How did you find out about the news? This was one of those moments that you remember where you were when hearing the news?

Pictures for Naturally Happy Hair Meet-up Jan. 30.

Photo Courtesty of Point & Click Photography

This was my first real outing since the baby. You won’t believe how long it took me to style me hair in between feedings and diaper changes. I got so many compliments. I was actual shocked. I was just trying to make sure I looked presentable.  Thank you Naturally Happy Hair and Natural Resources for a great event.  I can’t wait til the next one.

See all pictures here!!!

Maybelline Ad - Michael Brandt

You may recognize this natural beauty for Gain’s latest commercial narrated by Wanda Skyes.  See it here.  She is the 1st African American woman to represent Maybelline Cosmetics.

Thank you Mrs. Hines for taking the time to share your hairstory with the NHR family. She discusses topics such as her natural journey, her favorite natural hair products and how the natural choice has affected her modeling/acting career.

Tell us about your hair. How long have you been natural? Why did you decide to go natural?  What products and techniques are you using?

My hair is amazing!!!  I have never been happier with my hair than I am now.  Wearing my hair in its natural state is the best hair choice I’ve ever made!  : D

I have been natural for over 12 years.  During some of that time, I wore a weave to protect my natural hair from the rigors of working as a fashion model (and truth be told, to also spare me the heartache of having to deal with hairstylists that had NO CLUE about how to work with natural hair).  My going natural wasn’t my choice at first.  It was “forced” upon me by a trichologist (scalp doctor) who told me that my scalp was damaged due to overprocessing and that I should not put any more chemicals in my hair.  I had been experiencing noticeable breakage at the top of my head for quite some time at that point and did everything from a “comb over” to placing a single track of weave hair in the spot to cover up the breakage.

Photo Credit-D'Andre Michael

My friend and hairstylist at the time, Anthony Dickey (founder of “Hair Rules” products – https://www.hairrules.com) did my first “Big Chop”.  Let me just say that it was a traumatic experience for me.  I had recently gotten my contract with Maybelline & was terrified that they wouldn’t like my natural hair or even worse, cancel my contract because I now looked different than how they hired me.  Dickey had witnessed the stress my scalp/hair was going through and was just a bit too happy to cut it all off.  I love him and understand that he was doing what was best for me and my hair, but I wasn’t as “hair evolved” as I am now, so it was really hard for me to handle.  I cried the entire time I was in his chair. Fast forward a few months and my BC had grown in a bit and what did I do?  I relaxed it again.  I can be stubborn sometimes.  You can guess what happened?  It broke again and this time with a vengeance.  Needless to say, I learned my lesson and did not relax my hair again…..until about 4 years ago.  I told you that I was stubborn.  Again, my hair had grown into this amazingly healthy big fro and I wanted to see how much length I had.  So much to the dismay of my then (and still) friend and hairstylist, Felicia Leatherwood of “Loving Your Hair With Natural Care” (https://www.facebook.com/LovingYourHair), I relaxed my hair AGAIN!  I don’t even have to tell you what happened.  Let’s just say that this lady will NOT be relaxing her hair ever again.

After the second relaxer fiasco, I left my hair alone for several years and thankfully it grew back into its beautiful big self.  But I then found myself not wanting to do my hair anymore.  I’d grown tired of the maintenance required to keep my fro looking the way it did.  The 2-strand twisting every few days, the pressing I sometimes needed to do for some of my modeling clients, the need to occasionally wear wigs and weaves to accommodate the needs of some of those same clients and my recent fascination with women in the fashion/entertainment industry who’d recently been sporting these amazing natural and short hairstyles had me thinking something I’d never considered…..wearing my natural hair very short.  I began looking at pictures where my hair was pulled back so I could try and see what I would look like with short hair.  I even “tested” my husband by asking him if he’d be okay with me wearing my hair short.  Secretly I’d hoped that he’d say that it wasn’t his preference so I could have an out, but no such luck.  My sweety said what he always says “I’m happy if you’re happy.  Do what you want with your hair.” (I love that man!).  So, I did my second Big Chop (or cut it short for those that say a BC is only called so when you cut out all of your relaxer and wear your hair natural) in February 2011 and I am soooooo in love with my hair now, it is kind of ridiculous.  I love the look of it.  I love the feel of it.  I love that it does what it does.  And what I love most of all is how I FEEL about my beautiful hair.  Who knew that I, Miss “The Longer The Weave/Wig, The Better” would feel sooooo sexy with my short hair.  Seriously, ya’ll can’t tell me nothing.  I thought I was cute before, but now….let’s just say I’ve finally come into my own.

