CN: How long have you been natural?
I have been natural since January 2008. I didn’t realize that I had curly hair because I had been getting relaxers since I was about 5 or 6 years old. With three other sisters (pictured), my mother had her hands full and had no choice but to tame our manes. Finally, I missed my 10-week routinely scheduled “perm”; Caught up with my new job and my disdain for going to the salon, 3 months had already passed before I noticed a coil sprouting from the nape of my neck.
CN: What is your current regimen?
I co-wash my hair 2-3 times per week. While in the shower, I essentially partition my hair in four sections to allow the conditioner the maximum access to my strands. My conditioner of choice, Herbal Essences Totally Twisted (purple bottle) or Hello Hydration (blue bottle) Conditioner. I apply a generous amount to each section from root to tip. I allow the conditioner to sit for approximately 3 minutes, then I’ll run water over my hair, enough for the conditioner to penetrate throughout and leaving about 70% of the conditioner in my hair. If it’s during the (warm) day, I’ll pat dry with the towel and let my curls free to air dry (picture in the garden, white dress, sunglasses). If I wash at night, I’ll double-strand twist my hair and sleep with a bonnet.
I wash my hair with Pantene Pro-V Shampoo (brown bottle) approximately once a month and will follow up with conditioning routine as I mentioned above.
Products in my cabinet:
Herbal Essences Totally Twisted/Hello Hydration Conditioner (Wal-Mart)
Pantene Pro-V Shampoo (Wal-Mart)
Cantu Shea Butter (Wal-Mart)
Coconut Oil (Grocery Store)
CN: How do you maintain Length? Moisture?
I’m guilty of running from the salon; when I do get there (once every 3-6 months), I’ll get a professional trim. Otherwise, I’ll take a pair of shears and look for split ends myself. I do try to maintain a protective style at night to prevent breakage, I travel with my satin bonnet and/or scarf wherever I go and I apply cantu shea butter the 2nd-3rd day after washing my hair, double-strand twist at night, then fluff in the morning.
CN: Night time routine?
For the most part, I will wrap a scarf around my hair at night for a bit of protection and for a different dynamic to my curls, I’ll apply Cantu Shea butter to my hair, double-strand twist, bonnet, then unleash in the morning (as noted above). Sometimes, upon releasing my curls from the twists, I’ll allow moisture from the shower to mist my hair, to revive the fullness.
CN: What would you tell a new natural, or transitioning diva?
This may be the best thing you’ll ever do. Be confident, smile, and walk proudly with your new look. Be mindful, not everyone’s hair works the same way. Find out what works best for you by experimenting here and there (particularly when you don’t have to go to work the next day). Look forward to rainy days in the forecast where you don’t have to worry about your mane, but instead your new shoes ;0)
CN: What’s the best thing about being naturally glamorous?
The best thing about being naturally glamorous is the versatility, individuality, and fierceness of it all. When traveling, your luggage is a lot lighter; no blow dryers, flat irons, or brushes. Just buy a bottle of conditioner at your destination, and viola…you have everything you need.
CN: Anything else you want to add?
I transitioned for about a year and a half before chopping off my hair. One day after training in my beloved art, capoeira, I washed my hair around 2am and noticed the disastrous look of virgin hair with relaxed tips. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I picked up the scissors and chopped off my relaxer, not knowing what I would look like the very next day when going to work…there was NO turning back. Because of the spontaneity, I had to ask a coworker to trim off the rest of my straight ends when I got to work in the morning. 😡
At first, I didn’t see my hair as a big deal, then I quickly realized that it was to other people. Strangely, it seemed to be the most unusually fabulous thing people ever saw. I love that I brought a splash of color and a pinch of flavor to my straight limp hair. Embracing my curls, defying the “norm”, and even being embarrassingly recognizable when I walk in late for a meeting or returning something to the store, has been the best thing that I’ve done.
Thanks everyone!!! and love love love You-nique ;0)
LOOOOOOOOOOOVE her hair ohdee!!!
You are a FLY diva honey!! FLY…Fierce, Luscious and You-nique!!!! (you can borrow that. lol!) WEERRKKKK!!! 🙂
Your hair is THE truth!
Very cute!!! I keep scrolling back up…my hair and body twin!
P.H.A.T = Pretty, Hot And Tempting!!! I'm jealous 🙂
Thank you all so much for your comments!!!! I'm having a good time with the curls!
Aldos for the earrings, Macy's for the shoes (Steve Madden), the white dress was from a small boutique store at a mall here in Ft. Worth, TX.
Everyone try capoeira for a workout! you'd love it ;0)
I don't necessarily grease my scalp with the coconut oil as part of my routine. When I do use the coconut oil, I'll apply it right over the conditioner after I get out of the shower.
Lauren – I love you back and I'm even more inspired and proud of you!
I don't have a blog or youtube…not yet anyways.
Where can we find her?
Youtube? a blog?
GIRL…you better WORK!!! You make me proud to be a sista!
thats a bad sista! Go on!
You are unbelievably fab! Stunning. New hair idol and girl crush ;o)
I need to know where the white dress came from.
I need that in my life!
So beautiful! Proud of you for sticking through the process. You're my inspiration! Love ya – Lauren
You are working that black dress, sis, the body is looking fabulous!! Love the look, the hair…everything! ;-D
Ok let me close my mouth!!! Too cute! You are working it sista! Love the black dress and heels! As a man told me, girl don't go outside cause you def gonna stop some traffic! LOL Beautiful!
Love the hair, shoes, and the "sisterly love" pic! The next opportunity I have, I'm taking a pic like that with my sisters…LOL. Work it, girl! 🙂
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Let's Parlez
http://lets-parlez.blogspot.com
Fierce and very cute!
gorgeous!! i love everything about your look/style 😀 rock that head of hair
Your hair is LUCIOUS!!!!
That is all.
I'm loving the fro!!!
You are truly a wonderful and beautiful woman!!!!!!!! Hope you save me some kisses for later 😉
You are gorgeous I wish there was some other place like a blog or fotki to find you. Please Please have one =)
Fabulous hair! But I need to know where you got those shoes!
Time to step up my workout game!! This woman is a force to be reckoned with. She is working that dress and that hair!!!!!!! The picture with her sisters is awesome.
Damn girl! You're FINE! I love your hair and your figure inspires me to do ab crunches…right after I finish this slice of red velvet cake….
What a gorgeous woman! I love your hair, it looks so soft and fluffy! Hello, my new hair idol!
Gorgeous natural beauty! thanks for sharing!
Great post! She's gorgeous!
Beautiful & FLYY!!!! Lovvvves it!
Thanks for the simple regimen. Beautiful hair!!
do you use coconut oil to grease your scalp??
You are B E A U tiful!!!!!!
Her hair is just too fabulous!! Omg… I'm just staring. Lol
Your hair is bomb! Loves it!!!!
I want those earrings! I've been looking for them every where! Oh and cute pics lol
YOU BETTA WORK FOXY CLEOPATRA BROWN!!!! LMAOO!!! By the way, Sick earrings in the first pic!! When my TWA grows out I'm swagga jackin! LOL!!! Thanks for the inspiration.
215Nina
That's dream hair. Straight GAWJUZ!
Her hair is fierce! Work it girl!