NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
RA: Versatility! I can do almost anything with my hair: braid it, wear it wavy or in tight curls, straighten it,or even make it into a fro-hawk! My friends always expect me to do something wonderful with my hair.
NC: How do you think having curly hair impacts your life?
RA: In the beginning, it used to slow me down a lot because of the time it took to detangle and the endless fights I used to have with my hair. But now, I am so used to it. I get my hair in a beautiful style on a Sunday night and that’s it for the week! All the time it takes to detangle, wash and condition my hair is just another part of my life…I simply set aside time for it, as I do with everything else.
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
RA: I usually tell people to accept themselves the way they are. In order for negative comments to not get you down, you have to be completely satisfied with yourself and recognize that what you do with your hair or your life is your concern. I also tell people to accept that their hair can’t do certain things anymore. When you have kinky curly hair there is nothing that you can do to make it look bone straight or relaxed every day without damaging your hair. Just accept that you look different and work with the new you!!
NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects!
RA: I am currently finishing up with school. I also just started a natural hair blog aimed at providing natural hair growth tips to 4C naturals or kinky curly naturals. It’s also meant to be a general guide to healthy living and wellness, but I get so many hair questions that I never have time to post anything else! It’s important that naturals with tightly curled hair (like me”> understand that their hair is beautiful and can be managed, just like everyone else’s. I intend to start selling organic hair and skin products as soon as I am done with my university program. I have a Masters in finance, but natural hair is my first love!
You can hear more from Rachel on her blog or on Instagram.
