Monique

Monique Has A Moment~

Regal is the word that comes to mind when describing my BushBroad photo shoot. I am a woman with a disability and the team accomodated me by coming to my home to transform me into a BushBroad queen! Including a woman with a disability really shows that they are capturing a "broad" spectrum of natural sisters in the movement. The creative energy and love that they brought to my home was a beautiful feeling. The back drop for my shoot had names of famous and powerful black women past to present that inspire us to carry ourselves as queens; it was an honor to even sit in front of those names painted on a cloth. Having been officially stamped a BushBroad makes me feel even stronger and ready to rule in every area of my life. "Off with the heads of those that don't respect the BUSH!"



Thank you Davita, Marquita, Meesh, Gia, and Ty via Joy for making me look so beautiful!


Monique Stamps

Pretty Outspoken: Amina

 This is Amina (and her precious son).

She will be transformed in November along 

with other models from Georgia.

We asked.

She shared.

1) How long have you been natural?

I've been wearing my hair natural for over 15 years!

 

2) What significance does your hair have?

Great question. At different times my hair has meant different things, in fact, if I were asked this question a week ago my answer would be totally different. Today I would have to say my hair signifies a "BEAUTIFUL REBELLION." I recently moved back to my hometown which is not as "progressive" as Atlanta and right away I noticed the stares, the "sneak peeks" and the gawking of the people around me. Maybe they've never seen an afro all big and bushy like this in real life, hee hee! It's certainly not the norm here. Anyway, I decided rather than doing my usual up-do, i would keep doing the full fledged in your face kinky afro. You know, use it as a natural beauty wake up call. I think the fact that my almost 2 year old son has a HUGE afro himself adds to the amazement!    

 

3) What is your definition of beauty?

Beauty to me is confidence and kindness. It is positivity and joy. When you possess these qualities, beauty can't help but to shine through.

 

4) Do you have any interesting hair rituals? If so, please share.

Hummmm, hair rituals. Not really at this time, BUT there are a few things that make being a "bushbroad" A WHOLE LOT easier. First, I always deal with my hair in sections when detangling, washing and styling. Second, keeping a wide toothed comb and a "strong" paddle brush on deck is a must. This third one may sound a little funny but it's real. I am CONSTANTLY telling my hair how much I love it. I really think, it helps it to grow better. ;)

 

5) What products do you use?

My go-to pomade is Jane Carter Solutions "Nourish and Shine," the name says it all. For smoothin out the edges or a more firm up do, nothing, is touching Hick's "Edges!"

 

Wanna become a BushBroad?

Are you 'pretty outspoken'?

Email a pic to BushBroads@gmail.com!

We'll take care of the rest :)

Crystal's Experience

Over the course of about 10 years I have been undecided between natural and relaxed hair. I consider self low maintainence but work in an industry where beauty and appearance are judged before character and talent. First, let me say that my mother is a hair styist and owned a salon for much of my life. I have never been married to hair because I've seen it fried, dyed, and weaved...meaning it optional. My journey began as a teen. I was experimenting with my hair(cutting/coloring) and decided I wanted a big fro....but around prom time and graduation time I decided I needed "serious hair". I relaxed my hair without a second thought. Two weeks after graduation I went in my godfather's barber shop and got a ceasar. I wore an afro, cornrows, and even pressed hair through college until I decided to experiment with locking my hair. I locked my hair myself and wore them through graduation and finally decided to cut them because I was tired of being the butt end of rastafarian jokes. The breaking point was freelancing @ Southpark and having a distract manager approach me as if I was ignorant of proper english (complete with him rolling his neck and his eyes). Why is it that the hair we have on our head bothers some people?....I don't know...their issue not mine. I was also going through other life changes as I was assuming my role as a proper adult woman. So once again I went back to my ceasar. I decided to take another approach....grow it and weave it. My hair seemed to grow quickly but I relaxed it again about a year later. After about six months and moving to NY I decided to begin cutting my hair again. I like to say that I have had every hairstyle Rihanna has now...but I had them last year. I ran back to my ceasar and have been growing my hair since...best descision ever! I don't see a relaxer in my future anytime soon..I feel my hair has reflected the changes I've gone through and as I see grays sprouting it will continue to grow and change with me. I don't know what the stigma is about natural hair but I suspect most of it stems from ignorance. Why do I have to change what is natural to me to please someone else's eyes if I am the only me I'll ever be? I must please myself and do what's natural.

Up Next?

First of all, let me be the first to say that our BushBroads team is going so hard these days!! We have a purpose and are enthusiastic with nothing but pure 'Joy!!' (wink, wink)......

The transformation of another broad happens Sunday.... Meet Monique!

