THIS WEEK'S ISSUE — Updated Every Monday!

nia-long-in-progress

With Hollywood for years being a haven for the long-haired blond and brunette, it’s hard to be a sex symbol…

what-to-expect-when-dealing-with-the-racially-impaired

We’re only human and equally subject to the chronic brainwashing that inevitably instills varying degrees of bigotry. Racism, sexism, homophobia,…

times-are-hard-a-letter-to-my-girlfriend

Times are hard especially financially, however, my girlfriend does not seem to realize the whole world is undergoing something called…

change-we-still-believe-in

I remember exactly where I was that night that history was made. I was fast asleep in my bed and…

top-ten-trends-we-want-to-see-disappear

It was proven best in the fashionable documentary The September Issue, that Fall is the New Year’s of fashion. Fashion…

lights-camera-natural

I vividly remember the day I got my first relaxer. I was 7 years old, and there I sat in…

the-various-shades-of-sophie-okonedo

Brilliance is defined as: having or showing great intelligence, talent, and quality. Well, if you’ve ever had the privilege of watching…

tyler-perry-to-spike-lee-who-you-callin-a-coon

Once upon a time (i.e. this past spring), Spike Lee put Tyler Perry on blast:

“Each artist should be allowed to…

the-other-women-that-helped-raise-me

I remember way back when… Reminisce with me. Life was less complicated for a youngster. My Huffy Bike was valet’d in the driveway, Saturday morning cartoons were in heavy rotation, Puma wasn’t just an animal at the zoo…

naomi-still-the-baaaadest

Who can take out a housemaid with a single Smackberry? Who can rock community service hours in New York City’s…

time-sisters-kept-condoms-at-hand-too

Who sold this idea to women that it is the sole responsibility of a man to always have condoms at…

finding-the-perfect-skin-care-cream

It seems like every week a new skin care cream hits the shelf. Products for frown lines, laugh lines, crows…

rihanna-overload-enough-is-enough

Talent aside (ahem), there have been very few celebrities who warrant as much media coverage as Robyn Rihanna Fenty. Sure,…

black-panther-movement-reminds-of-flaws-in-media

You can kill the revolutionary, but you can’t kill the revolution. – Fred Hampton, Nov. 3, 1969

This week I came across…

and-then-the-rebels-came

The conflict in the Congo is a much overlooked atrocity that is claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of…

quick-change-artist

I remember when I was in high school. When it came to fitting in with all the different peer groups…

pimped-out-peddling-childhood-interrupted

Have you ever come across a group of juveniles whose fundraising practices consist of canvassing commercial hubs, or expressway entry…

get-your-finances-on-track-top-books-on-finance

So you spent a lot of the governments change (not the free kind) getting your education, you haven’t gotten into…

Sisters Supporting Sisters: Behind The Scenes of The Coil Review

Monday Jun 22, 2009 – By Laquita Thomas-Banks

yardley_messeroux_tcr_editorThe Coil Review site not only features, natural hair articles, tips, photos, product reviews and a salon directory, it’s also packed with information from stylists, dermatologists and trichologists all geared toward the mission of inspiring women of color to embrace their natural hair.

In June of 2008, Founder and Editor in Chief, Yardley Messeroux, embarked on this mission to create a resource of information on all things pertaining to natural hair by way of The Coil Review.

“As a woman who has worn natural hair for most of her life, I’ve found that resources are out there, but definitely limited. So I wanted to create a reliable guide so people can learn about the beauty and versatility of natural hair – and also to ultimately reset the stale standard of what is considered beautiful hair…a personal and professional goal of mine.”

Defining natural:

You would think this is a fairly easy word to define, but it’s not so cut and dry. To be natural, the way women of color use the term is – to not chemically straighten your hair. Well, that’s just part of it. “Natural” is accepting and wearing your own texture, proudly. Being patient and learning about your natural hair no matter how frustrating it gets basically, acknowledging the beauty of your God-given coils and curls.

My natural journey began with Dead Presidents and a Lye. No really – it’s true. I actually made the decision at a time when no one, not even the ‘fight the power – incense burning’ girls at school were wearing their hair naturally. I know, bad stereotype. I just remember one day I got the worst perm ever at the Dominican spot near campus when they ran out of no-lye so they gave me a lye perm, and a week later, my hair was falling out profusely at a simple stroke of a comb. That’s the experience that took me on a trip of reflection, which led me to the epiphany.

I reflected on the years past when my mother used to tell me how beautiful my thick long braids were, while I begged her for a perm to fit in with junior high classmates. I reflected on how self-loathing I was at the sight of new growth – damn near running to the salon to get it straightened and “fixed”. I also reflected on how restricted I was in situations like refusing to go outside if there was a rain forecast to avoid getting my hair wet. Now how ridiculous was that! Sometimes it takes an unfortunate event to get you thinking a little deeper, beyond the surface.

But what sealed the deal was Dead Presidents – my favorite flick at the time. Delilah wore her fro so sexy and confidently. The look was tough, in a fabulous way! That powerful image gave me the extra nudge – having me yearn for my natural texture even more. So I took matters into my own hands, began the transition and I enjoyed the hills and valleys along the way. Great experience!

Natural advice:

I could go on for days, so I’ll break it down into just four things. 1. Do it for the right reasons, ladies! Go natural for a reason that is healthy for your hair as well as your mind, or else you will likely regress and get back to perming again. 2. Read, learn and review photos that are inspiring. 3. If you feel challenged and frustrated, it’s okay. Nothing that’s worth it ever comes easy. 4. And finally, go to (“insert shameless plug here”) The Coil Review on a regular basis. Great information over there – wink!

