'Naturals in the City' Event to Showcase Hair, Beauty and Fashion

If you've been looking for a reason to dress up and feel pampered, mark your calendars for an upcoming event geared toward women with natural hair.

"Naturals in the City - Loving My Natural Self One Year Anniversary" will be held on Saturday, April 20 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Embassy Suites, 555 N. Westshore Boulevard. Regular admission is $15, and $20 for VIP.

Attendees will receive natural hair goodies, hear from panels of experts and learn more about the worlds of skincare, wellness and fashion.

We recently talked to London James, founder of Loving My Natural Self, about how the event began and misconceptions about natural hair.

On the origin of Naturals in the City and the one year anniversary: "Part of my background is fashion, so I wanted to bring some type of 'Sex and the City' glam. Just because you're natural, there's a taboo that they don't comb their hair, or they aren't as beautiful as someone with a relaxer. We still love fashion and beauty. Put on your best heels and outfit and celebrate being beautiful."

Explain what "natural hair" is for those who don't know: "Not putting chemicals in your hair, as far as a relaxer. Some people feel like putting color in your hair is not being fully natural. The main reason people go natural is to not put chemicals in your hair."

On what she hopes the event provides women who have natural hair, or others who are considering making the transition: "For the women that are natural, it's embracing being natural. Some people still aren't comfortable in their own skin. It's more a state of mind. Let's think past being natural. It's liberating. You're discovering you. To me, it's accepting all your flaws."

Common misconceptions she's heard about natural hair: "That they feel like natural hair women are not beautiful. We look at the stereotype of straight hair, blonde hair stereotypes. People make it a race issue. It's not politically correct ... Just because you're natural doesn't mean you can't be beautiful."

For more information, go to http://naturalsinthecityfl.eventbrite.com, follow the organizers on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LovingMyNaturalSelf or like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LovingMyNaturalSelf.