Naturally Fierce Feature: Kimberly

May 14, 2013

Hello there my fellow Naturalistas!!! My name is Kim but to my family I am Janine. I am the Mother of 3 Beautiful and Unique children. Khandrel is my oldest and he is 10. Kaleb is my “Middle Child” and he is 8 and last but certainly not least there is my Natural Diva Kimiyah who is 5. I help manage my family owned catering business, Mary & Martha’s, LLC We have been in business for 6 years and had the grand opportunity of catering for the Superbowl in Indianapolis, IN in 2012. In the fall I will be a full time student as well majoring in Accounting and Global Marketing. I am also doing some Event Planning on the side. I love the Lord and am aiming everyday to raise my children up in the way that they should go! I enjoy dancing, traveling, poetry and more importantly fellowshiping with others and sharing my life’s journey in hopes that my troubles have not been in vain! I am truly A LIVING TESTIMONY!

How long have you been natural?
Ha ha..Funny that you ask this. Well I officially went natural IN 2008. My mother and I decided to go natural together! But as many naturals, I got frustrated with my hair and my texture. I allowed others to discourage me into thinking that I had have straight hair and that my natural wasnt beautiful. I also was very envious of others curl textures. So in March of 2012 I went back to the creamy crack. LOL!!! Mercy what a mistake that was. Honey my hair began to fall out and get thin. So in May of 2012, I said enough was enough and said NATURAL is the best choice for me. I truly understood that I wasnt really about that life…The creamy crack life that is!!! 🙂

What motivated you to transition?
My transition was motivated by the fact that my hair was no longer healthy and thick. Plus I am raising a natural daughter and how could I possibly show her just how healthy and beautiful natural hair rocking a permed hairstyle. I also loved how beautiful my mom’s hair pattern was and wanted to see if I could achieve a huge fro!!!! Its something about a woman with a big fro that just says I am free and beautiful and I am truly in love with who I am.

Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper & why?
I have been both a transitioner and a Big Chopper. The first time I started this natural journey, I did the big chop. LOL there really wasnt much to chop since I had been continuously cutting my hair over the 6 months prior to my decision. So I rocked alow fade with a little bit of color and sooooo loved it!!! It brought out all of my facial features and plus I enjoyed rocking different large earrings. But this last time, I was a transitioner for about 6 months. I finally said enough is enough and went and got my permed ends cut off and was FREE!!!!

What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
The most memorable part of my hair journey was my Big Chop. It was an emotional time in my life and many thought that I was losing my mind when I cut all my hair off. But I was truly at a point in my life where I wanted to start over and truly be happy with the Woman that I was. I had to learn how to love myself inside and out and know that despite of where I have been in life or what I had been through that if I didnt love me, then how I can expect anyone else to love me. My hair journey has been a mix of difficult and easy. My first time natural, I found it difficult because I could not tame my hair nor find products that defined my curl pattern. When I found one product that would work, after a few months, I would not get the same results. But this time, I actually took the time to research my hair texture, the styles I could wear and the types of products that other naturals found that worked. I am truly a product junkie now!

What are some of your favorite hairstyles?
My favorite hairstyles were my twistouts. I love 2 strand twists on stretched hair!!! Now I just palm roll or stretch my TWA. I love my curly fro! I also rocked a couple of sew ins but missed my curls so never really kept them in long at all.

(She always looks great in Global Couture. Thanks for all of your support!)

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
I can truly say that I have enjoyed being natural. It is a wonderful thing to engage in conversation with other naturals and hear the things that they are having trouble with or even successful things that they have tried. The Natural hair community is just like being around family. You laugh and joke about your problems and heartches woith being natural but can also help another natural achieve some of the same results you have had. My Nana used to talk about me and my Mother being “nappy” but now she has been creamy crack free for almost 7 months. She wont wear her hair in its curly state but I am just glad that she has transitioned and is embracing it!!! By far she was truly my biggest critic about being natural!

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
My hair regimen includes a deep conditioner and hot oil treatment once a week. For my deep conditioner I use Shea Moisture Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque mixed with some plain yogurt and honey. This makes for an awesome Deep Conditioner. For my hot oil treatment I use Carol’s Daughter Hair Elixir. I am totally in love with Shea Moisture and Carol’s Daughter products. I seal my ends with a Coconut Oil concoction. It consists of organic raw coconut oil, evoo, argon oil, jojoba oil and carrot oil. My hair stays moisturized for a little over a whole week with this mixture. At night I use a little leave in conditioner and do chunky twists for a cute twist out! Shea Moisture’s Curl Enhancing Smoothie works wonders on my hair. It truly defines my curls as well as keeps my hair soft . I do have to admit that I am a product junkie. I am notorious for purchasing new products. I still have a cabinet full of products that I have yet to do a review on!

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites, YouTuber’s, or blogs?
I am a YouTube Junkie! I am in love with Mahogany Curls, Chime Edwards, Kimmaytube, Naptural85, Nikkimae2003 and BlackOnyx77. These ladies have truly helped me a long my hair journey. I look forward to experimenting with other hairstyles.

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
Embrace your natural beauty! Do not allow anyone to deter you from believing that your Natural is beautiful. Love God first and then love yourself. Square your shoulders, throw your head back and STRUT because you are beautiful!!!!! #IamNotMyHair #BlackNaturalProfessional

Where can people find you for more information?
Facebook: Kimberly Moore
Twitter: @LadYJanine214
Instagram: @ladyjanine30