FAQ: How long have you been natural?
People are always really surprised at this answer, but I have been natural all of my life. Growing up, my mom never wanted to make the same mistakes with my hair that she did with her own. She used to tell me if I ever got a relaxer all of my hair would fall out, and oddly enough I believed her. By the time I was old enough to make my own decisions, I figured I had made it this long, why switch up now?!?
FAQ: What are Three of your favorite products?
What day is it? Seriously, this is NEVER a fair question to a curly girl. Let’s see, where do I start? The more appropriate question is “which products are your staples?”. I can’t say that I have tried everything, although my product collection, Ulta points, and my Husband’s opinion might all beg to differ. I have tried enough to know what doesn’t work for me (cough…heavy oils).
No question about it, I LOVE everything Deva Curl, Their line is quick, easy, and no fuss. Deva Curl leaves my hair hydrated, gel cast free, and full of volume. You can’t really ask for more than that!
My love for Shea Moisture is deep rooted and faithful. What I love about Shea Moisture is the exact opposite of what I love about Deva Curl. Shea Moisture gives me options, and a girl like me needs options. No day is ever the same, and my curls are no exception. I love that I can mix it up and throw it back time and time again with the many product lines that Shea Moisture has to offer.
During a recent trip to Puerto Rico (Oooo Oooo….if you get the reference we are meant to be) after another hour long trip in the hair care aisle I took a chance on Cantu and I.FELL.IN.LOVE! From the consistency, to the ease of selection, to the strong gel hold the Cantu line pleasantly surprised me and certainly became a product favorite and staple overnight.
FAQ: how often do you deep condition?
You want me to tell you the truth or tell you what I do in a perfect world? Ok, well in a perfect world I sit in a clean, quiet, kid free room with my feet kicked up and a glass of wine in my hand as I sit under the dryer for 30-45 minutes with an intense moisture packed deep conditioner under my shower cap. TaHa! Sounds good huh? All I’m missing is Calgon taking me away. So let’s talk truth. I try, I give it an honest try to deep condition weekly. However that weekly attempt looks more like a room filled with arguing twins and a hurried mom with my feet planted firmly on the floor as I type away on my laptop with yet more work emails and a cold cup of tea on my nightstand. With all that being said I listen to my hair. Some weeks I’ve done so well on maintaining moisture that I’m not pressed to deep condition. On those weeks I can get away with a 15 minute miracle in the shower. Other weeks my hair let’s me know it won’t survive another day, another style if I don’t sit down and give it the deep condition that it needs.
FAQ: heat or no heat? that is the question?
For me, at this time in my life, certainly NO HEAT! My goal from the beginning has been “happy, healthy hair”. I learned early on that there is no winning for me with heat. Not even occasionally. From 2011-2014 I managed to go heat free and the results were amazing. From 2014-2016 I only used heat twice a year, for my birthday in August and my husband’s birthday in November. Still, those few times showed in the strength of my curls. In 2016 I lost every bit of my mind and put heat to my hair more times than I could count. Every visit to the salon, and every heat damaged inch that was cut off was a reminder that I am the only thing that stops me from my goal of waist length curls. I am proud to say that I have been heat free since January 2016 and from here on out it’s waist length curls or bust!
FAQ: does your husband prefer straight or curly hair?
My husband prefers a happy wife.
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At first I didn’t think he really cared. When I first started rocking my natural curls he gave me that “what exactly is she doing now” look. There were times when I accidentally left the Ulta Receipt in sight and he would have a meltdown over how much my products were costing us. Then as time went on and he began to notice my passion, he really started encouraging me to keep my hair curly and would often remind me of my goal when I would straighten my hair. A few times he would look at my straight hair and ask me “Why would you do that?!?” with the most puzzled look on his face like I scratched a Picasso. He never told me to give up, and he’s always been one of the biggest supporters of me going all in with CocoaBrownCurlsXo.
FAQ: What is the hardest part about being natural?
Finding the time! I think being natural, although healthier and more rewarding, is certainly more time consuming than when my hair is flat ironed. Out of all the potential factors to my day, what I will have to do with my hair is typically what makes or breaks my plans. Staying on top of my moisture levels, keeping my scalp cleansed, minimizing the manipulation to prevent breakage, preventing product build up….all of these things take the one thing in my life I have the least of lately, and that is time! I find myself constantly researching tutorials for quick wash-n-go’s and 3 step products.