Hello and thank you for having me, I am originally from Canada but I now reside in South Florida. My background however is Haitian.
How long have you been natural?
I have been natural for a good 15 years now, Whoa I’m thinking about it and that’s a pretty long time.
What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
It’s been so long, I don’t even remember what was the “ahh moment” that made me go natural, I know when I decided to loc my hair that it was a huge huge controversy in my family. They actually forced me to cut it off twice. I was in a wedding and the mother of the bride would not accept it (I was young at the time, they could tell me what to do ha ha…and then I grew older…I actually was in another wedding party later on who also wanted me to perm my hair but I came up with a cuter matching wrap and it was finally accepted. That was a fight!!
How would you describe your hair?
My locs are long, sexy and have a personality of their own. I’m sure all people with locs have a story behind their locs. Such as the length of my locs indicate how long I’ve had them, the highlights are a representation of when I turned 30…best birthday of my life! I never dyed my hair before so it was exciting. I was actually a transitioner. I started my locs with kinky natural hair to add length to my hair then as they grew I just kept trimming them down. Then I found one of the best Locticians in the South and my hair took volume and a new level of “Loc Sophisticated” from there lol.
What do you love most about your hair?
I love that it makes me feel sexy and powerful when I don’t even try to be. Seriously! You’re on an entirely higher cloud when you let you wear your locs like you are proud. I love the that I can style them as I please and wrap them as I please and still feel good no matter my mood or climate. Don’t get me wrong I’ve had my “I’m ready to cut them off days” but I dare not to…I’m just talking, everyone that knows me knows very well that it will never happen.
What has been the most memorable part of your journey?Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
The most memorable part of my loc journey and it’s still going…is how the natural hair industry is changing so fast, I still can’t believe that it is becoming more and more popular, now more than ever I am being asked how to start locs. Even my family members that hated my hair and now want to start their locs is just amazingly fun to watch “as I smh” and remember the good ol’ days of harassment and discouragement. That goes to show you that never give up on things you like for yourself just because of peoples personal opinions. I am proud of my locs, they are long, healthy and a part of who I am.
What are some of your favorite hairstyles?
Some of my transitioning styles are the antoinese bang twists and an up do in the back, it just looks so fierce or my favorite look is just a neat look, not necessarily twisted to the root but just a nice, clean, healthy looking crown is gorgeous to me, taking care of your locs is a mission it’s not as easy as it seems, it’s a lot of work to have them look a certain way! Also finding a good Loctician is also key, I don’t know what I’d do without mine.
What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
Yes, absolutely, as I mentioned with my family, it was inevitable to get a smirk or a frown and comments about my hair years ago! Always something negative and questions as to why I don’t perm my hair. Then to make matters worse my sister Stichiz went and did her locs…so now I was the bad influence but it’s great because now everyone was on my case!
It’s amazing that now they envy both my sister and I’s locs. The theme of “my loc journey is get on or get left hunny.”
What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
My hair regimen is to moisturize my locs before I go to bed, wrap my locs when I go to bed! In the morning I try to moisturize and maybe spray some loc shine on my locs. My hair is very dry so I constantly have to keep them moisturized. I love the Mango and Lime products, especially the Castrol oil, this is what my mom use to use on my hair when I was younger. And of course I can’t leave home without my loc accessories!
I am also the founder of Jewels4MyLocs, a loc jewelry line that I highly recommended all my loc sisters to have. Just like you need your daily accessories also change your loc piece according to your outfit or your mood!
Just the perfect addition to your every day look! (Sorry you know I had to plug that in)
What are some of your favorite natural hair websites, YouTuber’s, or blogs?
I do follow several on Instagram and Blogliving posts, such as Globalcouture, loclivin, team natural, Locology, Loc’d Life, SisterlockDiva!
As far as Youtuber’s not so much (I mainly watch my sisters videos on youtube, check her out Stichiz’s video “Mountain”), I need to start though because I hear more and more about Youtubers. Any recommendations?
Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
I want the readers to know that you have never felt fierce until you go natural! The chemicals and heat and glue that you apply to your hair is so not worth the long term damage, so if you are already natural good for you and continue to be naturally beautiful. For those that are thinking about it, stop, drop everything and make an appointment with your local Loctician for a consultation and start your journey!
P.S. If you are a single female and fear that it is not appealing to the dating world, think again…because survey says if they have more to pull on it’s certainly a turn on!!!
Where can people find you for more information?
You can find me on my website www.jewels4mylocs.com (new website reconstruction coming soon, so anxious about that), Twitter: @ShedlyCasseus or @jewels4mylocs Instagram: @jewels4mylocs Ebay:Jewels4mylocs Etsy:Jewels4mylocs Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewels4mylocs Pintrest: Jewels4mylocs. Email: Jewelry4mylocs@gmail.com
