fly natural: nicole

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Quick  Info:

How  long have you been  natural? As of May 2010, I’ve been natural 5 years.

Haven’t  been natural your whole  life? What caused/prompted  the change? I had medical issues that caused my hair to break off at the root.  It was suggested that I stop relaxing my hair.

What  was the experience like? I loved my BC, I actually BC’d a year or so after my initial one because I liked the cut so much. I’ve always experimented with my hair….color, length, style, etc., so it wasn’t traumatic.

The  Journey:

What  has the natural journey  been like so far? I wasn’t raised with the “good/bad hair” nonsense, so I never had any issues with my natural hair texture, I just needed to learn how to care for it.  Believe it or not, I also just learned of the on-line natural hair communities about a year ago, so all my research was on my own, the hard way!  I’ve also realized that so many women of African descent have issues with their hair tectures and/or just have no idea how to properly care for it.  So many don’t realize what they do and the products they use either cause or exacerbate their hair problems.

Has  anything changed in  your life since you  became all natural? I would say the main thing is me and the weather.  I have an extremely strong curl pattern, and the slightest bit of humidity would start it curling up, relaxers could never get it completely straight.  Now I don’t have to concern myself with rain or humidity…thank goodness!

More  About Hair:

How  would you describe your  hair? My hair is very attitudinal!  It will only do what it wants to do, which is why I only wear wash and gos.  It is a 3b/2b mix, with some 3c on the ends.  I don’t have any volume whatsoever, so I often comb through for “controlled frizz” for some volume.

What  are your favorite hair  care products and tools? I am a PJ, so I do use a bazillion products and lines, but I have my faves.  The CURLS and My Honey Child lines are my all time favorites.  The Coconut Sublime Conditioner from CURLS is the best in the world!   I have sooo many favorites with MHC, but I’d have to say the Type 2 hair hair creme, Sophia’s Rizado & Ondulado light hydration and moisture, and the Afrilolo Silky Hair Lotion. & Organic Shea Deep Conditioner from MHC are my big loves now.  I also make my own hair moisturizer.  I did my research and made of mix of what I wanted for my hair.

My all time love for styling is Elasta QP Feels Like Silk Liguid Stying Gel.  Depending on what my hair wants, I’ll vary what I put in it with the FLS, but I always use it as a base styler.  It’s the only product that hydrates, controls frizz and shrinkage.

My beloved tools are my Ouidad double detangler, I own about 7 or 8 different Denman’s (and use them all!) and my Kakakiki KombBrush.  I wear updos often, and use hair sticks, old fashioned chigon pins, or Good Hair Days Magic plastic hair pins.

What’s  your hair routine? I don’t use heat, silicones, mineral oil, or petrolatum, for me, they are the devil’s lapdog!  I overnight deep condition anywhere from 1-4x a month.  I use a protein DC once a month and non-protein the rest. I very rarely use heat with my DCs, mainly because I don’t have the patience to sit under a dryer anymore :), and I’ve found overnight DCs are better for me anyway.  I always add raw honey, vitamin E, jojoba, organic cococut oil and milk to the mixture.  The next day I only rinse with cool water. I moisturize and seal morning and night as well as wear a bonnet each night. I have excema, so I do have to moisturize my scalp occasionally, but NEVER with any mineral oil or petrolatum products.  I also use non-protein DCs as a leave in, m hair loves it.  The DCs from My Honey Child are my favorite leave ins.  A stylist once told me use products for severely damaged hair, and to treat it as if it’s on it’s last leg to keep it healthy.  It’s a trick that has really worked for me. I use quality products and stick to my routine, and my hair has thrived!

Advice  and Tips:

Tips  for longer, healthy  hair - Stay away from heat, find out what your hair does and doesn’t like, baby your ends, use quality products, & protect your hair at night.

Advice  for those wanting to  go natural Just do it!  Your hair will never be as healthy and strong.

Misc.:

Is  natural hair professional?  Why or why not? I think the question is actually hairstyles that are or are not professional.  While a 3 foot purple afro with glitter may not exactly be professional, a TWA definitely is.

What do you think about others wanting to touch and or play in your hair (especially without permission)? If I know the person, I don’t mind; it’s happened a few times since I’ve been natural.  When I was relaxed, strangers would try that saying they couldn’t believe it wasn’t a weave.  And no, their hands never got to my head!

what do you guys think?