Tell me about yourself!
My name is Tracy and I am from Melbourne Australia. I am very active and love to surf and dance. My natural hair is perfect for my lifestyle.
Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper? What was your journey like?
I was a big chopper but not by choice! In 2012, I had a horror hair cut in Dublin. It was supposed to be a trim of a bob and ended up as an uneven very short cut. At the end of the same year, my husband proposed to me and I was determined to have long hair for the wedding which was set for July this year. I got married in Portugal and decided to do my own hair as I was unable to get a hair trial. I used curlformers and leave in conditioner and was able to confidently style my hair how I wanted for my wedding.
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Had you always embraced your texture?
I have always had natural hair I think it suits my features. My parent migrated to Australia from the UK when I was ten and it has been a challenge to find hair products and hairdressers for my hair type but I have always wanted to keep my hair natural and so I learnt to make my own products when I could not find any rather than using chemicals in my hair.
How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural? What was your response to them?
My parents have always encouraged me to have natural hair and my friends love my hair and could not imagine me without natural hair.
Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick, highly porous, low, etc.)
My hair is thick course and very dry. I also have different textures. The front curls are less tight than the back and I have a small patch at the back of my hair that is very dry and does not form into curls. That part is always the most difficult to comb.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to your hair?
Probably the craziest thing I have ever done with my hair was dye it a honey blond. It looks like a lion’s mane! It was really hard to maintain with the regrowth and my hair got really dry and unhealthy.
What’s your biggest hair related regret?
When I agreed to let a hairdresser straighten my hair before my hair cut. It was all uneven after I washed my hair. I am very weary of getting my hair cut as I have had a few horror haircuts over the years. I have recently found a hairdresser in Melbourne who specialises in curly hair so fingers crossed!
What’s your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? Favorite products! Deets!
I wet my hair every day before I apply a mixture of Babyliss Argan Oil Styling Cream and Babyliss Argan Oil Curl Cream which I make up in a separate container. I also use Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter anti-breakage Leave in Conditioner. I order online Carol’s Daughter’s Black Vanilla and use the shampoo and hair conditioner. Once a week I use vinegar to get rid of buildup.
What’s your favorite hairstyle? Where do you get hairstyle inspiration?
I am still learning about creating different hairstyles with my long hair and have been doing a bit of research on Pinterest, Youtube and blogs. I currently like to use hairbands and hair accessories.
Who is your curl crush?
Corrine Bailey Ray. I love her curls. She was the reason I grew my hair long from a Bob.
How do you maintain your hair at night?
I do not do much at night with my hair. I just tie it up in a loose bun.
How do you maintain healthy length?
I make sure that I use natural oil treatments such as organic coconut oil, sweet almond oil vitamin E and I trim my own hair every 6 weeks. I also take hair skin and nail vitamins and maintain a healthy diet.
What’s the best thing about being natural?
It is so easy in the morning. I just wet my hair and use my hair products and of I go. I don’t need to use any hair dryers or straightening irons.
Where can folks find you on the web?
www.pinterest.com/traceejay
http://instagram.com/traceejay
