If you've been following the blog, you know that the Long Hair Care Forum is my first love of hair care and LHCF would not even be possible without the vision and dedication of 1 woman...Beverly is the creator, owner and an adminstrator of the Long Hair Care Forum and it was SUCH an honor and privelege for me to chat with her about her site and get to know her on a personal level! Get to know Beverly and check out the Long Hair Care Forum at www.LongHairCareForum.com.
What length is your hair?
My hair is currently shoulder length – In March 2009 I did the “big chop”, due to deciding to go natural. I attempted to go natural once before, but “chickened” out in 2004. Now that I am natural and learned how to be patient with my hair, I don’t feel as if I will ever relax my hair again. My hair type is 4a, coarse, & thick. My hair is currently colored with Aveda hair color. The longest my hair has ever been was mid back length in 2007 when I was relaxed.
What made you start LHCF?
Several years ago when I began having problems with my own hair, I kept going to different stylist who would not care for the health of my hair, and only cared about the style I left out of the salon with, which ultimately caused damage, and forced me to get repeated trimmings and haircuts. My hair has always grown, but it would break off due to the heat damage by professional stylist and also because I did not know how to care for my own hair in between stylist visits. Also, when I attempted to go to the web to find information, there were many scattered sources but none of them provided an easy to use, interactive format, which I have attempted to provide with LCHF. All of those reasons lead me to the decision to start LHCF.
When you started it did you think it would grow and catch on the way it has?
No not at all, it was just a hobby. I wanted an easy to use format and a way for women like myself to find the information they needed to help them better care for their hair.
How have you seen the site change over the years?
Well initially, as I mentioned previously this site started out as a hobby, with a free ezboard. I paid the hosting fees for the website out of my paycheck for many years. However, as the site grew, and when the fees became over $100 per month, I had to make a decision on whether to shut the site down or charge a small maintenance fee to the subscribing members in order to maintain the site as it was. I am grateful to all of our members who have supported the site from the beginning and those who continue to join today.
Do you do any marketing for the site at all?
Marketing is done 100% via word of mouth primarily due to the members and friends of LCHF forum, thank you LHCF family!
Is LHCF a hobby or is this your “real” job? If not, what is your real job?
LHCF is a hobby J I am an IT Manager for the federal government.
What are your thoughts about the obsession Black women have with their
hair? And why do you think it exists?
My personal view is that often times self esteem for all women, including black women relies on how it is we feel about the way we look. The amount of hair you have and also how well you maintain it can affect your self esteem and alter your appearance greatly. So this is why we as women spend a good portion of our time and money to ensure that our hair looks the best that it can.
Do you honestly believe that Black women can have the hair length of
their dreams? What are your thoughts on terminal length?
Yes! I personally went from most of my life never getting my hair to grow past my shoulders, to obtaining my goal length of mid back.
What is your hair care routine? What products do you use? How do you style your hair? Are you relaxed or natural? I want ALL the juice.
Currently I wash my hair weekly, I have a strong preference for the Aveda Damage Remedy line. I blowdry my hair and flat iron it. When it gets a little longer, I plan to rollerset more, along with flatironing. I am 100% natural (no relaxed ends left) and 100% colored (medium brown) no bleach.
What are your top 5 hair care tips for Black hair?
- Protect, Protect, Protect! (Scrunchies, Ponytails, Bantu knots, buns, etc.) A protective style is your best friend!
- Wash/Condition weekly
- The less manipulation the better –whether its combs, brushes, hands, etc
- Moisturize daily with a leave-in hair dressing or pomade
- Find your hair’s balance between a protein conditioner and moisturizing conditioner, pay attention to your hair, it will tell you what it needs!
Where do you see LHCF in 5 years? 10?
I see myself still working for my currently employer 9-5, and making sure LHCF is # 1 hair care site on the web for women of color! I plan to get married, have kids, the normal routine J
When you read success stories on you forum, how does it make you feel?
It makes me feel great. I believe that the Lord put us all here on this earth to make a difference and help someone else. I know if I hadn’t received help from others that I would not be where I am in life – professionally, personally, and otherwise. So no matter how small something may be perceived, such as hair care, find out what your gift is and work in it, you will do well. I also get emails on a regular basis from members who tell me that the forum has helped them in numerous way, not only with there hair, but with personal circumstances that they did not know how to overcome.
Do you feel personally responsible for putting hundreds of thousands
of Black women on to healthy hair care and growing their hair to their
longest lengths? (‘cause you should! )
No I can not take credit for that distinction, but it is an honor and a privilege that you would say something like that about me. Long Hair Care Forum is made up of its members, we have many quality members, who are willing to share advice, tips, and encouragement to others who are attempting to achieve there hair goals also.
Speaking of LHCF, do you know what is going on with the site? You can not access it it keeps saying that there are too many loops.
Posted by: Kelso | August 27, 2010 at 05:19 PM
wow -what a great interview! i am honored to read this!
Posted by: lina40 | August 13, 2009 at 10:16 AM
LHDC, excellent interview! I started my healthy hair care journey when I found LHCF. Thank you for being another resource for women of color who want to grow their hair to healthy long lengths.
BTW - I love listening to "Black Hair Talk Live"!
Posted by: PreciousPearl | August 07, 2009 at 09:08 AM
*tears*
LHDC is what lead me to LHCF!
*tears*
I know that it's 5 am, but I just love thinking about growing my hair long!
Posted by: Darling Cancerian | August 07, 2009 at 05:11 AM
I started my journey six years ago on LHCF! I used to spend literally HOURS on that site! The site is a great resource and this was really BIG of you to interview and spotlight a competitor.
This speaks to your character and debunks the notion that black women can't work together, pull each other up, and celebrate each others successes!
Another win for LHDC!
I'm such a LHDC junky!
BIA No Mo
LHDC: Thank you BIA! I don't look at LHCF as a competitor, though. I think that LHCF provides something that no other resource on the web provides or can even come close to providing. I'm guilty of spending hours on the site myself and have been introduced to things that I wouldn't have been introduced to if it weren't for LHCF. The purpose of LHCF is hair, but if you spend some time on there you'll quickly see that it spills over into to so many other facets of life...
(sorry I rambled a little *giggle*) LONG LIVE LHCF!!!
Posted by: TrinityJas | August 06, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Great interview! Thanks, LHDC. I'm a member of LHCF; it's the site that got me to seriously start taking care of my hair. It also led me to your site! Both sites are an absoultely delight to view and I view darn near everyday!! (I'm currently obsessed with my hair!!!)
Posted by: Paula | August 06, 2009 at 10:56 AM
I enjoyed the interview with Beverly. Thank you LHDC for the information you give us. You also have a huge positive effect on many people. Please know that all that you do is truly appreciated.
LHDC: Hi, Gayle!!! Thank you so much for your comment!!! That really means a lot to me. My mission is to bring the message of healthy hair growth to the masses through whatever outlet it takes! For as many of us who are familiar with the fact that Black women CAN grow the hair they've always wanted, there are THAT MANY more who aren't. Thank you for reading, sis and have a wonderful day!
Posted by: Gayle | August 06, 2009 at 08:44 AM
Great interview!
It's wonderful to learn more about the lady behind LHCF. She's a wonderful example of how people can turn a hobby into something that has a huge positive effect on large numbers of people.
Posted by: B | August 06, 2009 at 06:30 AM