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

29/5/2015

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

Christina Alexandria aka (Naturally4Chic), Bay Area, California

2. What is your hair type?

A complete 4 mixture (4A, 4B, 4C)

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

I originally returned natural in 2011 in college; however, I have failed on my natural hair journey twice.

In 2011, my hair was bone rod straight and stuffed in a weave. I was the queen of heat: blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons oh my. During this time, the natural movement was in full swing and suddenly women were rockin their natural hair. We were free. We were liberated. We were au naturale. It was then that I decided to make the bandwagon decision to become natural.

I shed my 22-24-26 luxurious Brazilian weave to join the movement. However, I did not do much research regarding my hair and ended up putting weaves back into my hair and re-perming in 2013. That was the first time I failed.

After re-perming, I decided that I would grow out my hair once more, transition, and flaunt my natural hair. I discovered wigs during this transition and my natural hair rarely saw the light of day. This is when I failed the 2nd time. I had not touched perm but I never wore my hair out. I was uncomfortable with myself and it took time for me to remove wigs altogether.

In October 2014, I was coaxed into wearing my hair out and thus my 3rd natural hair journey has begun and Naturally4Chic was born.

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

Dealing with my own insecurities about my natural beauty. I lack confidence; not just in my hair but in how I operate as a person. That was completely eye opening. I look and exude confidence. However, I lack confidence. For years, I had very few people supporting that choice. Many thought that my hair was ugly or unattractive. My father loved my natural hair, but the rest of my family could not and would not embrace it. I too would not embrace it.

I soon realized that my issues with my natural hair had a lot to do with my issues with myself in general. I did not love me and my hair was just one of many things I disliked about myself. Conquering my low self-images problems through my hair journey have brought me a new sense of confidence throughout my entire life. I walk taller. My head is held higher. I have more confidence. By embracing my hair, I embraced myself.

5. What is your weekly regimen?

I co-wash weekly. I pre-poo and shampoo twice a month. I moisturize my hair daily (especially in the winter). I am a Cantu fanatic. Having 4 type-hair, I need as much moisture as I can get and their products are phenomenal. I also DIY my own deep conditioner, hair & body oil, apple cider vinegar rinse and pre-poo.

6. What is your daily morning regimen?

In the morning, I spritz my aloe vera juice mix (straight aloe vera juice, 10 drops of peppermint oil, and 10 drops of lavender oil) in my hair and take a light amount of my leave-in and run it though my hair.

7. What is your daily night time regimen?

That is dependent on the hair style I am wearing.

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

No no. When I went natural, I stopped using heat. I only own a hooded blow dryer and that I use on cool.

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

I do. Once a year and it is typically January-February. I love box braids; they do not tear on my hair as bad as the micro braids I used to get.

10. Wide-tooth comb or Denman brush?

Wide-tooth comb

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

Summer/Spring/Part of Fall: Loose
Winter: Protective-do

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

Yes. My many failed attempts at Wash and Go's actually damaged my hair. The gel would dry it out and my tresses became knoted. I have been trimming out all my damaged hair ever since. It is almost gone.

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

Focus on health and not length. If your hair is healthy, length will come.

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