The Debate: Natural or Not

Just about a year ago, my hair was pretty much non-existent as I wore it shaved really low in a caesar. However, just as unpredictable as the decision to shave my dome, the decision to let it grow came just as quickly. And, that's exactly what I've been doing--letting it grow!

Of course, every now and then, I get the 'itch' to cut here or chop it off there but have been able to resist the urge (so far). Instead, I opt for color to provide a little 'umph' to my tresses.....not that my locs can't speak loudly for themselves (no, not at all). I choose to add color because it suits my personality, it appeals to my mood.

Hmmmm.....but does this a natural make? Or am I more like a quasi-natural? Better yet, is being natural more of an attitude and/or lifestyle? For example, though I am without a perm, I have chemically applied color to my 'bush' but let me get in a swimming pool, I assure you that my hair will sure enough shrivel up like the next..... Let's talk! Natural or Not?

Joy & Pain

Our team is down one.
We've lost a bad ass Broad.
But she has much work to do.
And, so we must let her do just that.
Here's to Joy!! (http://www.flawlessmakeupart.net/)
Continue to beat those faces sis!!!
Much love.....

Tastes Like Candy

Help, I'm eating more than
I'm supposed to!!

These costumes may be a little skimpy. Ooooops!

Next?

This Sunday, the movement continues with

two more beauties.....

Meet the 'CandyGirls'!!

Jamie

Jania

Want to be a model,

tell us about yourself and send a pic to

BushBroads@gmail.com.....



Our newest BushBroads!

Shots from the latest capture of 3 beautiful ladies....

 

 

 

From the Mouth of Monique*

Beauty Redefined… That is how I sum up my experience working with the Bush Broads dream team. From the moment I walked into the building I could feel the creativity flowing from these beautiful ladies. I was nervous at first because I didn’t know how things were going to play out but I was also filled with excitement. On my way there I kept thinking of how they were going to dress me up and if I could actually pull it off. Its one thing to snap pictures of yourself in your bathroom but to have a team of professionals who exude pure style and haute-ness is a whole different experience. I felt so blessed to be a part of their vision.

I am sure they wondered what I was thinking of as I sat quietly in my chair. I traveled back to my teenage years when I would thumb through high fashion magazines dreaming of being in the shoes of a super model. The only problem was there were no models that looked like me. Black women come in many sizes, shapes, and color however the standard of beauty portrayed in the media didn’t reflect our diverse images. Black women and especially natural black women were underrepresented then and even now. As more black women return to their natural roots the image of beauty continually evolves. Bush Broads are redefining beauty and I am so happy that I had the opportunity to be a part of the project.

Peace & Blessings

Monique

So Says Stacey~

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to be utterly transformed by the Bush Broad ladies. The transformation (for me) was not simply physical. Through the process of physical transformation I got to be enriched by taking part in the creation of art by a group of women who love what they do, and are willing to brave heat, bugs, and inquisitive land lords to nail the look they want. The art they want. It was inspiring (so inspiring that it caused me to get off my arse and get some writing done when I got home!)


The experience served as a spark to myself esteem to think that I just as I am "pretty wings" and all could be a piece of art, a treasure. It was a shift in my perception of who I am. People can tell you repeatedly "you're special", "you're worthy" but experiences like this one allow you to see the evidence. In short, I would HIGHLY recommend taking part in this project. It is a healing inspiration, and I'm glad that I was allowed to be a part of it.


To my Bush Broad Babies:


Ladies, you ROCK. Keep doing what your doing and keep changing the world through changing it's attitudes and perceptions.

Selah --->


Stacey "Fire Station #10 'The Rock'" Rose ;)

A New Look!

Not only did we 'transform' our site but

three lovely beauties morphed into BROADS!!

Stay tuned.....

Check out the latest from one of the Original Bush Broads!!!

Check the latest from one of the original Bush Broads!!!!

Flawless Make Up Art is presenting "Eye  Elements"... a class on the basics of how to apply beautiful eye make up like a pro!!! Check the flyer for details!!! 

Save $5 by paying ahead!!!

What's Your Story?

Alright ladies and gentlemen!! Natural or not, we want to hear your 'hairstory.' What does your hair mean to you? How do you keep it fresh, clean, dope? Any 'interesting' care rituals? Are you diagnosed with an illness and losing your locs because of it? How did it feel the first time your hair was pulled during sex? Does your hair cause people to stare? If so, why? How are you coping with turning 'gray?' We want to hear it all, any and everything, bring it on! Will you share with us? Pretty please! If so, send your tale to BushBroads@gmail.com.....

Up Next?

And, the transformation continues.....

This Sunday. 3 MOrE bROads. Legendary!!

Stacey!

Asha!

Monique!

Want to become a model, email us a pic at BushBroads@gmail.com!