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

2/2/2015

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

Tywana Smith (Ty) - From West Chester, Ohio.

2. What is your hair type?

4C

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

I went natural about 8 years ago. I had been in the hair care business for about four years at that time. More and more of our clientele were women who had gone natural I got tired of ruining my hair with chemicals and being told that my 4C hair just does not grow.

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

Finding a hairstyle that worked for me! I’ve done it all- braids, weaves, the big chop, TWA. You name it, I’ve done it.

5. What is your weekly regimen?

I co-wash a couple of times a week. And I do some sort of hair spa treatment also. Sometimes it’s clay or Natural-Laxer MIX, sometimes it’s Natural- Colors henna. We sell a couple of products that I switch back and forth between. The henna not only covers up the gray roots, it conditions my hair.

6. What is your daily morning regimen?

Simple and quick are key for me. I mist my hair using Treasured Lock Herbal-Leave In Conditioner. I then apply Treasured Locks Herbal Hair Balm and then Treasured Locks Knot No More.

7. What is your daily night time regimen?

I simply use a satin scarf or sleep on a satin pillow case.

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

Not any more. Now I only use heat when I get it trimmed. I blow it dry and that is so it can be cut evenly.

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

I used to braid my hair, but since I went with a super short style I don’t anymore.

10. Wide-tooth comb or Denman brush?

Denman Brush and Knot Genie Brush. I use the Knot Genie to create a distinctive curl pattern in my hair, almost like mini comb twists.

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

My hair is always loose at this length. I have done different protective styles when I have let it grow out.

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

I have had a couple of hair tragedies. There was the time I took out a weave and instead of combing through my hair thoroughly before washing, I just washed it. It was almost impossible to get all the tangles out. I had to soak it in leave in conditioner and use a rat tail comb to pull each tangle out one by one. It took hours.

Probably getting a bad cut has been my biggest hair tragedy. I have had 3 bad hair cuts since going natural. My policy now is to never let my hair be cut if it is not blown straight. My 4C texture is hard to cut evenly, if it is not straight. Three have tried and failed. Never again!! I recovered by patting an pushing down and waiting a few weeks before getting a recut.

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

Keep your hair moisturized!! If I had to give ONE tip.

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