Natural beyond hair:

In the past, I used to be the first to say, my hair is not who I am and I don’t have to fall into a stereotypical “ tree-hugging lifestyle”. I found myself to be more of a self-proclaimed ‘Sex and the City’ type of gal, which I’m sure you could have gathered by the feel of the commercial. But when it comes down to it, it’s not even about that. Once we allow ourselves to arrive at a place where we’re really enjoying our natural hair, we tend to realize the benefits of embracing other aspects of a natural lifestyle. It just makes more sense. Healthy foods, healthy products – basically a healthy life in general.

Being natural introduces you to a better quality of life; and who doesn’t want that? I personally gravitate to all natural products due to the findings from research I’ve done over the past 10 years on hair products and hair overall. I also find myself buying more organic foods, too. So yeah, it definitely spills over into my lifestyle.

Creating The Coil Review’s re-launch commercial:

For decades we’ve seen hair commercials on TV where the women fling their shiny, bouncy straight hair around which are the images that, unfortunately, have set the general standard of beauty for all women. So we at The Coil Review thought, hmmm, let’s make a commercial that sets our own standard of beauty for women of color; and in doing that, let’s show them how sexy and cosmopolitan natural hair really is.

One of the main objectives of The Coil Review is to help reverse what American history and mainstream media have done that has affected the way Black women perceive their natural texture, by showcasing positive images of our own natural beauty. That was really the main goal of the commercial. By the way, there is no doubt talent runs in the family, the commercial was directed by her sister, Tricia “T.Mezz” Messeroux, who breathed life into the concept.

What’s In store for the Re-Launch:

Honestly, the purpose of re-launching The Coil Review was to give it a face lift, making it more inviting and enjoyable for daily perusing. So, I’ll leave that a secret so you all can be surprised.

Clutchettes and gents make sure to log-on to The Coil Review next month and support the beautiful ladies behind this wonderful destination. For more please visit thecoilreview.com.

Related Tags:

12 Comments – Add Yours

  1. Arnita Arnita says:

    Loved it! You know I will be logging on July 1st. I just enjoy your articles. I am so glad that we “met”. My hair will always thank you.

  2. Awesome article/interview! Yardley is gorgeous!! And yes, I get the “Sex in the City” vibe from her photo. =) I’m grateful for the The Coil Review and the concept behind it. And I can definitely relate to gravitating “to more natural products” and how this “spills over into my lifestyle”.

    Great read! I’m really looking forward to the re-launch.

  3. Your feedback is tremendous! It gives The Coil Review that extra reinforcement to continue doing what we do. So, thank you abundantly.

    Ah, and because support is so necessary, I invite everyone to check out my sister, T. Mezz and her wonderful project on http://www.toddlewood.com. Enjoy!

    Thank you Clutch–you’re fabulous! It’s great to see ‘Sisters Supporting Sisters’:-)

  4. Natalie Natalie says:

    Thank you so much for the encouragement, great article! Yardley’s story is an inspiration, an idea can flourish and create real change!

  5. Alaina Alaina says:

    thank you La, for giving me something new and exciting to go check out in the future!!!

  6. Ananda Leeke Ananda Leeke says:

    I love it. Thanks for sharing. I will share it with BAP Living members.

  7. Pink Elle Pink Elle says:

    Fantastic.

  8. Lilia Lilia says:

    Loved this. Keep it up Yardley.

  9. Soul Cry Soul Cry says:

    LOVE the article, and in my hearts, I saw myself in her.

    I cut off my perm in HS (over a decade ago). I was through with it. People made fun of me, but I was over it. And so began my journey: mind body and soul. Ever growing.

    Thank you for sharing.

  10. Talata Talata says:

    Really can’t wait to check it out – being a hair fanatic myself.

  11. rene rene says:

    WOW, i’ve visited the website and i love it!! Keep up the good work. God Bless

  12. Nadege Nadege says:

    I just visited the site and it looks great. I’m relaxed and I still love reading information on healthy hair.
    The video was cute too!

Leave a Comment

  • We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.
  • Please keep comments related to topic.
  • Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

You are commenting as a Guest. Optional: Login below.

Twitter + Facebook Users
Enter your personal information in the form or sign in with your Twitter/Facebook account.

NEWS.GOSSIP.INFO — Daily Blog

satan-worshipping-celebs-part-ii

Dig this sequel by way of Jay-Z’s former friend, Jaz O, as he puts DimeWars down with allegations that the Hova gets…

the-buzz-bumble-bee-contestant-faces-racist-firestorm-in-china

Lou Jing, a contestant on China’s version of “Idol,” is a recent victim of racial discrimination. The beautiful, gifted, Shanghai…

lonely-girls-club

Are you 21+ with no relationship experience? Never been on a date or approached by a guy you actually like?…

shes-so-ambitious-rhonesha-byng

She’s So Ambitious: Rhonesha Byng, Founder of HerAgenda.com

A girl with dreams that stack much higher than her petite 5-foot-2 inch frame,…

ayah-in-my-lifetime

Our girl Ayah just dropped her new video for “In My Lifetime” off her latest album “4:15″. This woman is not the one to sleep on!

rachel-roy-x-clutch-great-fall-fashion-tips

We like Rachel Roy a lot, so a couple of weeks ago we reached out to her to see if she…