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

My name is Aishia Strickland and I'm from Chicago...South-Side STAND UP!

2. What is your hair type?

​Honestly...I don't believe in hair typing...it's hella confusing and it doesn't really tell you anything about your hair's porosity or how to choose your products. When asked about my hair type I normally tell people my hair type is Cute 

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

I decided to go natural in June of 2011.  I felt at that point that I had done EVERYTHING, I'd been short, long, bob'd and colored, I figured let me see what this natural thing is all about.

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

The hardest thing about going natural was trying to figure out a hair care regimen.  In addition to finding out over 4 years later that everything you've been doing to care for your hair has been absolutely wrong.  While YouTube and the numerous blogs centered on natural were a great resource I always felt like there was WAY too much misinformation being passed around that I just did what I felt like worked and kept it moving.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

Currently since the weather is uber nice here in Chicago I've been all about the wash and go.   After doing the 30dayhairdetox I've been able to get my wash and go from shampoo to style down to 30mins. I'm still tweaking my regime a bit to find what works for me....with that being said clarifying shampoo has been a game changer in my routine and is an absolute must for me weekly however with the WNG I need to refresh on day 3 or 4 and co-washing just doesn't quite work for my very dense hair.  So, I'm playing with using a cream cleanser for the refresher days and we shall see how that works out.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

Before showering I usually take down my pineapple and put my hair in two ponytails to bring my hair back down to gravity.  After I've showered and applied my makeup I usually take the ponytails out and tousle it a bit and I'm out the door.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

At night I just take an elastic headband and pineapple my hair for the bed while resting my head on my satin pillowcase.

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

​Up until recently I would get my straightened for my bi-yearly trims.  Since getting my hair shaped by an experienced curl artist I now straighten whenever the mood strikes me.

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

Hey everyone! My name is Stephanie and I currently live in Chicago, lL, and I would call myself a true naturalista at heart!
​
2. What is your hair type?

I have a variety of hair textures throughout my hair. I have mostly coarse to thick hair with a few fine textures as well. I am a mixture of 3c, 4a, and 4b hair types.

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

Ever since I was younger, my hair has always been faithfully relaxed. However, I have always been amazed by the versatility of natural hair. My natural hair journey began in 2013 while I was away at college. Due to the long distance from home, I wasn't able to get my hair relaxed, or even get it done as frequently as I would have preferred. With the combination of my love for natural hairstyles  and the fact I was away from home, I decided to transition back to my natural roots.

​Click here to see a video of the natural hair journey.

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

The most challenging part of my hair journey was when I did the "mini chop"; my friends' and families' reactions were all over the place. Some were excited for me, while others were asking me why on earth did I cut my hair! My mom for example was all for the new hair cut, but since I decided to flat iron my hair as soon as I had cut my hair, she was under the impression that I would keep it short, and go back to getting it relaxed. Once I told her that I will be keeping it natural, she was a bit hesitant and tried to convince me to take care of my hair and keep up with getting relaxers. Although I was receiving negative feedback about my decision to go natural, this was something I needed to do for myself and no one's opinion was going to change my mind. Now that I have been on my natural hair journey for over a year now. Both my friends and family or completely supportive of my hair journey.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

My weekly regimen consist of washing my hair once a week, and styling it that same day. I moisturize my hair using the L.O.C  method and style my hair either into a puff , plaits or two strand twist. 

Click here to see an explanation of what the L.O.C. method and a demo. 

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

My morning regimen is very simple. I simply take off my satin bonnet or just proceed to pick out my hair to get the desired shape I am going for, and I am good to go.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

My night routine varies:

• wrapping a scarf around my edges to keep them flat when my hair is in a puff
• restyling my hair in the designated style ( twistout or braidout) 
• putting a satin bonnet on my hair
• sleeping on a satin pillow cases

​I always sleep with a satin bonnet, or satin pillow case. I choose the pillow case over the satin bonnet on days where I want to preserve  my hairstyle as much as possible , and not squish the style, which sometimes happens when I sleep with the bonnet.

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

Yes I do, but not often.
I apply a flat iron to my hair 1-2 times a year
I use a blow dryer ( low-medium heat) 2-4 times a year

Click here to see various techniques I use to straighten my natural hair.

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

My name is Alia and I'm from Chicago, living in Indianapolis for a couple months now. 

2. What is your hair type?

I have dense, coarse, 4b/c hair.

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

I got my last relaxer in December 2013 and big chopped 5 months later. I went natural because I was bored with my hair and unsatisfied with the length. Its just seemed like it wasnt growing and never made it past neck/shoulder length. It was also constantly shedding. I wanted longer, healthier hair that was versatile. 

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

The most challenging thing about going natural was learning how to retain moisture, and dealing with the thickness! At times it seems as if I have enough hair on my head for 3 people. 

