The Gorgeous…Brandi Cohen!

Vital Stats
Resides in Atlanta
Graduated from Tennessee State with a BS in Speech Communication and Theatre.
Profession: Advertising….working towards full-time actress/model

-How long have you been natural?
I stopped relaxing my hair in February 04′, but I cut all relaxed hair off in August 05′. So roughly 3 years.

-What is your regimen?
I’ve just started to co-wash my hair. Why didn’t I start doing that a long time ago! It’s pretty simple: I wash my hair with shampoo (Creme of Nature) about once a month. While the shampoo is in my hair, I take a brush (like the Denman brush) and brush my hair. Most people tend to wait until they get the conditioner in to start detangling, but when you’re dealing with this much hair, you have to start the process early. I rinse out the shampoo and put conditioner (Cholesterol….some people don’t like this, but it works for me), then brush. Now I have good curl formation going. I rinse that out without disturbing the curl formation and then put Infusium 23 (Moisturology) mixed with setting loiton (Elasta QP) on my hair. I have to use a lot, because of the thickness, in order to weigh it down a little. After that, sometimes depending on if I have time, I will sit under the dry for about 20 minutes to get some of the water out and then I let it air dry. Once again, because of the thickness and length, my hair takes about an entire day to completely dry. I’m using Palmer’s Hair Milk as a moisturizer during the week.

-What is the one thing you’d tell a newbie to help her on her journey?
*NEVER GIVE UP!!. Frustration is part of the process….and you WILL get frustrated! People go natural and automatically assume that their hair is going to look a certain way or they will use products that others use and expect to have that same result. Being natural is about trial and error. So, don’t even think about picking up that no-lye relaxer, girl! Everyone’s hair is different. You will go through tons of products and regimens before you find what really works for you. And even when you find it, you’re guaranteed to change that, too!…lol

-How do you maintain length?
Maintaining length for me starts at the wash. How I prepare my hair when it’s wet will determine how it looks when it dries. I stretch a few spots with the blow dryer, if I have shrinkage. And at night, I tie my hair pretty firm with a satin scarf and bonnet. I have to use a bonnet because my hair hangs beyond the scarf and I don’t want any hair loose while I’m sleeping to cause frizzies. In terms of hair growth, my hair grows pretty fast in general. I get an extra 3-4 inches a year…don’t ask me how!

-What’s the best thing about being naturally glamorous?!
Being natural gives you confidence. You definitely have to be confident to walk around with a big pile of free-flowing hair on your head!
A lot of newbies go through the phase of not feeling comfortable about their hair when they first go natural. I felt the same way, but then I realized how unique it is and couldn’t wait for it to get bigger!!