Who remembers the ‘Black Is Beautiful’ movement of the 1970s? That was long before many of us were born, but it was a time when countless black people, especially women, began to renounce straightened hair and embrace their unprocessed coifs. It is a trend that has waxed and waned through the years, but today the natural look is more popular than ever. This is evident from the Bahamian #SupportThePuff campaign, as well as the overwhelming attention and support being given to runway model Lineisy Montero, and celebrities like Lupita Nyong’o.

Your

Under The Dryer team turns the spotlight this week on entrepreneur Paula Pinnock, who has not only embraced the unprocessed look but has opened a salon called ‘Island Curlz’ dedicated to the natural look. Indeed, her company’s motto is ‘Naturally You, Naturally Beautiful’.

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ESTABLISHING SHOT/ COVER PHOTO

PHOTO CREDITS: LIONEL ROOKWOOD

***********************************************************************When I first processed my hair, I loved it. After some time, however, I grew tired of the chemicals and the scalp burns, and I soon began to wonder if they would have a negative impact on the health of my hair and scalp in the long term. So, in 2012 I decided that I no longer wanted to process my hair. This was a bold step for me, and so it took some time for me to muster up the courage to follow through with it. I had fears going into this journey. I don’t mean to sound superficial, but some of them were: What would my natural hair texture look like? Would my hair turn out similar to the girls in the pictures? Would I be able to manage my hair? In 2013, despite opposition from my partner and even my mother, I went ahead and did my big chop! It was the best decision I ever made. It was liberating, and since then I have developed a greater sense of self-awareness. Once I went natural, I was very protective of my hair. Finding hairdressers who knew how to manage my hair was difficult, and that’s how Island Curlz was born. I hope that Island Curlz can become a safe haven for naturals like myself who want to be pampered in an environment that respects and understands hair of all different textures. Proprietor of Island Curlz Paula Pinnock, embracing her natural curls.***********************************************************************Are you considering going natural? Here are some pros and cons.Being natural is liberating! You are no longer a slave to the “creamy crack” (a term given to hair relaxers).Natural hair allows tremendous diversity in hairstyle choices. You can be curly this week, wear straight hair next week, and experiment with a wide variety of attractive styles.Being natural makes you more conscious of what you put into your hair and your body. There is a tendency to go organic.Don’t be fooled, being natural isn’t “easy”. Here is the biggest con: Grooming natural hair can be extremely time-consuming.**********************************************************************************************************************************************Island Curlz caters to all natural hair types and offers a variety of services. These services include:The installation and maintenance of Locks and SisterlocksNatural Styles – Braiding, Rope Twist, Cornrows, etc.Assistance with transitioningHair & Scalp Treatments (consultation required)Hair Colour ServicesProtective Styling — weaves, wigs, etc.Blow-Dry StylingWet Set Styling — flexi rods, spiral set, perm rod set, silk wraps, etc.Kids’ ServicesIsland Curlz also offers wedding packages. Natural hair ‘sistas’ and Miss Global Competition hopefuls Jodi-Kaye Peterkins (left) and Rania Bennett.A line-up showcasing the variety of styles and hair textures that Island Curlz can cater to. ***********************************************************************Island Curlz specialises in children’s hair — model Amanda-May Gordon looks Monday morning ready with rope twists and cornrows.Jayanne Boothe is all smiles with her flat twists styled into a side sweep.***********************************************************************Damani Gardner enjoys his new rope twist hairdo.DHair stylist Laura Stewart applies moisturiser and twists to Dexter-3D Pottinger’s hair.With a sponge curler, Laura Stewart is able to create curl definition (model Dexter-3D Pottinger).Island Curlz proprietor and hairstylist Paula Pinnock performs the finger-oiling technique to style and define the curls of Dexter’s hair.***********************************************************************Island Curlz offers lock installation, maintenance and styling services (model Winsome Terrelonge).**********************************************************************************************************************************************Logo

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Paula Pinnock Shares Her Hair Journey

