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

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

I’m Michelle from New York!

2. What is your hair type?

I have a combination of hair types on my head but I’m predominantly a 3C. I have a sprinkle of 4A at the crown. My sides and at the base of my neck is about a 3B.

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

I’ve been natural for well over 10 years. I stopped counting at 10. I decided to embrace my natural hair after reading Cathy Howse’s book, Thinning Edges. I started transitioning a couple of years before the book came out just contemplating what it would be like but after reading
the book, that sealed the deal. I got scared that I’d lose my edges!

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

I didn’t have much difficulty with the transitioning phase because I would go to the salon and have them blow my roots straight. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it because that’s a lot of heat (every week). I just didn’t know what else to do at the time. Keeping my new growth
blended with my relaxed hair was critical to preventing breakage. I did get some breakage from all the blow drying but I suspect it was much less than if I had just tried to style those two textures of hair simultaneously.

5. What is your weekly regimen? 

My weekly hair regimen is like a religious ceremony LOL! Here ya go...

• I start out with a pre-poo which I simultaneously do while finger detangling. I use a combination of coconut oil and a conditioner to pre-poo/finger detangle. With my pre-poo concoction in my hair, I braid my hair in 4 sections and wrap my head in a plastic/turban wrap for at least an hour before washing.
  
• When it’s time to wash, I alternate weekly between using a Shea Moisture shampoo and a co=wash. I wash my hair in the 4 braids
  
• When it’s time to condition, I loosen the braids and apply my goat’s milk protein conditioner. I protein treat my hair every week as I have fine strands that love protein to keep them healthy. Every protein treatment is followed with an application of Hello Hydration to balance 
  
• out the moisture/protein balance.
  
• After rinsing, I apply a leave in conditioner, an oil to seal, followed by my styler of choice
  
• Then, I either put my hair in twists/braids (for a twist out, braid out or protective style) or a wash and go.
  
• I finish it all up by air drying. I only roller set or blow dry a few times a year.
  

6. What is your daily morning regimen? 

My morning regimen is pretty simple (way faster than when my hair was relaxed!). Takes me less than 5 minutes. I usually just let the shower mist my hair a little and I fluff and go. I don’t usually find the need to re-moisturize/seal my hair daily but I will do it at night 
prophylactically.

7. What is your daily night time regimen? 

At night, I apply a water based daily conditioner into my hair and seal it with Jojoba Oil while also massaging the oil into my scalp using my electric scalp massager. Then, I either put my hair up in a pineapple, a loose bun or a french twist leaving the ends out. It depends on the
style I’m going for the next day. I then either cover my hair with a satin scarf or bonnet. Last off, I always sleep on a satin pillow case but I wear the bonnet/scarf because my apartment is hot and leaches the moisture from my hair. Plus, I tend to find myself somehow some way over
on my husband’s cotton pillowcase :-)

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

1-2x a year I will flat iron my hair but never more than that. During that time I will use a dryer in conjunction with the flat iron. Other than that, I don’t even diffuse my curls. I just let them air dry.

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

I only braid my hair in 12 braids for a braid out. I don’t wear cornrows or other small braids that could potentially pull at the roots of my hair.

10. Wide-tooth comb or Denman brush?

I finger detangle but in the shower I will pull out my wide tooth, seamless comb to assist with detangling but I predominantly finger detangle. 

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

In the summer, I do a lot of wash and go’s and only protective style about 20% of the time. The rest of the year, I protective style 95% of the time.

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

My first and last hair tragedy occurred when I was relaxed. I went to a salon and streak dyed it blonde. Well, no matter how much deep conditioning I did, it broke off severely at the crown. I had no choice but let it run it’s course. My fine strands can not tolerate peroxide. Fortunately, when the new hair appeared it grew in without any problems.

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

Having an adequate balance of moisture and protein is critical. I see many people tout the importance of moisture but protein is just as important regardless to your hair type. Now, different people will have different requirements for protein (i.e. type of protein and frequency of use) but everyone can benefit from protein treatments as well as eating a healthy diet rich in protein.

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

• Blog: RadiantBrownBeauty.com
• YouTube: youtube.com/Reviyve
• Pinterest: pinterest.com/radiantbrown

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