Owner & Operator of Afrotique Natural Hair Salon Sheki Carey is a bright and bubbly character who has a serious passion for caring & styling natural hair. A few months ago she launched a line of natural hair care products. So we passed through the salon to get the inside scoop on the products and her deep love of hair care
When did you first realize you wanted to get into hair care and where did you start?
I loved dabbling with hair from I was probably about 10 but I realized at maybe 15/16 that I wanted to take it seriously. I would have gotten my start in 2000 at Good Hair Salon where I was trained by the proprietor herself Karen Wallace. I furthered with certification and workshop courses throughout the years.
What is it about hair care you love?
I think what I love most about Haircare is the creative aspect of it. I love consulting with a client and assessing what the end result would be. I love being a part of the growing process and most of all its transformation, from just there…..to fierce!!
How do you feel hair relates to personal style and look?
Hair so-ho-ho…. definitely relates to personal style because most times your hairstyle tells you what you want to wear (lol)! I think the way you wear your hair reflects your personality which definitely affects your personal style. For example a person like me..I wear my hair big….and blonde….and carefree…it looks happy and fun! And that’s my personality, it leads to the choices I make in which shoes I buy what dress I would wear and the rest that follows.
Tell us about your products Curl-Me-Crazy?
My products..(smiles) My New babies i call them. My products are a line of organic Hair & Body care made for the entire family. Handmade with The Best Natural and Organic ingredients to bring out the best results from our Heads to our toes!
What was your inspiration behind creating your product line?
Initially, I was inspired to hand make products because after I had my son Mahrlen-Jai; interestingly I developed eczema. So I was almost forced to discontinue the use of some of my favorite products. Especially shampoos, and leave- in conditioners. After purchasing the expensive American brands , I decided I wanted to make my own products using ingredients that I knew would work well for me. As I saw the difference it made with my skin and hair as well as my family, I started in cooperating organic and raw ingredients to my clients so they would receive the same results I did. I then decided I needed to do a trial run so that I would be able to service Afrotique’s clients on a constant basis with organic products and also be able to carry them home. We currently make 8 products which include The leave in conditioner, nourish and shine pomade, lock and twist butter, scalp needs, today oil, sweet hair jelly, head to toe butter, and body polishes.
What separates your product from the competition?
What separates us from the competition I think is first of all we are Handmade in the Bahamas! Secondly, being a Hair Care specialist I make products with the thought in mind knowing exactly what the customer needs, because I have first hand knowledge rather than some of the competition who’s first priority is the almighty dollar, love of healthy hair second or not of much concern at all; who rarely do research to figure out what the customer does need. WE KNOW. Which forces us to take our time and customize based on the need of our client.
What type of product would you advise persons to stay away from?
I would definitely advise naturals …..as much as you can help it, to stay away from products that are loaded with synthetic preservatives such as parabens, petroleum, mineral oils and sulphates. What we don’t realize is that in some cases these preservatives and additions to products cost more damage than good for some of our hair. The same rules should apply for everything. Im sure we all remember from elementary that we are what we eat. We are what we take in. If we eat well, drink lots of water, exercise all in an effort to maintain a healthy body and lifestyle, why not follow the same routine for our hair?