What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
When I was really young my mother did my hair. Thank god I wasn’t tender headed because it sure did gangle often. As soon as flat irons came out I started straightening my hair every chance I could. I grew up in a white neighborhood so I felt “better” with it straightened.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly/coily/wavy hair?
I’m an actress and I was going out for a lot of commercial auditions in 2015. A friend of mine told me I should consider wearing my hair curly because most commercials he had seen with black women had them with their natural hair. Now before he said this I had booked 3 nationals commercials, one of which my scene didn’t make the cut. After I started wearing my hair naturally, I booked 22 national commercials over the next few years. I’m sure I had gotten better over time, but my natural hair surely helped.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
I think the best think about wearing my hair natural is not having to cover it up in the shower, or working out (and sex”> and not worrying about sweating out my edges.
How do you protect your curls at night?
I like to put in a natural leave in conditioner, seal the moisture in with Jamaican black castor oil, make about 6 two strands twists and wear and silk bonnet to sleep.
Who is your curl crush?
Nobody makes me feel more in love with my curly hair than Tracee Ellis Ross!
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
Jamaican black castor oil!
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I adore the Hydrating Avocado Deep Conditioner from naturallclub.com. This product is so natural you have to put it in the fridge or freezer lol. It makes your hair so soft immediately, making for the easiest combing ever (always with a wide tooth comb”>.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
I first tried to wear my hair curly in 2013 as a suggestion from a boyfriend, but I couldn’t keep it moisturized for the life of me. It was constantly breaking and I noticed instead of my hair growing longer it was breaking off
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Putting a leave in conditioner to moisturize and an oil like Jamaican black castor oil to seal in the moisture has been a life saver.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Most of us were taught to hate our hair, so we have to learn to love it and when you do, it’ll show.
