From the minute I interviewed Felicia Leatherwood, I had a feeling that we’d get along really great if we met in person. At the time I had no idea she’d be coming to Chicago to host her Loving Her Hair With Natural Care workshop. When she told me she was coming to Chicago, I was SO BEYOND excited.

Isn’t Felicia ADORABLE?? LOVE her!

The venue, Salon Heaven, was PERFECT. An intimate space was set aside for attendees, and we were greeted by a table bedecked with gift bags and a display of products by Lawrence Ray Concepts. The creator of the brand – the handsome and personable Lawrence Ray, was on hand to present his line of hair products to the natural hair lovers in attendance.

The presentation on LRC sold many in the audience on these products – look for a lengthy review to come. The Loving Your Hair With Natural Care workshop didn’t stop with a product presentation, y’all. After that, both Lawrence and Felicia answered questions from the enthusiastic audience.

The lessons I’ve learned from Felicia that day were invaluable. She shares many of them freely on her Facebook group, Loving Your Hair With Natural Care. In the live workshop, Felicia was able to address specific issues, like how to deal with mildew-scented locs (Sea Breeze astringent or Listerine!) or the best styles for transitioning (Felicia recommends twists, or a straw set). One of the things she stressed to us, is that natural hair doesn’t mean limitations. Any style you want to do with relaxed hair, you can do with natural hair. But I didn’t know what she meant until we met up and she actually did my hair. Yes YES y’all!! Stay tuned for part two!

To Be Continued…

COMMENTS

Tawanna says:

June 15, 2010, 9:34 am

I watched the video, Bella, and I don't know. I didn't like some of her answers. First with the color, she didn't know what was in the product to give the hair lift. I can appreciate when a person just comes out and say "Hey, I don't know." But how do you know that it won't take your hair out and it is safe to use if you don't even know what "it" is? I'm sorry, but I will not purchase a product if it doesn't list the ingredients. Then on trimming. She seems to be saying that trim and cut are the same thing. And that the stylest will take a lot if they know you aren't coming back for a while. Well, if I am not using heat, or color, and am wearing protective styles, deep condtioning, basically taking great care of my hair, I don't think I need to come every 4-6 weeks. And whether I come every 6 weeks or 6 months, a trim means just that. Take off split ends if you find any, but don't give me a cut. I was natural for 2 years before I had my first "trim" and the stylest told me my hair was in great condition. Yet she still took off 2 inches. Ms. Felicia says an inch is really not a lot, but if you are only growing a half an inch a month, I'm sorry it is a lot. If it is needed, then fine; but if it is not, leave it alone!

bella says:

June 15, 2010, 10:48 am

Hey Tawanna, that's fine - not everyone's gonna love everything =) But I do want to add context to the video. Felicia has tried to contact the company, but most hair companies are very secretive about their formulations. Naturtint is the product she's speaking about and it's sold at Whole Foods, and she's used it to great effect on her clients many times before. I love products that list their ingredients, but not all of them do and some of the ones that don't are still amazingly effective. But I do of course respect and understand your feelings on that! RE: Trimming, I hadn't trimmed my hair in YEARS before meeting Felicia and I gotta say...I agree with her on that. I thought I was going a great job with my hair, and it was damaged at the ends. With the cut I got, my hair looks and feels so much healthier and easier to style! More to come on that in the follow up post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Visitor says:

June 15, 2010, 11:03 am

"Felicia was able to address specific issues, like how to deal with mildew-scented locs (Sea Breeze astringent or Listerine!..." Sorry, but that's kind of gross. Her top is remarkably unflattering.

bella says:

June 15, 2010, 11:18 am

Agreed, mildew would be gross, and I'm glad she offered solutions on dealing with that. I personally thought her top was cute, and she's an amazingly nice person.

Christine says:

June 15, 2010, 12:49 pm

I don't have locs, but if I did and they happened to not smell so fresh, I would be all over her advice. Just because it doesn't apply to you, doesn't necessarily make it "gross." And I thought her top was cute. Also? Does no one take to heart the saying, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" anymore? C'mon people.

