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

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

 My name is Essence Roberts and I am from Atlanta, Georgia.

2. What is your hair type?

I think I have a mixture of 4A,4B, and 4C. The back of my hair are looser kinky curls, while the front of my hair is a bit tighter, and the middle of my head is the tightest and kinkiest.

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

I made the decision to allow my hair to grow naturally the Summer of June 2012. At the beginning of the year 2012 I was a junior in high school I made the decision to bleach my hair blonde and dye my hair red and texturize my hair with no assistance. This was the worst mistake I ever made because my hair was fried, dry, and brittle. I had absolutely no idea what to do with it. So I chopped it all off to a low fade that summer.

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

The most challenging at the beginning was sitting wondering whether or not my hair was growing at all. The whole idea of experimenting with hairstyles, products, and what to do next intrigued me, I never looked at that aspect of being natural as challenging. 

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

I love my colored hair. From the beginning when I learned how to properly care for my hair I went all the way honey blonde. My hair takes color so easily. My next big step was the vibrant pink that I currently have. 

Everyone who chooses to wear their hair naturally if they didn't know it before then they should know now that it is one of the biggest commitments that they will make. Each week on Sunday or Saturday (my free days) I do a pre-poo Saturday night, then sunday morning cleanse my scalp with ACV, then I do a protein treatment (every week without a doubt I never miss this step). I have learned that protein is the most important thing for natural hair, especially bleached blonde or any colored hair. Then I immediately follow with a deep condition. After I wash that out, LOC method and protective style for the week.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

During the summertime I usually cowash my hair every morning and leave with a wash n go. However, it is now getting a bit chilly in the ATL, and I can no longer walk out of the house with a wet head, smh. So, now I take out the protective style from the night before using my whipped shea butter mix that I make, and I separate pieces and fluff my hair out and go.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

At night I always always always sprtiz my hair with water, combine my castor oil and coconut oil together, and add my whipped shea butter to my ends in whatever protective style i choose for that night whether it be bantu knots, three strand twist, flat twist, finger coils, or two strand twist. I pay special attention to my ends.

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

Once every year I do a length check, I go to my stylist and get my hair blown out and silk pressed. I keep it for one week, then i revert back to my kinky roots.

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

No, I do not like any added stress to my hair follicles. I am extremely tender headed.

10. Wide-tooth comb or Denman brush? 

I do not use any combs because I do not like the constant pulling, snatching, or crunching that comes with combs or brushes. I finger detangle each week and with each styles. 

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

My hair is normally loose throughout the day, but at night I wear it in a protective do. Sometimes I choose to wear bantu knots out.

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

Yes the day right after Thanksgiving 2014, I decided that I wanted my hair a silver/gray color. #FAIL I usually bleach my hair myself, so that was not the problem. I bought a toner (I have never used toner before, but the internet said you need a toner in order to get your hair gray...)  

My hair turned this goodness awful green color and a gray color. I'm home with all my family, and I'm like, "Mom, I'm about to cut all of my hair off and start over, smh." 

My mother said, "No honey, just call your stylist and see what she can do." So I did, and I went into her shop that Sunday. She told me the only way to combat what happened is to put a lightener on my hair to make it go back blonde #FAILAGAINNNNN lol As soon as she put the lightener on my head my hair began to turn pink.

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

I only have one, please be consistent. Consistency is key anything that you choose to be committed to.

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

• Facebook: facebook.com/kinkyhairsisters

• Twitter: @kinkyhairsister

• Instagram: @kinkyhairsisters

• YouTube: youtube.com/KinkyHairSisters