Were you a slow transitioner or a Big Chopper & why?
I have been relaxed since the age of 5. Back
in 2009 my stylist at the time left Georgia to live up north, prior to that I
had two bad experiences with relaxers so I did not trust anyone using chemicals
in my hair except her. As the months went by waiting on her return just to come relax my hair, I began to see
noticeable waves at my roots. There I began to research natural hair and became
more interested in natural hair care. I transitioned for 10 months then decided
to get the rest of my relaxed ends cut off and start my natural hair journey.
in 2009 my stylist at the time left Georgia to live up north, prior to that I
had two bad experiences with relaxers so I did not trust anyone using chemicals
in my hair except her. As the months went by waiting on her return just to come relax my hair, I began to see
noticeable waves at my roots. There I began to research natural hair and became
more interested in natural hair care. I transitioned for 10 months then decided
to get the rest of my relaxed ends cut off and start my natural hair journey.
I did not fully embrace my texture until
recently, Summer 2013 (I know it wasn’t that long ago lol), but it wasn’t until
I learned my hair and what worked for me that I fell in love with my hair and
texture and began to embrace it.
recently, Summer 2013 (I know it wasn’t that long ago lol), but it wasn’t until
I learned my hair and what worked for me that I fell in love with my hair and
texture and began to embrace it.
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?
How did they react to the new you? What was your response to them?
I didn’t really have any negative responses
to going natural. My family encouraged my transition from relaxed to natural,
which helped me to continue on my journey without criticism. Also my sister is
now currently transitioning to natural 🙂
to going natural. My family encouraged my transition from relaxed to natural,
which helped me to continue on my journey without criticism. Also my sister is
now currently transitioning to natural 🙂
Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick,
highly porous, low, etc.)
highly porous, low, etc.)
My hair is very coarse, thick, and highly
porous. Although it can be a little too coarse and thick at times for certain
styles, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
porous. Although it can be a little too coarse and thick at times for certain
styles, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
What’s your current hair routine? How often do you
wash, condition, and style?
wash, condition, and style?
My current hair routine is pretty simple to
ME. I cowash twice a week with my now favorite conditioner, Trader Joes Tea
Tree Tingle Conditioner, finger detangle while the conditioner is in my hair,
and rinse it out. I then apply my favorite leave-in conditioner, Kinky Curly
Knot Today, in four sections, and apply Castor Oil to seal in all moisture. I
split each section into smaller sections and twist using Shea Moisture Curl
Enhancing Smoothie for my favorite style, twist outs. I also deep condition
once a week for 30 minutes with a plastic cap on under a hooded dryer with Shea
Moisture Deep Treatment Masque mixed with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and follow up
with the leave-in conditioner, sealing oil, and styler mentioned above.
ME. I cowash twice a week with my now favorite conditioner, Trader Joes Tea
Tree Tingle Conditioner, finger detangle while the conditioner is in my hair,
and rinse it out. I then apply my favorite leave-in conditioner, Kinky Curly
Knot Today, in four sections, and apply Castor Oil to seal in all moisture. I
split each section into smaller sections and twist using Shea Moisture Curl
Enhancing Smoothie for my favorite style, twist outs. I also deep condition
once a week for 30 minutes with a plastic cap on under a hooded dryer with Shea
Moisture Deep Treatment Masque mixed with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and follow up
with the leave-in conditioner, sealing oil, and styler mentioned above.
How do you maintain your hair at night?
At night I lightly mist my hair with water
then pull my hair up to the very top of my head with a loose scrunchie
(Pineapple Method) and sleep with a satin bonnet and I also sleep on a satin
pillowcase. In the morning, I lightly mist my hair again with water, scrunch
Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie on my ends, shake and go.
then pull my hair up to the very top of my head with a loose scrunchie
(Pineapple Method) and sleep with a satin bonnet and I also sleep on a satin
pillowcase. In the morning, I lightly mist my hair again with water, scrunch
Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie on my ends, shake and go.
How do you maintain healthy length?
To maintain a healthy length I make sure my
hair is always moisturized and never dry. Also protective styling really helps
me with maintaining healthy length.
hair is always moisturized and never dry. Also protective styling really helps
me with maintaining healthy length.
What’s the best thing about being curly?
To me the best thing about being curly is
the versatility natural hair offers. I can wear my hair out and curly, in
various types of updos and styles, and get my hair bone straight if I wanted
to.
the versatility natural hair offers. I can wear my hair out and curly, in
various types of updos and styles, and get my hair bone straight if I wanted
to.
Where can folks find you on the web?
You can find me on
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thelovelygrace
YouTube: www.youtube.com/thelovelygrace1