Renisha says:

June 15, 2010, 1:22 pm

I'm so glad you blogged about the workshop! (I was there!). I left with SO many great tips about natural hair, since I am transitioning back to my natural state as I type. Not only is Felicia and amazing person, with an amazing and humble spirit, but I trusted her expertise and can't wait to try out some of her recommendations. My transition journey and final destination back to my natural state, this time around, will be so much easier. YAYYYY! :)

Nia says:

June 15, 2010, 11:15 pm

Thanks for posting. Very informative. I can tell Felicia enjoys sharing her craft. And we get the info for free- Thanks Felicia! I loved her top. I loved the pattern..and colors that were also reflected in her hair. In the fashion world her style is considered ethnic chic. @Vistor--Next time you think about stopping by--remember the purpose of the blog is to uplift!!! The theme of the video was not fashion mistakes. Any negative comments directed at someone's personal imagery is truly frowned upon. Its simply etiquette to be kind.

Come On People says:

June 16, 2010, 7:44 am

I have to agree with Bella (i have not seen the video). Trims are very important. I don't know if i can do it every 4 to 6 weeks, but i know i need it at least every 2 months. Your hair looks better, and feels better. You know the stylist will tell you that your hair is in good condition, it probably was but because you had split ends that probably creeped up over 2 years you needed a few inches off instead of 1/2 inch or an inch. the condition of your hair and the condition of your ends are two different statements. because hair that is in good condition is salvagable, with a trim.

Melanese says:

June 16, 2010, 2:31 pm

@Nia and @Christine I could NOT have said it better my self.

BlackBetty says:

June 16, 2010, 3:38 pm

Thanks for the video. I'm planning on doing a 2-strand twist tonight and will give myself a little cut. I think she's right, a trim really is a cut since you're using scissors. Most people get in trouble since they don't specify the final results they want or they get a stylist who isn't familiar with their hair type. I know quite a few naturals who feel as though the way they take care of their hair, they never need to cut. Most of them have little balls or split ends. Even your clothing rubbing against your hair can damage it.

Regina says:

June 17, 2010, 10:16 pm

Happy to see, two amazing Divas meeting in the middle to bridge the gap for the unlearned. I happen to be a member of Felicia’s Natural Hair Care forum on Face Book.I would not have made it natural without the honest, open individualize attention she gives to anyone who ask or join the forum. Always informative,direct and caring in all she does…..

rocha says:

June 18, 2010, 10:49 am

Hi bella! I LOVE your blog. I'm excited because I'm moving from DC to Chicago, and I've decided that with my move, I'm going to go natural! Something, that I'm totally excited about. I'm wondering if Salon Heaven is a good place for natural hair in Chicago. I remember a while ago you did a post on how hard it was to find a place, so I was wondering if there was a post planned to talk about where you've settled. I'd look forward to that.

mjtopaz says:

June 19, 2010, 2:28 pm

These are some of the ingredient list for Naturtint Hair Color 4N Natural Chestnut. I got the list at vitacost.com. Color Developer: Aqua (water), hydrogen peroxide, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, laureth-3, ceteareth-20, oxyquinoline sulfate. Hair Conditioner: Aqua (water), quaternium-83, rosemarinus officinalis(rosemary oil), eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus oil), imidazolidinyl urea. If you want to see the rest of the ingredients you can go to: http://www.vitacost.com/Naturtint-Hair-Color-4N-Natural-Chestnut

designdiva says:

June 19, 2010, 2:35 pm

I thought the video was interesting...and I will take her advice on hair cuts...and I thought her top was cute. I didn't know locs had a smell to them. I'm glad bella that you are posting videos about natural hair and beauty tips which are difficult to find in major magazines.

Buki says:

October 7, 2010, 12:43 am

Ahh Bella! I'm so sad i just saw the post/found your blog. I actually live in Chicago and would have loved to go this event. Do you think she'll come back? I'm actually almost finished combing out my dreads (took me a month a patience). The 1st thing I know i need is a haircut. I know you didn't cut your hair there, but since they hosted this event, did this salon seem like an ok place to get a cut?