Tell me about yourself!
My name is Rachael, Rachy to some, I am 26
years old from London,UK. I am a young creative entrepreneur who is dipping in
a bit of everything!! I am ½ of UKnaturals, a Youtube and social medium that
shares the love of natural hair. I also own a fashion jewellery boutique,
Fairytale Jungle, I am a presenter for TV network BlackvisionsTV and I am also
an artist Justrachyart.
years old from London,UK. I am a young creative entrepreneur who is dipping in
a bit of everything!! I am ½ of UKnaturals, a Youtube and social medium that
shares the love of natural hair. I also own a fashion jewellery boutique,
Fairytale Jungle, I am a presenter for TV network BlackvisionsTV and I am also
an artist Justrachyart.
Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper? What was your
journey like?
journey like?
I have always been natural. It’s funny
because I never used the term ‘natural’ until about 6years ago when I started
blogging, I would just always refer to my hair, as my hair.
because I never used the term ‘natural’ until about 6years ago when I started
blogging, I would just always refer to my hair, as my hair.
I have always embraced my hair, but found it
harder when I was younger in secondary school. Until I was 13 I had my hair
cornrowed, every Sunday. Then on my 13th birthday I had my hair
straightened for the 1st time and it was about BSL length and it was
just eye-opening for me to see my hair that long. Then when I was around 15
years old my mum let me do my own hair for school and I did every single
hairstyle you can think of, but there wasn’t anyone in my school who had hair
like me, and everyone would always comment on how long it was when straight. So
I used to do a lot of straight styles because I didn’t know how to style it in
its natural state. My regular hairdresser left the country, still pains me to this day!!
Hehe! And when seeking for new salons, they never had a clue what to do. I
would wanted to wear my hair curly and they would apply all these mousses and
products and I would just look like a wet poodle. Or just tell me that it would
be simpler to straighten my hair. I wanted to rock my curls so badly… but no professional knew
how to care for them. But now I embrace my texture more than ever!! You can’t
tell me nothing bad about my hair!! NOTHING!! Well, unless its damaged!
harder when I was younger in secondary school. Until I was 13 I had my hair
cornrowed, every Sunday. Then on my 13th birthday I had my hair
straightened for the 1st time and it was about BSL length and it was
just eye-opening for me to see my hair that long. Then when I was around 15
years old my mum let me do my own hair for school and I did every single
hairstyle you can think of, but there wasn’t anyone in my school who had hair
like me, and everyone would always comment on how long it was when straight. So
I used to do a lot of straight styles because I didn’t know how to style it in
its natural state. My regular hairdresser left the country, still pains me to this day!!
Hehe! And when seeking for new salons, they never had a clue what to do. I
would wanted to wear my hair curly and they would apply all these mousses and
products and I would just look like a wet poodle. Or just tell me that it would
be simpler to straighten my hair. I wanted to rock my curls so badly… but no professional knew
how to care for them. But now I embrace my texture more than ever!! You can’t
tell me nothing bad about my hair!! NOTHING!! Well, unless its damaged!
How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural?
What was your response to them?
What was your response to them?
My family and friends have always been
positive about my hair, it’s something they always give me compliments on. When
I started my healthy hair journey my mum would comment that I was washing my
hair too often and doing too much to it, but now she understands that it is
needed to maintain my hair. A lot of people who know me who relax their hair
will say to me, I can’t believe you are still natural, and they just get the
side eye.
positive about my hair, it’s something they always give me compliments on. When
I started my healthy hair journey my mum would comment that I was washing my
hair too often and doing too much to it, but now she understands that it is
needed to maintain my hair. A lot of people who know me who relax their hair
will say to me, I can’t believe you are still natural, and they just get the
side eye.
Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick,
highly porous, low, etc.)
highly porous, low, etc.)
