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

Hi, my name is Wendy Joseph and I live in New Jersey but was born in Haiti.

2. What is your hair type?

I have a mixture of of 4A and 4B hair with 4A being more towards the middle and front.

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

I went natural four and a half years ago in September of 2011. I had an adverse reaction to an at home protein treatment leaving my scalp uncontrollable dry and my edges quickly deteriorated. My dermatologist gave me a foam for the dandruff and asked that I come back to have a biopsy of my scalp done. That was when I realized that I needed to change my lifestyle and really start taking care of myself. My first step was to cut the chemicals out of my hair. So I did! I secretly cut all of my hair off! One of my best decisions to date.

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

Being afraid of not being accepted by societies standards of beauty. Initially, I had a rough time with my family accepting the fact that I cut all of my hair off. Their initial negative reaction led me to believe that that’s how everyone else would view me. Causing me to hide my hair under wigs and weaves for almost my entire first year. One day, something snapped and I no longer cared. I finally wore my hair out and everyone loved it. I realized that I never gave them a chance to see my hair short or properly educated them on the reasons why I went natural. They just assumed I went Britney Spears circa 2007 when she seemingly went off the deepend and shaved her head. Funny thing is, most of family are now natural.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

My weekly regimen has pretty much been the same for the past couple of years:

• Split hair into seven sections in preparation to detangle: 3 in the front, 4 in the back
• Wash each section with cleansing conditioner (Shampoo every 1-2 months)
• Apply deep conditioner - (leave in for an hour or so then wash out)
• Rinse & detangle each section with a conditioner and wide tooth comb  
• Apply Cantu leave in conditioner then either a protective style or add Eco Styler Gel for a wash and go

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

When wearing a wash and go: I leave my hair out while taking a shower so that water splashes the hair and it absorbs the moisture in the air.

Protective style: I wear a bonnet and shower cap while showering and use sheen spray to brighten up my locs.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

I do not have a specific nighttime regimen other than to sleep with a bonnet or head scarf on. For my wash and go, I either put my hair in a pineapple or four big twist before bed.  

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

I rarely use heat. I do heatless stretching methods and air dry my hair when doing protective styles. You can read more about this on my blog or view videos on my my youtube channel. My hair seems be very sensitive to heat causing extensive shedding and heat damage.

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

Shatera Taylor and I am from East Orange, NJ

2. What is your hair type?

4c, low porosity ​

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

I went natural (Big Chop) as of 9/15/12. My cousin Ursula encouraged me to do so. She always talked about how beautiful my hair was and how it would be even more flawless if I were to embrace it's natural state. It took several talks before I actually big chopped. 

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

Adjusting to the changes of having hair to no hair. I felt bare in the beginning, always needing to put makeup on and accessorize to avoid that awkward feeling. But after awhile, the journey started to become easier as I accepted my beauty whether with or without hair. 

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

Sunday wash day (every other Sunday). 

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

Applying EVOO to my tresses and massaging my scalp.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

Big chunkie twistouts using Cantu Shea leave-in (every two days) with a spritz of chilled aloe Vera juice and water (bottled). Massage my edges using Black Jamaican Castor Oil. Then I tie my hair using a fishnet bonnet, satin bonnet and satin scarf.

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

​Yes, but once every two to three months. ​

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

My name is Juliet Marz and I am from Connecticut, but I reside in New Jersey.

2. What is your hair type?

My hair type is 3c. ​

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

I went back to being natural in 2012. My hair was boring, limp and wouldn't grow like it should. Growing up, I had hair to my waist that got extremely curly when wet, but My Mom would brush it out all the time. I started to remember how curly my hair could be and I've always loved BIG curly hair, so I decided to do a mini chop because I hadn't used heat or gotten a relaxer in over a year. All I was wearing were buns. 

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

The most challenging thing was my hair being so frizzy for the first few months,the shrinkage(my hair shrinks up to about 75% of its actual length), and I didn't enjoy how short it was. After I did the mini chop, my hair came down to my shoulders, but I'm not a fan of having short hair so it bothered me a little then I got used to it. 

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

I co-wash my hair every 4-6 days. I wash my hair once a month or sooner when I feel the need to clarify. Whether I wash or co-wash, I always deep condition. Always after cleansing my hair, I massage some JBCO into my scalp, then continue with the LOC Method which I loveeeee! 

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

I just take my hair down from a pineapple and go. 

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

Honestly, I just put my hair in a pineapple and sleep on my satin pillowcase. 

