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

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

Lauren Kent from Chicago, Illinois

2. What is your hair type?

I am a 4a hair type

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

I honestly went natural simply to know if I could do it; I saw it as a challenge. I was also eager to find out what my curl pattern was.

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

The awkward transition period. I didn't do the big chop, but fortunately for me, I cut my hair very short before I decided to go natural. And to get through the transition period, I often wore weaves

5. What is your weekly regimen?

Every week I co-wash my hair using As I Am Coconut Co Wash. I wash my hair with that three times and on the final wash, I leave it in and apply olive oil on top and detangle my hair, then I rinse. After towel-drying my hair, I apply my As I Am Leave In Conditioner, then my oil of choice (usually coconut, olive oil, or grapeseed), then I finish it with my As I Am Curling Jelly. I place my hair into 8-10 braids and place a perm rod on the ends of my hair for a more uniform look. I leave that style in for 2 days, ideally, take it down and then I fluff like crazy; the bigger the better.

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

I simply take my hair out of the pineapple from the night before and shake and go. Sometimes I will apply a little coconut oil to my fingers and fluff my hair out.

7. What is your daily night time regimen?

At night, I simply gather all of my hair and direct it towards the top of my head, called "pineappling" and then I place my scarf on my head, with the curls hanging out of the front of it. I also sleep on a satin pillowcase.

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

I use heat on my hair every 3 months, that seems to be when I get the urge to straighten my hair.

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

Technically I braid my hair, in a braidout, at least twice a month. It's my preferred hairstyle, for sure.

10 Wide-tooth comb or Denman brush?

Honestly, both. But most times I will use my Denman.

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

It is normally loose. I don't normally pin my hair up unless it's in desperate need of a wash and I'm just not in the mood to wash it at the time.

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

I had a hair tragedy before I went natural. I got a relaxer at home (shame on me) faithfully, up until 5 years ago. The last time I relaxed my hair, I used a 2-in-1 color and relaxer kit. Bad news. My hair began to come out in chunks. I was beyond mortified. My hair is my pride and joy. Thankfully, I was getting my hair cut into a very short style the next day, so it wasn't too bad.

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

Definitely to limit the amount of heat used on your hair as much as possible. Also, trim your ends. I know a lot of people take care of their hair at home, but I found that it helps me to pay a professional to tend to my hair every 3 months, just to make sure I'm on the right path.

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

• Instagram: @midwestlolita
• Twitter: @midwestlolita
• Facebook: facebook.com/diariesofawannaberichkid (fanpage)
• Blog: diariesofawannaberichkid.blogspot.com

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