NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself! Gloria: My name is Gloria. I am thirty-one years old and the mother of a ten-year-old girl.

NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?

Gloria: I have always embraced my curls, but I only recently learned to enjoy them.

NC: What’s your current routine?

Gloria: I wash my hair 3-4 times a week and I leave in the conditioner for as long as possible (usually twenty minutes”>. I like to switch up my products every now and then; I am currently using Herbal Essences Hydra-licious Shampoo and Conditioner. NC: From start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?

Gloria: Pretty simple…I wash and condition, then use L’Oreal Everstyle Free Curl Defining Gel and sometimes I add Suave Moroccan Argan Styling Gel. I always air dry my hair.

NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear?

Gloria: I like to leave my hair down and loose, but occasionally I’ll wear it in a ponytail.

NC: What are your must-have products and tools?

Gloria: One of my must-have products is a good conditioner (a favorite is Mixed Chicks leave-in, which is also a great curl definer”>. I also need a wide tooth comb.

NC: What about your hairstylist?

Gloria: I don’t really have one. I only go to the salon for trims, when necessary.

NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?

Gloria: I put it in a loose bun or leave it down.

NC: What reaction did you get when you first decided to go natural?

Gloria: I have always been natural, and the reactions are mixed. Some love it, and others constantly ask why I don’t give in and straighten it.

NC: Did you big chop or transition? For how long?

Gloria: I did not big chop by choice! I was in need of a trim desperately but I had waited too long and the ends were very dry and damaged. The stylist went scissor happy and I almost ended up with a bob! It was a very disappointing situation. and the stylist went scissor happy so I almost ended up with a bob! It was a very disappointing situation.

NC: Did you ever have curly girl insecurities?

Gloria: The only insecurity I have is shared by many fellow curlies…frizz.

NC: What is the best thing about being curly?

Gloria: It looks beautiful, it is easy and quick and I cannot imagine my hair any other way! It makes me who I am. It is part of my personality.

NC: How does having curly hair impact your everyday life?

Gloria: I have had people come up to me and just touch my hair and I’ve had others ask if it is real! It is definitely a conversation starter. I love it!

NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls

Gloria: Not only is curly hair amazing, but it is also time saving and you get the best of both worlds…you can alternate between straight and curly.

NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects!

Gloria: I do not have any upcoming projects but I do love to write and read, so hopefully my dream of having my own book will happen! For now I am balancing work and being a mommy while trying out curly hair products until I find the ones that suit my needs.