NOTABLE NATURELISTAS!

Meet Reyna Noriega! 

Where you from/ what's your Heritage? Born and raised in Miami. Cuban, Bahamian, Jamaican heritage

How long have u been natural? Almost 3 years

What does being natural mean to you? Not fighting against my hair but working with it. When I think of all the effort I've put into trying to keep my hair straight or from frizzing when all that time I could've embraced something so unique and positive it feels silly. 

How has being natural positively affected/changed aspects of your life besides your hair? My self confidence. I am learning to become more and more me, no apologies. Going natural forces you to really embrace that. You can't care who likes it or who "prefers your hair long and straight". You have to go with it and commit to it. 

Name your top 3 natural hair products: Eco style Argan oil gel, coconut oil, natural tea tree oil conditioner (whole foods or trader joes) 

What is your current passion/What drives you? I have found great joy in being myself and learning more about my passions. For me it is art, photography, writing and teaching but focusing on being the very best at those things leaves little space to be pessimistic. I want to encourage other to do the same through my work. 

Do you have a favorite Quote/ What is it why? When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. 

What does living "au naturel " mean to you? Be the best you can possibly be. 

NOTABLE NATURELISTAS!

Meet Makda Yohannes!

Where you from/ what's your Heritage? 

My name is Makda Yohannes and I come from Eritrea, East Africa but born and raised in Sweden, Europe. .

            How long have u been natural?

I have been natural for 6 years. I had a perm from the age of 12, but in 2009 I did the big chop because I was tired of the perm and self-hate and i wanted to be and feel more natural and care free. I had freeform locs for about a year but later got rid of them and I now have an Afro. 

What does being natural mean to you?

Being natural to me means embracing how God created You perfectly with no errors and being comfortable with it, regardless of the opinions of others. Be it, hair, facial features, body shape, personality etc…

How has being natural positively affected/changed aspects of your life besides your hair?

In the beginning when I went natural I used to obsess with my hair and i had a vision of how I wanted it to look, like I needed to have defined curls, checked my length like every other week, I compared my hair to other ”naturalistas”. But slowly but surely i stopped doing that and felt more comfortable in my own skin and learning to love myself, not just loving my hair but loving my whole being without comparing myself to other females. With time everything around me became more beautiful, and I realized the “outside world” had not changed, rather my own perspective. After my big chop I started to become more aware of the programming in society on a deeper level and became more conscious of what I eat which led to my vegetarian/vegan diet. Basically I started to take care of myself in a better way because I came to realize it was more than just hair.

 Name your top 3 natural hair products:

Coconut Oil and Shea Oil. And I use the African Black Soap as a shampoo. 

What is your current passion/What drives you?

I could name a lot of things. What drives me at this moment is independent organization I’m active in since around 3 years back called the Uhuru Movement that work for a better way of life for the poor and majority of the people in the world in various ways. Also I will go to school in Miami to study different types of Massage therapies with a focus on Women’s reproductive health which for a long time have been something I want to pursuit and I am grateful that it will become a reality now after a lot of effort. 

Do you have a favorite Quote/ What is it why?

I have a lot of them but the first thing that came to mind was a quote from Erykah Badu - ” I'd rather see a person with a natural mind and processed head than a person with a natural head and a process mind” This speaks volume to me. I am aware of how some people have misinterpret this statement. But I can really relate to this quote because she is targeting something that not many people can see, which is the spirit or the soul of the individual. This forces you to see beyond the physical which you can only do when raising your vibration and live without any judgement. 

What does living "au naturel” mean to you?

To live Au Naturel to me, means living in tuned with the higher force. This is the true and natural essence of our existence and our BEing. To live with a purpose bigger than yourself basically, seeing yourself like a vessel of the Creator kinda.  

What is your favorite creative outlet? 

My favorite things to do is to travel to different countries and continents to experiencing different cultures which helps to expand my mind and worldview. I also Love to meditate as it helps me in my everyday activities and how I encounter other people even when we don’t share the same views. Also I started crocheting a few months ago and will soon start my own crocheted clothing collection. 

 

NOTABLE NATURELISTAS!

Meet Shanine Gilpin!

Where you from/ what's your Heritage? 

Born and raised in Jamaica most of my life. Migrated to Florida in 2005. 

How long have u been natural?

I've been natural since I was 17 years old. I had a perm from the tender age of 8 and one day I was like I can't do this anymore. I want my natural hair back. 

What does being natural mean to you?

To me being "natural" means embracing the hair I was blessed with. At 17 years old I decided that I no longer wanted to use chemicals to alter my hair texture. I wanted to be free to express myself in my natural state. I played around with the Afro look but eventually found a love for locs. 

How has being natural positively affected/changed aspects of your life besides your hair?

It all started as a journey for healthy hair which led to a journey of self discovery for me. I think overall being natural has increased my level of self care. For instance, rewind a few years back I cannot believe some of the things I was feeding my body not knowing how harmful it was to my overall health. Today I'm more conscious of the foods I eat. I'm not a SUPER health freak but I'm more aware of healthy living and have adjusted my diet. This of course has impacted my overall well-being. 

Name your top 3 natural hair products: 

1.Coconut oil
2.Taliah Waajid products
3.Jamaican castor oil

What is your current passion/What drives you?

I am passionate about a lot of things but my current passion is helping underprivileged children. In February on my birthday I launched a charitable organization, Sparkle Hearts Children's Foundation  to help underprivileged children in Jamaica with school supplies. I know how hard it is in Jamaica right now. I designed this charity because Jamaican youths have so much talent but lack so many key resources to be able to show their full potential. No child should ever feel that school isn't an option because their parents can't afford the basic necessities like school supplies. So this charity simply is to give the youths a great start to the school year by providing them with the tools they need to learn and succeed. It brought so much joy being able to see the children and their parents so grateful for the help. My goal is to be able to assist more families in the years to come. 

Do you have a favorite Quote/ What is it why?

 "Broken crayons still color". I love this quote because it's so easy for us to think we don't measure up. That we aren't good enough. That we are too broken but I believe there is a purpose for each person and that purpose shouldn't disappear because of our brokenness. Instead keep "coloring" even when you're broken. 

What does living "Au Naturel " mean to you?

Living "au naturel" means a lot of different things to different people. For me personally it means embracing my true essence. Not hiding under a weave because my natural hair isn't considered "society worthy" or feeling the need to enhance my body parts because it's the in thing to do. There's nothing more beautiful than a woman who's unapologetically herself.

What is your favorite activity to do in South Florida? 

I am a lover of anything that involves water. From simply going to the beach, jet skiing, parasailing, jumping on water taxis or even visiting the aquarium in Miami.