Mary Is Naturally Glam!

Tell me about yourself!
I am a North Carolina native who has recently made Houston my home. I’m a former shy girl, whose had a sidekick since birth–my amazing twin sister, Martha Dove. I know what you may be thinking, yes, our names are Mary and Martha. We are both educators and each other’s best friend. I am a lover of fashion and all things natural hair! I am a vlogger/blogger learning as I go and sharing along the way.

Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper? What was your journey like?
I actually transitioned for about 6 months and big chopped in the bathroom of my sister’s home. It was on April 14, 2012. I was super nervous about the whole idea of cutting off all my hair! Prior to this event, I said I would never ever big chop. I felt that women who big chopped were super brave, and I just didn’t have the courage to do it.

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I just could not envision myself with such short hair. I felt that others would look at me funny or that it would reduce my chances of being able to find love. However, that evening, I don’t know what came over me. I just picked up the scissors and went to work. Believe it or not, I thought that my texture would be amazing! Remarkable even. Especially after following several YouTubers’ journey who had also big chopped and seeing how curly and voluminous their hair was. Mine was the exact opposite. After, I cut my hair I could not figure out how to get it curly. My hair was also very dry. It felt like a Brillo soap pad. I had no idea what to do with it! It was too short to do a twist out or anything because I only had about an inch of hair.

Having to go to work the next morning was the scariest thing ever! The thought of having to stand in front of my students or even pass my colleagues in the hall made me very nervous. I thought, what have I done?? I remember one of my students saying “ Ms. Taylor, Why did you cut your hair?? You look like a boy!” That same day I called a friend to beg her to install braids in my hair! I got those installed, wore them for about a month, and continued to wear protective styles such as weave.

Had you always embraced your texture?
Absolutely not. It was nothing like what I had imagined. Early in my journey, I felt as though my hair was very unmanageable and not very appealing. I remember thinking “why do I have to have such coarse hair? Why wasn’t I blessed with beautiful silky hair? Why wasn’t I born with good hair?” Overtime my perspective changed. I have grown to embrace my hair! Especially after realizing that God gave me this hair and he does all things well. If he made my hair this way, then who am I to say that he didn’t do a good job? I actually love it now! But, I will love it even more when it’s down my back.

How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural? What was your response to them?
My family was always very supportive. I actually thought my dad was going to say “what in the world did you do?” However, he thought it was beautiful! My dad actually never wanted my mom to relax mine and my sister’s hair. He fought her, and us, tooth and nail not to do it. I also have some amazing guy friends who I attribute the increase of my confidence to at the beginning of my journey. When I was about a month natural, I remember two of my guy friends saying to me “Mary, you are gorgeous! You can rock any hair style. Your hair doesn’t have to be long! And its really not about length when it comes to beauty! Beauty comes from within! Embrace your hair!”
At that time, I had worn braids for about a month and decided to really give my TWA a real spin. I was then able to do somewhat of a twist out. I wore my hair out with my head held high.

Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick, highly porous, low, etc.)
My hair is very coarse. It is also tightly coiled hair. It requires heavy products like oils and butters in order to retain moisture. I believe it has low porosity and I’d say I am a 4b.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to your hair?
OK. I’m actually a bit afraid to admit this, but early in my journey I had a rather interesting experience with nail glue. As I stated earlier, I did a great deal of protective styling very early in my journey. I am referring to wearing braids and weaves. I actually never used to wear weave prior to my natural hair journey. I was planning to do a “U part” wig, with a closure that would be glued on to my hair. I had gone to the beauty supply store to purchase hair, and I asked the clerk for hair glue. I trusted what I was given. I watched a really good tutorial on the install and felt liberated that I was going to be doing it for my first time. The hair glue was only intended for the closure area. I completed the part and was in the process of doing the closure. I felt really good until one of my friends entered the bathroom and said “Uummm Mary, do you realize you are putting nail glue in your hair??” I panicked. I was so oblivious. I felt like an idiot to say the least. I never did that again.

What’s your biggest hair related regret?
Honestly, my biggest regret is that I didn’t go natural sooner.

What’s your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? Favorite products! Deets!
I currently wash every 1 to 2 weeks. I always deep condition when I wash my hair. Wash day at a glance consists of washing my hair with apple cider vinegar, cowashing with Herbal Essence Hello Hydration and deep conditioning with a mixture of Hello Hydration, an egg, olive oil, and honey. My hair loves it! I actually have not been wearing my hair out that much lately. I’ve been on a protective style challenge for the last 4 months. I just recently began to wear my hair out again for the holidays. But, I will continue protective style with wigs. My go to style as of late has been a twist and curl.

What’s your favorite hairstyle? Where do you get hairstyle inspiration?
My favorite hair style has to be a high puff. I think a puff is so cute!! I also love big curly fro. I get my inspiration from my mood of the day and other YouTubers.

Who is your curl crush?
I’d have to say Naptural85! Her hair is so beautiful! Just recently, I’ve also become very fond of the creator of the blog, InherShoes, Renae Bluitt. She and Naptural85’s hair, truly embody my hair goals: long, voluminous, and full. Love them!

How do you maintain your hair at night?
I twist or braid my hair at night and place a satin scarf on it with a satin bonnet on top of my scarf.

How do you maintain healthy length?
I believe that protective styling has been my saving grace. Almost 70% of my journey has included protective styling. I also try my best to make sure that my hair is well moisturized. I do believe that my hair could be much longer after 2 years and 8 months. Especially after observing the journey of other naturals. But, I have to remind myself that everyone’s hair doesn’t grow at the same pace. I believe diet and exercise would really benefit my hair more. I plan to include that a lot more in year three.

What’s the best thing about being natural?
The best thing about being natural is that I’ve learned to embrace who I am. I feel the best I ever have about myself now that I am natural. It is also so wonderful to have such a large community of individuals who become your family in this journey. People who support one another, share ideas and motivate each other to continue this journey.