Tell me about yourself!
Hi! I’m Sarah, a licensed psychologist and design enthusiast. As part of my plan to shift into a more creative career, I started Truly Blog, a blog that blends my background in psychology with my passion for fashion and interiors. I also started a fashion and interior consulting company, Truly, LLC. That’s where I use psychology to help people create the look and space they want to achieve.
Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper? What was your journey like?
I’ve transitioned many times. At one point I was doing so much to my hair—everything from dying it, to relaxing it, to overheating it, that it started breaking off. That was all I needed to realize I have to start treating my hair a lot nicer. So I cut my hair and let it grow back with no chemicals in it.
Had you always embraced your texture?
Certainly not. I was born with what they called “big hair” and kids used to tease me about it. It sounds like no big deal now, but back then, it felt like the worst thing. I also noticed very early on that my hair was perceived differently in different settings. In one setting my hair was too big and couldn’t lay flat enough. In another setting I had “good hair” and it set me apart in a different way. Of course both settings only reinforced my desire for “flat, straight hair.” Needless to say I spent the early part of my childhood being somewhat ashamed of my hair and tying it up. Thankfully, that phase ended by the time I was a teenager. There was a cultural shift, and big, curly hair was being embraced again. Still, it was a long time before I felt I needed a relaxer or something to tame my hair.
How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural? What was your response to them?
I think I was the last to realize that my permed hair and my natural hair really don’t look that much different to the natural eye. When I decided to wear my hair “natural” or curly, even with a relaxer it essentially looked the same. But even though it didn’t look different, I felt different because I let go of the feeling that I have to have my hair chemically relaxed or straightened for it to look good.
Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick, highly porous, low, etc.)
My hair is thick, wavy/curly, and tends to be highly porous and dry. I really have to be cognizant of getting deep conditioners and keeping it trimmed to maintain the shine and bounce.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to your hair?
Ha, there was a time I was obsessed with Faith Evans’ bright red hair, and I tried to achieve the same look by dying my hair multiple times. I even put in a long and very expensive red weave for dramatic effect. I’d have to say not a high point of my hair experience, and of course, it completed damaged my hair. I ended up chopping my hair off, the shortest it‘s ever been. It didn’t quiet feel like me, but it gave me the chance to start fresh with a new set of much healthier locks.
What’s your biggest hair related regret?
That time I was obsessed with Faith Evan’s bright red hair and tried to achieve the same effect. Between getting a weave and dying my hair, the upkeep was insane, and something I definitely could not keep up with today given my full schedule including managing three children, a husband, and multiple jobs. I’ve become very low key with my hair care, and I think my 20’s something self would be very shocked.
What’s your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? Favorite products! Deets!
My haircare routine is very low maintenance, maybe a little too low. I’ve recently dyed my hair and cut it which takes a little more effort to maintain. But generally my hair care is still pretty simple. I wash my hair every several days, but I wet it every day which I’m sure is probably not the best thing to do. I’ve been getting better at that though and opting to style without wetting it in the mornings. I wear it curly most of the time because my hair is too thick for me to straighten out on my own. I use Cantu products– it’s the best. I use everything from the shampoo, to the leave-in conditioner, to the curl activator. It does a great job of defining my natural curls and it smells so good. I usually use shampoo, conditioners, and then the curl activator while it’s still very wet. I don’t use a towel, I let it air dry. Every so often I will curl my natural hair with curlers to give it a slightly more structure vintage vibe.
What’s your favorite hairstyle? Where do you get hairstyle inspiration?
I’m really loving the straightened, textured look. That’s when it looks like the hair was blown out and curled, yet it’s not pin straight and there’s a lot of texture to it. It gives a real 60’s vibe, and I think it’s so chic.
It’s so easy to find hair inspiration today. Social media is packed full of beautiful girls with natural hair, and I love seeing what “the kids” are doing with their hair these days.
Who is your curl crush?
Oh my gosh I’ve seen so many great hair looks. I’m really loving @Lutavarese8. Her hair is so full, long, and thick—it’s just beautiful. I’d love to know how she achieves that look.
How do you maintain your hair at night?
I tend not to follow a strict hair care regimen. I may put some oils on my hair, and a night cap on it if I want it to look a particular way the next day. But most of the time I just tie it back.
How do you maintain healthy length?
It’s really important for me to keep my hair conditioned regularly, and cut it at least every 6 months. I love the way my hair gets much curlier with every trim.
What’s the best thing about being natural?
The freedom to just be. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against relaxers and texturizers, but when you feel you have to have them to be cute or pretty, it becomes very restricting and can hinder a more freer sense of style. I remember running a girls’ group and one African-American girl with a short, boy cut had a really hard time appreciating her hair. She just could not see how her hair was attractive amidst the flowing locks she saw presented all over the media. It was difficult to witness because I couldn’t help her love her hair. She had to do that. She had to find a way to appreciate her look, herself. Because when we learn to love our unique look, the beauty within just overflows.
Where can folks find you on the web?
You can find me at http://trulyblog.com! Feel free to stop by. ☺
