CN: Have you always embraced your natural curls? If not, who or what inspired you?
No most of my life I wanted to fit in with society’s view of beauty, which was straight hair. I hated my curls and I would flat iron my hair so stick straight that I wouldn’t even bump the ends at times. In October of 2009, after years of fighting it, I finally wanted to embrace my natural curls, however I had a tremendous amount of heat damage from the years of searing it with the iron. I was inspired by beautiful curly headed women that I would meet or see in the streets. I was also inspired by some celebrities, namely Rachel True, Kelis and Tracee Ellis Ross. I admired their beautiful, curly, full of personality hair and longed to be able to express my true curly self.
CN: How have family, friends, and strangers responded to your curls? How do you respond to them?
Surprisingly and thankfully most people that I encounter love my hair curly. My husband loves it because he says it makes me look edgy and wild. My family was a bit shocked at first but have grown to love and accept my curls. My friends couldn’t believe that my natural hair was this curly and not straight and they love it.
CN: What are your must have products?
I love Curl Junkie Curl Theory Conditioner for a bit of protein as a rinse out. I alternate with Curl Junkie Rehab when I need moisture. For cleansing, I use Nature’s Gate Aloe Vera Shampoo. For deep treatments I absolutely love Karen’s Body Beautiful Luscious Locks Hair Mask. For moisture I like Karen’s Body Beautiful Hair Nectar. Finally for styling I use either Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave-in Conditioner or Curl Junkie Coco Coffee Curl Cream topped with a little bit of Kinky Curly Curling Custard.
CN: Routine for the the perfect curl?
I shampoo my hair once a week (other days I either water wash or co-wash with Suave Naturals) I always use a rinse out conditioner. I then section my hair in 5 sections and smooth and rake through my leave in conditioner, then scrunch in my styler and diffuse until 100% dry. I alternate between diffusing right side up and upside down so that I can achieve volume. I love as much volume as possible, and don’t mind a little frizz.
CN: How do you deal with the high dew points and humidity of summer?
I may water wash my hair more often instead of co-washing it. I also try not to layer too many products on my hair as leave ins. Instead of a leave-in conditioner and a styler, I may just use a light leave-in conditioner. My hair actually likes the humidity and gets more voluminous, which I like.
VERY inspirational!!
Ahhhh I just realized that this was posted. (this is IvyCharlaine btw lol). I have a YouTube channel that may answer a lot of your questions, it is www.YouTube.com/ivycharlaine to answer ur question about heat damage, I have been doing deep treatments once a week, stopped flat ironing and gradually cut about 4 or 5 inches off in the last 7 months. I still have dome straightish/wavy ends but my hair has come a loooong way 🙂 thank u do much everyone for the nice compliments. Check out my YouTube for more info 🙂
She kinda reminds me a little of Delishis off of that episode of Flavor Fav, but also the actress that played in Tyler Perry movie sister that wed Boris Kodejoe. Both pretty women.
GORGEOUS!
I love your hair. Thanks for sharing. ~ Sweetsop
I would say she appears to be 3a/b hair type.
You have such beautiful curls! I wonder why the media embraces straight hair so much when curly hair is just as beautiful? I'm glad you embraced the natural, curly you!
I think it's when you just let the water run over your head w/o adding any products or disturbing it. and just shaking your hair and let it air dry. I might be wrong in this, but I'm sure some of the other women on hair can probably better clarify it for you. 🙂
Your hair is sooo beautiful…what hair type are you?!..did you have to do a drastic cut to get rid of heat damage?!..also how long is your hair straight?!
Your hair is beautiful…I wish my hair was like that…what hair type are you?!…what did you do to get rid of the heat damage?! Also how long is your hair straight?!
What in the world is water wash?
Goodness Ivycharlaine, now that is some delicious hair and to think that you didn't want to acknowledge this before. I just love the fullness of it, and the curls,shine is just so beautiful. Stay strong my sister, and keep up the good work. My hair is in the 4 type family but it's nice and thick just like yours, right now I'm currently rocking out a twistout.
Gorgeous curls…sigh, they are so luscious!
I know it's already been said, but her curls are beautiful! I'm definitely looking forward to the day when I have that kind of length, although my curl pattern is a lot tighter than hers.
OMG her hair is gorgeous.
Peace, Love and Chocolate
Tiffany
her hair is PERFECT, no WAY i'd want boring straight limp hair over those bouncy curls.
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Love her BIG curly hair. Very pretty!
Wow she's beautiful, and so is her hair! Now I want to wear my hair in my face too! What a great styling option!!!
Lovely hair!
her hair is beautiful!!