First, check out this fun video:
I’m excited to share that the gorgeous star of this video—with her flawless skin and perfectly coiffed tendrils—is On the Couch! Her name is Andrea Bordeaux, and she’s no stranger to the camera. This model/actress has appeared in national commercials and landed spots on NBC’s “Law and Order: Specials Victims Unit,” and MTV’s “The Buried Life.” She’s talented, gorgeous, and of course, NATURAL!
CN: Your hair is ridic—tell us the back story.
AB: I’ve been natural for 3.5 years. I got my first relaxer when I was around 10 or 11 and wore my hair relaxed until right before I turned 21. I tried to ‘transition’ but only lasted about 2 months. I was desperate to see my natural hair so I just chopped off one night at about 3 o’clock in the morning. My hair texture is mostly 4A, but the hair at my edges is very loose, either 3A or 3B.
CN: Have you always liked your natural hair? If not, how did you come to embrace it?
AB: No. When I first big chopped and it was very short, I LOVED it! Then about 6 months later it got to this weird middle stage and I couldn’t do anything with it and I couldn’t keep it moisturized for the life of me. It was struggle and I had to fight the urge to cut it really short again. Also, I have MAJOR shrinkage. When it’s shrunken, it looks like it’s only 3 or 4 inches long, but it really comes past my shoulders. Shrinkage and knots are what I like least about my hair.
CN: What is your current routine?
AB: I don’t wear my hair shrunken because if I do, I will get thousands of single strand knots (SSKs”>. SSKs have caused me 3 setbacks where I’ve had to cut off several inches of my hair. Now, I keep it moisturized and twisted at all times, even when washing. I wash every 2 weeks, sometimes once a week if I’m not extra lazy. I don’t use shampoo, just conditioner. If I need to clarify my hair, I’ll rub baking soda throughout my hair or do an apple cider vinegar rinse. I’m not very particular about what conditioners I use unless it’s a deep conditioner. I try to maintain a good balance of protein and moisture so I’m more careful when it comes to what I use to deep condiyion with.