I have a lot of hair but my strands are
quite fine. I’m not too sure about the porosity of my hair. I know it is very
strong, as it has been through so much over the years and hasn’t experienced
any severe damage. I think that is due to me taking extra care of it.
quite fine. I’m not too sure about the porosity of my hair. I know it is very
strong, as it has been through so much over the years and hasn’t experienced
any severe damage. I think that is due to me taking extra care of it.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to your hair?
Erm, I haven’t done anything crazy to my
hair. I have rocked some crazy styles when I was younger, but never anything
outlandish. When I say crazy I mean, my mum used to cornrow butterflies in my
hair, I use to put lollipops in my buns, just to be different!! A hot mess when
I think about it!! Glad there are no pictures!! I get the itch to shave a
section on the side, but then I think about it growing back and I’m like..nah
that isn’t for me. I am quite simple with my hair now just because I did so
many things back in the day.
hair. I have rocked some crazy styles when I was younger, but never anything
outlandish. When I say crazy I mean, my mum used to cornrow butterflies in my
hair, I use to put lollipops in my buns, just to be different!! A hot mess when
I think about it!! Glad there are no pictures!! I get the itch to shave a
section on the side, but then I think about it growing back and I’m like..nah
that isn’t for me. I am quite simple with my hair now just because I did so
many things back in the day.
What’s your biggest hair related regret?
I don’t really have any life regrets, more life
lessons. I think allowing myself to be influenced by others and listening to
other people who didn’t know anything about my hair. Because when I was younger
there were not many black girls with long hair, a lot of the black girls would
always kind of tell me styles they think would suit me and I would listen,
which lead to me doing too much with it. Also a lot of the ‘professionals’ I
seeked for help with my hair, actually made my hair health worse. I have
experienced some terrible cuts, and styles.
lessons. I think allowing myself to be influenced by others and listening to
other people who didn’t know anything about my hair. Because when I was younger
there were not many black girls with long hair, a lot of the black girls would
always kind of tell me styles they think would suit me and I would listen,
which lead to me doing too much with it. Also a lot of the ‘professionals’ I
seeked for help with my hair, actually made my hair health worse. I have
experienced some terrible cuts, and styles.
What’s your current hair routine? How often do you
wash, condition, and style? Favorite products! Deets!
wash, condition, and style? Favorite products! Deets!
My wash routine is very simple. I usually
wash my hair every 5days or depending how my scalp feels, as I do work out 3-4
days a week. I usually cleanse my
hair with black soap weekly, or a sulfate/ clarifying shampoo once a month so
my hair is CLEAN! Then I condition with Tresemme Naturals conditioner, which I
love hands down. Or if I can’t use that I will use Giovanni tea tree
conditioner. Then I deep conditioner with Vatika protein treatment because my
hair has been bleached twice. This helps to strengthen my hair. I have been
using this product for nearly 4 years and I think it has aided to my hair not
breaking from colour or bleach. Then I apply a leave-in conditioner, usually
Kinky curly knot today or Giovanni direct leave-in. Then apply an oil, I am
loving rice bran oil at the moment. Then I apply a styler, usually Shea
Moisture Curl Enhancing smoothie, then a gel if I feel like extra definition.
Usually eco styler or flaxseed gel. I prefer flaxseed gel for definition but
the hold of eco styler gel. And then I let it air dry or diffuse about 70% if I
am going to sleep, hate sleeping with wet hair. I usually re-moisturise
with water and a shea butter mix
thoroughout the week.
wash my hair every 5days or depending how my scalp feels, as I do work out 3-4
days a week. I usually cleanse my
hair with black soap weekly, or a sulfate/ clarifying shampoo once a month so
my hair is CLEAN! Then I condition with Tresemme Naturals conditioner, which I
love hands down. Or if I can’t use that I will use Giovanni tea tree
conditioner. Then I deep conditioner with Vatika protein treatment because my
hair has been bleached twice. This helps to strengthen my hair. I have been
using this product for nearly 4 years and I think it has aided to my hair not
breaking from colour or bleach. Then I apply a leave-in conditioner, usually
Kinky curly knot today or Giovanni direct leave-in. Then apply an oil, I am
loving rice bran oil at the moment. Then I apply a styler, usually Shea
Moisture Curl Enhancing smoothie, then a gel if I feel like extra definition.
