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

30/6/2015

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

My name is Shaqwania Dixon also known as Naturalista4me. I am from Vidalia Georgia, home of the sweet Vidalia Onions! I currently reside in Atlanta, Georgia.

2. What is your hair type?

I have 4c hair.

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

I began transitioning back to natural in 2012 and I did my big chop in July of 2013. I really wasn't planning (at first) to be natural, it just turned into that. My husband and I were expecting our son and I made the decision to not relax my hair for the entire pregnancy. I then made the decision to not relax my hair ever again and so my natural hair journey began along with my journey to truly loving myself as I am.

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

The most challenging thing was learning how to be comfortable with wearing my natural hair. I love hair and the challenges there of so caring for my hair is not a problem, being able to face those who had an opinion about my natural hair was another story. I have always been the type of person who didn't like to be put on the spot or bring attention to myself but once I returned to natural, I started to get a lot of stares and a few unwanted hurtful opinions. I am completely over that stage now.

5. What is your weekly regimen?

I have simplified my regimen a lot. I cowash one to two times a week depending on the hairstyle that I am wearing. I will shampoo if I have a lot of product buildup. I deep condition once a week if my hair really needs it.

6. What is your daily morning regimen?

I remove my satin cap and sprits my hair with water and apply a moisturizing cream.

7. What is your daily night time regimen?

I massage my scalp and lightly sprits my hair with water and cover with a satin cap.

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

I rarely use heat. I once received a blow out followed by flat iron and a split end trimming. I also have sat under a hooded dryer for a twist out and roller set. I am not against heat; I just prefer not to use it.

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

I braid my hair down for crochet installments and when wearing a braid out. I do not do it often so I would say one to two times a year.

10. Wide-tooth comb or Denman brush?

Although I have both I rarely use them. I work with my fingers mostly. If I had to choose one to work with I usually use the wide tooth comb.

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

My hair is now in a tapered cut so I wear it loose mostly.

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

I have to be honest and say that I was the reason for my hair going through a period of excess shedding and breakage. I was going through a stressful time and my hair wasn't responding to well. I did recover from it once I made the decision to overcome that situation and not mellow in it and allow it to control my happiness. When you are stressed it can change your appetite and can also cause health issues. I am now happy because I have made the CHOICE to be and my hair is doing great!

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

Take care of yourself and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

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