LaTresha is Naturally Glam!

CN: How long have you been natural?

I have been natural for about two years. My last relaxer was March of 2009 and I did the Big Chop sometime in late July/early August 2009.

CN: What is your current regimen?

My regimen changes depending on the needs of my hair. However, I’ve found that by keeping it simple my hair responds well. I only wash, comb and style my hair once a week. I wash my hair with Shea Moisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Shine Shampoo, Detangle/Condition w/ Aussie Moist or Herbal Essences Hello Hydration. I use my fingers and the Tangle Teezer to detangle my hair. I deep condition once a week with either Lustrasilk Shea Butter Cholesterol or Jessicurl Weekly Deep Conditioning Treatment (I add avocado or jojoba oils to them). I sit under my Huetiful steamer as well. I use Kinky Curly Knot today or Hawaiian Silky 14-in-1 Miracle Worker as my leave in. I use my own Homemade Shea Butter mixture to braid/twist my hair, which keeps my hair beyond moisturized! I will usually braid my hair into 8 or 10 braids for a braid-out, which I will usually pin up into an up-do. I will also do twist-outs from time to time as well. Lately, I’ve been only wearing my hair out on the weekends and keeping it in a protective style during the week. I use Organix Anti-breakage serum to untwist or unbraid my hair.

Maybe once every three weeks, I will do a Honey & oil Pre-poo on my hair if my hair needs “pampering.”

Protective Up-dos June 2011

CN: How do you maintain length? Moisture?

I’ve been maintaining length by wearing more protective styles. You see in the beginning of my journey I only wore Wash & Go’s, my hair was color treated and I didn’t know exactly how to care for it. I wanted to show off my hair…in ALL its Glory… ALL the time, lol but needless to say, I had a lot of breakage. I’ve learned that protective styles are the key in my hair retaining its length. So usually during the week my hair is in a bun or an up-do and on the weekends I wear it out, whether it’s a Wash & Go, Roller Set or Braid/Twist out. As far as moisture, I make sure to use a good leave-in conditioner EVERY time I wash or co-wash my hair and I’ve been using my Home made Shea Butter mixture. That’s enough to keep my hair silky soft and moisturized. Oh, and since my hair is color-treated, I have to be sure to deep condition often. Often=once a week.

CN: How do you protect your curls a night?

If I’m wearing a braid/twist out, I will re-twist/braid in 4 or 5 chunky twists/braids and cover my head with a satin scarf or bonnet. For wash & go’s I gather my hair into a pineapple and throw on a satin bonnet. If I need to look “cute,” then I’ll sleep on a satin pillowcase. 😉

CN: What would you tell a new natural or transitioning diva?

Slow and steady wins the race! Patience, Patience and some more patience. Go borrow some patience if you don’t have any left, lol. There will be days when you have a love/hate relationship with your hair, you will be lost and think what the Waka Flocka am I doing? Trust me, I’ve been there, but sticking with it is so worth it. Try not to focus too much on growth early on; measurements and mathematics give me a headache anyways. Try focusing on having healthy hair. Healthy hair GROWS!! Seriously though enjoy your journey, keep tomorrow in your radar, but enjoy the “right now.”

Also, pay close attention to your hair and figure out what your hair needs and loves. It does take a few trials and errors when it comes to products, but natural hair is so much more than the products that you use. I would suggest starting with building a regimen and sticking to it. Something as basic as washing, conditioning, deep conditioning and styling; on a consistent basis. Remember to seal those ends with a butter or an oil. Create a hair journal and take pictures to document your journey!

CN: What’s the best thing about being naturally glamorous?

I feel confident, unique and sexy on a Totally Different level. I feel beautiful within and that radiates outward. I love each and every kink, curl and wave that sprouts from my head. Even when I think I’m having a bad hair day, someone tells me how dope my hair is. My styling options are endless. I can be straight, curly, wavy, in a weave, braids, bantu knots, pin-curls, roller sets; the list goes on and on! My natural hair journey has been so liberating for me. It was right on time and has opened my eyes to what real beauty is. Thank God I stumbled upon my journey! Natural hair is the ish….Point, blank, Period. ☺

CN: Anything else you want to add?

I sure would! I would like to say Thanks to all the Naturals or Transitioning Naturals out there for inspiring me and to keep on keepin’ on. Hopefully my story can inspire someone out there as well. I wish you all the best of luck on your prospective journeys! I love the feeling of sisterhood and brotherhood in the natural hair community. Also, a big THANKS to Nikki for creating such a cool environment for us to learn and grow together. You rock Chica! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your site!