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

Never ever ever ever ever do I use heat. I haven't used heat since before going back to natural. I don't see myself using it in the future. In my opinion, it's not worth the damage. ​

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

My name is Eunique Gaines-Morreale and I am from Franklin Park, New Jersey

2. What is your hair type?

My hair type is 3c/4a

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

I returned to natural October of 2014. The reason I returned natural is because I was a freshman in college who could not afford to get her hair done every week at a hair salon. I also wanted to return natural so that I could become comfortable and more confident in myself.

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

The most challenging thing about going natural was establishing a relationship with my hair and really getting to know it.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

I wash my hair once a week with a sulfate free shampoo, a moisturizing conditioner, and lastly a thick deep conditioning hair masque.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

Considering I always have my hair in a style, my daily regimen is simple. All I do is wake up, refresh the style and go on about my day.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

Again since I always have my hair in a style, my nightly regimen is to preserve the style in 4 mini "pineapples", throw on my satin bonnet, and go to bed.

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

I use the most minimal amount of heat on my hair as possible. I am currently on a personal "Year with no heat" challenge. I will make one year without heat on April 10th. Since the challenge has been going really well, I am considering only straightening my hair once a year.

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

 My name is Daphney, I am Haitian-American raised and still reside in New Jersey.

2. What is your hair type?

My hair type is 3c on the top and a mix of 3c and 4a on the sides and back of my head.

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

I went back to natural in 2010.  At the time I was doing my son’s hair and I was always trying to find ways to do his hair with minimal pain.  So I decided to research the ingredients in the products I was using and did not like them.  So I began doing more research and found so much useful information.  

I didn't know all the negative effects that relaxer could have on my health.  What sealed the deal was when I watched the movie by Chris Rock “Good Hair”.  Especially the part when the scientist tested the ingredients on a soda can and it deteriorated and when he found out that black women would put this in their hair, his reaction was priceless, “Now why would they do that?!”.

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

Finding what works for me was the most challenging.  We get so caught up on YouTube videos thinking that they are holy grails to all things DIY/Beauty/Hair, and fail to realize that these videos are solely documentaries of that persons experience.  Initially, once you find what works for you, stick with that, and if you need to make adjustments, then do that.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

I do not wash my hair weekly, especially since its getting longer.  I wash my hair bi-weekly and I DC every time.  I usually put my hair in twists, coils, or flat twists for a couple of days and than take them out.  I do practice the LCO method (Leave-in, Cream, Oil) because it does keep my hair moisturized, manageable and shiny longer. 

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

I am very simple and I cannot afford to be consumed too much by my hair.  In the mornings if I am taking my hair out, I usually pick the roots (depending on the style), shake it and keep it moving.  If it’s a little dry I may add a small amount of serum and that’s about it. 

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

I  retwist my hair in chunky twists and put a satin bonnet on.  If I am lazy, I just put the bonnet on lol.

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

I rarely use heat on my hair.  I really prefer my hair in its natural texture as opposed to being straight.  If I add heat, it's once a year.

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

My Name is Fajr from New Jersey.

2. What is your hair type?

My hair type is a 4c.  

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

I went completely natural in October 2013 but I started transitioning to be natural, I think, in April 2012.  I had been natural for the majority of my life so I wanted to go back to being natural but was having a really difficult time. Finally, my boyfriend (now fiancé) doubted I would do it because I kept talking about it and his doubt caused me to actually follow through with it. 

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

The most challenging thing for me going natural was learning to deal with my own texture of hair and not so much the relaxed hair.  Accepting that my hair was not going to be like everyone’s on youtube whose videos I may have watched.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

Right now my weekly regimen is to just make sure my hair is moisturized, by using some type of oil such as coconut oil, olive oil, or our “loving our look” regimen oil (which is posted on our blog).  I try to moisturize my hair daily because my hair is dry a lot of the time.  

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

I really do not have a morning routine unless my set my hair the night before.  If I set my hair the night before my morning routine would consist of taking my hair down.  When I take my hair down in the morning, I usually put an oil on my finger tips and take it down to prepare for a style.  

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

A daily night time regiment would definitely be moisturizing my hair before I go to bed or setting in a style for the next day and then putting my bonnet on.  

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

I do use it but not very often.  If I do use it, I use it to deep condition.  

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

My name is LaToya (1BlessedNatural), and I am from Newark, New Jersey.

2. What is your hair type?

My hair type is a mixture of 4A, 4B, and 4C.

