Curlvolution | I am Amazing! Curlfriends' Day Out!

Curlvolution | I am Amazing!

What a day!
So it started at 11am but I was (fashionably) late.
It was held at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Hotel, Royal Victoria, Docklands. I was surprised by how convenient it was to reach!

Once there, I got my name badge and got to filming.

I'd arrived in time for the Question and Answer session with the panelists who were either natural or transitioning bloggers and/ Vloggers! Then a quick break for food and introducing of the vendors present! It was  a lovely mix of vendors: Shea Butter Cottage, Adornement365, BeUnique Haircare, Naturally Sexy, Hair Nine H9, Beautella's Boutique, Black & Brown, Meen Clothing and ISIS Magazine.

Once done, we had Spoken Word poetry readings by a very talented young woman, who gave the best food-for-thought lyrics I have heard yet!

Now for the live BIG-CHOP. Not one, but TWO! Two very brave ladies had volunteered to have their transitions ended right in front of a crowd of onlookers. After introductions to the Adornment365 team who were the hair stylist providing the services, we sat with anticipation as the big moment drew closer.
We started counting down, "Ten...CHOP...Nine...CHOP...Eight...." With every number, the excitement was building.

Click "Read More" for more pics and rest of post.

 "One.....CHOP!" And the stylists began snipping!

The initial Euphoria of the crowd had helped the ladies keep calm but as the wisps of hair fell, forming soft piles on the ground each lady started feeling the fear I know I would feel!
"What does it look like?" "I've never had short hair before!"  "What will I do with it after?"

The other Adornment365 team members quickly moved to hold hands and offer support as the crowd tried to cheer again.

Now, the MC, Action Jackson, who had already been threatening to steal the show, stepped up to the plate. He offered his professional mentorship for the BIG-CHOPPER's first years as naturals.

- "To help guide them through the transition".

Then he opened up the floor to the vendors present to offer products or tokens that would be useful to the ladies in their new "natural" state.

They grabbed the bat and hit it out of the park... Sorry, too many baseball movies as a child! They offered magazines, products and even books like "The Science of Black Hair"! It was an awesome moment to witness.

Once all the chopping was done, they were whisked away backstage to get dolled up and styled with their new tresses.

On with the show, we had more confidence-building exercises:

   "I'm disciplined, I'm focused, I'm DONE!" was our second mantra of the day.

Now for the giveaways!
Action Jackson revealed a big "wheel of fortune" style circle that the people with raffle tickets could spin and see what they won! Well, £20 was won twice in a row! lol!
Next was a motivational T-shirt.

Soon, raffle ticket numbers were picked at random and gifts given out!

Once all the positive thinking of "let it be my ticket" was done, we played a few confidence games: guessing what the person sitting next to you was thinking by standing back to back and pointing to your chin, nose or forehead. Laila-Jean (FusionofCultures on Youtube) and I initially got it right but the connection fizzled. =( lol! It was a fun game though!

Next, the BIG CHOPPERS/New Naturals came back out in radiant style and regal procession!

It was wonderful to see them in their new dresses (donated by a vendor) and hair styles (by Adornment 365) and make up (by another vendor)! They were all smiles and the crowd went WILD!

It was the Paparazzi all over again with everyone getting pics and cheesing it from either side of the lens!

How did I find the event overall?
I loved it!

• It was mainly inspirational.
• It also encouraged us on our natural journeys,while pushing us to be better, do better and dream bigger!
• Finally, it was simply fun! Getting together with your favourite gal-pals and chatting about hair with all those products around us.
  

From the beginning, we established that it was important to pass on this heritage - our HAIRitage - of how beautiful, unique and truly God-given our natural tresses are - to the next generation! Lovely to have children there to enjoy with us.

Did I mention a quick hello from Jane Carter of Jane Carter's Solution? Forgive me!
Can't wait for the next one in a year's time. I'd definitely like to be involved in helping plan and execute it!

It was lovely to meet Action Jackson, Junior Ogunyemi (who's book I'm devouring now), Aunty Akua Wood (Shea Butter Cottage) and Ebony Bennett of Naturally Sexy! I thank God for Bukky Fatusin, who masterminded the entire Curlvolution event!


Now for some pictures! Enjoy! Youtube Vlog coming soon.

Adornment365 introducing the ladies who were having the LIVE BIG CHOPS!

A bit of moral support

Soon after the chopping began!

Vendors came forward to show support!

Beautella's boutique

Belinda's Cousin offered skin care products

Almost done!

Some thought provoking spoken word!

The Big Reveal!

Smiles all around!

The Adornment team! Successful BIG CHOPS!