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

I cowash my hair once a week. Before washing, I put my hair into chunky twists and tie the ends off with little elastics so that they won't unravel. After washing, I take down each twist, apply my deep conditioner, detangle, and split it into 2 twists. I do this all over my head then cover with a plastic cap. Sometimes I sit under the dryer, sometimes I don't. After rinsing out all the deep conditioner while my hair is still twisted, I put my hair up in a t shirt to air dry for about 2 hours. After that I do the LCO method on each twist, then split it into 2 more twists. I air dry for a day or 2 before unraveling for a twist out.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

In the morning, all I do is separate my twists, fluff, shake and go.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

I retwist my hair nightly, into about 13 or so chunky twists. I don't add any extra water or products unless my hair is noticeably dry. 

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

I do not use direct heat (flat irons, blow dryers) at all but I do sit under the hooded dryer for deep conditioning treatments and to speed up the drying process occasionally.

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

My name is Tanika Thomas, and I'm from Chicago, IL.

2. What is your hair type?

I have about three different hair types, ranging from 3B to 3C.

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

I decided to do the big chop March 7, 2012.

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

The most challenging thing about going natural was the wait. Once I big chopped I expected my hair to be down my back after just a few months (lbvs). This wasn't the case as I had to cut my hair several additional times to get to my natural texture. This is called scab hair. 


As my natural hair journey continued I began to embrace the process, the struggle, and the joys of having a TWA (teeny weeny afro). Even now that my hair is longer there is still the excitement of knowing that there is more growth to come. The key to dealing with this is to just be patient, and care for your hair. The rest will come naturally.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

When my hair was shorter my weekly regiment was a lot different than now. I try to maintain my hairstyles a lot longer than a week, which is easier when I twist my hair, or flat twist it. I usually try to deep condition my tresses at least twice a month now, and use less styling products, and more conditioners, and oils. This has been leaving my hair curly, and soft. There is also a noticeable difference when I wash my hair as well.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

Most mornings I simply untwist my hair and fluff. If I style with a wash n go, I typically wet my hair while in the shower, section my hair, and apply coconut oil and a leave in, the next step is to simply give my hair a vigorous shake.

7. What is your daily night time regimen?

For my twist-outs I usually twist my hair in about 7-10 flat twists, and put on my satin bonnet. For my wash and go's I've started to use the pineapple technique, and use my satin scarf to wrap around the sides of my hair.

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

I recently started to use heat (every once in a while), but I DO NOT re-straighten my hair after the initial straightening. I am also very careful about high temperature. I also use several different heat protectors during the process. Although I was against putting heat in my hair, it allows me to trim my hair, as well as see the progress. In a curly state my hair shrinkage is real. I don't mind shrinkage tho because it only means that my hair porosity is on point.

1. What's your name and where are you from?
 
My name is K. Mishawn and I'm from a small city outside of Chicago, IL.

2. What is your hair type?

My hair type is 4B/4C.

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

I initially tried to go natural in 2010, but it didn't go as planned.  I ended up relaxing my top crown area twice.  By March of 2013 I had done lots of research and began transitioning.  I did my mini big chop in April 2014 and I've been in love since. 

My daughter who is going on 4 years old also played a huge role in my decision to go natural. We both have the same texture and she's so beautiful with her hair.  I wanted to show her that I was confident enough to wear my hair that looked just liked hers and assure her that it is indeed beautiful.

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

The most challenging thing about going natural was actually wearing my real hair and accepting my true hair texture.  I got my 1st relaxer when I was 6 years old and I've been wearing weaves since I was in the 7th grade. It was a major adjustment that I felt was way overdue.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

Once a week I make my own pre-poo mix (banana, egg, coconut milk, oil and honey).  After 2-4 hours I rinse it out and wash it with either a sulfate-free shampoo or co wash conditioner and deep condition for another 1-2 hours.  I then apply my L.O.C method, oil my scalp and style. I oil every 2-3 days with olive oil and re-moisturize as well.  Here's my video:

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

In the morning I usually take down my twist-out or braid-out with a little coconut oil or I unwrap a protective style.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

At night I usually two strand twist or braid my hair (normally every 2-3 days).  If I'm wearing a protective style, I just put on a satin bonnet.

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

I just recently straightened my hair after 15 months of no heat and transitioning.  I only did it to check the length.  I won't be straightening it again for another 6 to 12 months.

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

Natasha Beals and I am from Chicago.

2. What is your hair type?

4C

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

I went natural 4 years ago, my big chop was in 2010. This was my second time going natural, the first time I was not knowledgeable at all about the process of transitioning to natural. So this time around I did my research and transitioned for a year with braids and weaves. 

I have always loved the way natural hair looks on a woman. I love the versatility, the bigness and thickness of natural hair. I also loved the fact that I do not have to run from the rain anymore because my hair loves the rain.

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

The most challenging thing for me was dealing with the two different textures and finding a stylist who could handle the two different textures. I ran into a lot of stylists who could not handle the thickness of my hair, they would approach my hair with small tooth combs and pull a lot of it out. My family made it difficult too; they would makes jokes and talk about how my hair was going to fall out when I went natural. It was kind of hard to ignore their comments but I did, and I made it happen, I was determined to go natural.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

I try to wash my hair every Sunday but lately I have been slacking; I am lazy, lol. Wash days are usually a full day. I start with a pre-poo mixture I make which is olive oil, coconut oil, and peppermint oil. I let that sit for about 15 mins. After that I put my hair into twists, and wash it with a water and shampoo mixture in a color applicator bottle. My favorite shampoos are Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo and Trader Joes Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo. 

