Name: LuBellaCoils is my Youtube name. Stacy is my birth name.
Where are you from? I was born and raised in Detroit, Mi
How long have you been natural? Since the Fall of 1998 with the exception of 4 months in 2008.
1. Let’s talk about one of your most recent trips and your hair care regimen during!
(Feel free to name some of your favorite products)
I travel a great deal so my hair regimen is very simple. I decided not to add additional humectants to my regimen. Isn’t traveling enough of a burden trying to take 6 oz of this and 6 oz of that? Now I’m going to decide what 6 oz I will travel with? NO THANK YOU! Humectants are very fickle and I’ve learned from experience that it’s not necessary to add additional humectants (spritzers containing vegetable glycerins, etc) at least for my hair. Besides, do you really want to check the weather forecast in California and in Michigan? The trip from my house to the airport can turn a well defined Twist Out into a beautiful poofy Afro. I mostly use Shea Moisture and Organic Root Stimulator products. Those products and a plastic cap to use for conditioning is all you’ll need to look beautiful where ever you travel.
2. Did you do anything differently for your regimen while traveling?
I have to admit that there were times when I felt it was better to have dirty hair than to shampoo and condition with what the hotel had to offer. Depending on the length of time you stay…going a week past your shampoo date may yield some of the prettiest styles.
3. What about your night-time regimen?
99% of he time I wear a Du-Rag. During the day if I feel like I will be taking a long nap, I’ll put it on.
4. We all know that when we had relaxers swimming was something you had to think twice about! Have you been out swimming at all? If so how did you prepare your hair?
I recall trying to learn how to swim as an adult. I had long relaxed hair at the time and I was dating. So I scheduled my sessions on a day that was a shampoo day. I think I missed out on other sports because I was overly concerned with keeping my hair straight.
5. How do you wear your hair while you are on the plane? I have taken the dreadful overnight flight on more than one occasion. I would bring a satin cap to put on and on top of that wear a cute hat. It’s usually freezing on planes so I don’t mind the added warmth.
6. What are some complements you get on your hair while traveling (or even just around town)?
I still get all kinds of compliments. Since my recent move to Ga, I find that natural hair is more prevalent. I can’t go anywhere without seeing at least 1 or 2 natural. In Michigan, it was actually rare. I definitely think the climate plays a big part in the choices women make. Even California, I didn’t see as many naturals as I do in Ga.
I still get all kinds of compliments. Since my recent move to Ga, I find that natural hair is more prevalent. I can’t go anywhere without seeing at least 1 or 2 natural. In Michigan, it was actually rare. I definitely think the climate plays a big part in the choices women make. Even California, I didn’t see as many naturals as I do in Ga.
7. You just missed your flight but your entire luggage was checked. You must spend a night in a hotel. What essential products for skin and hair care is in your carry-on? I have never shampooed/conditioned my hair while on vacation. I make sure my hair is taken care of before I leave. If I am going to be some where long term, a deep conditioner & a styling lotion are the most important things to me. If the hotel shampoo is too harsh you can always add a little bit of your conditioner to it. I think this is one of the 2 times I would consider co-washing. The other time is when I have a “hairstyle fail”.
8. What do you love most about being natural? What annoys you? What do I love most about being natural? Humm…I think it’s the in-your-face “I know I’m beautiful unaltered”. What’s annoying is when ppl dare ask, “Why do you wear your hair that way?” Wow, white ppl don’t get asked that. I’m sure if they did they would emphatically say because this is how God made me. It’s just a dumb question.
9. What one thing every curly head should know from a hair stylists’ point of view?
From a hairstylist’s point of view: If you plan to go to a hairstylist make sure you inquire about the hairstylist. There’s no way that I would go to a salon that specializes in relaxers and weaves. Why? Because that’s clearly their passion. People are going to be good at what they are truly interested in.
10. Do think your training as a hair stylist prepared you well for dealing with natural hair? My cosmetology school prepared me very well for all hair. Period. When I went natural there was no such thing as Youtube. I took care of my own Locs. I even cut my Locs into a layered style. We never even talked about Locs in my school. So how did I know how to care for them? I had that foundation. Like any school, you learn the fundamentals and sometimes you learn more. I’ve never done the Deva cutting technique but it would take no time for me to learn it. Because I already know about sheers, starting with a guide, knowing when to cut hair wet or dry, etc. I never had to seek out anyone when it came to my natural hair. If you think Locs are still taboo now imagine how it was in the 90s. Women who are having bad salon experiences are totally acting brand new to the fact that the hairstylist may have issues with natural hair. They may think its ugly and unprofessional. They may think you need to relax it so it can be silky and straight. There are a lot of reasons why a natural can have a bad hair salon experience. Ultimately it’s up to the patron to do their own research and know what stylist they are going to.
11. How effective do you find YouTube and your YouTube channel as a platform for educating women about their natural hair? I actually think Youtube should be written in the history books of Black hair. I really believe it has encouraged so many curly haired women, especially Black women, to embrace their curls, coils and kinks.