Tamara Is Naturally Glam!

My name is Tamara and I’m an Interior Designer. I’m originally from Brooklyn, NY, currently residing in Miami, FL. My natural hair journey has been a long one but I’m enjoying the experience and learning more about my hair as it grows and changes.

How long have you been natural?
I’ve been natural for 13 years.

Read On!>>>
What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
The first 3 years of being natural, I wore my hair in locs. After relocating from New York, I realized the humidity in Miami made my hair very frizzy which required almost daily loc maintenance. I did a big chop and started to grow out my hair. This was before there was such a wide variety of natural hair products on the market. After my hair reached about shoulder length it became very difficult to maintain so I did another big chop. It’s been three years since the last big chop and I’ve learned so much about my hair. I’ve found great products that work well for my hair type and have developed a regimen that makes the process more manageable.

How would you describe your hair?
I would describe my hair as thick and curly with a multi-faceted personality of it’s own. The curl pattern, shape and size changes from day to day as I progress from day 1 curls to day 7 curls.

What do you love most about your hair?
I love the flexibility and the different looks that I can achieve. I can go from tamed defined curls to a big curly fro.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
The most memorable part of my journey was when I finally discovered the right combination of products that worked for my hair. My hair was growing longer and I didn’t want to do another big chop because of the inability to manage it. It was an emotional process of trial and error not knowing if I would ever find something that would work well enough.

What are some of your favorite hairstyles?
I don’t like to spend a lot of time styling my hair so I usually focus on manipulating the size and shape to achieve different looks.

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
I’ve received very positive reactions from my family and friends. When I’m out I receive compliments from women with all different types of hair. Other women with natural hair or thinking about going natural would stop me and ask questions. I love sharing tips about my methods and what products I use to help encourage other women along their natural hair journey.

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
I wash and condition once a week using Organix Argan Oil & Shea Butter shampoo and conditioner. Every 3-4 weeks I do a deep condition using Goldwell Kerasilk treatment. After washing and conditioning, I use Kinky-Curly Knot Today leave-in. I finish with Organix Argan Oil & Shea Butter Moisture Restore Weightless Oil, then allow my hair to air dry. For daily maintenance between washes, I use a light spray from a water bottle to refresh my curls, then seal with the Organix Argan Oil & Shea Butter Moisture Restore Weightless Oil.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
My favorite YouTuber is Taren916. I found her videos after my last big chop. She’d also recently done a big chop of her naturally curly hair. Our hair was about the same length with a similar curl pattern so her tutorials really helped me in the beginning. I also like Mahogany Curls because she experiments a lot with different techniques and products. I think she’s mastered the art of achieving and maintaining curl definition.

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
Wearing natural hair is like a love affair that has its ups and downs. Like any relationship it takes time, commitment and patience…One day the ups will outweigh the downs.

Where can people find you for more information?
You can find me at Facebook.com/citykinks or Instagram @citykinks
My company is Urban Eclectic Interiors, a professional interior design studio demonstrating flexible style from classic and contemporary to exotic and global. www.myurbaneclectic.com