Queen Ashlei ~ Queen Of Kinks, Curls & Coils® (Neno Natural)

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

Hello! My name is Ashlei and I currently live in Chicago, IL.

2. What is your hair type?

My hair falls in the 4C category. It's a little kinky, a little coily, and a whole lot of curly.

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

I went natural back in February of 2011, so compared to some I'm still fairly new. My relaxed hair was always really damaged and made me extremely insecure about myself. I didn't want to start wearing weaves as it just wasn't my style, so I started researching wearing my hair in its natural form and after a very short transitioning process I did the big chop and haven't looked back since!

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

I think the most challenging thing was re-learning how to take proper care of my hair, it's not something that you accomplish over night. I'm still learning new things about my hair.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

I co-wash/shampoo once a week - depending on my schedule. On weeks that I co-wash I usually do a light finger detangling, and then on weeks that I do a full shampoo wash (with an ACV wash and deep conditioning) I go for a thorough detangling session.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

In the morning I typically massage/fluff out my fro (if I didn't put it in twists the night before) while in the shower and then spritz it with my moisturizing spray. Depending on what I'm planning to do with it I may also add in raw shea butter and/or Shea Moisture's Curl Smoothie.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

I keep it pretty simple at night. I'll spray it again with my moisturizing spray and tie it up in a silk scarf before hitting the bed.

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

Nope! I've had heat damage before, so I tend to stay away.

9. Do you braid your hair? If so, how often do you do so in a year? 

Not really, I've had senegalese twists put in and I'm thinking of doing something similar again this summer, but it's not something I tend to do often. I keep it very simple when it comes to my hair.

10 Wide-tooth comb or Denman brush?

Wide tooth comb! I've tried the Denman brush and it just was not my friend, haha!

11. Is your hair normally loose or in a protective-do? 

It's normally loose, I like letting it do its own thing.

12. Have you ever had a hair tragedy? What was it? How did you recover from it?

I haven't had a hair tragedy, at least not while being natural. I went natural because my relaxed hair was such a tragedy. I've had days where a twist out didn't look as well as I'd hoped, but I'd consider that more of a hair annoyance, haha!

13. What's your biggest tip for maintaining healthy or long hair?

Patience and Keep It Simple. When I first started out I thought I needed to use all these products and do all these things that would ensure health and growth, but the longer I've been natural the more I find keeping things as simple as possible pays off more in the long run. But patience is key! :)

14. Where can we find you online? (blog, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube etc).

You can find me pretty much everywhere online :)

• Blog: Kinks are the new Pink
• Twitter: @KinksarePink
• Instagram: @KinksarePink
• Facebook: KinksAreTheNewPink
• Google+: Kinksarethenewpink

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