NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!
Korrie Kelley: My name is Korrie Kelley! I am a happy wife to my husband of 13 years (and my childhood sweetheart!”> and I am having the time of my life raising our two handsome, fun and energetic sons.
NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?
KK: I’ve been natural for two years and two months…it’s the best decision that I’ve made concerning my hair. My husband had been begging me for ten years to go natural. It was a real struggle because I started getting relaxers when I was ten years old and I couldn’t remember what my natural hair looked like! I started transitioning from my relaxer to my natural hair and I loved what I was seeing. Beautiful curls!NC: What’s your current routine?
KK: My current routine mainly consists of wash-and-gos. I love them because I am a busy wife and mother…I don’t have time for a super elaborate routine! I do a wash-and-go every 3 or 4 days.
NC: So from start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?
KK: I co-wash every 3 or 4 days with Tresemmé Naturals Conditioner for moisture, finger detangle in the shower and quickly rinse my hair with cool water, leaving some of the conditioner in my hair. When I get out of the shower, my hair is dripping wet. I use an old t-shirt to gently scrunch the bottom of my hair. Then I section my hair and work my SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, followed by Kinky-Curly Curling Custard. Pretty simple.I also deep condition with coconut oil every two weeks and shampoo about once a month with either Kinky-Curly Come Clean or Tresemmé Naturals Shampoo.
NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear?
KK: I’m still learning about all the different ways to style my hair…my favorites are my wash-and-go wear out and up-dos. I also love to wear scarf headbands with pops of color!
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
KK: My fingers and conditioner!NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?
KK: At nighttime, I pull my hair to the very top of my head with a satin scrunchie–this technique is known as “The Pineapple.” Then I cover my hair with a satin cap and I sleep on a satin pillowcase.
NC: What about your hair stylist?
KK: I trim my own hair about every six months. My hair colorist is Jamie Ainsworth at K Salon and Spa…she is awesome! She is Caucasian but her dream hair is an afro! She was very influential in my decision to go natural.
NC: What reaction did you get when you decided to go natural?
KK: It shocked some around me at first, but grew very quickly on them. Everywhere I go people approach me and tell me how much they love my hair. I’ve gotten so much attention that my older son asked if I was the only lady in Mississippi with natural hair!
NC: Did you big chop or transition, and for how long?
KK: I transitioned using flexirods on the relaxed ends and I trimmed my hair every few months. I did that for about sixteen months, then trimmed the remaining straight pieces and did my first wash-and-go. I loved it!
NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
KK: I feel free being curly! I feel like myself. I also love being able to experiment with color without worrying about my hair breaking off and falling out because of the double processing.
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
KK: Go for it! Be patient and to give their hair lots of love. It’s not about whether or not you have “good” hair. We all have good hair! Everyone is different and that is what I love.
NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects.
KK: My husband and I have always lived in Mississippi and for the first time, we are moving to another state! We’re really excited to be headed to South Carolina, in the Charleston area. Taking a leap of faith and seeing what God will do is exciting.
