1. What's your name and where are you from? 

My name is April Bee and I'm from Virginia, USA. 

2. What is your hair type?

If I had to guess, my hair ranges from 3c-4b. But mostly 4a. 

3. When did you go natural and what made you do it? 

I Big Chopped on 12/28/12. It was very random. Sort of like a spur of the moment type of thing. 

4. What was the most challenging thing about going natural? 

The most challenging thing was finding products that work well on my hair. As well as keeping my hair moisturized. My hair was very, very dry when I first went natural. 

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

I really don't have a regimen but I do make sure that I deep condition weekly. 

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

I don't have one. It all depends on how my hair is styled. 

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

If I'm not re-twisting or re-braiding, I'm just putting a satin bonnet on. But if I am re-twisting/braiding, I'll spray my hair lightly with water and add cream and oil for moisture. 

8. Do you use heat on your hair at all? 

Once a year. Which is in the winter months when I blow dry and flat iron my hair. 

1. What's your name and where are you from? 

My name is Kelly Goins and I live in Asheville, North Carolina.

2. What is your hair type?

My hair type is 4a/4b with a sprinkling of a few unidentifiable strands lol! 

3. When did you go natural and what made you do it? 

My natural hair journey hasn’t taken a straight path.  There have been starts, stops, and detours along the way.  I first went natural in 2007. I hung in there for about a year and later texlaxed.  I did my second big chop in December of 2011 and have been natural ever since.

In the beginning, I wanted to go natural because I was tired of the relaxer regimen and shedding/thinning hair.   After making a lifestyle change and adopting healthier habits, having natural hair aligns with my core values and overall wellness goals.

4. What was the most challenging thing about going natural? 

I thought the main challenge in going natural would be learning how to care for and style my hair.  Recently, I’ve become more introspective and realized that the most challenging thing about going natural was the mindset shift I needed to facilitate to truly be content and love my kinks, coils, and curls as they are.  I’ve worked to become confident in my natural beauty which has totally transformed my natural hair journey for the better.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

I consider myself a natural hair minimalist.  My weekly regimen is simple.  Depending on my weekly goals it consists of co-washing or shampooing, conditioning, oil rinsing, and protectively styling.  Typically I wear twistouts, updos, and recently I’ve mastered my wash-and-go so that’s been in more frequent rotation.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

Every morning I moisturize with a leave-in conditioner and seal with coconut or grapeseed oil.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

My night time regimen is the same as my morning regimen in addition to prepping my hair at night, usually pineappling a Twistout or smoothing my updo and covering my hair with a satin scarf or bonnet.

8. Do you use heat on your hair at all? 

I use heat on my hair no more than twice a year.  Each year I flat iron my hair to celebrate my nappiversary and have fun with a few weeks of straight hair styles.  

1. What's your name and where are you from? 

I'm Natoya P from Brooklyn, New York  

2. What is your hair type?

My hair type is a combination of 3c and 4A 

3. When did you go natural and what made you do it? 

I went natural in February 2013 and did a big chop in June 2013. I merely decided to because I was tired of trips to the salon and the use of chemicals in my hair.

4. What was the most challenging thing about going natural? 

The most challenging thing was embracing my twa after my big chop, and dealing with dryness and frizz.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

My weekly regimen would typically be a wash n go Sunday afternoon and loose styles throughout the week.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

My daily morning regimen includes spritzing a bit of water and conditioner to the ends of my hair and adding some coconut oil.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

My daily night regimen is placing my hair in a pineapple or high, loose pony then wrapping my hair with a silk head wrap.

8. Do you use heat on your hair at all? 

I try not to use much heat on my hair; if I do, it's to defuse my hair after washing. Or once in a while I flat iron my hair for a different look but I do use a heat protective lotion.

1. What's your name and where are you from? 

Hey guys!! My name is Lavoryia (aka “BeautifulBrownTresses”) and I live in the very rural Zephyrhills Florida right outside of Tampa FL. I am a true born and raised Floridian who’s originally from Fort Lauderdale FL. 

2. What is your hair type?

I have two different textures in this rather large head of kinky curly coils. My hair has the loosest curl pattern in the back of my head which I will call a 4B. It continues to get kinkier toward the middle and on the sides which makes up most of my hair and that is a 4c.

3. When did you go natural and what made you do it? 

I went natural by accident. Once my husband and I got pregnant with our daughter, I was told by an older woman in my family not to get a relaxer while expecting. Being the very “superstitious” person I am I listened to her advice and decided to refrain from relaxing my hair while pregnant. 

I wore lots of kinky twists to disguise the two different textured hair I had at the time. Once I removed the twist for good I was honestly surprised at the amount of “new growth” I had and thought it would be a shame not to give myself a chance to enjoy this beautiful new found natural head of hair. In November of 2012, I big chopped just four months after I gave birth to my baby girl and I can honestly say it has been the very best decision I’ve made my entire life concerning my hair.

4. What was the most challenging thing about going natural? 

When I did big chop I had known very few natural-haired women and I had not yet discovered the YouTube natural hair community. I was almost bald and had no clue as to what to do with this head of hair I’ve had my whole life but never cared for in its unaltered pure form. I had tons of support once I cut my hair so I had no difficulties from overly opinionated people but I did have a problem with learning how to wash and sleep on my hair. 

