Naturally Fierce Feature: Kimeko

My name is Kimeko Farrar and I live in Huntsville, Alabama. I played with the idea of going natural for a while but wasn’t very serious about actually doing it because of my own insecurities. After hearing several people express their negative attitude towards natural hair I just felt compelled to do it because I didn’t want to sound like them. Plus, I needed to set an example for my daughter and shift her perception of her hair because at the time she was begging for a relaxer. In the last 2 years we both have learned to embrace and love our hair texture.

How long have you been natural? I have been natural since June 2011. The last time I used a relaxer was in February 2011 so I didn’t transition very long.

What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper & why?
I actually did the big chop. I’ve never been that attached to my hair so a long transition seemed like too much work. I had been wearing a weave for a few months but when I took it out I decided not to relax my hair again. Then, 3 months later I went to the salon and had the stylist cut off all the relaxed hair.

 

What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy or difficult or both?! The most memorable part of my journey has been watching my daughter embrace her hair. I feel like I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. My mom was a cosmetologist when I was growing up so I learned to do my own hair when I was very young. That knowledge and experience was important when I was trying to figure out my natural hair. I’m still learning stuff all the time though and I’ve had some crazy bad hair days! It also feels good to be able to help other people embrace their natural and encourage them to try new styles.

Any thoughts on raising natural kids?
The best thing I did for my daughter and her natural hair was to learn how to be fierce with my own hair. She followed my lead and learned how to stand up to classmates and family when it came to negativity about her natural hair. I’d like to think it was because I instilled in her the courage to rock it.

What are (or were) some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos? For the short time that I transitioned without a weave I twisted my hair and set it on perm rods or rollers and wore a curly fro. My favorite styles right now are twisted updos for work, bantu knot outs when I want big hair and twistouts for defined hair. I normally twist my hair half-way and finger coil the rest of the way. That technique gives me good twistout results. Since my hair has grown I don’t really like wash and go’s but I enjoyed the carefree twa phase of my journey.

 

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’ Any memorable reactions from family or others? When I first went natural people asked if I was going through something. And my uncle told me several times that I needed to do something to my head. LOL I’ve learned to ignore all that but for the most part my experience has been very rewarding. People seem to be so inspired by my journey that they begin their own and that inspires me to do and try even more.

 

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)? I actually don’t have a strict regimen. I just pay attention to what my hair needs. I touch my hair a lot so I have to moisturize daily. I mostly shampoo my hair every other week with Shea Moisture Curl & Shine shampoo and use Eden Body Works cowash in between. My favorite products are anything in the Eden Body Works Coconut Shea line and the Twist and Set and Daily Moisturizing Lotion by Design Essentials. Other favs are Curly Magic by Uncle Funky’s Daughter, JBCO and Ecostyler with argon oil. I like to try new things but I always go back to my old faithful gel. My hair loves gel, hallelujah!

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites, YouTuber’s, or blogs? I actually don’t go to a lot of blogs or websites. The only YouTuber’s that I sporadically watched were Simply Younique and Taren Guy. I prefer looking at pics on Instagram for style inspiration.

Any thoughts or experiences on dating, sexiness and personal style with natural hair?
There are people who love my natural hair and I’m sure there are people who hate it. Sexiness and confidence comes from the inside and I do what I can to make the outside match that. But general rules still apply. I know I don’t get a pass to just wake up and go because I’m natural. I try to find styles that suit my face, show my personality and highlight my individual style. The beauty in embracing what I naturally have is that I don’t have to be a clone of someone else. I can just be Kimeko, whether I’m doing something that others are familiar with or dancing to my own song. When a man falls in love with me I want it to be with the real me, not my dating representative.

 

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
My company, ChUC, ink (short for Chick Under Construction), was created because I thought there was a lack of highly visible and inspiring African American women. ChUC, ink is about encouraging women to dream, achieve, and live life so that it inspires others. It caters to the sassy, expressive and creative dreamer and designs apparel, publishes fiction and non-fiction literature and embraces natural hair and fitness. Everything I’ve accomplished in life began with a decision to do it and the discipline to get it done. Going natural was no exception. It’s all about finding and doing what works for you.

 Where can people find you for more information? You can find me in a variety of places. I’m a poet, author, artist, engineer and single mom so my interests vary depending on what’s going on in my life.
YouTube Channels – Meko1908 & NaturalHairCorpGirl
Instagram – Kimeko Farrar
Facebook – www.facebook.com/kimeko.farrar & www.facebook.com/CHUCInk
Website – www.kimekofarrar.com

 


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