Natural Hair Rant

Ok, so here is where I am on this natural hair situation. I was watching a vlogger on YT and as I was watching I just happen to scroll some of the comments. She (the vlogger) had responded to a comment about how she no longer refers to herself as “natural” because there are all these so-called rules you must follow in order to be considered a natural. So some hating ass female decided to take it personal go in on how the vlogger was mad cause people were commenting on her heat damaged hair. Mind you these vlogger has some beautiful hair.

What pisses me off is the fact that this natural hair community is full of haters. Not saying all naturals, but a great deal of them. Going natural is a personal decision. How can you make up rules for the next female’s hair. Just cause she can use product a, b and c and still have healthy hair and you can only use product “a” doesn’t mean hate.

I know FOR A FACT that you do NOT have to follow these natural hair rules in order to have healthy hair. Not only do I know from my personal experience, I have the photos to prove it. My hair has never had a growing problem. I’ve always had strong hair. Do I consider myself natural, according to the natural hair bylaws, no. I am relaxer free. Besides, I don’t associate myself with haters and people who want to do nothing but make people feel bad, and a lot of females within the natural hair community do just that.

Yes ma’am I use color (not henna), I flat iron my hair more then twice a year, I use sulfate shamps, I use cones. And what…? Because all your products are organic and mine aren’t your somehow better then me? When in for real life my hair is probably healthier then yours.

The purpose of this rant was to get off my chest the fact that life, for real life, is simply to damn short to be worried about the next chicks hair. Yes you can grow healthy hair with a relaxer, Ive done it. Yes you can have healthy hair without using 100% organic products, I have it. Get out somebody else’s life and get your own.

…and end rant.

B.

In Memory...

I recently just lost my Aunt, she was the last of my family to pass on. What you are about to watch are a couple of videos I put together in memory of the ones that made my childhood and my adulthood such an awesome experience.

This is dedicated to:

George

Ellen Bernice

Thelma Marie

Elsie Marie

Mary Ellen

Duke the Dog

And the rest of my family who looks over me now.

They maybe some tear jerkers. I hope you enjoy. 

Always,

B

Love Your Body

Whether you related more to the Victoria's Secret "Love My Body" campaign or the Dove's "Real Beauty" campaign, love yourself.

Hair: Coconut Cream "Relaxer" (Deep Conditioner)

As I was on Youtube I came across this "natural hair relaxer". After numerous vids, I decided to give it a try. Some say it's just a DC, others say it softens or loosens their curl pattern. Either way was cool with me.

Here is what I used:

 Coconut oil, plain nonfat yogurt and regular coconut milk

8oz of yogurt (16 TBSP)

1 1/2 TBSP coconut milk

2 TBSP coconut oil

This is what it looks like

I sectioned my hair off into four sections and applied it just like a relaxer. It was lumpy and Im not sure if it was the coconut milk or the fact that my coconut oil had almost solidify.

This is what it looked like in my hair. You can see the lumps in my hair. I didnt notice any elongating at this point.

Rinsing was easy, even with the lumps, the "relaxer" came out with hair water. Once it was out I noticed my hair felt almost stripped. It wasnt hard or crunchy or anything like that. Im sure it was the coconut milk. My hair felt like this once before.

I did condition with my Tresemme Naturals and my hair felt normal again. Still didnt notice any elongating of my curls, however it does look like it maybe softened my roots, now it doesn't look like I have two different hair textures. It feels stronger.

Will I do it again?

Yes I will. I might try it with a lighter coconut milk and see maybe it that changes the way my hair feels afterwards, or maybe trying it on dirty hair.

Hair: BMarie's Favorite Inexpensive Haircare Products

If going natural has taught me anything it is that my hair is not as snobby as I thought it was. My naturally kinky curly hair does not need high end products to look and feel amazing, which is great cause we aint baller status over here. I used to use nothing but salon quality products which was fine when I was relaxed, but these same products didnt transition as well as my hair did.

H&M: The Hiring Process

Ok, I have been waiting to do this until I knew if I got the job or not. So obviously if I'm posting this it means I got the job. YAY!!!!! I am so excited.

During this whole process, I would look online to see if there was any information about the whole hiring process and while there was some, it wasnt detailed enough for me. So in an effort to help the next person who is inquiring about the process, I am explaining it in this post.

There were a total of three (maybe four) interviews. Confused? Let me explain:

The initial contact I had was over the phone. This is pretty much a phone screening that will either qualify you for the next step or not. The questions were basic, kind of vague. He wanted to know a little bit about my work history, nothing in detail at this point. After I answered his questions he set me up with the first face to face interview.

The first interview (or second) took place at a local bagel shop because our store has yet to open. I interviewed with a store manager and a recruiter. These questions were a bit more detailed. He (manager) went over my resume, he wanted to know why I wanted to work at H&M. I was asked to give examples of a time when I had to make a difficult decision. I had to give an example of when I gave great customer service. It was also at this interview where availability was talked about, wages were talked about. I read online that H&M likes open availability, which maybe be true, however I am not available all day Sunday and they were fine with that. I also had to feel out a background check form. I will assume (and I could be wrong) that this is a sign of the next step. I was then set up for yet another interview.

The second (or third) interview was with just a store manager (different from above). This interview was pretty much the same questions. She went a little more into detail about H&M. She informed me of the dress code, which is very relaxed, she interviewed me in jeans. She expressed how strongly H&M feels about personal style. After answering like I said, pretty much the same questions, going over availability and wage, she informed me that there would either be a email telling me that they've decided to go another way or I would get a call for the third interview/job offer. That would take like 2 weeks.

So after waiting two weeks, hoping and praying I don't get an email, I got the call on Monday that they wanted me to come in for the third interview/job offer.

The third (or fourth) interview wasnt really or at all a interview. We went over paper work and there was a lot. I signed my job offer paper. I got my Growth Guide which has everything you need to know about H&M in it. We went over training and since our store here will not be open until my birthday, my store training will be down in St. Louis.

Granted every store's process may vary, everybody's experience will be different. Thats why I didnt go over questions in depth. I can not tell you how excited I am to be a part of H&M. I might do a "day in the life of.." type series. I dont know just yet. I will however try to post sales, new items and such.

Again, this is just my experience and my views. 
  
*THIS POST IS THE PERSONAL OPINION OF B.MARIE AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE VIEWPOINTS OF H&M*
 
Official Start Date: 10/16/2012
New Store Opening: 11/15/2012

Next: H&M: Training

Hair: Motions Naturally You Hydrate My Curls Pudding

Ok, so you guys remember when I originally posted about the new product line from Motions for natural hair (click HERE).  That was back in March and I am just now trying a product from the line. The product that I am using is the Naturally You Hydrate My Curls Pudding. 

Before I get into my thoughts about the product, let me tell you a little about it and it's claims. Per the label on the product.

Significantly increases moisturization, curl definition, shine and strength of your natural hair.*

Hydrate My Curls Pudding This salon-tested light and fluffy styling pudding with shea butter, coconut and avocado oils, hydrates, elongates and lightly defines curls, while reducing frizz, leaving it feeling soft and looking vibrantly shiny and healthy.