I tried combing my hair while in the shower and it would come out by the handfuls. I typically did my hair at night before bed and I didn’t know how to sleep at night with dripping wet hair. I have to be honest, I did have some hesitations after cutting my hair and seeing its course, thick, and shrunken type 4c hair but I have since learned to love it all!

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

On a weekly basis I deep condition my hair for hours with almost always a DIY conditioner. I use my banana masque deep conditioner when my hair is very tangled and dry. I use the egg/mayo deep conditioner when I notice my hair looks extra frizzy and when my curls are basically non-existent. 

I have tutorials for both conditioners on my YouTube channel. I finish off with the LOC method after washing it out. I also stretch my hair with either braids or two jumbo flat twist. I finger detangle my hair once weekly and add products as needed for moisture. I do not wash my hair weekly anymore though I did when I had a TWA

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

On a daily basis in the morning I dampen my hair with water/aloe vera juice mix or just plain water. Then add a light oil or a light conditioner depending on the needs of my hair that morning and how I slept with it the night before.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

On a daily basis, at night I ALWAYS use some type of protection for my hair. I will either tie my hair down with a satin scarf or pineapple my hair with a satin scarf PLUS sleep on a satin pillow case at night. The reason I do both is because sometimes the scarf moves or slips off while I’m asleep and I want to be sure my hair will still be protected either way. 

8. Do you use heat on your hair at all? 

I have not used much heat on my hair as a natural. In total I have used heat on my hair three times in the last three and a half years of me being natural.

1. What's your name and where are you from? 

Troy - Atlanta, GA

2. What is your hair type?

4A?

3. When did you go natural and what made you do it? 

19 years ago. I was horrible at keeping up with perms so I stopped all together.

4. What was the most challenging thing about going natural? 

The in between stage when I went a year without a perm. I kept it in a ponytail for months. I solved the problem by chopping it all off to a twa.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

None. My locs are pretty low maintenance. I spritz with a mixture of oil and water when I remember.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

I don’t have one.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

I don’t have one.

8. Do you use heat on your hair at all? 

I use a bonnet hair dryer occasionally. When my hair was longer it was necessary or my hair would take a full day to dry.

1. What's your name and where are you from? 

My name is Suzanne and I am from Toronto, Canada.

2. What is your hair type?

My hair tips is 4a

3. When did you go natural and what made you do it? 

I went natural on July 20th 2012.  I went natural because I was tired of perming my hair I got burns with every perm then a coworker of mine showed me a YouTube video, when I saw how thick and healthy that young lady hair was I was hooked.

4. What was the most challenging thing about going natural? 

The most challenging thing was getting used to such short hair and making myself look feminine.  

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

Weekly regimen consist of a deep conditioning treatment of some type and a low manipulation style.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

I do not touch my hair for 7 days at a time so daily I just make sure my hair is neat before I head out. 

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

At night I use my satin scarf and or bonnet.

8. Do you use heat on your hair at all? 

I have blow dried my hair once in 2.5  years to get a trim and that was it.  I am not ready to use heat as yet. 

1. What's your name and where are you from? 

Ngozi Ali, Nashville, Tennessee

2. What is your hair type?

Mix of 4a (lower back of head), 4b (outer perimeter) & 4c (crown area)

3. When did you go natural and what made you do it? 

I had my last relaxer in Dec of 2008 (see pic below). My hair started thinning 2 months before turning 26. When I turned 28 I noticed I was developing a large bald patch on my scalp behind my hair line (around the temple area). I was also relaxing and wearing weaves, which was only adding to the hair loss issue.   

4. What was the most challenging thing about going natural? 

Most challenging thing was (and sometimes still is) detangling. Because my hair is fine and thin, it tangles really badly so if I don’t detangle on a regular basis (at least once per week) then it starts to loc/ matt. 

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

Weekly regimen, finger detangle moisturize just to remove any shed hair one time a week. This is when I usually refresh my twist. On Monday night (which I wouldn’t suggest as the best time, but this is randomly when I always feel compelled to do it), I pre-poo my hair with Aussie Moist conditioner and separate into sections to wash. I detangle if I can. I then wash with a sulfate or moisturizing shampoo. After I protein treat and follow with a deep conditioner. After I rinse those, I detangle and style in my signature twist. The next day I may style if going somewhere or just were my hair in a twisted updo.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

I usually only moisturize 2 times per week. I use the L.C.O Method, which keeps my hair pretty moisturized. 

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

I may moisturize if needed, will wrap my hair in a scarf as well as wear a bonnet. I also sleep on a satin pillow case. This is if I wear my hair in twist, which is usually 85% of the time. 

8. Do you use heat on your hair at all? 

3-4 times a year I will blow dry my hair for a blowout. August 2014 (my upcoming 5 year anniversary) was the first time I flat ironed my hair. 

1. What's your name and where are you from? 

My name is Kaisha Huguley. I'm known as Naturally Kai on YouTube. I'm from Washington, D.C.

