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

18/3/2014

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

I'm Renee Wilson from Orlando, Florida.

2. What is your hair type?

Mostly 3c, but I’ll find random 3b and 4a strands.

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

I did a semi big chop in September of 2011 (hairstylist cut hair in a short style). Then the following month, I decided to cut off the rest myself. I did it due to my hair thinning at the crown from using box relaxers and not having the ambition to relax my hair anymore due to the process that it took.

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

Learning how in general to take care of my hair in its natural state and realizing water is my friend now. I had to re-train my way of thinking and get my mind out of blow drying and flat ironing.

5. What is your weekly regimen?

I wash my hair once a week, but before I wash, I spritz my hair with water and then put a random conditioner and let it set for 30 mins or so. I then shampoo with a moisturizing shampoo and depending on what I feel my hair is lacking that week is how I base which conditioner I use. It’s usually between a protein balance or moisturizing conditioner. I only use a clarifying shampoo once a month.

6. What is your daily morning regimen?

Depends on what style my hair is in, but my daily regimen usually involves a light spritz of water in the morning and some type of leave in moisturizer if my hair needs it, if not I just leave it alone.

7. What is your daily night time regimen?

Based on the style again, but I go through to see if I need any touch ups on twists or however my hair is styled. I sometimes do a heavier spritz with water at night and use my own concoction of essential oils and shea butter if my hair needs it, then tie it down with a satin scarf.

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

I do use heat but not often. If I have a style in my head that I need or want to have a certain length then I blow out my hair, but I rarely use a flat iron anymore, maybe once a year.

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

I occasionally have someone cornrow my hair maybe once a month if I think of a style that I like, then I do a twist out on the remaining part of my hair. I personally do not like braid outs, I prefer twist outs.

10. Wide-tooth comb or Denman brush?

I actually use both, but for different reasons. I always use the wide tooth comb to detangle my hair, but if I want to wear my hair in a curly or a wash and go type style, I find I still use the wide tooth comb to detangle, but then I use whatever product for my curls then run the Denman brush through my hair in sections and it helps define my curls.

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

I usually switch between the two. My protective styles are with my natural hair only and usually worn as two strand twists. If I wear it loose it's usually a twist out.

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

I wouldn’t consider it a tragedy, but since I do not like for too many people to do my hair, I’m usually experimenting and playing kitchen beautician. So when I had a relaxer I decided that I wanted this inverted bob and I just knew I knew what I was doing with cutting. Why I ended up looking like a plucked chicken, so I had to go to someone to fix it. That’s as far as my tragedy goes. I recovered by laughing at myself and knowing that it will grow back.

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

I would say trimming and moisturizing your hair. Along with knowing how to manage protective styling such as sew-ins, braids, or whatever else you choose, just learn and ask questions about the proper way of maintaining the style before you get it.

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

Facebook under Renee Wilson
Instagram: onenaturalshorty