I was a slow transitioner and a great admirer of women who gained the courage to do the Big Chop. I think in my case it wasn’t necessary to do the big chop. What I did was cut a few tips of my hair that were visibly damaged … and that was without doubt the best decision I could have made!
I grew up thinking that relaxing my hair was the best way to avoid problems (thanks to my mother). But everything changed in January of last year! I decided that it was no longer worth doing so much harm to my hair and the best way to treat it well, after so many years of “maltreatment,” would be to go back to my natural state: amazing curly hair.
In November of 2012, I was fortunate to have had the first big conversation about this transition phase with one of my curly friends who was going through the same thing. It was there at the Starbucks in Lisbon that I decided in an absolute way to believe that my hair could be healthy again!
How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural? How did they react to the new you? What was your response to them?
This is the best question in this interview!
In general the decision was well accepted. People saw me with straightened hair all of my life and suddenly I changed and decided to take on my natural hair. There will always be people who prefer me with straight hair, but it’s like everything in life, those are just opinions that don’t influence me at all. I said “in general” the decision was well received, because it wasn’t so well accepted by my mother and I think I understand the reason. My mom has the typical Indian hair, the hair I always wanted and never had, and watching me go back to natural hair which at one time of my life I “despised” would be tricky (I guess). She will never understand, and maybe if I had her hair I wouldn’t be able to understand my daughter either. What matters is that in the end my mom supports me no matter what!
Describe your hair.
My hair has two textures (which I love): 3C-4A. It isn’t thick or thin, it is a mixture of both. My hair has volume but I think that slowly as my hair grows it will become increasingly more voluminous (yeahhh). I think the only thing I dislike is how long it takes to dry.
What’s your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? Favorite products! Deets!
My routine is very simple! I wash it about three times a week. I don’t use shampoo, so the night before I give my head a short massage with coconut oil. This is the best way to nourish and detangle my hair! The next day I wash it with conditioner (I don’t have a favorite) and leave it in for half an hour. Then I dry it with a old t-shirt (I don’t want frizz in my curls), and I finish with the best leave in ever – Moroccanoil Intense Cream.
I don’t do anything special and I don’t like to use too many products! To detangle my hair when it’s dry I use coconut oil, water and twist out once or twice a month.
How do you maintain your hair at night?
I do a pineapple at night to keep my curls looking nice when I wake up!
How do you maintain healthy length?
The length of my hair is the last thing on my mind. I do nothing in particular… because everything I do, from massages, correct use of oils (shea butter or coconut oil), detangling, protective styles; help maintain health and length for my hair.
What’s the best thing about being curly?
Being me!
Where can folks find you on the web?
Can find me on
Twitter: @Annisshfd
Facebook: “Annissh’s Fashion Dream”
Tumblr: Annissh
Instagram: Annisshfd