Usually eco styler or flaxseed gel. I prefer flaxseed gel for definition but
the hold of eco styler gel. And then I let it air dry or diffuse about 70% if I
am going to sleep, hate sleeping with wet hair. I usually re-moisturise
with water and a shea butter mix
thoroughout the week.
What’s your favorite hairstyle? Where do you get hairstyle
inspiration?
inspiration?
The wash n go… I don’t have time for all the
fancy styles. And that’s because I
did so many different styles when I was younger, I have no desire to do them
now. I prefer something that is simple and looks good for me. I used to wish
and want to do twist-outs but they just don’t work for my hair and I have
accepted that! But sometimes I will do a braid n curl to switch it up and if I
am mega lazy a high bun will do!! My hair does not like a lot of things done to
it. Even when I blow it out or try to straighten it, it will start to revert
back by the end of the day. So I don’t even bother with heat!
fancy styles. And that’s because I
did so many different styles when I was younger, I have no desire to do them
now. I prefer something that is simple and looks good for me. I used to wish
and want to do twist-outs but they just don’t work for my hair and I have
accepted that! But sometimes I will do a braid n curl to switch it up and if I
am mega lazy a high bun will do!! My hair does not like a lot of things done to
it. Even when I blow it out or try to straighten it, it will start to revert
back by the end of the day. So I don’t even bother with heat!
Who is your curl crush?
Tracee Ellis Ross, I am a HUGE fan of
Girlfriends, so watching that inspired me to rock my curls and I love the way
she presents her hair so carefree and simple, but yet unique. She was the only
person on tv at that time who I thought, wow she has curly hair like me.
Girlfriends, so watching that inspired me to rock my curls and I love the way
she presents her hair so carefree and simple, but yet unique. She was the only
person on tv at that time who I thought, wow she has curly hair like me.
How do you maintain your hair at night?
It all depends how I have been wearing my
hair that day. So if its day 2/3 I will pineapple, and then any day after I
will put my hair in a high bun and with a large satin bonnet on top and sleep.
I sometimes pineapple, but a high bun recently has been giving me added stretch
and volume.
hair that day. So if its day 2/3 I will pineapple, and then any day after I
will put my hair in a high bun and with a large satin bonnet on top and sleep.
I sometimes pineapple, but a high bun recently has been giving me added stretch
and volume.
How do you maintain healthy length?
I don’t do anything special. I just pay
attention. When my ends look weird, or my hair feels weird, I trim. When it
feels dry I moisturize. It’s all about listening and responding. I drink an
excessive amount of water, I actually think I have an addiction, so that helps.
I also am on a better healthy exercise routine so that has also helped
immensely. Also just letting it be, a plant will grow if you allow it to just
grow.
attention. When my ends look weird, or my hair feels weird, I trim. When it
feels dry I moisturize. It’s all about listening and responding. I drink an
excessive amount of water, I actually think I have an addiction, so that helps.
I also am on a better healthy exercise routine so that has also helped
immensely. Also just letting it be, a plant will grow if you allow it to just
grow.
What’s the best thing about being natural?
It’s all mine. I have always been happy and
proud of the hair on my hair because it’s mine. I love to embrace the features
that God gave me and my hair is one of the best I have and I just love it so
much!!
proud of the hair on my hair because it’s mine. I love to embrace the features
that God gave me and my hair is one of the best I have and I just love it so
much!!
Where can folks find you on the web?
My personal instagram: www.instagram.com/justrachy
My VLOG channel: www.youtube.com/justrachydiary
My Blog: www.justrachydiary.blogspot.com
My artwork: www.instagram.com/justrachyart
All things UKnaturals:
UKnaturals: www.youtube.com/UKnaturals
Instagram: www.instagram.com/UKnaturals
Twitter: www.twitter.com/UKnaturals
Facebook page:
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