Naturally Fierce Feature: Adrienne

My name is Adrienne and I’m the founder of ManeAngels.com. I’ve been chemical free since 2006 after receiving treatment for Stage 3 breast cancer. However, I’ve been “Kinky” since August, 2011.
How long have you been natural? I’ve been natural since 2006, but I didn’t always wear my hair kinky. After my hair grew 4 inches, I really didn’t know what to do with my hair. So, I started pressing and flat ironing it until 2011 when I saw a co-worker wearing her hair in a chunky twist out. She turned me on to Curly Nikki, Naptural85, etc.

What motivated you to transition? I was tired of putting chemicals in my hair, but kept straightening it with the pressing comb because I didn’t know what else to do with it. Health reasons motivated me to stay natural. Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why? It was a little bit of both. Before finding out that I had breast cancer, I begin to transition my hair. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, my hair began to fall out from chemotherapy treatments. I realized that I looked more sickly with thinning hair, so I took my husband’s clippers and cut it all off myself.

How would you describe your hair? I have several different textures in my hair. The front has almost no curl definition, the sides and back has looser curls and the crown has the tightest coils.


What do you love most about your hair? The thing I love most about my hair is that it’s mine. It’s what God gave me. I don’t have to be ashamed of it. I don’t have to manipulate it to make it look like something it isn’t. It’s not a political statement. It’s not a social statement. It’s just me.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey?Has it been easy or difficult or both?! While I was going thru chemotherapy treatments and I was bald, I wore wigs to make others feel comfortable, although I was very at ease being bald. However, I wanted to let people to know that there was no need to be afraid. Having life challenges such as cancer was not as difficult as I thought because I had believe in a higher power – Jesus Christ.

What are some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles? Currently, I’ve been wearing my hair in protective styles like buns, Marley twists, etc. However, I love 2-strand twist outs and braid outs.


What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’ Any memorable reactions from family or others? My experiences have been mixed. Some older folks don’t like that the “nappy” hair. Society has made given us an image of beauty that many African American people can’t seem to shake. However, they are many who have embraced me and my “nappy” hair. My mother, my sister, my daughter, and my nieces are all natural as a result of me going natural.

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)? Currently, my favorite products are my own products that I’m making. I use a clay wash, leave-in conditioner/moisturizer, buttercream, oil and curl refresher. If I don’t feel like making my own products, I love to use Darcy’s Botanicals Daily Leave-in, Koils by Nature Shealoe Leave-In, Shea Moisture’s Yucca line for cleansing, and Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Peppermint shampoo and conditioning line are just a few.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs? My favorite natural hair bloggers/vloggers are Whitney of Naptural85, Elle of DenimPixie and FusionofCultures. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet Elle of DenimPixie while doing a commercial for Viviscal in California. Talk about hair! She definitely has a lot of it and is extremely knowledgeable!

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words? I created ManeAngels because I wanted to share what has been shared with me regarding my journey with Christ, cancer and natural hair. If I help one person, it’s worth it. We are here to help one another. There’s a Bible verse I love…Psalm 139:14 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” We are made in His image. We have a responsibility to be the best we can be!

Where can people find you for more information? Also, I have a blog/vlog called ManeAngels on Youtube. You can follow me on Twitter @ManeAngels, Instagram @ManeAngels and at

www.ManeAngels.com. I’m revamping my FB page, and any updates will be posted on my social media sites regarding my FB page (www.facebook.com/ManeAngels).
 

 

Thank you for sharing your story with us!
 

Ladies, how do you feel about the word nappy? How do you define the word?  I am trying to redefine nappy with my nappy dictionary tee. Leave comments below.


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