Nappaversary SHOW!

The Nappy Hutt celebrated their anniversary with Dinner and Designs at the Andaz Hotel in Downtown Savannah! We had such a fancy fun night! We had over 20 models of assorted ages and one male model. Taliah Waajid herself was in the audience along with her Atlanta hair crew of family and friends! I was proud and happy to be apart of the night, The Nappy Hutt deserves the attention, the credit, and the opportunity! I know this event is just the start to more and more showcases for all the years to come. Even as I grow out of Savannah and leave SCAD I will always represent my Rising Nappy Nation Family. They molded me into the natural guru I am today! Sharing what I learn, methods, styles, and tips and more to the readers of this blog any natural beauty I photograph! In the picture in the top left corner is ZAKIYAH!! aka AMINI she is my frequent stylist and did the rocking twist out doo on my head you see there. She is only 18yrs old! This girl is gonna go far in hair and anything else her heart may desire, she's a great person to be in the company of its always a pleasure to be in her chair (on a good day ;) Just Kidding AMINI! <3 

The following images are just more from the night! I was really feeling my hair there is just something about volume that suits me and Ms. Shawn loves my hair in a fresh twist out. My outfit is brought to you buy Charmine of Charming a la Mode! My earrings are my new best friends lol. Ms. Shawn said my earrings were too conservative for the outfit so I had to go shopping real quick but I'm glad I found these babies. As my brother said "Storm wants her earrings back" lol. That little booger of a brother. He was just jealous cause I looked fly.

BEFORE!!

So my hair was actually a THREE DAY process! Amini washed and combed out my hair and blow dried it to utilize my length to maximize the volume in the end product of my hair.

 

 

THEN she began in the front her vision there was clear and concise. Mohawks suit my face! so to braid the sides was an easy choice to make. In the center of the front of my head I had two-strand twists. Now for the back that was a process. Originally I was going to have tuck and folds but when that wasn't working out Amini tried alternatives. Ms. Shawn wanted color though especially for the sake of the show you gotta be bold and go all out! OF COURSE I was not going to dye my hair so they chose Burgandy for my hair. and I'm not gonna lie I was really feeling it. On DAY 2 of my hair Amini came up with the spiral awesome yin and yang feeling in the back of my head and she also incorporated more color. The color is so intentionally placed it seems almost painted in the right spots I love it. After that I had to just keep my hair safe till the day of the show (DAY 3) and had my twist out!

AFTER!!!

A Phenom TWIST OUT

So I have so many pictures of my latest hair style that I thought it would be most appropriate to share the look and to describe how I was taught by Zakiyah (one of my hair stylist at the nappy hutt).

So here is the photo journey!!

This front portion here are two strand twists.  In the back of my head these are not braids/cornrows. These are actually twists agaisnt the scalp! They do the same job as cornrows but no pulling and pain!

side views of the hair do.  Zakiyah pinned up the back in the center of my head kinds creating a crown almost.  All my twists in the front followed and did the same.

 

 

The following photos are just me actually sporting the style. It awesome how it can transform from like a sexy conservative to a sexy sassy with the twist out. 

Now how does the twist out actually work?! Well the way I was taught is to take some product - I used Taliah Waajid Black Earth Product called "The Strengthener" Medicated. I take a little bit of product on my finger tips and run it from scalp to hair end and then I begin to rotate the twist in the opposite way it was formed, this causes the twist to unravel instead of being picked apart. be careful not to tear apart the previously twisted strands or else it'll get frizzy. Over time hair swells after a juicy twist out which gives your hair a fuller look.

 Now I had all these curlies bouncing every which direction and I pinned them in a way that gave it some order. In the very last image was the day I was going to get my next hair do and I let the curlies free with no pins. Oh yes and I'm wearing contacts :)

R.I.P. To those Hoop earrings that broke :(

New Year New Nappy Hutt = 2014!!

December of 2012 saw me with a head full of Bantu Knots by a young girl who didn't last too long at The Nappy Hutt. BUT while she was there she gave me some funky bantu knots that I rocked all of December till the week before Christmas.

After the bantu knots I unraveled them. I proudly took my observations from Trell (the QUEEN on Pin-ups at the nappy hutt) and pinned my curly fries together in a very sexy (sorta androgynous look) that I rocked into the New Year! The front corners of my scalp right before my ears do wonders for me when pulled back. My face is angled and just damn awesome looking. lol.

Here are some ways I rocked my curly fries pinned up.

I rang in the new year with my Bebe/ Neo Perry on the downtown streets of Delray Beach, FL and watched fireworks from the roof top of a local garage :) and  a peak of the moon from the beach.

