Wavezncurlz- Naturally Glam Hair Idol

CN: Have you always embraced your natural curls? If not, who or what inspired you? I always liked curly hair and I have always worn my hair curly. Even when I was relaxed, I was under-processed (texalaxed as they call it on the boards). I can’t tell my relaxed days from my natural days from my pictures because I rarely wore straight styles and since my hair was bulky, I usually wore it up.

It never occurred to me that curls were not cute until I reached my teen years. I was teased for having “big hair” . I started self relaxing in high school which was in the late 80’s. I was so happy when the Cosby Show and Different World became popular and featured young ladies with natural African American hair.

In college, I stopped relaxing because I was poor and didn’t have money for hair appointments. I also began to wonder why I relaxed when I never wore my hair straight anyway. Every so often, I’d want a change and I found a great hairdresser who would work with my natural hair so I could temporarily have a straight style.

I’ve been natural for over 15 years now.I wear my hair up (buns, updos, ponies) 99% of time. I get Dominican blowouts or flat iron styling about 2-3 times a year. I never had really long hair when I relaxed. I am close to waist length now.

My mom is my natural hair inspiration. She has been natural all her life. She had the Angela Davis fierce fro when I was young, a TWA in her 40’s and 50’s, and now she’s wearing buns and an occasional straight style.

CN: How have family, friends, and strangers responded to your curls? How do you respond to them?
People are used to me being curly and outside of those rough teen years, I’ve had positive experiences with my natural curls. The only complaint I get is from people who ask me why I don’t wear it straight more often. Once I explain the time involved and the potential for damage to them, they leave me alone.

CN: What are your must have products?
My hair loves butters and cremes. I’ve used many over the years. My current favorites are from Qhemet Biologics – Burdock Root and Amla and Olive Heavy Cream, and Afroveda’s Curl Define and Totally Twisted Ginger Almond Butter.

I use Creme of Nature shampoo (the old version) or a cheapie conditioner to co-wash.

I use IC reconstructor or Kids Organic Shea Butter Lotion for leave-ins.

I DC once a week but would love to do it more. I’ve been using the dominican conditioner – Silicon Mix.

When I wear it out in twist outs, I use Kinky Curly Curling Custard over a butter for styling.

CN: Routine for the the perfect curl?
Despite being natural for so many years, I rarely wore my hair out. Plain wash and gos left me with wavy, frizzy hair and no curls. I have to thank CurlyNikki and other curly focused sites for introducing me to twist-n-curls and shingling. These techniques allow me to wear my hair out in a curly hairdo that looks decent. I have to say, my best hair day was due to a Twist-n-Curl.

CN: How do you deal with the high dew points and humidity of summer?
I haven’t! I am the queen of buns and updos though. Until the weather breaks, I’ll be protective styling!

CN: Anything else you’d like to add?
I’m on Naturallycurly.com and Longhaircareforum.com as wavezncurlz. Feel free to hit me up if you have any questions for me. Thanks for this opportunity.

My mom and I in 70’s (I was in Kindergarten and wore afro puffs)
A recent Twist N Curl picture