Photo Credit - Guy Viau

Like many of you, I saw Tomiko in the new Gain commercial.  Haven’t seen it?  Check it out here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=250176131698006.

I was moved by the fact that the commercial was just not about selling Gain products, but most importantly,  promoting the beauty of diversity.  To use a black women with kinky, short hair, oppose to a blonde, straight haired model or a black model with a weave tells me that Gain gets it!  Yes! Being natural is far from ordinary!

Now, let’s chat with the lovely Tomiko!

1. Name (popular name i.e./alias):
Tomiko Fraser Hines

2. How long have you been natural?:
Approximately 13 years.  I did wear a weave for several of those years, though my hair underneath it was natural.

3. How did your natural journey begin? (Pick what applies from the selection):I big chopped, I transitioned, I was always natural:
I Big Chopped after being told by a scalp specialist (trichologist) that my scalp/hair didn’t like chemical relaxers. After years of relaxing my hair, I began having major breakage, especially in the crown area of my head.  That part of my scalp never fully recovered and I still have thinning issues in that area.  I wasn’t happy with being “forced” to do a Big Chop. I was afraid of what it would mean for my modeling career &; I hadn’t yet embraced the beauty of my own hair texture.  A few months after doing the Big Chop, I relaxed my hair again (much to the dismay of my stylist at the time) and of course, my hair broke off again. That’s when I went natural and learned to embrace my hair in its beautiful natural state. But that isn’t the end of the story.  Oh no, I am a stubborn Taurus and it sometimes takes us a bit longer to learn our lessons.  After being natural for many years, I decided again that I wanted to relax my hair 3 years ago.  It had grown to a nice length and I wanted to see how it would handle the chemicals.  You guessed it…breakage yet again.  So needless to say, I have learned my lesson well and will no longer be putting chemical relaxers in my hair.

4. Depending on your choice above, how was the experience from then to your journey now?:
My natural hair journey began because of necessity, but now I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I LOVE my natural hair!

5. Share your experience being natural in the Acting/Modeling Industry?
My being natural in the Acting/Modeling industry has definitely improved with time.  When I first went natural, I did experience some “we don’t know what to do with her hair” moments.  I would normally work with wigs to alleviate any concerns the client and/or hairstylist might have.  As my hair grew longer, I began wearing it in a “double-strand twist” style that I would unravel into a beautifully big soft afro and folks seemed to like that.  When I decided to Big Chop (or cut my hair short for the 2nd time), I was in such a different place and honestly didn’t care what others thought of it because I loved it.  I believe it was that attitude that has caused clients to embrace my short natural hair just as it is.  When I’m hired now, I am hired because of my natural hair.  I couldn’t be happier!

6. What tips do you have for new naturals?
I would tell all newly natural women (and all women for that matter) that YOU have to love your hair no matter what anyone says or thinks about it.  If you walk confidently with your new hairstyle, career, boyfriend, etc., no one can or should say anything to you.  Nor do they have a right to.  What you choose to do with your hair and your life is YOUR business. I know developing that level of confidence doesn’t come easily for most, but it’s a MUST if you’re to enjoy the choices you make for yourself.  Be Self-Defined and call the shots for your life that work for YOU.

7. What is your routine? Briefly describe and highlight any main points/practices you use to keep your hair fabulous:
My daily routine is so easy I am astonished everyday at how quickly I style my hair.
Here’s what I do:
1.  Wet or wash my hair
2.  Add “Curly Whip” styling cream by Hair Rules
3.  Palm roll my hair to bring up my natural curl pattern
4.  Let my hair air dry

8. What products do you use, or what would you recommend?(list shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers and stylers please):
In addition to Curly Whip by Hair Rules, I am currently using products by Shea Moisture.
Those are:
Organic Yucca &; Baobab Thickening Shampoo &; Volumizing Conditioner, Organic Raw Shea Butter Reconstructive Elixir and the Organice Yucca &; Baobab Anti-Breakage Deep-Conditioning Masque. They smell delicious and I love how they all make my hair feel.

9. What advice do you have for someone who asks “what should I do if I want my hair to grow long?
“While I am not an expert on natural hair, I can share some things that I did when I wanted to grow my hair long. They are:
1.  Eat a “diet” of healthy fruits and vegetables.  Drinks lots of water
2.  Take a multi-vitamin & increase my intake of Biotin.
3.  Get my ends trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks.
4.  Deep condition & moisturize my hair and scalp regularly
5.  Love my natural hair

My hairstylist and very good friend, Felicia Leatherwood of “Loving Your Hair With Natural Care” has taught me so much about loving and caring for my natural hair.  She’s amazing!

10. Name the main thing that have kept you through your natural journey and have kept your hair growing strong and long.
The main thing that has kept me strong about my natural hair journey is a grounded sense of self.  I know who I am and only I call the shots for me.  I love myself too much to allow anyone to bring me out of alignment with the truth of who I know myself to be.  Life will sometimes try and do that and it’s up to the individual to be the BEST cheerleader they can for themself. As far as my hair growing long and strong, I’m mainly concerned about the strong part right now because I am LOVING my hair in its current short style.

