Tell me about yourself!
Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper? What was your journey like?
I transitioned for 11 months with sew-ins and then Big Chopped (by accident) on April 29, 2009. My journey was pretty easy since I didn’t know that I was “going natural”. I was just doing what I had always done minus the relaxers.
Had you always embraced your texture?
No. I was the “Weave Queen”. I never wore my real hair. My beautician actually told me that I didn’t need to get relaxers anymore since I was constantly getting sew-ins and that my hair would be “stronger” for the sew-ins. I never really planned on wearing my “Natural Hair” when I stopped getting relaxers. I was cutting off my “relaxed ends” little by little (also at the advice of my beautician) until I ended up having to go to a new stylist because my stylist moved. I explained to this new stylist (who was natural) that I just wanted to cut off the relaxed ends little by little and she just simply cut off the rest of my relaxed ends. I was soooo mad but once it was gone, there was nothing I could about it. I put a sew-in back in my hair immediately.
How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural? What was your response to them?
My husband did not like my natural hair at first. He was used to me having long weave in my hair. He was never mean about it but he would make little comments every now and then like “when are you going to straighten it out?” It took some getting used to but now he loves it now. I guess it’s because it’s long and it’s my real hair.
Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick, highly porous, low, etc.)
I have fine but thick, low porosity, 3C/4A hair.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to your hair?
I’ve never done anything crazy to my hair since I’ve been natural. I’m too scared. When I was relaxed, I did bleach my hair shortly after putting a black rinse on it and my hair turned green (literally).
What’s your biggest hair related regret?
Not embracing my natural hair/journey sooner. Even though I big chopped (accidentally) almost 5 years ago, I didn’t really start taking care of or embracing my hair until about 3.5 years ago. I was still wearing the sew-ins constantly for the first 1.5 years but I wasn’t taking care of my hair underneath and my hair suffered.
What’s your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? Favorite products! Deets!
I am in the military, a wife, and a mother of 4 so, I don’t have a lot of time to spend on my hair. I wash and style my hair once every 2 weeks. I always deep condition first with Tresemme naturals mixed with EEVO overnight. I then wash my hair with Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisturizing Shampoo (once a month) or I will co-wash with As I Am Coconut Cowash (once a month). I always do an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse afterwards to make sure that my hair is completely clean. To style my hair, I use Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque (LOVE THEIR RAW SHE BUTTER LINE) as my leave-in. I seal my hair with Grapeseed Oil and then I top that off with my homemade Shea Butter Mix (raw shea butter, olive oil, grapeseed oil). Lastly, I put my hair in mini twists and I leave them in for 2 weeks. This entire process (including washing) takes me about 2.5 hours. I spray my hair every morning and every night with water mixed with a little Jojoba Oil. Other than that, I don’t add anything else to my hair for the entire 2 weeks. Being in the military and having to wear my hair pulled back definitely makes it easier to protective style. Before I wash, I usually wear my hair out in a twistout for the weekend. To maintain my hair while it’s out, I put my hair in 4 big braids at night.
What’s your favorite hairstyle? Where do you get hairstyle inspiration?
My favorite hairstyle is my twistout/braidout. I also love wearing my hair in a high bun. I get a lot of inspiration from watching Youtube videos.
Who is your curl crush?
Naptural85 and MahoganyCurls
How do you maintain your hair at night?
I spray my hair every night with water mixed with a little Jojoba Oil and tie it up with a satin scarf.
How do you maintain healthy length?
PROTECTIVE STYLE, PROTECTIVE STYLE, PROTECTIVE STYLE. I also minimize the use of heat and only trim when necessary.
What’s the best thing about being natural?
The versatility that I have and the confidence that being natural has given me.
Where can folks find you on the web?
Facebook: JacquelStevens
IG: @Jacquel_Lyn