Since then I returned to Savannah with Perry and we spent the last few days of our winter break together before we parted ways and went back into our academic schedules :/

Last night I got my hair done at no other place but THE NAPPY HUTT and celebrated my anniversary with them lol. I've had my hair styled by all of the hairstyles starting with Trell and last night I cycled back to her :) I was blow dried a little bit in the process of getting some braids and damn near cried. Heat hadn't touched my hair in nearly a year but my thickness and tangley curls were cramping Trell's hand sooo she heat protected my hair and blow dried it some. I constantly touched it making sure it was still ok but my tresses and I made it our safely lol.


I also got a TRIM!! No more bad ends (again) and I'm hoping to keep up with it by doing the following:

-No more keeping hair styles in for 4+ weeks. Since my hair is so coiled and curly I have the advantage of not needing a wash as frequently because the oils from my scalp take longer to travel down my hair shaft. Unfortunately I have abused this advantage and pulling out months old braids and twist leave my head full of sad oily dirt balls in the roots and hair ends.

So new rule!!! No matter what I wash every 2 weeks. and I'll trim every 2-3 visits. I'm getting a lot more comfortable with the idea of trimming my hair. I went from anti scissors EVER to once in a while. but my hair depends on my hair ends to grow and this year I am DETERMINED for some super growth. So my hair ends come first!

Lots of people straighten their hair to see how long its gotten but after straightening my hair for so long back in the day I don't need to do that. I know based on my fro and portions of my hair whether my hair has gotten longer or not. Its grown a little but not as much as I know it can with better care.

But I'm in good hands at The Nappy Hutt, I just have to do my part and show up!

In even better new The Nappy Hutt will be expanding into a brand new and much much bigger Shop! more details to come!

Thoughts from a MAN about women Hair!

So today I was talking/texting a new friend, Ronnie Williams, about an assortment of things. But of everything we talked about the topic of hair brought about a discussion well worth blogging about!

So here was our little Q&A + some insight from me for the readers lol.
I(Me) began by saying the word HAIR and Ronnie(R) has to respond to what came to mind first...

Me: Hair
R: My favorite thing about a woman physically.

Me: Why do you like hair so much?
R: Ok...so much can be done with a woman's hair. There's a wide range of styles. Also, the way a woman keeps ger hair usually determines what type of person she is. For instance, if a woman keeps her hair neat, clean, and nice all the time, she's usually a tidy, organized, neat woman. Women with consistent weave are usually more lazy and dependent. Women who try many hair styles are free spirits!!! A woman's hair just says so much about her.

I couldn't agree more! I have plenty witnesses to the "women with consistent weave" especially in college students. Not to condem anyone for saying this but a frequent story I hear from female college students is that they cover their natural hair because they'll be too busy to deal with their hair, they won't have time, they don't want to be bothered with it, or perhaps they can't afford their chemical routines while in college.

Me: I think this is so insightful especially coming from a male. So what does my hair tell you?
R: You aren't afraid to be yourself, you're creative and innovative. You are tidy and responsible. You're confident. Thats what I get from your current hair style.
Me: So true! I gotta blog about this and quote you.
I gotta agree with the man. When I enter the nappy hutt I tell them I got some professional events and church to attend but I also need to exert a creative unique me in my daily hair styles. And when a woman is proud of her hair confidence will always be on her side.

Me: So what do you get from your girlfriend's hair?
R: Adrionna is conservative and humble. She is proud of her natural beauty. She stays within her comfort zones.
Me: Does she wear her hair naturally?
R: Not completely natural as in no chemicals. But she doesn't do weave.
Me: do you have an opinion on women chemically treating their hair vs. wearing their natural hair?
R: I don't think women should put chemicals in too often. Just enough to keep it manageable.


Okay okay now this is where I get to go on a mini rant. Ronnie's response isn't wrong but just ill educated like that of many other men and women on the WORLD! Natural hair is not I repeat NOT High Matienence!
I'll tell you whats high matienence, perms and relaxers and blow outs. They keep you from the pool, they keep you running from the rain, they keep your hair lifeless, they chemically break down each and every hair follicle causing you to buy more products to prevent your hair from actually breaking off. Seriously do your research its pretty scary stuff! Go into a hair product isle, look for the relaxers and then note what you see next to next to those relaxers...(reconstructors, products to give your hair body/lift, extra conditioners, etc.)

Natural hair is always "managable" with the use of the right products. Everyone's curl pattern is different, everyone's texture feels and acts a different way therefore by seeking the advice of a professional and some experiementation you can find NATURAL products for you Natural hair that complement your hair and make you feel beautiful as you are. Your hair is capable of growing beautifully with very little maitenence and guess what natural hair LOVES water!