I am currently washing and conditioning my hair with Shea Moisture products.  I style my hair each day with “Curly Whip” by “Hair Rules”.  After applying the product, I use a technique taught to me by my hairstylist, Felicia Leatherwood.  It’s called “Palm Rolling” and doing so brings up the cutest little curls I’ve ever seen.  : )  Here’s a link to Felicia’s YouTube channel that demonstrates the Palm Rolling technique - http://youtu.be/n5SfzWYWsU4.

Tell us about the Gain commercial & your acting career. How did the opportunity come about? Did you know it would gain so much support from the natural community?  Do you feel like your hair has helped or hindered your career? What tips do you have for those interested in pursuing an acting career?

You can currently see me and my natural hair in a commercial for Gain Detergent (https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=250176131698006).  Gain wanted to cast a natural-haired woman with a nose ring.  Hello!!!  Can you say perfect for me?!?!?  I walked into that audition already knowing it was mine.  I was getting to BE exactly who I am and it felt great!!  It was really no surprise (though I was extremely flattered) that I booked the commercial!!

The commercial talks about the “Anything But Ordinary” beauty of natural hair and it’s having a huge impact on the Natural Hair Community.  I am still pleasantly surprised at all of the attention this commercial has been receiving.  I’ve done countless interviews since the commercial first aired in October. I’ve encouraged those who are inspired by the commercial to let Gain know so.  I believe that if the mainstream media heard from more of us, we’d continue to see ourselves represented in their advertisements.  If your readers would like to contact Gain and share their positive feelings about my commercial, they can do so on Gain’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Gain.

I also just shot a commercial for Honey Nut Cheerios the other day.  Like Gain, it is a national spot and will be seen all around the country.  Once again, the beauty of my natural hair (and maybe even me) are featured and the commercial will begin airing in June.  Please keep an eye out for it.

In addition, I am a lead in the upcoming feature film, “Ex-Free” written and directed by Troy Beyer Bailey (“Baps”, “Love Don’t Cost A Thing”).  The movie is a romantic comedy about 3 female best friends who kidnap their exes in the hopes of finding out why they broke up with them.  It is hilarious and I had so much fun making it.  The movie also stars Shari Headley (“Coming To America”), Leon (“Cool Runnings”, “The Five Heartbeats”), Darrin Dewitt Henson (“Soul Food”, “Single Ladies”), Daphnee Duplaix (“One Life To Live”) and newcomer, Chris Bailey.  The film will be released in 2012.

As I’ve grown to LOVE my natural hair more and more, it has only helped my career because I show up differently with this new-found confidence.  Though I may not be right for every role I audition for, I am much more grounded in who I am as an actress and a woman.  So whatever the outcome, I’m all good.

The tips I have for those who are interested in pursuing a career in acting is that Discipline Is Key.  You MUST be vigilant is your learning of the craft.  Read books, attend classes and workshops, frequent artistic events to feed your creativity, surround yourself with people that support your dreams and most importantly, have fun.  These are tips I am currently using and I am noticing a major difference in me and my work.

Would you  like to share about any upcoming or current projects?

My husband, Chris, and I have an online talk show called “Chris and Tomiko Talk About…” where we discuss everything that’s cool, kooky and captivating.  We put our own unique spin on what we discuss and our goal is to inspire our viewers to think outside of the box and live life to its fullest.  We will have our own talk show on a major network very soon.  We’re speaking it into existence.

NHR Family Please support Tomiko by subscribing to her YouTube Channel. Link below. Everyday she post inspirational and “get up off your booty” quotes on her Facebook page. Check them out.

