Naturals Speak UP featuring Tiara

 

Hi I’m Tiara.

I’m from the lovely south, Louisiana to be exact. I grew up with a lot of hair, heck I came out the womb with a head full of hair. I don’t remember getting my first perm but I was very young,under the age of 5. My sister tells me I got a perm because I had too much hair, no one wanted to deal with it. My hair was down my back until the age of 12,which then after my hair started breaking off slowly, but really badly. My mom couldn’t take it anymore, and she cut my hair! I was devastated! I hated the way looked. I was already going through that awkward puberty stage, and I had this ugly stringty chin length bob.  This is why in the 9th grade I started wearing weave (too young in my opinion but I was so insecure and hated my hair). I wore weave every single day until I graduated.

College

During sophomore year of college my hair finally started getting some length back, even though I was still wearing weave. My best friend started going natural during our college years, and I was interested but didn’t want to cut my hair or do anything dramatic. It wasn’t until 2011 I decided NO more perms.  I kept the weave, but slowly cut my processed ends off.

 

Perfect Products

In 2012, all the processed hair was gone and that began another awkward stage. I didn’t know how to care for my natural hair. I used the same products on my natural hair that I did with it being permed (I didn’t know any better. I started experimenting with wigs for a period of time, and every now and then I would experiment trying to wear my natural hair out (e.g. twist outs, braid outs, etc). All EPIC fails lol. Finally!! I discovered Shea Moisture! This stuff saved my hair along with As I am products and EVOO. I never got into “hair typing.” All I knew was that my hair was curly and thick. I was still protective styling and trimming my own hair. If you’re going to do protective styling healthy hair is important. It took me awhile to figure it out (I’m still learning) 2013 I discovered Senegalese twists. I even applied them myself. I wasn’t going to pay anyone to do my hair. I loved the look and the length of time it took me. I was able to add color without actually dying my own hair. Then, a few months later I found marley twists.

​​

 

Best Decision Ever

In June 2015, I was brave enough to find another hairstylist to trim my hair (never had my hair professionally cut since elementary school). I was tired of the fuzz balls and shedding hair, so I did a lot of research to find a good stylist. My first professional trim wasa success! The straight hair didn’t last for long, because I work out too much. That’s my current struggle (trying to find ways to wear my hair out more often while working out). Any tips will be appreciated! I love my natural! Best decision I ever made!!