After the wash I deep condition with Organics Hair Mayonnaise. So far it has worked alright for me. Another favorite deep conditioner is Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Smoothie. I let that sit for about 15 minutes under a hooded dryer, and then rinse it out. 

I follow it up with the LOC method (Aphogee Curlific Moisture Leave-in Conditioner, Coconut Oil, and Miss Jessie’s Curly Buttercream). After that I put my hair in two-strand twists and let it air-dry and wear a twist-out for a couple of days, and then put it into a bun.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

I  fluff out my twist-out, and spray it with a mixture of water, olive oil and coconut oil, then go.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

I re-twist my hair every two days, put my hair on the top of my head, and then put on my satin scarf or bonnet, and go to sleep.

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

I rarely use heat on my hair, I get my hair flat-ironed and trimmed about every six months. I don’t like to use heat on my hair. The last time I did it, my curl pattern disappeared, my hair is still recovering from my last flat-iron.

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

My name is Krystle and I am from Chicago, IL.

2. What is your hair type?

I have mostly 4b curls.

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

I went natural in September of 2010. I was no longer in love with my hair and it became a struggle to maintain healthy relaxed hair. My scalp started to really react to the relaxers at that time so I made the decision to big chop on September 26th, 2010.

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

Finding the right products to work for my curls.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

I clarify once a week using ACV on Mondays. I deep condition for 30-45 mins, rinse and shingle my curls to define my wash-n-go.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

Because I shingle my curls, I get great multiple day hair so all I do in the morning is spritz my curls with water and apply a little gel on my edges.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

At night I like to lightly spritz my curls with water before going to bed to give them a dose of hydration and I sleep with a satin bonnet to protect my curls.

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

Only when I lightly defuse my wash-n-go for more volume.

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

2. What is your hair type?

As a cosmetologist and Deva Inspired Curl Stylist, I vehemently don’t believe in hair typing because it doesn’t matter. My curl diameter is a 3C though.

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

My first big chop was in Summer of 2003. My relaxed hair was shoulder length and healthy but way too long 99 degrees and 100% humidity.  This was before YouTube and I had no idea there were forums.  I continued to do the same basic care i always did (cleanse,condition, style) and my hair grew.

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

Fighting the urge to cut my hair.  I’ve big chopped 7+ times

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

Right now my hair is very short so I don’t really have one. When it’s longer usually I clarify/cleanse/ condition. To style I would either put it in a puff, wash n go, or set medium twists for a twist out.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

Wake and shake.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

I’ve never had one no matter how long my hair was.  Either sleep on a satin pillowcase or scarf

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

Sometimes 1-2 times a month.  Sometimes not for 2+ years

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

Kiki living in Atlanta, GA but originally from Chicago, IL.

2. What is your hair type?

I don't like to put my hair in this very limited category system. I have different textures ranging from loose curls to very tight curls.

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

I stopped relaxing in 2000 after my hair dresser suggested it. I have always suffered with scalp burns from relaxers so I was willing to give it a go.

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

Thinking that my hair texture would look like the girl on the box just by using the product in the box.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

Now that I have shaved my head I don't have one and I am loving it!! I do moisturize my head/hair daily because my scalp gets dry just like the skin on any other area of the body.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

I rub my head down with a hair moisturizer that is basically a combination of oils and shea butter.

7. What is your daily night time regimen?

Absolutely nothing!! Now that I have shaved my head I don't even wear a du rag!

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

Not now since I don't have any hair to work with but when I had longer hair I would blow dry it from time to time to achieve a particular style.

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

Lauren Kent from Chicago, Illinois

2. What is your hair type?

I am a 4a hair type

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

I honestly went natural simply to know if I could do it; I saw it as a challenge. I was also eager to find out what my curl pattern was.

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

The awkward transition period. I didn't do the big chop, but fortunately for me, I cut my hair very short before I decided to go natural. And to get through the transition period, I often wore weaves

5. What is your weekly regimen?

Every week I co-wash my hair using As I Am Coconut Co Wash. I wash my hair with that three times and on the final wash, I leave it in and apply olive oil on top and detangle my hair, then I rinse. After towel-drying my hair, I apply my As I Am Leave In Conditioner, then my oil of choice (usually coconut, olive oil, or grapeseed), then I finish it with my As I Am Curling Jelly. I place my hair into 8-10 braids and place a perm rod on the ends of my hair for a more uniform look. I leave that style in for 2 days, ideally, take it down and then I fluff like crazy; the bigger the better.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

I simply take my hair out of the pineapple from the night before and shake and go. Sometimes I will apply a little coconut oil to my fingers and fluff my hair out.

7. What is your daily night time regimen?

At night, I simply gather all of my hair and direct it towards the top of my head, called "pineappling" and then I place my scarf on my head, with the curls hanging out of the front of it. I also sleep on a satin pillowcase.

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

I use heat on my hair every 3 months, that seems to be when I get the urge to straighten my hair.