2. What is your hair type?

My hair type is between a 3c and 4a.

3. When did you go natural and what made you do it? 

I went natural on May 24, 2011 after my return from studying abroad for a semester in Ecuador.  I was tired of getting my hair relaxed.  My hair looked unhealthy and I just wasn't feeling the straight hair look anymore.

4. What was the most challenging thing about going natural? 

The most challenging thing about going natural when I first started was figuring out which products worked best for my hair texture.  I found myself in the beauty supply store buying up the entire aisle!  I must admit I am quite the product junkie.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

My weekly regimen varies between the seasons.  However, as the warm weather approaches, I co-wash or deep condition weekly.  Lately, I haven't done a whole lot of variety in styling, so I usually wear a twist out for the week and protective styles periodically.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

I like to keep it simple and quick in the morning.  I usually wake up and add a little moisture to my hair (water and some type of moisture milk), fluff and go on my way!  

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

At night, I typically pineapple my hair or wrap my hair in a satin bonnet.  I'll usually re-twist my hair a couple of times during the week when I have time.

8. Do you use heat on your hair at all? 

Very little.  I haven't used heat on my hair in months and I haven't straightened my hair since 2012.  I had a very bad experience with heat damage so I'm careful when it comes to heat.

1. What's your name and where are you from? 

My name is Christina J from Naptown, Indiana

2. What is your hair type?

Fine, 4a/coily hair with a sistah-gurl demeanor.

3. When did you go natural and what made you do it? 

I went natural in October 2012. Back in 2011, in my last year in college and I had no money to get relaxers. So I just let my hair be (didn’t know I was transitioning at the time) and saw my natural coils and kinks at the roots. I decided to let my hair grow out and once my hair reached a certain length after a few months, I cut the relaxed ends and rocked my TWA. So going natural happened by accident, but it was the best decision I made for my hair.

4. What was the most challenging thing about going natural? 

Learning how to moisturize and seal my hair effectively was pretty challenging. That’s when I fully learned about my natural hair and how to care for her.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

I co wash and deep condition my hair on a weekly basis with Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner and Shea Moisture Yucca and Plantain Masque. During the week I wear a protective style: flat twists, high bun, or tuck n roll.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

Daily, I use coconut oil and a water mist (with aloe vera juice).

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

I massage my edges and scalp with JBCO for 10 minutes, then I cover my hair with satin bonnet/scarf for bed.

8. Do you use heat on your hair at all? 

I rarely use direct heat, unless it’s with my hooded dryer when deep conditioning.

1. What's your name and where are you from? 

My name is Jane Lorraine and I’m a natural hair and natural hair history blogger from Ohio, USA.

2. What is your hair type?

My hair is a mix of 4A-4C hair.  It is very dense and curly.  I don’t pay too much attention to hair typing, because I have 3 different types on my head.  No matter what style I’m rockin’, I have grown to see my hair as amazingly beautiful! 

3. When did you go natural and what made you do it? 

I actually went natural 3 years ago by accident.  I got tired of getting relaxers, which always gave me scalp burns, and I needed a change for the better.  I also started to learn more about the dangers of relaxers for your skin and health and wanted to truly accept my natural beauty.  I simply stopped getting relaxers and did whatever I could to maintain my hair.

I didn’t do the big chop but instead transitioned for 2 years since I had no idea what I was doing with my hair!  While I transitioned, I kept my hair in cornrows but was not taking care of my hair the way I was supposed to.  It wasn’t until 2011 that I discovered YouTube videos that helped me learn about my hair and how to care for it the right way.  Now, my natural hair is strong and healthy and I love trying new styles.

4. What was the most challenging thing about going natural? 

The most challenging thing about going natural has been just learning how to take care of my hair in it’s natural state, versus taking care of relaxed hair.  It is really tragic how most African American women have never learned what to do with our hair unless it has been chemically or heat straightened.  I had to start over with the basics of hair care and a completely new understanding of how to have healthy hair.  After I became familiar with the process though, I have completely fallen in love with my hair and all the amazing things it can do!  I never knew I would love my natural hair.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

I try to keep it simple.  I alternate between co-washing and shampooing each week.  Then it’s a leave-in, coconut oil and whipped shea butter as my styler.  I also oil and massage my scalp regularly and try to deep condition weekly.  Most of the time, after my hair is clean, I will do a flat twist and wear my hair in a twist-out most of the week or keep the flat twists in and wear wraps all week as a protective style. 

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

Since most of the time I wear a twist-out, I will take off my satin scarf, and using oil on my finger tips, take my twists down and fluff.  It’s that easy!

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

If I’m wearing a twist-out, I will apply more oil to my hair, usually olive or coconut, then cover with a satin scarf and off to bed.  If I’m doing a protective style, I’ll do the LLOC method before I go to sleep: re-moisturize with a little water, leave-in, oil, shea butter.

8. Do you use heat on your hair at all? 

There are two occasions when I use heat: when I’m trying to dry my hair fast under my hooded dryer, or once a year when I flat iron my hair for my yearly trim.  Other than that, I let my hair air dry.