Catrina- Naturally Glam Hair Idol

CN: How long have you been natural?
I’ve been natural for the majority of my 30 years. I have had two brief chemical experiences. I had my hair permed for about two months back in 2003. I donated my hair to Locks of Love and I thought it would be easier for the people making the wigs as well as the person who received my hair if I permed it first. I also texturized my hair once in 2005.

CN: What is your current regimen?
I would have to say I don’t have a specific regimen although I am trying to work on developing one. I typically wash my hair once a week with Head and Shoulders Intensive Treatment Shampoo. I condition and detangle with Herbal Essences conditioner. I have several of them so it just depends on what I want my hair to smell like once I’m done. If I twist my hair I use either Blended Beauty Curly Frizz Pudding or Blended Beauty Jelly Cream, both of which I get from my sister’s website (www.sistasplace.com). I’ve recently started deep conditioning my hair after each wash, with either Aubrey Organics GBP or Jessicurl’s Weekly Deep Conditioning Treatment. When I blow dry my hair I use Suave conditioner as a leave in and Silk Elements Olive Heat Protection Spray. I decided to stop trimming my hair for a few months in an effort to retain as much length as possible, but I noticed my ends were looking pretty bad so I’m going back to getting my hair trimmed every 3-4 months.

CN: How do you maintain length? Moisture?
I don’t have any special recipe for retaining length, but I try to be very gentle with my hair at all times. I only comb it when it’s wet and has lots of conditioner in it. When I get a knot in my hair I remove one strand at a time until it’s completely unraveled. I’ve learned that the more gently I comb my hair (tip to root) the less tangles I get and the less frustrated I get. Some people (Teri from TightlyCurly.com) can get away with not trimming their hair at all. I am not one of those people. I’m pretty sure I suffer from trichorrhexis nodosa, so it is imperative that I keep my hair trimmed regularly to get rid of as many of the single strand knots as possible.

For maintaining moisture, I rely mainly on Blended Beauty moisturizers which I apply immediately after washing. Sometimes I seal with Blended Beauty’s Natural Hair Oil or Coconut oil but not always. I’ve found that just using the moisturizer works well for me.

CN: How do you protect your curls a night?
I usually wear a satin scarf at night to protect whatever hairstyle I’m currently wearing. That’s pretty much it.

CN: What would you tell a new natural, or transitioning diva?
Be patient with your hair. It is so easy to get wrapped up in lofty goals or look at someone else’s hair enviously. I dealt with low hair self esteem (I just made that up) for several years. It wasn’t until I accepted my hair for exactly what it was and stopped comparing myself to other people, that I was able to appreciate what I had. Natural hair is so versatile it’s just ridiculous. There’s no limit to what you can do. Of course you have to know your limits and get to know your hair. The sooner you learn to love and care for your hair, the sooner you can be happy with what God has blessed you with.

CN: What’s the best thing about being naturally glamorous?
I love the fact that I don’t have to depend on a salon or harsh chemicals to maintain my hair. I can wear a ponytail and I feel just as pretty as if I’d sat in a salon all morning.

CN: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Embrace your personal style. There will undoubtedly come a time when you step out of the house as confident and comfortable with your hair as you could possibly be, and someone will make a comment about your hair that really bothers you. Don’t let it shake you. Your hair belongs to you and no one else.