Naturally Fierce Feature: Treasure

 

Hi. My name is Treasure Shields Redmond. I am from Meridian, Mississippi. Hmmm . . . my hair journey? Well, I am lucky in that my mom was a bit of a “race woman”, so she instilled in me early on that “good hair” was not to be tolerated; as well as calling people “black” as if it is a substitute word for ugly. However, I still fell prey to the curl in the eighties and then perms. It was around 1994 that I finally divested from relaxed hair. Sometime in the early 2000’s I experimented with a texturizer because I had not yet matstered the concept that natural hair can do anything.

How long have you been natural? Since 1994

What motivated you to transition? I began by trying to dread permed hair. I know. But I (like many women) did not truly understand natural hair, because I had not worn it without chemicals sice middle school. Then I finally cut it into a TWA (teeny weeny afro) and colored it some deep burgundy. It was cute 🙂

Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper & why? I eventually twisted it and let it lock. I’ve since had a second set of locks, but now I mostly wear twist outs.

What have your experiences been as a ‘Black.Natural.Professional?’
People (I believe) know (even if it is subconscious) that my choice of natural hair is a signal regarding my politics and the level of conversation they’re going to get from me. Now I have to add, that when I say politics, this is personal politics. I do not subscribe to the school of thought that says if you perm your hair, you hate yourself, you want to be white, etc. I realized this was faulty thinking when I thought of the many sheroes – Coretta Scott King, Betty Shabazz, Fannie Lou Hamer – who wore straightened styles, but have done more for black people (hell, humanity) than I ever will! That said, for me, wearing my hair natural is about modeling self love and self acceptance.

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
There is a heat protecting serum by Pink Oil that I love. I use it daily to liven up my twist out. It is light, it adds shine and I love the smell. I JUST got into this cowashing thing. Wow! What a revelation. It’s quicker than my every two week shampooing, and it cleanses, addes moisture, love it. I wear a do rag at night so my twist out coils won’t degrade too mucuh. In the morning I wear a shower cap so my hair doesn’t get wet, and then I use Olive oil moisturizer on the scalp about every three days. Every morning, though, I rub a quarter sized amount of the heat protective serum on it before I leave for work.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites, YouTuber’s, or blogs?
Curly girl of course. But I am always watching everybody.

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words? Well, a blow dryer and brush will give you the straight style many of the readers crave. That what I want them to know. Also, the value of not having female pattern baldness from years of perming and the stress alopecia from the weight and tightness of weaves and braids is fabulous!

Do you think onlookers consider your hair to be a political statement? Leave comments below.

Thank you to my talented and creative colleague!