BGLH Real Style: Sheila in D.C.

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Introduce yourself!
S: Hello!! My name is Sheila Amo. I’m a Philly girl who’s made the suburbs of DC my home. By day, I run the HR department for a non-profit and by night I’m a personal style blogger (among other things).

What is your style philosophy?
S: In one word, my style philosophy is Timeless. I like to look polished, graceful, and effortless. I DO believe Confidence is the key to pulling off any look. I DON’T believe in flashing my stuff all over town;-). I also believe in tailoring clothes, when necessary, for a perfect fit (I do this with all my jeans).

How would you describe your sense of style?
S: I’d describe my style as glamorous, playful, and classic with a hint of edge. While I try not to succumb to the tyranny of trends, I wear what I like (and that sometimes includes the latest and greatest). I always figure a way to make a look uniquely mine because I don’t want to look like every other woman (that’s a huge turnoff for me). I understand my body & proportions, which are key for all women to know. This knowledge makes you more adept at choosing clothes that suit your figure.

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What is your process of deciding what to wear in the morning?
S: Working in a corporate setting I try to focus the fabulousness around my hair, shoes, and some great pieces of jewelry. I typically build my looks from there.

What are the three favorite things in your closet?
S: It sounds cliche, but I truly enjoy wearing all my clothes! However I’ll say that I feel most glamorous in my vintage Saks Fifth Avenue winter coat with the fur collar, my striped rafia pants, and my DVF dress collection that I’ve been cultivating for years.

What are some of your favorite shops/websites for clothes, shoes and accessories?
S: I go into the occasional J. Crew blackout, but I mostly try to vary my shopping choices. So in addition to them I also love Anthropologie, Asos, Bloomingales, Etsy, and Urban Outfitters.

How long have you been natural?
S: My last relaxer was in May of 2010.

How and why did you transition into natural hair?
S: I was natural in the past but I didn’t have the resources/patience/knowledge to manage my hair effectively when I decided to grow it. So I went back to relaxers but ultimately grew tired of my activities being limited by my hair choices.

This time around I transitioned by wearing a weave for about 18 months. When I took that out I was delighted with my hair growth and health. Then came the straightening…dumh, Dumh, DUMH!! I straightened my hair for 6 months (at the hairdresser so yeah, a lot of heat) and was completely ignorant to the effects of heat damage (clearly I hadn’t done my research). All I new is that I was natural. When I tried to rock a fro, my hair said, “Umm, excuse me but what are you doing?” I had kinky roots and straight ends that were irreparable. So in July of 2012 I asked my husband to cut it all off and I started over. It was a cathartic move for me. I’d never felt so free!

What is your signature hairstyle?
S: My signature style is a kinky/curly fro! I get this look by two strand twisting on wet hair and putting bantu knots at the ends then wearing it out. I love this look! Learning to manage my hair and keeping it “corporate appropriate” has been an experience and this style lasts with consistent results as long as I re-twist.

Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
S: I co-wash/wash and deep condition my hair every week to two weeks depending on how it feels. I use my steamer once a month in summer and twice a month in winter. I detangle and style in sections and I re-twist nightly. The only product I absolutely love thus far is coconut oil (I use it to detangle, condition, and seal). It leaves my hair soft, manageable, and shiny. The brand I use is Barlean’s Extra Virgin. I also really like Shea Moisture’s Curl & Style Milk for styling.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
S: Please come support me on my blog, www.itgirlallure.com. You can also find me social networking on
Twitter https://twitter.com/ItGirlAllure
Instagram http://instagram.com/itgirlallure
Facebook https://www.facebook.comItGirlAllure
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/itgirlallure

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