Meet Vakesia and Amanda! These two beauties were models in the Nubian Hair and Fashion Show I attended. I met with these ladies to hear what it was like from their side of the stage. And since both have gorgeous natural hair, I wanted to hear about their hair journey, after all, the event was also a celebration of natural hair. For the event, Vakesia rocked a gorgeous afro with twists to the front left side in a beautiful deep shade of red and Amanda gave us life with her beautiful long wavy tress that flowed down her back.
What was your experience like modeling in your first Nubian Hair & Fashion Show?
Vakesia: It was amazing! The energy was great and just seeing black women come together for a great cause was just awesome!!! A lot of times people are only familiar with drama when black women get together, but we actually came together to make it work and over the course of rehearsals we bonded with each other. It was very uplifting!
Amanda: I was very honored to be apart of it! For it to be my first Nubian Hair and Fashion show, it blew my mind and was everything I thought it would be.
What inspired you to return natural?
V: It was about 2 years ago and going natural was not my intention at first. I was wearing sew-ins and I just kind of transitioned and started liking it. I thought I might as well just do it since I’m half way there and it would be something different.
A: This is my third big chop, the first one I did was back in 2012, it was the typical girlfriend/boyfriend break up situation… I had to have a distraction and it worked! It was all about this new look that I had. I had never cut my hair off, my hair was super long and thick and I just went for it and did the big chop… The longer I wear it short, the more confident I feel.
Who is your natural hair inspiration?
V: There is one particular young lady named Jouelzy, I actually went through and watched her videos on YouTube. I followed her because she had the same hair type I have (4C). She’s just real and does different things with her hair.
A: I would definitely say, Rhianna, she has the best cuts when she wears her hair short and there is this one particular girl on Instagram, I don’t know her name, but her (hair) cuts never stay the same. It’s a look that I could see myself with but instead of getting the exact cut I would make it my own.
What are some of your favorite products you use for your hair?
V: I love ‘As I Am’ products, but for the most part I try to use natural products like coconut oil and Jamaican Castor oil.
A: Motions Defining Cream, is awesome with my curls. I don’t need anything other than that.
What do you think would be a beneficial component to offer the natural community, here in Little Rock?
V: People need to see natural hair on display as well as provide education to those who aren’t too keen on researching about our hair. People need to see that natural hair is more than just wearing an afro… I think a lot of women get discouraged because they don’t know what else to do with their hair.
A: Using social media as way to network as well as reaching out to those who are from here (Little Rock) that have made it else where to come back to our area.
If you haven’t already be sure to check out the post of the Nubian Hair and Fashion Show (Here)
XOXO
Tamara