TYA21– Naturally Glam Hair Idol

CN: How long have you been natural?
I have been completely natural since March of 2009! I relaxed for the last time in June 2007 and transitioned for almost 2 years by gradually trimming away the relaxed ends.

CN: What is your current regimen?
My regimen is pretty simple – shampooing when my hair feels like it needs it (usually once every one to two weeks) and deep conditioning after every shampoo. My go to style since I’ve been wearing my hair natural is a twist out. I re-twist each night which allows me to go 5 or 6 days w/o re-styling. In the warmer months I like to co-wash several times a week with either Herbal Essences Hello Hydration or V05 Moisture Milks. I always moisturize before twisting, and then seal my ends with Hairveda Vatika Frosting (coconut oil). I change up hair styles from time to time and will either straighten my hair (maybe once every 3 months) or I’ll try out another style. I also henna about once every one or two months for its conditioning properties.

CN: How do you maintain length? Moisture?
For years my hair has pretty much grown to and remained at around the same length (between apl and bsl stretched) and I think I maintained that by keeping my regi simple – dc’ing once a week, moisturizing when I felt like my hair needed it, trimming regularly, drinking lots of water, and maintaining a super low manipulation style. But over the past few months I have begun to finally grow past bsl for the first time since I can remember, and I think the reasons for that is 1) I’ve learned to put the scissors down. I admit I have a problem with trimming my ends even when they don’t need to be trimmed 2)I moisturize more often (daily or every other day) and 3) I’ve started taking supplements that were missing from my everyday diet. Being a vegetarian and also a very picky eater in general, my diet lacks a lot of nutrients that are essential to healthy hair and body. So I think the supps help me out a lot.

CN: How do you protect your curls at night?
I moisturize and re-twist nightly (between 4-6 twists) and wear a silk scarf to bed.

CN: What would you tell a new natural or transitioning diva?
Allow yourself time to get used to your natural hair. I remember when I first started wearing my hair in its natural state, I would literally have to force myself out the door (late for work) because I wasn’t used to or comfortable with how I looked with curly hair. I was so used to wearing my hair relaxed and straightened that when I tried to wear my hair in its curly state, I convinced myself that I didn’t like it. It took me some time and a lot of trial and error with products and styles before I was able to accept my natural hair. But I’m so glad that I allowed myself the opportunity. Now when I walk out of the house, I love my curls!

CN:What’s the best thing about being naturally glamorous?
My favorite part about being naturally glamorous is the versatility. I feel like I have so many more options now when it comes to styling my hair than I had when my hair was relaxed. I feel like my natural hair allows me to be a chameleon, and I haven’t been bored with my hair since going natural.

6th day hair Twist-Out

mini twists