What's your name and where are you from?
My name is RMichelleM, I'm from Baltimore, MD.
Have you always been natural? If not, what inspired you to go natural? Did you transition? If so, for how long?
No I have not always been natural. When I moved from home for college I didn't have a beautician I trusted relax my hair. Instead, I would wait months until I went back home to get my hair relaxed. Eventually, I just decided to nix the relaxer (since I was rarely getting touchups) and give natural hair a try. I transitioned for about 8/9 months; I've been natural for almost 3 years now.
What is your hair type?
4a
What do you love most about being natural?
I like that I'm not committed to a relaxer anymore. I like that I can just wash my hair and bun it, puff it, twist it or leave it out and be done with it. I used to be so annoyed by trying to camouflage my new growth with my relaxed hair when I needed a touch up; I like that all of my hair is always the same texture--it's just so much simpler for me.
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What are your hair goals for 2010?
My hair goal for 2010 is to reach bra strap length.
Name a few challenges you are currently facing with your hair. Have you been doing anything different to overcome these challenges?
Right now, I can gladly say that I am not facing any challenges with my hair! It took some time for me to get to this point so I'm very proud of my progress. I used to deal with dryness, frizz and single strand knots. Deep conditioning and finding a moisturizing leave in conditioner has alleviated the dryness and reduced frizz a lot. Keeping my ends stretched (by two-strand twisting or wearing my hair in buns) and well detangled has almost eliminated the single strand knots.
What styles do you love to wear the most and why? How do you go about achieving this style?
I mostly wear my hair in buns, puffs. I like my texture so I like to style my hair in puffs; and I've always liked the look of buns so I mainly alternate between those two styles. I do two strand twist my hair quite often as well. Recently I tried roller setting my natural hair; it was a successful experiment so I've been styling my hair that way every now and then.
For my buns and puffs, I simply co-wash, moisturize & seal and put my hair up into a ponytail. Last, I'll smooth some gel on the front of my hair with my hands. I don't use a brush to smooth.
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For my two strand twists, I co-wash, moisturize and use a Shea butter pomade for hold; and twist small sections of hair. This usually takes me about an hour and a half to finish. I usually pin my twists up into different styles; I like two strand twists because they make my hair more workable for different styles and they can last at least 2 weeks (I co-wash and deep condition while my hair is twisted).
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For my roller sets, shampoo my hair with Dr. Bronner's peppermint liquid castile soap, deep condition with Aubrey Organics honey suckle rose conditioner. I use a setting spray (ultra sheen setting lotion & a little conditioner) and a creamy setting lotion (black & sassy creamy set). I use 1.5 inch rollers and sit under the hooded dryer for about 2 hours. Once dry I let my hair cool and then remove the rollers.
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List the products that you use and how you use them. What is your current hair regimen? share what works for you!
Products--Aubrey Organics Conditioners (DEEP CONDITIONER), Nature's Gate Conditioners (RINSE OUT/COWASH), Giovanni Direct Leave in Conditioner (LEAVE IN), Castor Oil (SEALANT), Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap ("SHAMPOO").
I detangle my hair with conditioner first, then I cleanse and condition my hair, finally I moisturize and seal my hair in sections. I do this at least once a week. Also, I've started doing a protein treatment once a month that consists of full fat yogurt, baking soda and liquid aminos (The Cherry Lola Treatment).
What products do you use to achieve soft beautiful curl definition?
Typically, I just use the same products I use regularly. I don't really like curl defining products because the hold is never as soft as I'd like. But, in the summer, a cheap curl enhancing product I use from time to time is Long Aid Curl Activator--the reason I only use it in the summer is because it is LOADED with glycerin and takes forever to dry on my hair, when it is hot out it dries faster.
How do you detangle your hair?
I put my hair into four sections, saturate my hair with water, then coat it with conditioner (usually nature's gate--jojoba, aloe vera or pomegranate). First I finger comb through each section, then use my denman brush.
What product or technique would you say really helped your hair flourish?
The Curly Girl Method has been amazing for my hair. When I first went natural I struggled with major dryness, some of my hair was rough and the front of my hair would not curl. Within 1 month I started noticing improvements; after 6 months the changes were significant. My hair maintained moisture, it was softer and developed natural sheen; also the section of my hair that would not curl developed a curl pattern. What I do not use: petroleum, mineral oil, sulfates, cones and drying alcohols. Eliminating these ingredients from my hair regimen keeps my hair in great condition.
Do you have any advice for other naturals?
Take you time learning about your hair. Don't jump right into doing what you see works for other people without considering what you know about your hair.
Where on the web can we find more about you and your styles?
Right now, Hairlista.com is where I keep all of my hair info. But I am a member on several other sites including Longhaircareforum.com and Naturallycurly.com.
Thank you RMichelleM for sharing all that information with us!