Meet Ayanah…self proclaimed 4a diva with a routine designed and balanced for maximum length retention.
CN: How long have you been natural? Were you a long-term transitioner?
A: 5 years. I was a long term transitioner. I had BSL relaxed hair that I cut to my shoulders and gradually trimmed every month until all the relaxed ends were gone. I did a lot of pony tails and a few flat iron styles during my transition. At the time, I did not go natural to rock a cute fro– I went natural so my straight hair would look fuller. As I grew my hair out, I began to appreciate the natural curl pattern and began to let the flatiron go.
CN: What is your regimen?
A: Once or twice a week:
- Prepoo over night with Aussie Moist mixed with Honey and EVOO.
- Condition with Herbal Essence Long Term Relationship in 4 sections.
- Rinse with ACV and apply an oil mix (Castor Oil, Coconut Oil and Avocado Oil) to my scalp and Herbal Essence Long Term Relationship OR LustraSilk Shea Butter Cholestrol to my hair.
- Then, either I’ll twist it into about 8 twists while in the shower for a twist out OR brush back into a ponytail and twist the ends.
Every Two Weeks:
- Protein treatment for an hour before I do the above. I mix Mane & Tail with One Egg and my oil mix
- Apply to my hair and let sit for about an hour. I try to apply my oil mix to my scalp every other day.
CN: What’s the one thing you’d tell a newbie to help her on her journey?
A: Listen to your hair! Condition, Condition, Condition! Never forget to give your hair a break from constant styling. Sometimes it just needs to be left ALONE!
CN: What’s your secret to length retention?
CN: What do you do to your hair at night to preserve your curls?
A: If I’m wearing a twist out for the week I sleep with my hair in a high ponytail i.e. a pineapple. Cover with a bonnet and go to bed 🙂
A: It contains 2 parts Jamaican Black Castor Oil, 1 part Coconut oil and 1 part Avocado Oil.
A: I have options! Straight! Curly! Fro! Twist Out! Braid Out! BIG HAIR!!!! I love being different and get really bored with the same ol’ wash and set or blow dry and flat iron. I love having more styling options as well as a HEALTHY, CHEMICAL FREE head of hair. Although, I am contemplating color 🙂
Submit your CurlyNikki Spotlight today!
I'm loving your hair! I'm transitioning and I'm getting close to 3 months post relaxer. Looking at pics from when I was little and relaxer free it looks like my hair was 3c or 4a ish so seeing your hair makes me excited about how mine will look!
Hey Ayana!
How you been? Its been years!I can't seem to stay off this site lately and when I came across your spotlight, I burst out laughing because at least I know I'm not alone in my obsession Lol. Your hair is amazing and I'm definitely gonna try your oil mix!
–Curliana (Ariana)
uhm never mind….I read better….4a thanx
P.S I didn't see that I love ur hair did I?
I LOVE ur hair!! 😛
Hey Ayanah,
I was just wondering, what is ur hairtype? Because I'm transitioning right now and I'm really interested in hairtypes and what mine is and urs looks close to how I think my hair will be.
Anonymous said…
Hi Ayanah!
I think it is very sweet of you to respond to the readers' questions.
I have a question for you. In the second picture with you in the cute ninja turtle tee, your twist out seems to be so defined. I also noticed that it hangs very close to your head, meaning it's not big which I absolutely LOVE. Can you tell me how you go about getting your hair so 'tamed' to your head like in that particular photo? Was it a scarf trick? Does it get bigger throughout the day or does it stay that way? TIA so much!
Tell
~~~~~That TnC is only one day old. I took it out that morning and that's what it looked like at the end of the night. Sorry, no scarf trick. Lol, it get's bigger as the days go on. For that TnC I used LustraSilk's Shea Butter Cholestrol. Thanks for the compliment
Hi Ayanah!
I think it is very sweet of you to respond to the readers' questions.
I have a question for you. In the second picture with you in the cute ninja turtle tee, your twist out seems to be so defined. I also noticed that it hangs very close to your head, meaning it's not big which I absolutely LOVE. Can you tell me how you go about getting your hair so 'tamed' to your head like in that particular photo? Was it a scarf trick? Does it get bigger throughout the day or does it stay that way? TIA so much!
Tell
Awwwww!!! Look @ my BEAUTIFUL linesister!! Everytime she comes around I die from hair envy. Love u yanni!!! <3
Thank you for responding to all of the questions! I look forward to your twist out process.
Wow thats very nice of you, you responded to every comment. your hair is very pretty. do you have a fotki album? yes submit more pictures.
Wow a 5 year transition. I took close to 3 years but it seems like you actually knew what you were doing 🙂 I was just lazy. You hair looks great. You're doing a great job with it.
~~~~ It didn't take me 5 yrs to transition. I've been natural completly(relaxer free) for 5 yrs but during that time I was flat ironing so I had heat damaged hair. I could NEVER do twist outs or wash and goes. In the last two years since I have stopped flat ironing my hair has new life and ive gotten rid of the heat damaged hair.
