May 2017 – TamaraLoves

I’m going to be very honest with you. I have never been in a room surrounded by women from all regions of Africa before. I am Black and surrounded by Black women, mainly from North America and the Caribbean.However, in my 40-years on this planet, I have never been in a social setting with women who wear names like “Ngosi” and speak with accents that bear a flavor of British and Xhosa vibes. Well, it happened on Saturday, May 20th. There I was in a room, by myself, surrounded by magic. I rarely go to events alone but the idea of a potluck and the gathering of creative women drew me to attend. The potluck told me that there might be a communal and family feel to the event and there would be no need to put on airs of importance. You always get me with the word, “creative.” I have been on my own personal quest in pursuit of my own creativity so I found this event to be the perfect marriage.

I follow this amazingly beautiful and lively woman on Instagram named, Yolanda Sangweni. She is the Digital Content Director at Essence Magazine and founder of Afripop Magazine. Talk about a creative! She graciously hosted the African Women Create event in a most spiritual and IG picture poppin’ yoga studio in Brooklyn, named Minka. The rubber plants and greenery were so freaking dope. All of the crystals, incense, rose water and candles had my chakra in alignment and I was all feels.

Wait, did I mention that there was a mixologist whipping up some delicious cocktails. Well yes, Witches Brew came through and concocted heavenly, natural juices mixed with your choice of top shelf goodies.

Here is Nucomme from Witches Brew doing her thing!

A beachy feel in the middle of Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn.

You feel automatically aligned and clear.

Yolanda thanking all of the ladies for gathering together.

There was a DJ that spun afrobeat all night long.

The very good people at Head and Shoulders sent me a message asking if I was interested in getting styled by celeb hairstylist Sunnie Brook. Is that even a question? Heck yeah, I was interested. I messaged back Scotty Warp Speed to let them know just excited I was to have a phenomenal stylist lay some magic on my tresses.

I arrived at the “Beauty Box”, a small pop-up type salon at Head and Shoulders, and was greeted by the friendliest smiling face that was Sunnie’s. She immediately made sure I felt completely comfortable by proceeding to ask me about myself. I felt like I’d known her forever. That’s really the mark of a true stylist. You feel like she/he is a true friend.

The “Smooth and Silky” line promises frizz free hair while still keeping your scalp clean and healthy.

I arrived with my curls and she began working her magic.

The first step in Sunnie’s process was straightening out my tighter curls using a flat iron. Invest in a great quality flat iron because it gets the job done in half the time because the heat is high enough to straighten without damaging your hair.

Snapping the ever elusive mirror pic. I can never get those right. We are almost done with the straightening.

Almost There. I have thick, curly hair so straightening can be a process but Sunnie’s technique is quick and painless.

Look ma, no curls! Lol. I would have walked out and had been perfectly happy with the bone straight style but Sunnie was only in the middle of creating magic.