Toia B.closeAuthor: Toia B.Name: Toia Barry Email: tobnatural@gmail.com Site: About:
Toia B. is a wife, mom and natural hair enthusiast. This online platform has become a resource for positive images of women with textured hair and useful hair care advice. Since going back to natural in the Fall of 2009, Toia’s aim has been to inspire and share what she has learned to help others embrace their natural beauty.
I’m amazed at how many talented and inspiring people I’ve come across via social media, especially Instagram. NYC artist/illustrator Sharee Miller is one such person. One look at her drawings and you can’t help but smile. But, there’s more to this naturalista’s art than a series of lines and pretty colors. Here’s her story… Have you always worn you hair in its natural state? If not, when and why did you decide to go back to your natural texture? What was the reaction of your family and friends? Sadly no. Just like many others, I begged for a relaxer in 6th grade and I got it. My hair was long and straight but by 8th grade it all broke off. Since then, I have had short hair and grown to like it. Then while I was in college all my friends were beginning to make the transition back and loving it…
Toia B.closeAuthor: Toia B.Name: Toia Barry Email: tobnatural@gmail.com Site: About:
Toia B. is a wife, mom and natural hair enthusiast. This online platform has become a resource for positive images of women with textured hair and useful hair care advice. Since going back to natural in the Fall of 2009, Toia’s aim has been to inspire and share what she has learned to help others embrace their natural beauty.
Like our first official Natural Fashionista, I discovered this creative young woman on Instagram (…Instagram ROCKS!), drawn initially to her daily fashion posts. It didn’t hurt that her hair was always super cute! Without a doubt, she keeps us guessing on both ends. We caught up with one another at a meetup last Spring and she was even more beautiful in person. Meet P Roy… How long have you been rocking your natural tresses and what made you take that step? I’ve been completely natural for over 5 years and decided to take that leap because I wanted more versatility with my hair. I was already rocking curls, weaves, braids, straight hair, etc. and I knew that going natural I would have so many more styles to choose from! So the decision was made and I haven’t looked back since. What’s the best part about being natural? Did you face…
Toia B.closeAuthor: Toia B.Name: Toia Barry Email: tobnatural@gmail.com Site: About:
Toia B. is a wife, mom and natural hair enthusiast. This online platform has become a resource for positive images of women with textured hair and useful hair care advice. Since going back to natural in the Fall of 2009, Toia’s aim has been to inspire and share what she has learned to help others embrace their natural beauty.
I first came across this beauty on Instagram back in November and right away, she had my attention! Not only was she a fierce naturalista but as I scrolled through her page, I realized she had it on LOCK in the fashion department. After numerous photo reposts and features on my IG page, I decided it was time I introduce her to you, my gorgeous readers. After all, natural hair & fashion are what ToBNatural is all about, right? Meet Jessica… How long ago did you go natural? Why? -I went natural 2/15/11. My last relaxer was 12/29/10. Initially I wanted to transition for a year, but I was too impatient and tired of the permed hair. So I big chopped and only had a half of inch of hair on my head. I loved it! Why do you love being natural? Have there been any challenges along the way? -The best…
Toia B.closeAuthor: Toia B.Name: Toia Barry Email: tobnatural@gmail.com Site: About:
Toia B. is a wife, mom and natural hair enthusiast. This online platform has become a resource for positive images of women with textured hair and useful hair care advice. Since going back to natural in the Fall of 2009, Toia’s aim has been to inspire and share what she has learned to help others embrace their natural beauty.
I first discovered Nicole Updegraff back in 2010 when a friend introduced me to the children’s book she had written and illustrated. I cracked it open. With the turn of each page, I smiled bigger and brighter. By the end, I was nodding in admiration. Finally, someone stepped up and produced something so simple yet profound. The message was clear: love yourself. This was so needed! Fast forward to today. I’ve been keeping my eye on Nicole’s success as an artist and illustrator. She stays true to herself and her message through the talent that she now shares with an international audience. Yeah, she’s pretty dope! Meet Nicole… Let’s begin with some hair talk! Have you always worn you hair in its natural state? If not, when and why did you begin the journey back to your natural texture? What was the reaction of your family and friends? No. I…
Toia B.closeAuthor: Toia B.Name: Toia Barry Email: tobnatural@gmail.com Site: About:
Toia B. is a wife, mom and natural hair enthusiast. This online platform has become a resource for positive images of women with textured hair and useful hair care advice. Since going back to natural in the Fall of 2009, Toia’s aim has been to inspire and share what she has learned to help others embrace their natural beauty.
Last Saturday at the Healthy Hair & Beauty Affair, attendees watched like proud mamas as college student Amber Fraser got her relaxed hair chopped off to reveal a beautiful, young naturalista! I felt it only right that I chat with her a bit about how she got to this point… At what age did you get a relaxer and why? Describe the state of your hair during this time. My hair wasn’t damaged when I got my relaxer at age eight. I have a picture of my mom and I, around age four, where she did what many other mothers did: braid my hair and tie the braids with those cute bubble hair accessories. However, my mom worked a lot and as a result, felt that relaxed hair would be more manageable because she wouldn’t have to put in much time or effort to style it. How long have you…
