent strain and breakage. After shampooing she applies conditioner, covers hair with a plastic cap and sits under the dryer for 15 minutes. Twice a month she does a hot oil treatment using pure coconut oil which stops the hair from shedding and breaking. 

Solange admits that most of the time she gets extensions or wears wigs because she doesn't want to damage her natural hair.

Product Must Haves:  Goody Quickstyle detangling comb, Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Moisturizing Shampoo, Hesh Coconut Perfumed hair oil and Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Moisturizing Hair Smoothie. 

Hair Story: Corinne gives us a little insight into British culture by stating, 'Most young black girls in England wear their naturally curly hair.' She didn't get a relaxer until age 13. She accidentally stumbled back over to #teamnatural when her hairstylist was too busy to give her a relaxer. Corinne loved her new curly look and found that it was less expensive than getting a relaxer. In the article Corinne brought to light a deeply rooted issue that black women struggle with when it comes to their hair. She says, " There's a lack of confidence when it comes to relaxing your hair. It's like you're saying, 'My hair is not right in some way.' As though other people will think it's weird, or that you won't fit in." 

I totally agree with Corinne. Since I've been natural, I see myself differently and wouldn't trade it for anything. My only regret about "going natural" is that I didn't do it sooner. 

Hair Secret: Corinne washes her hair every 9 days focusing mainly on the roots since the ends are drier. After shampooing, she applies a conditioner, covers her hair with a plastic cap and reads a book for an hour while the conditioner soaks in. Detangles with a paddle brush and applies pomade. To achieve her signature look, she sections her hair, curls each section with fingertips, bobby pins and lets hair air dry. She never uses a hair dryer because it makes her hair big and bushy. 

Product Must Haves: Aveda wooden paddle brush, Aveda Shampure Shampoo, Rahua conditioner, Goody colour collection bobby pins, and Black &White Genuine Pluko Hair Dressing pomade. 

What are your hair stories or secrets? Do you use any of the products mentioned?