Hi, IslandGurl. Please Introduce Yourself!
My government name is Kim Aska , however since starting my natural hair journey I am better knows as islandgurl 3601. I am a proud mother of 3 and by profession I am the Property & Procurement Manager for the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands.
What does your current regimen look like?
In my eyes, my current regimen is pretty simple. I mostly wear my hair in Wash N Go's and I am on what I would call a modified Curly Girl Method. I say that it is modified because I am a product junkie and as such, I review and try many products. While I try to stay away from products that are not "curly girl" approved, sometimes I am sent products to review that are not CG approved and I do use and review them. I also occasionally use heat to stretch my hair which is not recommended if you are strictly CG.
What I love most about being natural is the versatility and freedom of my hair, thus I refuse to be a slave to any particular method, rule, or regulation. I do what is best for my lifestyle and my hair. I believe that natural hair is fun and free, so while I am very much into taking care of my hair and keeping it healthy, I am not opposed to trying out new styles, products, or methods. Deep conditioning is a step that I never miss no matter what adventure I am having with my hair.
My normal routines consists of the following;
Sunday: Cleanse and deep condition
Monday: Re-Wet and style with conditioner or styler of choice for my Wash N Go
Tuesday: Refresh with water or moisturizer
Wednesday: Re-Wet rinse out product and restyle
Thursday same as Tuesday
Friday: Same as Wednesday
Saturday: is a free day so I am usually in a puff, scarf, tam or some cute hair accessory
I have been natural for 2 years and 6 months. I transitioned for 6 months and then I BC'd due to an unfortunate disaster with a protective style.
Why did you decide to go natural? How did people react to your decision to go natural?
I decided to go natural for my daughter Eshae' who was looking forward to her 13th birthday to get a relaxer. As a parent, I thought that her getting a relaxer was not going to be in the best interest for her hair due to the fact that she is an avid athlete and frequent beach goer. When I expressed this to my daughter, I saw the look on her face change. Her response to me, though respectful, made me feel like a hypocrite since my eldest daughter and I both had a perm at the time. After thinking about it for a few minutes, I decided to make a deal with Eshae' and told her that I would transition to natural so that both of us could be natural and learn how to take better care of our hair as well as make it stylish and fashionable. We decided that if we did not like it, both of us would have a hair day at the hairdresser and get a perm. This seemed to brighten her mood and since becoming natural, I have never had Eshae' talk about a perm again and I see that she is happy to be able to see a reflection of herself in me and me in her. Most people were a little taken aback about my decision due to the fact that they liked my hair straight and long, however, my family was extremely supportive and that is what really mattered to me.
Wow, this is a hard one...Well the best advice I can give to people that are curious and transitioning is to do your own research, have patience, and to go on this natural journey because it is your decision and desire to make that change. It is not easy in the beginning but once you get it, it all seems so simple that you will wonder what took you so long to finally get it lol. It is important to be confident in your choice to be on the journey and to not just take any blogger, vlogger, or particular persons reviews, or recommendations as gospel. Use the media outlets as a tool to do your research and remember that everyones' journey, hair, and experience is different.
Do you think that there are DO’s and DON'T’s for maintaining YOUR natural hair or natural hair in general?
I think that one thing we all have in common no matter what porosity, density, or texture our hair has, is the need for moisture and that is imperative that we find the right combination that will help us retain that moisture thus getting use to wetting our hair as often as possible and deep conditioning is imperative to healthy hair. I cannot pinpoint a particular don't because for me, the way we care and figure out what works for our hair is an individual task so one thing that is a don't for me may not be a don't for another. In retrospect, because we have a fight for moisture I believe that a big don't is not to sleep on cotton pillow cases and to try our best to cover our hair with a silk/satin bonnet or scarf before going to bed at night.
How has your natural hair changed/affected you?
My natural hair has changed my life in many ways. Being on this natural journey has changed my view on not only what I put on my hair but in my body as well, thus the way my family and I eat has changed in many ways. It has also expanded my circle of friends beyond my imagination and it has thrusted me into a position where others (at least) where I live see me as the "go to" person to ask about natural hair. I find myself more open to talk to strangers and I have even become a radio personality with my radio show "lets talk hair". I find that while I never thought of myself as an insecure person, my natural hair has given me much more confidence to just be who I am naturally.
Where can people connect with you?
You can find me on Youtube, Blogspot, and Facebook
Instagram and Twitter as Islangurl3601
Great Article! I learned so much about you that I didn't know!!! Thanx for sharing! You are absolutely Beautiful!!!!!:-)
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