CN: How long have you been natural?
I’ve been natural my whole life; however, I very recently started wearing my hair out more because of all the new products for curly hair. I had no idea my hair was curly until high school, and even then I wasn’t sure how to tame it so I always wore it in a bun. Now, there’s so many products out there and so much support. There’s a new wave of naturals that have stripped the shame of wearing natural hair!
CN: What is your current regimen?
I wash my hair about every two weeks, detangle, braid it into two large french braids, and let it air dry. I deep condition once a month and co-wash once a week when I’m wearing wash and go’s.
Current products
I’ve recently fallen in love with Shea Moisture products and I think I’m ready to make a long term commitment. I’m using the Curl & Shine Shampoo with the Yucca & Aloe Thickening Growth Milk as a leave-in. I use the Curl Enhancing Smoothie as a styler for braid-outs and the Deep Treatment Masque for deep conditioning. I love the natural ingredients…they smell amazing!
CN: How do you maintain Length? Moisture?
I trim my ends as needed with the Split Ender. It helps get rid of split ends while maintaining hair length. I deep condition monthly and reapply a leave-in almost daily to make sure my hair never dries out.
CN: Night time routine?
I dampen my hair, apply a moisturizing leave-in and sleep in a satin bonnet. When I wake up my hair is so soft!
CN: What would you tell a new natural, or transitioning diva?
Figure out what works for you and stick with it! Although I’m not a new natural, I too have found it fairly easy to become a product junkie. You get so wrapped up in the culture of it all and before you know it, your rent money just went to your hair. It’s great to try new things, but like the old saying goes…if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
CN: What’s the best thing about being naturally glamorous?
I love that my hair is so versatile. I don’t have to plan my workouts, swim sessions, etc. around my hair. It does what I tell it!
CN: Anything else you want to add?
CurlyNikki is great! I’m glad I can still be apart of this phenomenon although I’ve been “natural” all my life. Now, I’m proud to wear the title!
Has anyone else tried the Split Ender?
Oddly enough, I found a sizeable one at Dollar Tree!! And its leopard print! How fab is that? Lol.
Where did you find a bonnet big enough for all of that gorgeous hair? I outgrew mine a year ago and have been searching a for a night time routine since.
I've always been natural, too 🙂 Her head of har is probably my favorite I've ever seen on CN– I love how she switches it. Reminds me of my hair/ my hair ADD lol
Love her styles. Have not met too many ladies who have always been natural, great to see.
CannedAm, In the morning if I'm refreshing a wash and go I just spritz some water all over and go over frizzy or flat curls with a little more product and fluff….that's it! For other hairstyles I will also dampen my hair some more in the morning and add some more leave-in so that I'm not combing my hair dry. then I'll style it and tie down loose edges with a scarf.
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Lynessa….you are my hair twin!!!…it's kind of scary!!
I've been looking into this split-ender for the past couple of weeks, and I may purchase it…but I'm on a heat-free mission so I may just use it like twice a year!!!
LOVE this post! You told us what you do at night, but what do you need to do in the morning? My daughter's natural hair is thoroughly crushed at night and she has to rinse and condition and detangle every morning. Are you able to spritz and fluff? What do you do in the a.m.? Thanks!
Beautiful hair! ~KF519
I love your hair! its gorgeous 🙂
I also have tried the split ender and i love it. At first I thought it didn't do anything but I took pictures of my hair before and after and definitely saw a difference. The only thing I don't like was the price and some may find the noise it makes annoying; I don't but to each his own.
hello!
I am so excited to find more women that have been natural all their lives! (because i have) i did not have the resources or help that i have do now to take care of my hair and wear it curly. Loving all your hair styles!!!
Never tried split ender, but i'm going to look into it.
Lyness hunni I LOVEEEEE your hair!
Like you, i'm a newfound lover of Shea Moisture. I've been rocking a wash-n-go in a ponytail all week (like seriously, an exact week) and all I've added to it was shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie. I wet the ends every morning and rub some in it and keep it moving. I've been getting compliments like crazy all week =)
I have the split ender and it SAVED my hair when I had some problems with my relaxed hair a few years back. Since I have been natural I have straightened my hair to use it. I have not used it on my curly/coily hair since I think even the instructions say it is best to use on straighter hair. I was thinking of how to utilize it without flat ironing my hair. (hmmmm???)
However, it is the Truth. It does not rob you of length like sadly some stylists do when they are supposed to be trimming — not cutting– hair. The guy who created it is a genius and I told him so too. 🙂 It is a great investment and isn't expensive either. any one else who has used it on their hair in its natural state please holla at me.
I love your hair! Mine used to be like that before I started the creamy crack. Good story, too! You have such beautiful pictures.
I love your hair! I want your length and volume!!! My hair will get there one day
OMG I LOVE this chick's hair!! New hair idol 😀
Thank you for taking the time to answer that Winona!!
Shelli
@hairscapades
I use the splitender and I believe it is best to use on stretched hair otherwise I could see it being choppy. If you dont straighten with a flat iron you could always rollerset your hair (BTW that is what I do). I have seen people of utube use it on an old braidout and other stretched styles.
Winona
Lynessa..Your hair is gorgeous!!!!!!!!
CN…I've never heard of the split ender until now. I may consider it but I'm fine with the old fashion way :).
Hello all! Thank you soooo much for your kind words. This is sooo exciting! In response to the inquiries about the styling of pictures 1, 4 and 8. I used the twist/bantu knot out method demonstrated by Taren916. Here's the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rRZ7Brx1T0&feature=relmfu.
Thanks again!
Great hair! Gotta' check out the split ender.
The hairstyle in the first pic is to DIE for! How did you do it???
Lynessa I lovvvveeeee your hair! It has great body and length.
I've never tried the split ender. I'm curious about it now.
~ http://AHairStory.Wordpress.com ~
well don't you have a glorious mane of hair!!!
Vonnie
http://www.socialitedreams.com/
Flower head, do you use it on straightened or curly hair? I don't straighten my hair, and what I read of the reviews on Amazon didn't sound too promising. But, I'm always willing to be open-minded. Thanks.
Shelli
I certainly HAVE tried the split ender and believe me when I say that it is the TRUTH. I love love love it. It takes away all the fly-aways so when your done your hair looks smoother and shinier. It gets all the hair that you don't get with the seek and destroy method..AND it does not chop off your length.
I have to do a review about it on my blog. How could I have forgotten!
http://myhairmyrules.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-gnc-hair-skin-and-nails-program.html
Okay, yeah, looked it up. Think I'll be leaving that one alone and sticking with my search and destroy missions=). LOL!
Lynessa your hair is beautiful! How did u style your hair in the 1st,4th and last pix?
Beautiful hair!!! Love it all!! Never even heard of the Split Ender, but you know that I'm going to go check it out NOW!!! LOL!!
Shelli