11. Where can we find you? (fotki/blog/website)
I’d like to invite your readers to Like my page on Facebook – www.facebook.com/tomikofraser.
They can follow me on Twitter – www.twitter.com/GoddessTomiko. And they can subscribe to the YouTube channel that my husband and I have called “Chris &; Tomiko Talk About…” – www.youtube.com/chrisandtomikotalk2u

12. What besides hair interests you? (hobbies, talents, etc…fun facts about you)
I love anything related to artistic expression!  I love to sing, dance, write, paint, etc.  I love going to the museum, the movies, out dancing, hanging with my girlfriends or just lounging at home with my fine-ass husband.  I consider myself a “woman/child” and I can do something grown and sexy one night and something fun and silly the next.
I allow myself the freedom to express the way that I want to express.  I love my life!

13. Favorite hairstyle tutorial of yours (twist sets, twist outs-how to achieve).
Prior to cutting my hair short, I used to always “double-strand twist” and then unravel it into my big fro.
The steps for this are:
1.  Wash/condition your hair
2.  Part into 4/6 sections length-wise
3.  Part into 4/6 sections width-wise
4.  Apply a tiny bit of gel to each little section &; double-strand twist that section
5.  Sit under a dryer or allow to air dry for several hours
6.  Gently unravel twists so as not to break the twist pattern
7.  Apply styling product (I used to use LIV styling cream) and gently fluff/unravel/finger into the desired height &; fullness you desire.  I also used to use a handheld blow dryer with a diffuser attached (so as not to disturb the wave/curl pattern) to achieve an even fuller fro (the heat from the dryer made that possible).

I’d like to add that I just completed a stint as a judge on the NuvoTV hit,”Model Latina”. Your readers can watch the season on http://www.hulu.com/. They should search for “Model Latina, Season 4″.  I’m also starring in the upcoming film, “Ex-Free” expected to be released in early 2012.  Some of my co-stars are Shari Headly (“Coming To America”), Darrin Dewitt Henson (“Soul Food” on Showtime) and Leon (“The Five Heartbeats”). Ex-Free is a romantic comedy written and directed by Troy Byer Bailey (“Baps” &; “Love Don’t Cost A Thing”).

Want to be featured on my Blog?  Contact me at ilovemyfro@yahoo.com

Ladies,

I’m so excited about this event!

Not only will I be attending, but I’m also speaking!

Hope to see all the ATL ILoveMyFro fans!

Check out the re-cap of Fro Fashion Week 2011!  http://frofashionweek.com/2011/09/fall-2011-fro-fashion-show-participants/

For more info please go to:  http://frofashionweek.com/

Hope to see you there!

Harmony

ILoveMyFro

www.ilovemyfro.com

This is an all natural concoction that stretches soft curly hair for a period of time, and also works as a great deep treatment for hair that is kinky or curly yet coarse.  For product information and detailed instructions click on the below link.

Natural Coconut Cream Relaxer

-  ILoveMyFro!

Thanks,

ILoveMyFro

Please keep in mind this is for the following products only:

• Hair Care and Beauty Products
• Hair Accessories
• Earrings

Shipping of 1-4 items the processing fee is $25.00

Shipping of 5 – 10 items the processing fee is $35.00

Shipping of 10 items or more the processing fee is $45.00

You will pay for products and all shipping costs.

1. Send me a list of things that you want at ilovemyfro@yahoo.com

2. Sign up with PayPal (www.paypal.com).

3. I will calculate the costs and send you an invoice through PayPal.

4. You will pay the invoice

5. I will purchase your items

6. I will ship your items to your desired address

7. I will note the item as a gift or any other necessary status to make sure you do not         pay any duty fees.

8. Packages can be sent UPS, USPS, FedEx, whichever is cheaper for you.

Because of the complexities of this service Returns or Exchanges are not permitted.

Email me at ilovemyfro@yahoo.com if you would like to take advantage of this service.

• Shampoo
• Co-Wash
• Conditioning
• Treatments (ILoveMyFro Hass Avocado Deep Treatment)
• Two Strand Twists
• Flat Two Strand Twists
• Twists Outs
• d)
• Bantu Knots
• Bantu Knot Out
• Afro’s
• Afro Puffs
• Hair Coloring (Chemical and Henna)
• Styling with Miss Jessie’s Curly Puddings
• Styling with Kinky Curly Custard
• Transitioning Styles
• and More…

PRICES:

• Styling Only: $65.00
• Shampoo, Condition, Style: $75.00
• Hass Avocado Deep Treatment, Shampoo, Condition, Style: $85.00
• Shampoo, Deep Condition, Styling with Miss Jessie’s Puddings or Kinky Curly Custard: $75.00
• Hass Avocado Deep Treatment, Shampoo, Condition, Styling with Miss Jessie’s Puddings or Kinky Curly Custard: $80.00
• Just Color: $45.00
• Color with Styling: $90.00
• Dusting (Trim): Free
• Long Hair : Add $15.00
• Extremely Long Hair Add: $20.00

RESPECT THE KINK Meetup