Your readers can keep up with me via the following sites:

www.facebook.com/TomikoFraser

www.facebook.com/Chris-Tomiko-Talk-About

www.twitter.com/GoddessTomiko

www.twitter.com/ChrisAndTomiko

www.youtube.com/ChrisAndTomikoTalk2U

Via Chicago Tribune

Earlier this month, Emon Fowler launched her Chicago-based “Harriet Experiment,” in which she is asking black women to abandon weaves, wigs and chemical relaxers and spend a new year with new hair. She wants the women to start with the “big chop,” in which they shave off their processed hair completely and start anew.

Fowler, 30, has organized gatherings to take place throughout the year for women to cut their hair while surrounded by cheerleaders who have done the same. She has been recruiting women on Facebook, stopping them in grocery stores and making appearances at fairs and festivals to promote her cause.

“This is all about breaking free from that hair bondage,” said Fowler, a hairstylist. She says her project isn’t about building a clientele but changing mind-sets. “When a woman decides to cut all her hair, she discovers something underneath that is liberating. It can be therapeutic because you have to let go of the idea that you need these superficial extras to feel beautiful. It says, ‘I’ve accepted me.’”

Fowler said she was inspired to start her movement after reflecting on the life of Harriet Tubman, the iconic hero who risked her life to free hundreds of slaves. She sees her mission as helping free African-American women from the emotional and psychological baggage associated with their hair.

There are varying opinions in the black community about the meaning of straight hair, but some think it’s an attempt to imitate the white standard of beauty. Fowler said she wants to reinforce to African-American women that they don’t have to change their hair to feel pretty or accepted.

For African-American women, shaving off all their hair is nothing new. In the 1970s, thousands of black women wore their hair short and close-cropped as a symbol of racial pride and consciousness, said Lanita Jacobs, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Southern California.

But in Fowler’s project, the women who decide to undergo the big chop do it publicly and with a built-in support system of cheerleaders, Jacobs said.

That support can help ease what can be a shock to black women’s psyche, one expert said.

“Black women have been conditioned to believe that our hair, in its natural state, is not beautiful, not professional and not manageable,” said Chris-Tia Donaldson, a Chicago-based author who wrote a book about the topic. “When you go to hair that is short, it can take a toll on your self-esteem. You have to learn how to work it and own it.”

There is a growing trend toward wearing hair more naturally, which some believe means a change in the definition of what beauty is for the next generation of African-Americans, Jacobs said.

“There has been a radical shift in black people’s minds on what can be beautiful,” she said. “Increasingly, black men are making room for non-straightened and non-long hair as a qualifier for beauty. More African-American celebrities are experimenting with natural hair.

“What black women do with their hair has always created questions: Who are you? Who are you trying to be? What does this mean?”

When a woman shaves her hair close to the scalp, it can unearth feelings of vulnerability, Jacobs said. For those African-American women who have straightened their hair for much of their lives, it can be particularly jarring.

“You are in some cases stepping away from something that you know and into new, unknown territory,” Jacobs said. “When you do the big chop, people come up and ask questions. It can complicate your appeal to the opposite sex, it can complicate your job searching endeavors, it can complicate your family relationships. Your family may ask, who are you?”

Because her hero, Tubman, freed an estimated 700 slaves, Fowler has an ambitious mission to find 700 black women willing to undergo the big chop this year, she said. So far, she’s only gotten a couple of dozen to join her on the journey. But her project isn’t just about numbers, she said. It’s about making a statement.

Read More Here

Viola goes for a close-cropped natural look with her hair and is styled in high-fashion close-fitting black clothing.

Read More here

Monday, Jan. 30th I had the opportunity to mix and mingle with the Naturally Happy Hair Meet-Up Group at Natural Resources.  Of course there were so many beautiful natural ladies.  The giveaways were fantastic.

Natural Hair Rules & Local Natural Hair Blogger, This Hair of Mine

Hopefully we will see some of the event photos on Essence.com

Naturally Happy Hair Founders and Natural Hair Bloggers

Look at the shirt I got!

The key to long hair is to retain the length of your hair or maintain the ends.  If you think your hair is not growing, you are mistaken.  Your hair is growing.  Average hair growth rate is an one-half of an inch per month. If you’re not noticing growth, chances are the ends of your hair are breaking or splitting which results in breakage.

