Seriously Natural Spotlight: Tameeka

via Global Couture, LLC

Hello my name is Tameeka Hutchins-Hudson, I am from Newark, New Jersey and currently resides in Linden, New Jersey.  As of May 2013, I have decided to embrace and wear my natural curls and refused to use any heat.  Bye bye to flat irons, and blow dryers.

How long have you been natural?

I have been natural without relaxer for 8 years but I have always been into dying my hair on regular basis.

What motivated you to go natural?

When my hair was shorter I loved my curly coils as my hair got longer over the years I stopped wearing it curly and focused on roller sets and blowouts.  When summer usually arrives I tend to wear my hair curly due to the heat.  I started to hate my natural curls because it was more of a lose wave versus a  curl that I use to have.  I noticed my curl pattern changed but I didn’t know why.  I have a fried whose hair I absolutely adore.  I can remember it was a time when she did the big chop and decided she was going the natural route.  At the time when she did the big chop my hair was shorter and she admired my curls, but I was not into the natural curly hair on a regular basis, I continued with my roller sets and blow outs for many years.  A few months I looked back at old pictures and I wanted my old hair back, I was dissatisfied with my hair.  I began to do research on the internet and watched YouTube videos on natural curls just to get pointers on tips, thinking maybe I can regain that special look I once had.  As I did more researched I came to the conclusion that I had a lot of heat damage, and heat damages and changes natural curl pattern.  

This May 2013, I finally decided I was going the natural route and refusing to put anymore heat to my hair.  I have been You Tubing like crazy and finally decided to visit a salon in New York called Devachun because the salon specialized in natural curly hair.  I had a consultation and got my hair cut and styled, it was beautiful but still was not what I ultimately wanted.  As many times I wanted to give up, I remained patient.  While at Devachun, I purchased the Deva Curl conditioner and it does wonders on my hair.  I purchase a sulfate free shampoo, use from time to time after my curls are a two more days I touch it up with the Deva Curl, shea Moisture products for my curly/wavy hair.    I did not do the big chop I transitioned until today I finally decided I need a hair cut because I know this will give me the look I want, my curls would look better and fuller.  I knew once enough is cut it will make a big difference on how my curls look. 

How would you describe your hair?

My hair is pretty fine, thick, but its more wavy then curly.

What do you love about your hair?

What I love most about my hair is the texture, its soft, fine, but not thin or stringy.  Stringy hair is what I hate.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey? 

The most memorable hair moment I had was when I visited Devachun Salon in New York City.  I  knew right then,  I was on a journey to getting healthy natural hair.  I had to talk to myself over and over and say be patient because it doesn’t happen overnight.  It was definitely hard transitioning because it was days when I hate the way my curls look and I become so frustrated thinking this is not for me.  Wanting to run to salon to get a doobie and a blow out, but I quickly change my mind.  Sometimes I had to text my friend who’s hair I admire for comfort and she would tell me no, just be patient, it would be nice to see you let your hair grow out curly.  I just then would go on the computer and read other people’s hair journey, knowing they had and still are experiencing the frustration that I am having and it will be good hair days and bad hair days. 

What are some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles? 
The transitioning styles I wore most are high buns, braids, or just a ponytail straight back. For the most part I wore my hair loose.

 

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’

My experience of being a natural has it good days and bad days.  As far as my family, I wore my hair natural a week later after visiting Devachun and everyone loved the curly look on me.  One aunt said she always liked my hair curly more versus straight.  It amazes me because I never knew that and like most people were so conditioned to straighten our hair that we think we look better this way because its more tame and manageable. 

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?

My hair regimen is:  I wash my hair with a sulfate free shampoo (S Free), then use VO 5 conditioner to detangle my hair and I rinse.  After rinsing my hairs, I apply the Deva Curl shampoo all over while wet and scrunch it.  I also use a little Africa’s hair oil and apply it all over so while my hair is air drying it would not look so dry.  I use a little Garnier’s Fructise leave in all over, scrunch and let it air dry.  While its drying I continue to scrunch to add volume.  Day 2 and three hair, I just spray it down section by section with water, use a little Deva Curl and my Shea Moisture Products (Curl style Milk and Enhancing Smoothie) and I scrunch and let it air dry.  I also recently started using a new styling gel called Goddess Curls, it works pretty okay.  What attracted me to the product is that its for multi-ethnic women and girls, it contains no sulfates, silicons, parabens, mineral or petrolatum Oils.   These are currently my new favorite products so far, I am still on the road of trying out new products.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites, YouTuber’s, or blogs?

My favorite YouTubers are: SunKissAlba, Shameless Maya, and MuchMore ThanBeauty.  I really love these YouTubers, they gave me ideas and even though these girls hair texture is different than mines you can always use something from each.  Watching them gave me a lot of hope and I became very excited to start embracing my natural curls and leaving the heat alone.  SunKiss Alba was the reason I had finally decided to visit Devachun Salon in New York City, I was just ready and tired, and New York City is not far from me, so I called them up the very next day, I was lucky to get a consultation the same day, after my consultation, I was told someone cancelled, but the appointment was later in the evening.   I stuck around for three ½ hours in the rain in NYC, killing time because I knew, beautiful natural hair is what I want and if I go back home without my hair done naturally curly I may never do it.  I was determined.

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?

My hair inspiration is a friend of mines name Tara Watts.  On Instagram her name is Taralinnda.  I knew Tara for about 8 years now and its so funny in 2005/2006 she admired my hair and wanted my length and curls.  She started from scratch, and I admire for that. She did the big chop, she cut all the relaxer out her hair and continued down the natural hair journey and it all paid off.  Her curls are beautiful tight coils.  I admire her and she is the reason why I decided to go natural and is refusing to use heat on my hair.  I am embracing my natural curls god has given me.

Where can people find you for more information? People can find more information on Instagram at THudson0501, Facebook: Tameeka Haleemah Hutchins-Hudson, or they can simply email me at: Tameekahudson0501@gmail.com orTameekahutchins1231@gmail.com

Global Couture is trying to spread the word about embracing your natural hair. Love your HAIR, if it is wavy, curly, kinky or coily.

Shop designs at http://globalcouture.net/ and Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

Are you naturally fierce? Email us to share your hair journey at globalcouture@aol.com.

*Please note for over ten years I was a red head until 2010. In 2010 I decided it was time for a change and I let my red hair go and wanted more of a natural color. Any photos with bright red hair are old pictures. I am currently light brown hair color.