Monday, June 14, 2010

Who is She Anyway?

The Emerge of Entwine

“I’m a natural hair sister. However, I’m not of the tree hugging…My hair is not an overt political statement as well…”

Dr. Adrienne Carthon- Creator/President E.C.b & Natural Hair Stylist


Who is She Anyway?

“Sassy.” “Girly.” “Prissy.” “Intelligent.” “Independent.” “Headstrong.” “Intriguing.” “Provocative.” “Beautiful.” “Godly.” “Loving.” “Kind.” “Genuine.” “Veracious.”

Those are a few of the endearing terms I’ve heard used to describe me, but I have to say that the one that suits my style best is one not-listed above—“bohemian bougie”—I am a sorority girl, a professor/scholar, natural hair stylist, creative writer, a lover of Jesus Christ, pesca-vegan food enthusiast (veggie and dessert fanatic), feminist, Southern lady, and a mentor. I only offer the words of Walt Whitman—“Do I contradict myself?”

I’m a natural hair sister. However, I’m not of the tree hugging variety although I am an ardent fan of the Earth and live a lifestyle that respects it. My hair is not an overt political statement as well. I hate confinement. So I do not confine my hair. I wear it wet and coily, or flat-twisted, or two-strand twisted, or cornrowed, or twisted out, all depending on how I feel on a given day and the demands of that day.


The Birth of Entwine

The problem I encountered in the early 1990s was that there were very few natural hair salons as there are today that specialized solely in natural hair, and there were even fewer products designed for the unique needs of the “good” hair that God gave me.

Everything I tried seemed to work for a little while as I experimented with products and styles, many of which were before their time.

Among the many conditioners, gels, pomades, and moisturizers I did try was raw shea butter. That worked well for my twists for a while, but it didn’t work as well for the range of styles I liked to try. Finding a balance between moisture, oil, and style preservation was tough. I wanted the ability to go from wet and coily to a twist out or two-strands without having to use ten different products to do so. I also wanted a product that would give me a press I would like without frying and sizzling my hair to death.

There was clearly, still something missing. Many of the products worked well on hair with a softer curl pattern, as most products will. However, those with kinkier hair still had to work a little harder to find good product performance.

And what about those, like myself, who also had no desire to smell like juices, berries or mayonnaise? I wanted a product with great performance, style, versatility, and a favorably memorable aroma. I watch commercials, and I figured, “Why should the white girls have all the fun with hair that smells and looks good? Must my “good” Black hair be bound to products that come only from the ground?” Me-thinks not.

I knew there had to be a way to marry the lab and the kitchen in a union that would give me the style and versatility I felt was so desperately needed.

That is when I began to nag my beloved cousin and best friend who had successfully launched his own line of products, SimplyHEALTHY® Hair, after leaving one of the number one hair care companies in corporate America. I pleaded with him before the first line of products ever went to market to make something for my hair.

Two years, lots of product development, testing and re-testing later, we are excited to bring you a new approach to natural and transitioning hair care and styling. We created a brand that caters to the natural hair fashionistas…women, like me. We offer high performance, salon-quality products that deliver a variety of styles from a press and curl to twists to a nicely held afro puff all in one brand of products.

Finally, I present to you the chic, fashionable, highly functional brand for the high maintenance, high-powered woman whose hair is an asset, not a burden, and a reflection of her inner light that burns powerfully from within. I give you…Entwine™

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