“I’m Too Blessed To Be Stressed” Meet Hope Tladi

Hey you all. I HOPE I find you well and today we have HOPE in the house. Yey! this is so amazing. You know, I have so much wanted to interview Hope on her hair journey for quite some time and finally here it is, an exclusive from the owner and founder of HopefulInteriors. Let me admit. I have known Hope for about five years or so and the first time I saw her Fro, I was really taken back. It was so awesome and well taken care of I can say. It was looking really great and right there I knew I also wanted natural healthy hair like hers. She is one of those people who inspired me to go natural and when I was transitioning, I still remember asking her for some tips and didn’t those tips work hey? Anyway without pre-emptying the interview, let’s get on with it.

 Please tell us a line or two about yourself.

My name is Hope Tladi (I’m South African),a proud single mom to an amazing daughter (Shiloh Tladi) and I own an Interior Design and Decor company (Hopeful Interiors) and my motto in life is “I’m too blessed to be Stressed”

How long have you been natural and what triggered the decision to grow natural hair?

Started Transitioning in 2007 and it took me a complete 3yrs NO chopping to claim my 101% Afro status from 2010-Now (3yrs) and 6yrs with no Lye Relaxer.

Describe your hair

4A/4B

What is your secret for such healthy hair? What do you do? Take us through your weekly regimen please!

I keep it simple over the years I’ve tried so many things and I learnt the less I touch my hair the better
*Wash x2 a week (Co-wash once and then Moisture treatment on the weekend and then Protein treatment as and when my hair requires)

* Moisturise x2 a day, morning and evening in sections of 6 twists (And I carry my own spray bottle with my own water mix which I use to spray my hair at random times during the day when I remember to hahaha)

* Use extra virgin olive oil to seal in moisture to my hair after moisturising it.

*Shampoo hair as and when build up rather ones every 2 weeks or more.

*Use castor oil for my edges twice a day morning and evening.

* I always finger comb my hair unless on wash days (where I de-tangle my hair under running water with a Denman brush).

*Last but not least I sleep with a silk scarf…..

Tell us what you like most about natural hair?

I love the fact that its ALL mine and the attention I get from everybody mostly that I have healthy, strong and rich hair.

Any challenges in maintaining natural hair? Let us in on them.

I HATE the Shrinkage and I’m still trying to get a good way of de-tangling so if anyone can assist I’m all ears.

What is your favorite hair style and why?

I must say I love wearing my fro out in a nice big puff or having it in twists then wearing the twists out for as long as I can. I like my puff cos it really adds a nice natural and “wow girl is that your hair kinda reaction” then the twists I love as they are a good protective hairstyle and I love wearing them out as they give that different curl to my hair which all results in “Girl I love the curl in your hair that’s a nice natural weave hahahaha”

Does your profession have compatibility issues with your hairstyles?

NO not at all in fact my company profile has a pic of me in my BIG fro and so many of my clients have made very nice and positive comments about my hair I guess its a good thing that my profession is a creative one.

What is the strangest thing ever said to you about your hair?

I don’t think ever strange but rather “Is that your real hair” I guess its both a complement and an insult 

What are your “must have products”?

Leave-In conditioner (Pantene), ACV (For my shampoo washes), Castor Oil,Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Coconut oil, Glycerine, Raw Shea butter, ORS Moisturiser  VO5 & Tresemme (Conditioner) Kubi oil. (well their is much more but I just can’t think of them right now)

What do you think about the perception that black girls can’t grow their hair long unless it’s in dread locks

Its a LIE they need to convert to the natural side of things then they’ll see that God made our hair to grow in its special kinda way I mean for use as Afro head we have a shrinkage issue but that is part of the natural hair process just because my hair shrinks when its wet doesn’t mean that it’s NOT long!!!

What do you think about applying relaxers to little girls, even from pre-school going age?

A BIG NO NO my daughter is Natural and she love her Afro remember our mothers made us hate our AFRO’s and I’m not that kind of MOM!

Tips for natural newbies 

Stay with what works for you, protective styling braids, twists etc helped me get through my transitioning and those moments where your afro is so tinny and get someone with the same hair type as yours on Youtube and follow them…………..

Where else can we find you online? 

My blog Hopeful Interiors and my website will be going live from the 1st of June 2013 www.hopefulinteriors.co.za 

Any other comments

All I can say is Ladies Love and Pray for your Fro’s give them the TLC they deserve and they will grow like you never thought they could.

God bless you all.

 What more can I say? God bless you too my sister and thank you for your time.