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

Maisia (mom), Tiona (17), Reagan (3), & Payton (3)(daughters) “Four Natural Girls” from the first state...Delaware!

2. What is your hair type?

I’m not fan a of typing/labeling (it sparks too much drama), but in order to classify texture differences to aid others, I'll answer lol....Maisia (3c/4a/4b?), Tiona (3b/3c?), Reagan (4a/4b?), Payton (4a/4b?)

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

August 2011 I met a Carol’s Daughter representative who enlightened me on the dangers of relaxing. I went home that night and cut off my relaxed hair. The next day, I found a barber and fell in love with my tapered do. Tiona transitioned for 11 months (straightening her roots) before I cut roughly four inches of permed ends. Reagan & Payton have never been introduced to a relaxer:)

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

The most challenging part about returning natural was buying any and every natural product I thought would work for my hair texture.  Little did I know, I had multiple textures. I found that I became a product junkie and was obsessed with trying different “natural” products that did nil for my hair. It  was hard on my pocketbook. Today, I help prevent others from making that mistake and help them find their “staple” products without going broke.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

Maisia: (AM start) Prepoo with an application of coconut oil or jojoba oil and deep conditioner 1-2 times a month for 45 minutes under a plastic cap (before shampooing/cowashing), shampoo biweekly with Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Shampoo, Co-wash weekly with Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner, Deep Condition as needed (1-2 times a month) with Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque, apply a small amount of Shea Moisture Leave-IN Conditioner/detangler), shingle each section with EcoStyler Gel with Olive Oil and let it air dry (about 75%). That night, I’ll apply 100% raw shea butter to damp hair and make about 15-20 twists. The gel helps hold my twist definition.

Tiona: (PM start) I prepoo with an application of coconut oil and deep conditioner 1-2 a month (before shampooing/cowashing), shampoo & condition biweekly with Shea Moisture African Black Soap Shampoo & conditioner or Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Shampoo & Conditioner. I detangle with Shea Moisture detangler.  I then apply 100% raw shea butter to freshly washed hair and twist hair in about 6 twists and allow to dry overnight.

Reagan & Payton: (Late AM/Early PM start) I prepoo with an application of coconut oil and deep conditioner 1-2 times a month 30-45 mins before shampooing, I then shampoo and condition their hair with Shea Moisture Mango & Carrot Kids Extra-Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner. I then detangle damp hair  in sections with a wide tooth comb spraying Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Kids Detangler before combing gently. Finally, I apply 100% raw shea butter to each section and braid hair (about 8-10 braids, twists if I'm leaving their hair out) and allow it to air dry before styling.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

Maisia & Tiona: We twist out, style, and go!

Reagan & Payton: We descarf/debonnet and go!

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

Maisia & Tiona: We spritz with an application of an oil (usually olive, coconut, or jojoba)  water (1 part oil, 2 parts water), apply a small amount of raw shea butter to each section and twist. We'll sleep in a satin scarf or bonnet.

Reagan & Payton: If hair is braided, I'll spray the scalp with Shea Moisture African Black Soap Dandruff & Dry Scalp Elixir and rub in with my finger tips, then I'll spritz the water and oil mixture lightly all over, smooth with hands, and apply a satin scarf.

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

Maisia: Twice a year at Graffitti Salon in Middletown, DE

Tiona: 3-4 times a year by mom with heat protectant applied (usually raw shea butter or grapeseed oil), blow dried, flat ironed (2 strokes max)

Reagan & Payton: Blowouts (on low heat) at salon twice a year before styling

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

My name is Crystal aka Kriss.  I’m from the Philadelphia PA area originally but I’m currently in Delaware.

2. What is your hair type?

I consider my hair type as 4C.  My hair is very tightly coiled and has a ton of shrinkage.

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

I decided to begin transitioning to natural in February 2012 and big chopped in August 2012. Prior to that, I had been trying to maintain texlaxed hair and ended up having a huge set back from over processing… my hair thinned out so badly!  From that point, I realized that no matter how hard I tried to make relaxers work for me, it just wasn’t the right decision for me.

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

I think the most challenging thing was the uncertainty prior to big chopping.  I had no real positive memories of my natural hair as a child for motivation so it was going to be very new to me.  I wasn’t sure if I or my family would like and accept it but I was determined anyway.  When I decided to big chop, I made sure that I was comfortable with my decision…I even told myself that I was gonna rock whatever texture I was blessed with to the fullest.  :)

5. What is your weekly regimen?

I like to keep my regimen pretty simple. I like to detangle mostly with my fingers and detangle with a comb only when needed. I tend to cowash my hair at least twice a week. On my wash days, I moisturize my hair with versions of the LOC, LOCO, or LCO (new to me).

After that, I apply my styler (if I’m using one) and set my hair in whatever style I’m going for. Last, I air dry or sit under the dryer (cool/warm setting.)

6. What is your daily morning regimen?

Nine times out of ten, I wake up to VERY smushed hair lol!  I’ve learned that when that happens, shower steam is my best friend.  I hop in the shower and let the steam get to my hair. Depending on the style, I may let a few drops of H20 hit it. Then I’m able to manipulate it into the style I decide to rock for the day. If I need extra moisture I add just a little product. :)

7. What is your daily night time regimen?

At night, my routine varies depending on what state my hair is in (wash & go, twistout, braidout, updo, etc.)  I moisturize if needed, and prep my hair for the style I'm choosing to wear.  I also sleep on a satin pillowcase, and wear a satin bonnet or satin-like skirt slip. Don’t laugh! :D

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

I currently only use my hooded dryer as a source of indirect heat. I use the cool setting which is not “cool” air at all lol.  It’s warm air. :)