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

10/6/2014

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

Tamara Taylor, I was born and raised in Richmond, VA and currently live in Raleigh, NC

2. What is your hair type?

3C

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

I went natural in April 2011. I tried to go natural 2 additional times before my big chop. I suffer with eczema on my scalp and the more and more I was getting relaxers the more my scalp was suffering. The front of my scalp and hair line would look like cradle cap because of the discoloration and build up. I saw everyone rocking the styles that I wanted and then I found out that most of my cousins went natural and decided to take the plunge one final time. I was a short transitioner as my last relaxer was right before Christmas 2010 and I cut all of my hair off on April-7-2011.

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

Finding products that work and understanding my specific hair type. Not all curls are the same and what works for one may not work for you.

5. What is your weekly regimen?

Pre-poo, wash, deep condition, excess my ends and then style

6. What is your daily morning regimen?

I mostly wear braid outs or twist out so I use coconut oil to release my hair, fluff and go

7. What is your daily night time regimen?

Re-twist or re-braid religiously. If I don't I will pay for it the next day

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

I only use heat 2-4 times a year when I get my hair straightened for special occasions.

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

I mostly wear braids in the summer time when its hot and I get lazy because I do a lot of travelling. I wear them 2-3 times out of the year

10. Wide-tooth comb or Denman brush?

I use both. I detangle with my wide tooth comb but I use my Denman brush to distribute product evenly and to clump my curls depending on my style

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

I normally wear my hair loose

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

Yes!!! I over processed my hair with coloring. I was trying out new colors every few months and it was too damaging on my hair. My hair suffered and broke off and I ended up cutting about 3-4 inches off. That's when I decided to get it cut into an in inverted bob since the damage ends had to go anyway. I opted for a bob because it could still give me the versatility that I wanted and I like how the shape is growing out. Since then I have only gotten highlights and I have not colored my hair since Christmas 2013. I treat my hair with care being sure to deep condition everytime I wash my hair, I seal my ends nightly and make sure that it is hydrated as color tends to dry your hair out.

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

Hydration is very important to maintaining healthy hair. Also, a good diet with plenty of water intake. I take a daily vitamin and wash my hair once a week, treat, and deep condition is a must. I also assess my ends to chop away in split and damaged areas and I have seen my hair flourish. Also, finding the products that work for you. Not all curls are the same and what works for one may not work for someone else. I try not to be a product junkie but I do splurge from time to time to try new things.

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