Cheleigh!

-How long have you been natural?
I have been natural since March 2006, so 2 years, eight months. I transitioned for a year before the BC.

-What is your regimen?
My regimen changes, but basically I try to:
-Co-wash 2 times weekly (spritz once daily with a homemade moisturizing spritz when I’m not co-washing)
-Lo-poo (with a mild sulfate shampoo plus conditioner) once a week. Clarify once every three or four weeks.
-Deep treat and detangle once weekly (this doesn’t always happen).
-Trim every six months or so.
-I wear my hair mostly with leave-in conditioner, curl activator gel and then bun it or pin it up damp or wet.

-What is the one thing you’d tell a newbie to help her on her journey?
I’d tell her to be patient. It takes time to figure out what your hair likes or doesn’t like, but there is still joy in the journey.

-How do you maintain length?
To ideally maintain length for me the key is to deep condition and detangle at least once a week. Whenever I let my hair go too long without detangling, I end up loosing more hair than needed because of tangles, knots, and split ends.

-What’s the best thing about being naturally glamorous?!
I LOVE being natural! I love being able to take care of my own hair and control my own “hair destiny.” I don’t have to wait until I go to the shop with fresh style to feel “put together.” I also really like the flexibility of being natural–curly or straight, twists or braidouts, I can wear them all (and can do it all myself!). I also really like my curly kinky hair–it looks better on me than straight hair.