I’m the youngest of three girls. I grew up in a military family (Army), so we moved around a lot. We lived overseas in Germany and in several U.S. states. I work as a Communications Specialist for a hardware retail and wholesale company. I maintain the intranet website content for a division of the company, act as the website administrator for the store owners’ websites and send weekly newsletters & e-mail communications to the store owners. For fun, I like to work on craft and DIY projects. I host DIY and craft workshops in Chicago. I love running and swimming. I train for road races and triathlons throughout the year. I also enjoy writing and blogging. As the Chicago Ethnic Hair Examiner, I contribute a natural hair article for www.examiner.com. I enjoy attending natural hair events around Chicago to meet other naturals and gain knowledge about textured hair. My motto is to lead by example. It is very easy just to talk about what you will do. I think that putting action behind words is what matters the most.
Marita A: How long have you been natural?
Margaux: My 10-year big chop anniversary will be July 16, 2013.
Marita A: What inspired you to go natural?
Margaux: I was bored with my relaxed hair. I felt it looked flat and lifeless. I was also curious about my hair’s natural texture. I did not start relaxing my hair until high school, but I wore curly perms and press-and-curls in grade school.
Marita A: Who are your YouTube or Facebook “hairspirations”?
Margaux: When I started researching natural hair in 2000, Fotki photo albums were popular. One of my favorite albums to follow was Allison McKenzie – A Fashion Slave. She tried so many different styles that showed the versatility of natural hair. I also like Cassidy Blackwell of Natural Selection Blog. Her hair is extremely coily, similar to mine. I’m interested in what products work for her hair.
Marita A: What was the most difficult part of transitioning to natural?
Margaux: For me, transitioning was the most difficult part! My goal was to transition for a year. Trying to maintain two textures was frustrating. My hair poofs up in humidity; trying to maintain a straight look was not working. At month 9, I decided to cut off the relaxed ends.
Marita A: How did your family, friends, spouse or significant other react to your hair’s new kinky texture?
Margaux: My family was supportive. My mother wore a short natural for many years, so it was nothing new in my family. I got a few inconsiderate comments from friends like, ‘Why’, and ‘I liked it better relaxed’, to flat out ‘I hate your hair’ from an ex-significant other!
Marita A: What’s in your makeup bag?
Margaux: I wear Bare Essentials foundation. It is the only thing that feels weightless on my skin. I have quite a few E.L.F. products – eye shadows, eyeliner, and oil blotting sheets. I’m constantly trying new mascaras, but one of my favorites is Maybelline Full ‘n Soft. I have full lips, so I prefer lip gloss, but I’m trying to be more daring by wearing brighter lip colors. I’ve found that I like MAC matte and CoverGirl Queen Collection lip colors.
Marita A: How did you keep your skin naturally beautiful?
Margaux: It is a challenge! I still get breakouts. I’m regimented about wearing moisturizer with sunscreen. I apply a Mary Kay mask for combination skin on a regular basis to keep my pores as clean as possible.
Marita A: Did you go through any kind of personal/spiritual transformation while going through the process of going natural?
Margaux: Not really. I just felt more like myself. I have never once missed relaxing my hair.
Marita A: What are some of your favorite hair styles?
Margaux: I prefer to wear my natural coils in a stretched wash and go. I recently cut off about 8-10 inches of hair for a short-tapered style which I love. However, after 10 years of being natural, some of my favorite styles are the roll and tuck and bantu-knot outs on blow-dried hair.
Marita A: What encouragement can you give to someone who maybe considering going natural?
Margaux: Keep it simple. Try not to get overwhelmed with the overload of information on natural hair. Realize that your hair is unique; what works for one natural may not work for you.
Be confident in yourself. If you exude confidence in wearing your natural texture, you will attract positivity and deflect negativity from others.
Looking for support and encouragement with your natural hair? Join Chicago’s largest natural beauty community click here (www.ChicagoNaturals.net) for more information