Hi ladies,
I've never had a perm but I just decided (with motivation from my friend and this site, thanks Nikki) to wear my hair curly more than straight. I'm just wondering…what do you do if one side of your hair has an obviously different curl pattern. One side is tight curly and the other more wavy…it look goofy! Please help, lol.
~~~~ Girl! I have the same problem! When I wash and go, I use a diffuser. When I do twist outs the looser side I two strand twist all the way down and leave about a half of inch of hair out that I curl with my fingers so I curls up. I so the same thing on the curlier side but I two strand twist it down more than the other side so it's a little longer and they tend to dry and shrink up to the same length. The left front side of my hair is wavier than the right.
your hair is beautiful. this prepoo…do u sleep with Aussie moist conditioner in ur hair and wash it out in the morning? then follow with conditioner…
how often do u use shampoo if ever?
ur oil mix sounds great too… when u mix is it more like a hair grease that dip n apply to ur scalp or an oil that you pour?
n ur twist out is so nice and defined…all that from only 8 twists in your whole head? …
ok…thanx so much for ur post, u are an inspiration.
peace
thanx a bunch.
~~~~ I put the Aussie Moist mix in and cover with a plastic cap, then cover with a scarf and go to bed. I wash it out when I wake up by rinsing my hair under the shower head. Then if I feel like my hair had build up or is "unclean" I'll shampoo with DevaOne No Poo. I have tried Jane Carter Solutions Shampoo but it dries my hair out. I don't shampoo often maybe once or twice a month. All the oil's in the oil mix I buy in an "oil" like consistency with the exception of the 100% Coconut oil that get's hard in cold weather. The Coconut oil I melt down and mix with the Castor Oil and Avocado Oil. I suck them up into a bottle that has a spout and apply to my scalp by holding the spout of the bottle close to the scalp. You can get a similiar bottle at your beauty supply store or the dollar store. I don't like anything "Greasy" so it's def not greasy, lol. I do about 8 twists right after I'm done with my condition. My hair is already sectioned in 4 sections so I do 2 twists per section after I have added the oil to my scalp and a leave in to my hair. All in all, takes me about an hour to do which includes my shower, lol!
Thanks for the questions. I'll try to take pictures of my twist out process the next time I do it for you guys. Be Blessed and thanks for the kind words!!!
another long term transitioner, awesome..I really like seeing this..your hair is beautiful!
~~~~Thanks So Much
Do you get build up from the cones in the conditioners that you use?
~~~~ I don't think cones seem to bother my hair much. I normally wash/co-wash twice a week and ACV which helps with any buildup. The only build-up I normally get would be when I wear the same pony tail for more than a couple days because I apply Aloe Vera gel to the edges in the mornings.
beautiful hair!! i was wondering if my hair(not that it matters) was 4a or not,it is similar in curl pattern, size, and texture!! i am still in transition, though i did a big chop one day in late october or 05, but i texturerized my hair repeatedly, up until last august, and i decided not to do so anymore!!! seeing your mane of healthy curls is quite inspiring!!! i wish i had found this site sooner!!
~~~~Thanks! This site is awesome!
this is what I want my hair to look like, i've got to try harder
~~~~ It took me so long to figure out what works with my hair but i'm glad I did! I can do a twist out in 1hr now which includes washing and twisting! Loves it!
Ayanah your hair is beautiful girl!!!
your hair is beautiful. this prepoo…do u sleep with Aussie moist conditioner in ur hair and wash it out in the morning? then follow with conditioner…
how often do u use shampoo if ever?
ur oil mix sounds great too… when u mix is it more like a hair grease that dip n apply to ur scalp or an oil that you pour?
n ur twist out is so nice and defined…all that from only 8 twists in your whole head? …
ok…thanx so much for ur post, u are an inspiration.
peace
thanx a bunch.
Beautiful hair! You give me hope!
Beautiful! 🙂 Thanks for the tips. ~KF519
beautiful hair and great style! Just love your hair and the pre poo tip is a good one.
The TMNT tee is awesome!
Hi ladies,
I've never had a perm but I just decided (with motivation from my friend and this site, thanks Nikki) to wear my hair curly more than straight. I'm just wondering…what do you do if one side of your hair has an obviously different curl pattern. One side is tight curly and the other more wavy…it look goofy! Please help, lol.
Wow a 5 year transition. I took close to 3 years but it seems like you actually knew what you were doing 🙂 I was just lazy. You hair looks great. You're doing a great job with it.
this is what I want my hair to look like, i've got to try harder
beautiful hair!! i was wondering if my hair(not that it matters) was 4a or not,it is similar in curl pattern, size, and texture!! i am still in transition, though i did a big chop one day in late october or 05, but i texturerized my hair repeatedly, up until last august, and i decided not to do so anymore!!! seeing your mane of healthy curls is quite inspiring!!! i wish i had found this site sooner!!
wow, i finally sound someone with my sister's and my hair! Hair twin! haha, i no know what to use
Do you get build up from the cones in the conditioners that you use?
another long term transitioner, awesome..i really like seeing this..your hair is beautiful!