The concept of natural hair being inappropriate, not for the work place, and hard to manage is a lack of education, a lack of self-confidence, and influences from years of a segregated society where the caucasion image was the "right" image and was idolized by african americans who pursued educations and careers they felt they had to "fit the image".... Times have changed people! Natural is not wearing a mask, its not chemically straightening your hair. Natural is rocking the beautiful hair God blessed you with. Your hair is not a nightmare and its not a curse its a blessing! In my blog and in the natural hair photography i've done on www.nappyhutt.com you can see our beautiful BLACK HAIR can do the most! Wear it long or short with no use of scissors. Braids, coils, twists, locs, and even straight with the use of a HEAT Protectant!
Over the break I read the book Thank God I'm Natural! I highly suggest it to anyone who is natural or trying to decide to start the journey back to their roots(literally). The book tells the truth to many natural hair myths. Breaks down how relaxers work, how the hair follicle grows, breaks down the names of ingrediants in your local stores hair prooducts. She shares with you the good the bad and the ugly WITH PICTURES TOO! And in the end she even gives you recipes on how to make your own products! So if you are on a budget no worries! The best products are probably already in your kitchen. Reading that book her opinion was even more relevant because she is a lawyer. So its insite from a working professional who proudly rocks her natural hair.


Think about it... what's stopping you from embracing how God made you?

https://www.facebook.com/thankgodimnatural

October 2012 Hair at The NAPPY HUTT

September- October hair doo.
If you read my blog about "HELP TIGHT BRAIDS" it was from THIS hair style!
As beautiful as it was the over lapping did cause some pain for a few sleepless nights. AFTER that I was able to fully enjoy the hair style.

This style is a total original! Overlapping braids, and two strang twist "shag" in the bag and bantu knotted two-strand twist at the top.





I LOVE LOVE LOVE styles that are versatile. so when I was ready I pulled down my bantu knots and had a head full of curly fry twists to play with.


Sorry for the pictures being side ways when I'm on my phone it doesn't let me turn them :/







This style was completed by Zakiyah at The Nappy Hutt in Savannah, GA 31401

Entrepreneur

This year I'm pushing my businesses forward.

Saje Creations Photography LLC. is expanding.
I've touched on a number of photographic areas but fine tuning it I've created divisions to my work.

I first separated work and art.

Saje Creations Photography = WORK

Stephanie Brown Photography = ART

Even though all of my photographs are meaningful this is how I market myself as an artist versus photographic services.









Saje Creations is a proud company I founded and nurtured and now it needs to go up in scale, in value and especially in demand. I have the portfolio and the knowledge and plenty supporters but I need more  clients!

Saje Creations does Event Photography with a documentary eye.

• Weddings
• Engagements
• Couples
• Fundraisers
• Family/Senior/Child Portraiture

Divine 9 Imagery

• Fraternity and Sorority Events
• Step-Shows
• Affiliated Organization Events
• Greek Paraphernalia Store Product Photography

Hair Photography

• Hair Shows
• Hair Salon Photography
• Hair styles/stylist

I am working an amazing graphic designer Jonas and together I'm looking forward to making this while he markets me and my services.

Natural Hair Spotlights

So due to recent experiences and relationships being built amoungst hair salons, natural hair representatives, products, and individuals I have been inspired to build a deeper portfolio in terms of natural hair. Not only do I want this to be photography but I want it to be an opportunity for me to begin a conversation about individuals and their natural hair journeys.

I've also learned its beneficial to me as a photographer to be able to shoot basic video in terms of audio and light. And when I photograph people my portraits are as great as they are because I've gotten a chance to get to know them. A slice of their life in a still image is all I attempt to provide. Also I decided over the summer that I want to get my masters in Journalism. So every blog counts even more now lol. I want to appeal to others while still talking about things that matter to me and especially things that can help someone else and touch their lives. I choose to use my God given talents to serve.

So every post on a natural hair individual is going to be titled "Spotlight on ___________" whoever is the model. I did my first one today and I can't wait to showcase it later in a fresh new post!
I hope that these posts get deeper in the minds of ladies on their journey's because that what it is. Your hair is an extension of you. And from what I recently learned at the Taliah Waajid World Natural Hair Show is that there are a lot of things emotionally that put a strain on your body as well as your hair. As I learn more I'm starting to really see hair as a reflection of the individual. Maybe one day I'll look and feel someone's hair to determine who they are like Ray Charles felt a pair of hands.
I even got some books about natural hair that are dated back in the late 1990s and early 2000s which I hope will teach me some things that were known well before this "era" of going natural. I know its been going on much longer than most know.

 

Tia Mowry SHORT HAIR!

So I NEVER NEVER NEVER do celebrity posts on my blog  but this one caught me way off guard!
Tia Hardrict, which everyone still says Tia Mowry (that's what you get for being famous since you were in diapers) CUT OFF all hair!!