Below are some reasons why you may be experiencing split or breaking ends.  In the beauty world split hair or split ends is officially known as trichoptilosis. There are wide range of reasons why split ends occur.

Courtesy of Felicia Leatherwood, Celebrity Stylist & Owner of Loving Your Hair with Natural Hair Care.

Some causes include:

• Excessive use of hot styling tools (irons, hot curlers, blow dryers, hot combs).
• Overuse of chemical treatments (relaxers, perms, hair color).
• Use of inferior styling tools that rip or snag hair (cheap synthetic brushes or combs, brush rollers, etc.,).
• Environmental damage from heat, cold, wind and other climate issues.
• Lack of routine maintenance such as regular trimming.
• Improper detangling techniques.
• Overwashing.
• Use of inferior hair care products.
• Excessive use of styling products such as gels, waxes and sprays.
• Trimming with inferior scissors

Other Split Ends Causes

There are other causes for split ends beside some of the main ones mentioned above. Other causes could be excessive tangling, improper application or removal of hair extensions, headgear that snaps or rips delicate strands or even scratchy bedclothes, fingers or hands.  Regardless of how you developed split ends, once you have them they will not just disappear.

Managing Split Ends

You will have to deal with them by either having them removed, wearing your hair to disguise their appearance or utilizing tricks to temporarily merge the splits together.  There are a lot of myths about split ends. The number one myth is that once a split end occurs, you can actually fix it by repairing it so that the end is no longer torn.  The truth of the matter is that once an end is split it is ripped apart for good. Yes, there are ways to temporarily glue the ends together and even give the appearance of healthy ends.  Celebrity stylists disguise split ends all the time for their megawatt star clients. However, ultimately the only way to remove a split end is to cut it off with a proper trim.

How do you deal with your split ends?

The Sofn’free GroHealty Sulfate-free Moisturizing Shampoo was gentle and lather easily.  Usually I have to use quite a bit of sulfate-free products for my long and thick natural hair.  This was not the case with GroHealty’s formula.  The product left my hair soft and moisturized.   The hair shaft was smooth and not ruffled.  It had a light fragrance.

I immediately applied the Really Deep Conditioner while still in the shower, separating my  hair into 3 large section and rubbed product from root to tip.  After applying evenly, I comb the sections for tips to root to ensure even distribution of product.  The deep conditioner also left my hair soft and feeling moisturized.  One of the ingredients is menthol  leaves the scalp with a cool tingling sensation but the fragrance can be a little intense.  The Really Deep Conditioner has multiple uses in addition to Deep Conditioner.  It can serve as a Co-wash, Instant  and Leave-In which is always a plus in my book.

Both of these products will moisturize and nuture your curls for less than $10.  They are FREE of sulfates and petrolatum.  The GroHealthy Shampoo is now avaliable in a store near you.

*This is a sponsored post.

I asked the NHR Natural Mommys: What hair products do you use in your baby’s hair?

Many said that they use different variations of a shea butter mixture and/or oils combined with water.  The second most common answers were both SheaMoisture or Dax products that can be found at Target and Wal-mart respectively.  See the complete list below.

• Shea Butter Mix My personal recipe here
• SheaMoisture
• Grape Seed Oil
• Olive Oil
• Dr. Bonner’s Baby Products
• Dax Products
• Mixed Chicks Kid’s Line

 Comment below with you favorite baby hair product.

I saw this commercial for the first time during the season premier of  The Game.  I was so impressed. I loved it.  I had to rewind it a couple times.  I was very appreciative.  Natural hair and texture hair women have been in  advertisements more and more in recent years but this is the first ad that make such a bold statement about the natural look.  The  narrator who I believe is Wanda Sykes says “[Gain ]Inspired  by all who challenge the same old thing comes…” in reference to model Tomiko Fraser Hine short coils in contrast to the other ladies wearing  the same hair style. Gain is applauding those who “challenge the same old thing”. Relaxed vs Natural…

See entire commercial and comment your thoughts.

Transcript Courtesy of Natural Hair in the Media:

Would you ever pick your style off a salon wall? Not in a million years. Inspired by all who challenge the same old thing comes Gain Icy Fresh Fizz, in other scents that are like you, anything but ordinary.

The Gain commercial has a theme similar to Coil Review Commercial