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

I began transitioning in November of 2010. I big chopped on March 3, 2011. I went natural because my hair  was  severely damaged from a perm, and I was tired of the scabs and hiding my roots.

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

The most challenging thing about going natural was finding a regimen that worked for my hair. It took me a while to find the right products and techniques for me. 

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

Every week, I thoroughly finger detangle my hair and then do an Apple Cider/ tea tree oil rinse. Afterwards, I wash my hair with a prescribed seborrheic dermatitis shampoo and deep condition it. My hair is detangled with a wide-tooth comb right before I wash out the conditioner. Then, I band my hair to stretch it.

6. What is your daily morning regimen?

My daily morning regimen almost always includes moisturizing and sealing. If I am wearing a puff and flat twists, I will untwist my puff section, moisturize, and seal it. Then, I will grab a stretchy band to create a puff. If I am doing a twist-out, I will apply coconut oil to my fingers and unravel my twists. I apply a moisturizer to the perimeter of my hair, and then put on a headband.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

My night time regimen usually consists of me moisturizing and sealing my hair. Sometimes, I will use water as my moisturizer and an oil (usually coconut oil) as my sealant.

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

I use a heating cap when I am deep conditioning my hair.

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

My Name is Gabby from New Jersey.

2. What is your hair type?

My type is a mixture of type 3 hair, majority of it being 3C. 

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

I decided to eliminate all chemical processes 3.5 years ago. It was cheaper on my pocket and I started noticing it was a healthier decision as well. 

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

The most challenging thing is and continues to be, the styling of my hair. I've come to understand finally that some styles may not work for me. It was a little hard to accept but I've managed to figure out other styles that favor my hair better. I'm working on perfecting those at the moment.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

My weekly regimen is making sure my hair is moisturized. Mid-week my hair tends to lose moisture and become very dry and brittle. So I spruce it up with some coconut oil and shea butter.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

Usually putting my hair up in a puff using coconut oil and water, as well as adding some edge control for the frizz. 

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

You know I've never really worked on a night regimen. Throwing a bonnet over my head and calling it a night is what I do.

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

I do use heat every 3-6 months depending on my mood. Making sure I prep my hair very well to avoid excessive heat damage.

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

My Name is Ashley from New Jersey.

2. What is your hair type?

3c

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

I went natural Sep/3/2012 and I made the decision because I realized that the texture of my hair did not require the use of a relaxer in order to be straight. I also wanted fuller hair.

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

Finding out what worked for my hair and developing a regimen fit for me.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

My weekly regimen consists of a wash and deep condition, the LOC method and preparing for my style of the week.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

I don’t have one per se but if my hair is out, I usually add some type of light moisturizer.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

Sealing in moisture for the next day which mostly, is setting my hair with water if the style calls for it and most importantly sleeping with a satin scarf or on a satin pillow case.

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

Yes, I do use heat, mostly for blow outs on a warm or cool setting.

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

My name is Aisa. I'm from New Jersey and live in Los Angeles, California now.

2. What is your hair type?

My hair type is multi-textured It is 4a/4b and 4c and I have 3 textured straight hair on the perimeter. It is mostly high porosity but is also normal porosity in some areas.

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

2009 or 2010. Its not clear because it was December-January and I was still clipping. I wasn't "Natural" on purpose. I have always had really short hair and I was trying to stretch a relaxer. It was really breaking off so I cut off the straight ends and was growing it out so I could relax it. It just grew faster than normal (my hair was ear length) and I got excited. I decided to try to see how long it could grow before I relaxed and by then started watching natural hair videos on Youtube. I just never got that relaxer. Lol.

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

My hair is bushy, fine, multi-textured hair with high porosity. Finding my moisture/protein balance is challenging and can lead to breakage. Also I just started a fitness channel on youtube so cute styles when working out are hard to come by.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

Wash, deep condition, use a leave-in moisturizer and seal with an oil or butter. During the week I spritz water with a moisturizer and may or may not seal with an oil. I also use carrier oils mixed with essential oils on my scalp for stimulation and to ward off psoriasis breakouts.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

I don't really have one. I work the graveyard shift. Lol. I don't get to wear my hair out too often.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

At night I moisturize if my hair needs it and tie it up with either my satin scarf or throw on a satin bonnet.

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

Yes. I usually flat iron once of twice a year but I really started to love my blow outs. I haven't used it in a while because I thought that it might have been thinning out my ends. I cut off a lot of hair over a 6 month period to try to thicken my hair up but...apparently I have naturally tapering hair. It's on.