For the very few in the world who may not know, Tia Mowry forms a duo with her twin sister Tamera Mowry and starred in Sister, Sister for years before I was born in 1992 lol. But growing up I watch the re-runs on TV all the time. They made that show and I've been obsessed with them since lol. Since the show they've made tv appearance and a few movies but other then that, that was it. THEN Tia got pregnant and I heard about a reality series coming to a STYLE network. I was so excited. So excited that I watch it faithfully and most the time I try and wait to watch it with my oldest sister Simone. There are things that Tia and Tamera do that I often compare to my sister and I. Every time we watch an episode we look at each other at certain funny moments. Even the emotional moments we're pointing fingers at whose who in our family lol. What I love the most about Tia and Tamera is their bond and love and dedication to their family and what they do. A fundamental I got from them actually is saying a simple Thank You to veterans or people in uniform. And I've done that everyday since I watched that special episode. I actually embrace those moments when they come cause the smile on their faces is so Worth it. Living in Savannah now I get to run into a lot of them since we have a pretty big military base here.


But let me go back to the hair cause I could probably write about these twins and every episode that has touched me. Speaking of books Tia wrote one which I hope to buy when I'm ready to have a baby. She keeps it real. According to US Magazine she cut it to save her time and spend more time with her son Cree Cree! That's very commendable. I can't wait to the new season to see what other factors led her to cut it all off. But long or short her hair is still soo soo beautiful.  Even though I know her hair is curlier than the picture shows (darn flat irons influencing beautiful curls). I tell ya they all got good genes! Have you seen her brother?! (Look Below!!) He's come a long way from Smart Guy and he's on a new show this year on ABC Family!! He's worth watching lol.

At any rate, whether its to save time or go NATURAL!! I defiantly encourage people to embrace their decisions and the moments like these. I meet too many girls who cover their natural hair cause its too short or chemically damaged it because its not the length they want. Embrace your curls, shrinkage, new growth, whatever you want to call it. And I'll have to have a post on its own about shrinkage cause its grown to be a word I don't like! Its misused!!

But to sum it up WATCH TIA AND TAMERA!!! If you loved Sister Sister or the twins in general you will love this! And Tamera is pregnant this season! So its time for the tables to turn! I just love this family so much. They just seem so genuine and you don't get that from a lot of people. Unfortunately I'm not a big tweeter so its hard to follow up with them on a day to day but one day we'll meet and do some great charity empowerment thing together or be their personal photographer lol. Either way I'll meet them one day.


New Season This Tuesday! I'll be watching ;)

Natural Hair Do's

My speech teach Mr. Campbell announced from the first day of class how fascinating my hair is. I've been washing my hair every two weeks or so now and I have been trying my best NOT to tie it down into one style.
Each day is a new style and says something toward my outfit. I love this experimentation cause with my hair out on its own I'm challenged every day not to do the same thing I did yesterday! My mom hates when I do this but I love it! She says my hair own in its all mighty natural state is how "Mad Women" in Jamaica wear their hair... lol. Whatever!
The most I've gotten her to do is China Bump my hair or what you hair professionals call Bantu Knots. In the country, us Jamaicans refer to them as China Bumps and pronounce China "Chi-knee" lol. My late Grandma use to part her white hair and twist it and roll it into these bumps on her head. Its something I found funny before but the next morning when she took it down her hair was all wavy. Well for me Bantu Knots provide a thick coil that's springy and even tighter when I do it Jamaican style by twisting it first.

The best thing about my mom doing my China Bumps in my hair is that she got to use another Black Earth Product. She is stubborn and she has to use something before she believes in it. OR she'll believe in it if it was on one of her shows like Dr. Oz or the Doctors -__-
Anywaay she also thinks I ruined my hair...So now! She was combing my hair and praising how beautiful and long my hair still is and how I should show off my length and how no one knows how long and pretty my hair is because I wear it like rasta mad woman. lol.

The thing is that I'm happy with my hair and I no longer feel the need to show off my length like I used to. People who KNOW hair can look at my hair once and praise my length and bucket me with compliments. And if they don't know hair they'll think I cut it or I'm going natural, unbeknownst to them I've been natural all my life. I like keeping people guessing. As long as I'm loving my hair that's all what matters.
To me I have the best of both worlds. Long hair when I choose and short hair when I choose. And medium when I choose. Without cutting a strand! Wet/or Dry! Thats the POWER and CONTROL I have with my hair being natural! Do you have that authority with your hair?

Lots of my other styles come from the use of lots and lots of hair pins.
The products I use mostly are Curly Curl Cream and style N shine for my Bantu Knots.

The great thing is that I don't use this stuff daily. Once its in my hair I reactivate it by moistening my hair with water. It saves on the product too!

Enjoy the Pictures!!!!
(The Last Style is how my hair is currently)
I also enlarged the final style since I have some process images in here as well :)