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

18/4/2015

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.

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

I do not braid my hair. I am too afraid of the weight and I am also afraid of how it will pull my edges out.

10. Wide-tooth comb or Denman brush?

I would have to say both. I use the wide-tooth comb to take most of the tangles out and then I run the Denman brush through to make sure my hair is completely detangled and smooth.

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

My hair is normally loose, but I will be practicing more protective styles this year.

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

The only thing I can think of was the fact that my boyfriend at the time couldn’t stand the fact that I cut off all of my hair. He wanted me to put a relaxer back because he was over it. It hurt my feelings at that time, but I stood my ground and refused to put a relaxer and just didn’t care how he felt about it. I told him that if I put a relaxer back in, he would have to cut his dreads off, that was the end of that discussion lol.

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

Find out what your porosity is and than take it from there. Knowing this vital information will steer you in a better direction as to what products work for you and what methods are best. Deep Conditioning is an amazing way to ensure that you are keeping your tresses moisturized.

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