Introduce yourself!
I am a Kansas City, Missouri, native who loves Mexican food and reality TV. I’m a Scorpio and my favorite color is purple. I am not a licensed stylist, although most people think I am, and I love all things beauty, but hair care and styling is my passion.
How long have you been natural (brief natural hair journey”>?
I have had natural hair off and on throughout life because I would relax my hair when I wanted a short cut to lie nice and sleek. Whenever I would start to grow it out, I would forego the relaxers and just let my hair do its thing! My last relaxer was in early 2009. I cut some color out of my hair back in 2008 and went for a short, tapered cut. From there, I allowed my hair to grow naturally. I did a few sew-ins in 2010 as a way to keep myself from cutting it again during the growth phase (I realized my patience level for awkward hair growth phases had decreased since I was a teen, lol”>. But once I got to shoulder length, I was good to go! I love my natural texture, especially since there are so many awesome products that make it easier to style…in the 90’s there was nothing for “our” hair, so being natural was hard, and I never stuck with it, until now.
What’s your daily hair routine?
I am a morning workout girl, so if I am have a wash-n-go, I will diffuse my roots dry after my workout then add a bit of Chi Deep Brilliance Reflect, or Agadir Argan Oil Treatment, or Trader Joe’s Jojoba Oil to my ends and fluff. I may use a little KeraCare Edge Tamer if I want super sleek, neat edges, but sometimes I just let them be free. If my hair is straight, I dry the roots with my blow dryer, wrap it tight around my head with a silk scarf, get ready, then unwrap my hair and style. That helps get the roots to stretch and blend into the rest of the hair. When I workout I pull my hair up into a pineapple and secure with a silk scarf (regardless of style”>. I also drink about a gallon of water a day, which I believe helps keep my hair and skin hydrated.
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What are your favorite products?
This isn’t a fair question for a product junkie (lol”>, but some of my favorite hair products are Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa Shampoo and Conditioner, ApHogee Restructurizer, Mixed Chicks Leave-In, and Chi Deep Brilliance Reflect. These are products that help my wash-n-go (which happens to be my favorite go-to style”>, be soft, shiny and full of defined, fluffy curls.
What’s your nighttime routine?
If I am in my signature style, a wash-n-go, I pineapple at night with a satin scrunchi and secure my edges with a silk scarf. I also sleep on a satin pillowcase to keep the pineapple hair protected. If I am wearing straight hair, I do a traditional wrap around my head and secure with a silk scarf. And if I am in an updo or bun, I tie a scarf around and cover with a satin bonnet.
How did you get your hair color (if applicable”>, and how do you maintain it?
I have never been a red head before, so I figured I’d try it, and I love it! I used Ion’s Ammonia-Free Demi-permanent in Light Burgundy Blonde with volume 10 developer. Because my natural hair color is a medium brown, higher volume lift and bleach weren’t necessary to achieve this color. Also, I have medium porosity making it easy to absorb chemical and product. I have not experienced any damage or change in curl pattern. I attribute this to the product being ammonia-free and my hair being healthy prior to dying.
I never recommend that anyone experiment with color if you aren’t sure how those chemicals work. Color is tricky because no two people will get the same results from the same combination of dye and developer. That’s why it is best to let someone knowledgeable about processing advise you or do it for you.
Since my color is not permanent, it fades with washing over time. I expect it to become less vibrant and for the shade to of burgundy to slowly change to a copper red over the course of 8-10 weeks. I actually like this because it feeds my desire for change. As my color adjusts I get new shades of red over the weeks. I just maintain my color by using sulfate-free shampoo and touch it up every few months.
Do you ever get tired of curly hair?
Yes! I like variation in my style; whether it’s clothes, accessories, makeup or hair, I like change and versatility. Sometimes I like my hair defined and curly, sometimes big and frizzy, other times sleek and straight, or sometimes a bold updo or bun. Using the right methods and products allow me to go between all of these.
On your blog and channel you teach women how to care for their natural hair properly. What are some of the most surprising myths or questions you’ve encountered?
I think the ones I encounter the most are all growth related. I noticed that lots of naturals assume trimming their ends and staying in long-term protective styles will make their hair grow, and that’s simply not true! I recently posted about hair care myths on my blog to debunk them with explanations about what’s really responsible for growth versus retaining length.
When did you start vlogging?
September 2013
How did you become a successful vlogger?
Trusting myself and delivering the best content possible are the major things I think helps my blog be helpful to others, which for me, is what makes it a success. Every time someone tells me they see positive changes in their hair, or they achieved a style or straightening they hadn’t before, that makes me happy!
What do you like most about vlogging?
As long as I can remember, family, friends and friends of friends have come to me for hair advice and help. I am also good with coming up with up-do styles that look complicated, but in reality are rather easy to do. I am glad to be able to share some things I’ve learned about hair care and styling over the years!
What do you want to do beyond YouTube and your blog?
Eventually I would like to host events, workshops and seminars on hair care and styling methods. I think hands-on, intimate settings help with understanding and I would like to be able to meet my followers around the world!
Do you have any advice for new natural hair gurus (that you wish someone had told you?”>
Be consistent and don’t let negativity affect how you manage your blog. Some people will always have something to say, but if your readers enjoy what you present and find value in it, you shouldn’t let a few negative people bother you.
Any upcoming projects/events you’d like to tell us about?
Look for me in an upcoming issue of Hype Hair Magazine with Beautiful Textures, Texture Manageability System!
Visit MoKnowsHair.com and follow her on Instagram- MoKnowsHair for beautiful natural hair photos. Subscribe to her informative YouTube channel, MoKnowsHair, too!
About the Writer: Don’t forget to follow my blog, The KG Lifestyle, for more hair, beauty, and lifestyle motivation!
