CurlSTAR: How Suzana Massena Cares for and Retains Length on Her 4A Natural Hair
by Nikki Walton
Meet Suzana Massena, model, actress, painter, creator… whose journey began in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. At seventeen, she and her twin sister, Nane Massena, traded selling fish alongside their father for a plane to New York, and a suitcase full of dreams!
Today, Suzana’s relationship with her long, voluminous 4A hair is part care routine, part creative expression, and part homecoming. The epic shape of her cut alone will stop you COLD! She shared her favorite products, the gentle habits that help her retain length, and why learning to love her natural texture became an act of self-respect.
On who she is and where her journey began…
Thank you so much for having me in this interview. I’m so happy to talk about me and my relationship with my hair!
Hello! I’m Suzana Massena, a model, actress and painter.
I can start by saying that I’m completely passionate about art in all its forms. I was born and raised in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, and I feel that this blessed land gave me the “ruler and compass” I needed to find my way and follow my path around the world.
I started my career very young. At seventeen, I boarded a plane to New York with my twin sister, Nane Massena, and a suitcase full of dreams. It was a completely different reality from the life we had known growing up. We came from a humble background, and before embarking on this journey, my sister and I would sell fish alongside our father.
Going from selling fish with our dad in Salvador to stepping into the world of New York was an extraordinary contrast. It was a huge leap into the unknown, but it taught me that where you begin does not have to determine where you can go.
I’m very proud of my roots and of that part of our story. I like to share it because I want other young women to know that, regardless of where they come from or what their circumstances may be, possibilities can exist beyond what they can see at that moment. Sometimes the most unexpected journeys can take you to places you never imagined.
Persistence, courage and a willingness to embrace the unknown led us through some incredible changes. From there, the journey continued around the world, opening doors, creating new paths and hopefully leaving them a little wider for those who come next.
For me, art has always been a way of expressing who I am, discovering the world and connecting with people. And I’m grateful that this journey has allowed me to experience so many different forms of creativity along the way.
On her absolute favorite hair products right now…
I love experimenting with different products and seeing how my hair responds to each one. At the moment, I’ve been using L’Oréal Professionnel Curl Expression, and I’ve really been enjoying it. For deeper treatment and care, I also use Kérastase, which has given me some impressive results.
I’m always curious to discover how different formulas work with my hair. For me, it’s about paying attention to what my hair needs and finding what works best for its texture.
On what has made the biggest difference in her length retention…
I think genetics definitely plays a part, but I’ve also learned that the way I handle my hair makes a huge difference.
One thing that has really helped me is detangling properly and gently, section by section, while I’m in the shower. I also like to massage my scalp with oils, especially rosemary and star anise oils.
I enjoy making my own natural oil treatments. They’re very cost-effective, and I’ve had excellent results with them. I think being consistent and treating my hair gently has made a big difference in helping me retain length.
On what she does for her best curl definition…
For me, hydration is everything. My hair has a 4A texture, and when it’s properly hydrated and finished, the difference is incredible.
I usually let my hair dry naturally for a while and then finish drying it with a diffuser. I find that this combination helps me maintain the natural shape and definition of my curls while giving them a beautiful finish.
On keeping her hair defined and frizz-resistant in humidity…
I say a good prayer! 🙏😂
Jokes aside, humidity is definitely one of our biggest challenges. And when it’s cold and humid, my hair can be even more difficult to manage.
I try to stay consistent with my treatment routine and make sure my hair is well hydrated. I’ve also learned to embrace different hairstyles, especially braids and cornrows, which are not only beautiful but also help me protect and manage my hair.
On her typical wash day…
I usually wash my hair twice a week. If I feel that my hair has become heavy because I’ve used too much product, I’ll wash it sooner.
Even though curly and coily hair tends not to be naturally very oily, we often use quite a lot of products, so I don’t like leaving all that buildup on my hair for too long. And honestly, for the hair to have beautiful movement, it needs to be clean!
My wash day is also about taking my time. I like to detangle gently and in sections while my hair is wet, and I focus on hydration and treatment. I often incorporate oils into my routine as well.
On her go-to styles for protecting her hair and retaining length…
I love braiding my hair. I often wear cornrows or loose braids, depending on my mood.
I do all of these styles with my own hair, without adding extensions or synthetic fibers. For me, it’s almost like giving my hair a little period of rest. It keeps my hair protected, reduces how often I need to manipulate it and helps me keep it clean and cared for.
I also love that I can create different looks while still allowing my natural hair to be itself.
On what she stopped doing that changed the health and length of her hair…
Absolutely. When I was younger, I used to lose a lot of hair because of the way I handled it when it was wet. I definitely don’t do that anymore.
There was a huge lack of information about caring for coily and curly hair when I was growing up. We didn’t have the variety of products and knowledge that we have today. For many of us, the alternatives seemed to be straightening our hair or simply having a difficult relationship with our natural texture.
When I was younger, I was embarrassed by the volume of my hair because natural, voluminous hair wasn’t as popular or accepted as it is today. I would wet my hair to make it look smaller and then pull it back tightly. Looking back, I realize how much damage I was doing to my hair.
Today, I would never treat my hair that way. I see it as a kind of violence against myself and my natural hair, and it’s something I no longer accept.
I’ve learned to embrace my texture, understand what it needs and treat it with much more care and respect. That change in my relationship with my hair has probably made one of the biggest differences of all.
On the advice she would give someone trying to grow and retain long, healthy natural hair…
I would say that good hair care starts from the inside out.
A healthy, balanced diet can make a big difference in supporting the strength and growth of your hair, as well as the health of your skin. I like to eat a colorful, vibrant variety of foods, lots of fresh, natural foods that nourish my body.
For me, taking care of my hair isn’t only about what I put on it. It’s also about taking care of myself as a whole. When you nourish your body, you’re also giving your hair the foundation it needs to thrive.
On the natural-hair rules she doesn’t follow…
Honestly, I don’t think I follow many strict hair rules. I’ve always preferred to observe my own hair and see what works for me rather than follow a routine just because it’s considered “the right way.”
One thing I do believe in, though, is that my hair sometimes needs a good sulfate shampoo. So please don’t judge me! 😂 When I use a lot of products, I feel that my hair needs a deeper cleanse to remove the buildup and bring back its movement and freshness.
I know sulfate-free hair care is very popular in the natural-hair community, but I don’t believe one rule works for everyone. I think it’s about understanding your own hair and finding the right balance between cleansing and moisture.
I’ve also recently started wearing a satin bonnet at night, and I really like it. It helps reduce friction and keeps my hair protected.
On what she wants women to know…
I would love for women to understand that our hair is so much more than our appearance. It is part of our identity, our history and the way we recognize and express ourselves.
Caring for our hair goes far beyond looking beautiful. For me, it is a way of reconnecting with myself, with where I come from, with my story and with everything that has shaped who I am.
Our hair carries memories. It carries culture, experiences, transformation and sometimes even the struggles we’ve had to overcome to learn to love and accept ourselves.
So I think caring for our hair can be a beautiful act of self-knowledge and self-respect. It is a moment when we meet ourselves again, our identity, our history and everything we are.
And perhaps that is why I love my hair so much. It reminds me of where I come from and, at the same time, of how far I’ve come.
Follow Suzana Massena on Instagram.
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