NC: What about your hair stylists?
AM: Since going natural, I’ve only made visits to the hair stylist once a year when I get my hair pressed/straightened to get a trim and check my length. Other than that, I do my hair the majority of the time, and get my mom to do it for me when I go home to visit.
NC: What are you favorite hair styles to wear with your curls?
AM: My favorite hair styles to wear with my curls are two strand twists. I grew up wearing braid extensions and crochet braids, so wearing my hair twisted or braided is always my preference; except now with my own hair as opposed to extra help. In addition to two strand twists, I like fro hawks and braid outs. My hair doesn’t last long with twist outs for some reason, so usually when I go home, I get my mom to cornrow my hair and I’ll wear that for the week and do a braid out on the weekend.
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
AM: My two must-have tools are my wide tooth comb and my Yellow Bird blow dryer (although I probably shouldn’t have this on my list”>. I have a Denman brush, but I don’t use it very often. As for hair products, there are so many that I like! My shampoo and conditioner is usually the Creme of Nature for dry, damaged hair. I also like Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing shampoo and conditioner. My leave in conditioners are Kinky Curly’s Knot Today and the Karen’s Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia. Deep Conditioners are Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask and Miss Jessie’s Super Sweetback Treatment. My top styling products are Miss Jessie’s Baby Buttercreme, Miss Jessie’s Curly Buttercreme, Oyin Whipped Pudding and Jane Carter Solution Twist & Lock. I’m a bit of a product junkie, yet consistent with the products I use.
NC: Did you big chop or transition?
AM: I actually had two transitions before I did the big chop. During my first semester of college, I didn’t get a relaxer. Instead, my hair always had a clip or in braid extensions. However, during winter break, I got a relaxer and then cut my hair in a shorter look before restarting my transition. The second time, I transitioned for about 6 or 7 months.
NC: What reaction did you get when you first decided to go natural, or have you been relaxer free all your life?
AM: When I first went natural, a lot of people didn’t know until about a month or so later because I got a sew-in the day after I did my big chop. However, after the sew-in and the braids I wore after the sew-in, I recut my hair and immediately received mixed reactions. A lot of people thought it was great and admired my bold move to rock my hair that short, while I had a few family members who thought I looked sick with my hair that short. However, my hair has grown on the naysayers over these nearly 3 years as a natural.
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