When I first processed my hair, I loved it. After some time, however, I grew tired of the chemicals and the scalp burns, and I soon began to wonder if they would have a negative impact on the health of my hair and scalp in the long term. So, in 2012 I decided that I no longer wanted to process my hair. This was a bold step for me, and so it took some time for me to muster up the courage to follow through with it. I had fears going into this journey. I don’t mean to sound superficial, but some of them were: What would my natural hair texture look like? Would my hair turn out similar to the girls in the pictures? Would I be able to manage my hair? In 2013, despite opposition from my partner and even my mother, I went ahead and did my big chop! It was the best decision I ever made. It was liberating, and since then I have developed a greater sense of self-awareness. Once I went natural, I was very protective of my hair. Finding hairdressers who knew how to manage my hair was difficult, and that’s how Island Curlz was born. I hope that Island Curlz can become a safe haven for naturals like myself who want to be pampered in an environment that respects and understands hair of all different textures.

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Proprietor of Island Curlz Paula Pinnock, embracing her natural curls.

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Are you considering going natural? Here are some pros and cons.

PROS

Being natural is liberating! You are no longer a slave to the “creamy crack” (a term given to hair relaxers).

Natural hair allows tremendous diversity in hairstyle choices. You can be curly this week, wear straight hair next week, and experiment with a wide variety of attractive styles.

Being natural makes you more conscious of what you put into your hair and your body. There is a tendency to go organic.

CONS

Don’t be fooled, being natural isn’t “easy”. Here is the biggest con:

Grooming natural hair can be extremely time-consuming.

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Natural Hair Myths

Myth: Many women and young girls grow up believing that their hair is “dry”, “bad”, “tough”, or “ugly”.

Truth: God created us all in his image and likeness, so how can any hair texture be less than beautiful?

Myth: Natural hair, especially black hair, can’t grow!

Truth: As with all hair types, you reap what you sow. If you nurture your natural hair and give it lots of moisture, then it will flourish.

Myth: Kinky hair is tough and can handle all sorts of abuse.

Truth: Kinky hair is actually very fragile and delicate, and that is why many of us struggle with hair growth.

Myth: our hair will turn out like that of natural-hair models.

Truth: Hair texture charts are only a general guide, as your hair can be made up of a variety of textures. You are unique, and so is your hair. It will never look like anyone else’s.

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Services Offered

Island Curlz caters to all natural hair types and offers a variety of services. These services include:

The installation and maintenance of Locks and Sisterlocks

Natural Styles – Braiding, Rope Twist, Cornrows, etc.

Assistance with transitioning

Hair & Scalp Treatments (consultation required)

Hair Colour Services

Protective Styling — weaves, wigs, etc.

Blow-Dry Styling

Wet Set Styling — flexi rods, spiral set, perm rod set, silk wraps, etc.

Kids’ Services

Island Curlz also offers wedding packages.

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Natural hair ‘sistas’ and Miss Global Competition hopefuls Jodi-Kaye Peterkins (left) and Rania Bennett.

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A line-up showcasing the variety of styles and hair textures that Island Curlz can cater to.

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CHILDREN’S HAIRSTYLES

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Island Curlz specialises in children’s hair — model Amanda-May Gordon looks Monday morning ready with rope twists and cornrows.

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Jayanne Boothe is all smiles with her flat twists styled into a side sweep.

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HAIRSTYLES FOR MEN

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Damani Gardner enjoys his new rope twist hairdo.

D

uring:

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Designer and stylist Dexter-3D Pottinger chooses Island Curlz to maintain his tresses.

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Hair stylist Laura Stewart applies moisturiser and twists to Dexter-3D Pottinger’s hair.

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With a sponge curler, Laura Stewart is able to create curl definition (model Dexter-3D Pottinger).

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Island Curlz proprietor and hairstylist Paula Pinnock performs the finger-oiling technique to style and define the curls of Dexter’s hair.

After:

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The finished product – a refined look.

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SISTERLOCKS

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Island Curlz prefers organic products such as the Sisterlocks hair care product line.

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Island Curlz offers lock installation, maintenance and styling services (model Winsome Terrelonge).

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WET SET STYLING

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Rania Bennett’s hair was curled using spiral rods to add body and bounce.

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PROTECTIVE STYLING: WEAVES

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Jodi-Kaye Peterkins shows off one of Island Curlz’ protective styling options — a sew-in which they maintain to ensure length retention for optimum hair growth.

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