PROFILE | Shari from Jamaica

Name: Shari
From: Havendale, Jamaica, but I currently reside in London, UK
Natural Since: 2010 after 11 months of transitioning.

KiK: Hey Shari. What made you decide to wear your natural hair?

Shari:  I was 10 weeks post relaxer and after catching a glimpse of my new growth I became curious. I wondered what my hair would look like if the whole length was that smooth and shiny. I could not remember what my natural hair looked like and so I ran for my only photo from my childhood I had without a relaxer. When I saw my hair, I knew I wanted to go natural. However, in December 2012, I became curious to see what it would be like to have relaxed hair again (I know, I know) and I relaxed my hair. As I rinsed it out and looked at myself in the mirror I knew I hated it and made plans to transition the same day. My BC will be in March and I’m happy as first time I went natural I transitioned and this time I’m transitioning!

KiK:  How have your family and friends responded to your change.

Shari:  Hit and miss really. I have inspired a LOT of my friends as when the natural hair scene took off on YouTube. They were mostly American and I was really the only one that they could talk to that was UK based. With my family being Jamaican though, they just wanted my hair to always be ‘done’ – looking neat as possibly. Jamaicans always have neat and tidy hair. However my hair puffs up at the slightest sign of humidity... still learning what I can do to overcome that.

Her natural hair couldn't fight the humidity in Cuba

KiK:  What is your hair regimen?

Shari:  Some of these things can go in any order but I usually do all these steps. I base my scalp with an oil blend of neem oil and another oil (just to weaken the smell of the neem oil). I also apply a deep conditioning treatment to my hair. I go underneath the dryer for 20 minutes and then wash my hair. I then use a shampoo bar to cleanse my hair ONCE and rinse. I do a co-wash on my scalp with Head & Shoulders itchy scalp conditioner. As I’m transitioning with little new growth, I just go straight to blow dry. With my natural hair I would detangle with a detangling conditioner and put my hair into what I call twaids. The roots I braid to stretch it but I twist the ends to get some curl definition. I then air dry.  

Shari's go-to natural hairstyle

KiK:  What is your go-to hairstyle? 

Shari:  It is a tie between twist out and a bun. Twist out for when I have time and I want to feel like I’m doing something to my hair. And a bun when my university life means I can’t sit in front of the mirror.

Shari's natural hair worn in an afro puff hairstye

Shari:  What are your favourite hair products – the ones you need to survive? 

Shari:  

• Neem oil – this oil has been influential in alleviating my itchy scalp! Too bad it smells horrible. This is why I dilute it with other oils. But even then, it still works wonders.
• Head & Shoulders itchy scalp conditioner: this conditioner is not moisturizing at all for my hair but boy it has done wonders for my dandruff!
• Goody Ouchless hair bands – they sell them here in the UK but there is more variety in the US and I always stock up when I can.
•  Shampoo bars – the brand I used to use has stop making soaps but when my natural hair got longer, I found liquid shampoos was not getting my hair clean. Shampoo bars do and I only lather once.
• Water – nothing can moisturize like water can. Cream moisturizers – I use this on top of the water I mist into my hair when water just won’t cut it and then seal it. Marula oil – I blow dry my hair with this oil and it is amazing!
• ·         Over head dryers – I get better results conditioning my hair going under the dry for my conditioning treatments compared to leaving it in for a long period.

Shari's transitioning natural hair

KiK:  So, have you had any issues with your natural hair over the last few years? How have you or are you overcoming it?

Shari:  YES!!!

• Single strand knots:  Once my hair got to shoulder length, single strand knots were major culprits. Trimming helped a lot and keeping my hair moisturized.
• Boredom: It was boredom that made me relax and now I know – change up the styles every now and again. Relaxing is not an option!
• Impatience: As my natural hair got longer I found myself finger detangling more and I had to embrace that. When I got lazy I would rip the comb through my hair. Yes there are some people who do all they can with their hair, but my hair needs TLC to make progress so it makes no sense in me comparing my hair.
• And my biggest annoyance – stuff getting trapped in my hair. Fluff from my scarf or just hugging people would also find its way into my hair.

Shari wearing a twist-out hairstyle

KiK:  Thanks for doing this feature. Where can we keep up with your natural hair journey online? 

Shari:  You can find me at maximisingpotential.wordpress.com, @Shar1_says or @lady_excellence on instagram.