Amber Manning Keeps it Kinky in Dallas

Name: Amber Manning
Age: 26
From: Dallas, Texas
Daily Grind: Self Employed Wedding Cake Extraordinaire :-)
KiK: How long have you been natural and what inspired the transition?

AM: I got my last relaxer in October of 2007 and transitioned with micro braids until February of 2008 when I BC'd. So almost 4 years. I've always had an appreciation for natural hair. Unfortunately, though, I was brought up to believe there was such a thing as "good and bad" hair, and in comparison to my other relatives, my hair fell into the "bad" category. I was always embarrassed by my hair. It was always broken off, damaged and significantly shorter than that of my friends and relatives. I was convinced my hair couldn't and wouldn't grow or be remotely attractive. THEN came Youtube!!!! Somehow I lucked up on a series of Youtube videos (don't remember the name of the Youtuber) showcasing natural hair styles and hair care tips. I had always considered locking my hair, but I never knew before that moment that it was okay to just grow out your naps and style them as you would a head of straight hair. It seems silly now but at the time, I was blown away. The natural hair community in Texas is very small, so I never had much local encouragement, but after a bad relaxer experience with a beautician, I vowed to never get a relaxer again and my journey began! Youtube saved my life. :-)



KiK: Go Youtube! Hahaha. I notice you have some hair colour there. A lot of naturals are anti-colouring. They say your hair isn't natural anymore. Do you still feel natural?

AM: My definition of natural black hair is nothing more than afro-textured hair that is not chemically straightened...so yes, I do indeed still feel and consider myself to be natural. Some women can become a bit obsessed with the natural hair "labels." I was once guilty of that myself. But I don't really concern myself with those labels anymore. I embrace my natural hair texture and that is enough for me. And I LOVE my color. I get a lot of compliments on it. (A few Wiz Khalifa jokes too. LOL) I did the bleaching myself, but I have not experienced any damage or change in my hair texture.


KiK: I love the colour. Anyway, what is your hair regimen?

AM: I'm a lazy natural. I don't really follow a strict regimen. Sundays are usually my hair wash days. I shampoo and deep condition with Giovanni's Smooth as Silk, mist my hair (while it's wet) with aloe vera juice that I keep in a spray bottle, seal it with a whipped shea butter mixture that I make myself, detangle with my Denman brush and then style. I'm always trying out a new style with my hair and the styles usually take a while to do so I try to keep my hair care regimen to a minimum. I dust/trim my ends once every couple of months or whenever I start to notice single strand knots and that's about it. 

KiK: Was it easier to maintain your hair when it was relaxed?

AM: Absolutely not! I hear women say all the time that natural hair seems to be too much work compared to natural hair. I have no clue what they're talking about. When you're natural, you're working WITH your hair and not against it. With a relaxer, you have to wash, condition, blow dry, flat iron, curl, wrap and tie up your hair. But when you embrace the bush, everyday is a good hair day! :-) Not to mention I only have to style my hair once every seven days and it lasts until the next hair wash day!


KiK: Will you ever flat-iron or relax your hair?

AM: Nooooooooo! In the four years that I've been natural, I have not once straightened my hair. I don't even think about it. Natural hair is much more flattering on me, and my hair has never been this healthy. Relaxers aren't even an option. They are so damaging and harsh and I will never again find logic in permanently straightening my hair and limiting my style options.

KiK: Alright so what advice would you give a newly natural?

AM: The best advice I can give is to not obsess over the hair of other naturals. Youtube and hair vlogs are great for getting tips and motivation, but constantly comparing your hair texture, color, length, curl pattern and growth progress to that of another natural will take away from the love and appreciation you need to develop with your own hair. If a product works miracles for another girl, but did nothing for your hair, just move on to the next product. Don't stress yourself out about what's "wrong" with your hair.


KiK: Before you go, what are your three favourite natural products?

AM: I mostly make all of my hair products myself. The only lines that I buy are Giovanni's Smooth as Silk shampoo and conditioner and Shea Moisture's Deep Treatment Hair Masque. The hair masque is an amazing daily moisturizer. It can be used as a deep conditioner, but my hair doesn't seem to like it when I use it that way...

KiK: This was fun and although I'm sure you inspire people daily with your beautiful hair, thank you so much for sharing your journey and views with the Keep it Kinky readers. Keep it Kinky Amber! Be blessed.