What was your journey like?
I was a transitioner. My journey is not as difficult as I thought it would be. I thought I wouldn’t like seeing my curl pattern change back to its original form. My hair didn’t do any weird things, the curls just got tighter and more resilient.
Had you always embraced your texture?
Yes, I’ve always embraced the texture of my hair, but I also had to help myself understand that my hair wasn’t going to look like everyone else’s, even though they were natural as well. Everyone has their perks of doing styles with their hair that I may not be able to do, but I embraced it.
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How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural? What was your response to them?
The majority of my family a friends expressed that they loved it, they didn’t really notice that I went natural until I started wearing the different styles, even though they had already known I didn’t have a perm. Some didn’t understand and would express that they couldn’t live without a perm. I responded by saying, that it’s exciting to see my hair transitioning to it’s natural state and it’s actually making my hair healthier. I can also express my creative side through my hair.
Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick, highly porous, low, etc.)
I wouldn’t define my hair as fine or course, but somewhere in the middle. My hair is thick and always has been and I believe I have normal porosity.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to your hair?
I haven’t done anything that I would say that’s crazy to my hair yet. I’m really just focused on what products make my hair healthy, grow longer and what styles look good on me.
What’s your biggest hair related regret?
My biggest hair regret would be getting a Dominican blowout. I actually had it done this past August. As a result, I believe I have a little heat damage.
What’s your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? Favorite products! Deets!
I have a very simple routine that probably needs some drastic improvement. I wash, condition, and style my hair every two to three weeks. I don’t do many deep conditioning routines because I’m still figuring out what products I should use for that process and how, but I do make sure I use a leave in and a non leave in conditioner after the wash is completed. Weekly conditioning happens if needed and styles change during the week depending on if I condition, how I feel, what I’m wearing, or where I’m going. I love raw shea butter (I normally melt it), Cantu Shea Butter Daily Oil Moisturizer, Organics Hair Mayonnaise by Africa’s Best, and Cantu Shea Butter Conditioning co-wash. I use the mayonnaise when I need to condition during the week but don’t plan on washing. I use the co-wash to condition if I have too much build up from hair products during the week and I don‘t plan on washing. Normally after using these conditioners, I would have to restyle my hair (re- twist, braid etc.). I just started learning about how your hair can benefit from different products, to be honest.
What’s your favorite hairstyle? Where do you get hairstyle inspiration?
My favorite hair style is a pinned to the side twist out. I really don’t have a name for it. My hair style inspiration normally comes from me just thinking of a style I want, trying it and it coming out to be something else. Later on as I’m looking for inspiration on you tube, I find that I was already wearing some of the styles. Mainly inspiration comes from you tube.
Who is your curl crush?
Chime Edwards, she has beautiful hair!
How do you maintain your hair at night?
If my hair is twisted or getting prepped for a style it always has a satin hair bonnet on it. If my hair is untwisted or not in rollers it is pulled up with a skinny head band and the front is wrapped with a scarf, so my edges won’t touch my pillow case, if I’m not sleeping on a satin pillow case. The top part is left out so I won’t wake up with smashed hair.
How do you maintain healthy length?
My hair grows very slow and I really don’t know why it is or how to maintain a healthy length. It has grown a little since I’ve figured out trimming and stopped using heat for a while. I usually trim after I do each two strand twist. I just try to make sure I wash, detangle and moisturize properly, to get more results in length.
What’s the best thing about being natural?
When you’re natural your hair can stand a little rain, when you’re caught in it. Sometimes I just hate the hassle of carrying an umbrella.
Where can folks find you on the web?
I have a Facebook page and Instagram, but I don’t post tutorials or anything of that nature, just pics of my hair. I’m just a girl who’s embracing her journey.
Facebook: Raven S. Williams
IG: ms_rae_w
