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Débora // 4A Natural Hair Style Icon | Black Girl with Long Hair

Posted: 20 May 2014 06:00 AM PDT

Introduce yourself!
D: My name is Débora, I'm 23 years old and I'm from São Paulo/Brazil.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
D: I've been natural since 2012. I started my transition in July 2012 and continued for 14 months, until just after my wedding on August 18, 2013. I didn't wanna have short hair. I had dreamed of wearing a big bun or a topknot! So I waited from July 2012 to September 2013 (one month after my wedding) to do the BIG CHOP. It was 14 months of pure anxiety!

I decided to return to natural hair first of all because I was very tired of burning my scalp, and second because I didn't know my own hair. My mom started relaxing my hair when I was only 7 years old. So since this age, I have always retouched my roots. I thought that doing this was normal. I didn't see anybody with natural hair. Nobody said to me that natural hair is beautiful. So after 15 years of torture and low esteem I discovered on the internet a lot of BEAUTIFUL girls with natural hair! They shared their journey, tips, natural hairstyles, words of confidence…so this got my attention. From there, I started my own natural hair journey.

How would you describe your texture?
D: I would describe it as 4A! It's very coily and the curl pattern is like an "S". But the curls are looser in the back of my head and the top (crown) is more porous and dry.

Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
D: I wash my hair no more than twice per week then just wait for it to dry naturally. I don't have a styling regimen as of yet since this will be my first year with all my hair natural. I'm discovering this month (fall/winter) that protective styles are very good. So I'm trying this, but most of the time I wear a wash and and go, puff, side puff or mohican.

What does wash day look like for you?
D: The wash day for me is very simple. I don't do anything different. Since January I've been using Head and Shoulders Shampoo with Eucalyptus, Palmolive Cachos Control with Aloe, Pantene, and Dove Shampoo. After washing I use my favorite conditioner from Skala Jaborandi to moisturize and help detangle. I detangle my hair with my fingers, and only detangle on wash day. After doing this, depending on the day, I just apply a leave-in like Capicilin Volume Reducer that is similar to flaxseed gel, Seda Keraforce Original Curl Activator, or I moisturize my hair with Seda Keraforce Original Treatment Cream or a homemade moisturizer with cornstarch, natural oils and cream. This product regimen changes once per month. Sometimes I change the leave-in or the moisturizer, but most of time I like to use homemade recipes.

Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don't have a lot of time to style.
D: When I don't have too much time or when my hair isn't in a good mood, I wear a puff or a side puff.

How do you combat shrinkage?
D: This is something that I definitely don't worry about.

Tell us about your hair color?
D: My natural color is dark brown, but I did some blond highlights. I went to a professional. She blew out my hair then put on a highlighting cap. The color didn't change my hair texture, but to prevent any dryness I moisturize more than usual.

What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
D: I take extra care in my crown area because it is very dry. I always apply more cream and oils in this part, and I try to define the curls in this area with my fingers.

What are 2 do's for your texture?
D: Moisturizing and finger detangling.

What are 2 don'ts for your texture?
D: Anything that has a very high temperature like a flat iron, and don't sleep with wet hair!

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
D: Of course!
My Natural Hair Blog: http://deboraninja.com.br/
Instagram: @debora_ninja
Tumblr: http://deboraninja.tumblr.com/
Twitter: @debora_cunha
My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAlSKF7_zCeb5eKUJot6ulA
My Facebook Page: https://pt-br.facebook.com/deboraninjaoficial
My Facebook Personal Profile: https://www.facebook.com/debora.cunha.524
Google+: Débora Cunha

Meosha

Just another lover of natural hair and expression. - Style Icon Coordinator for BGLH

Quinn // 3C/4A Natural Hair Style Icon | Black Girl with Long Hair

Posted: 08 May 2014 06:00 AM PDT

Introduce yourself!
Q: My name is Quinn Miles and I'm from Los Angeles, California but I live in NYC. I am a professional plus size model signed with Wilhelmina and Ford Models.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
Q: I have been natural since September of 2011 and did my Big Chop in December of 2011. I decided to go natural because I was tired of all the stress that was being put on my hair as a model. I wanted to experience my natural curls and appreciate my hair for what it was naturally, the way it grows out of my head. It had a lot to do with self-love and acceptance.

How would you describe your texture?
Q: I would say my texture is in between a 3c and a 4a. If there was a 3d category that would be me =). It is also low in porosity. My strands are fine and my hair is dense.

Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
Q: Wash and go's are for sure my go to style most of the time. Lately I have been really into As I Am Curling Jelly, but I also like Deva Curl's Arc Angel. Wash and go's usually can last an average of four days for me. As long as I wrap my hair up at night and keep it hydrated. I also wear wigs a lot since I am a model. Plus it is a good way to switch it up with straight hair without needing to use heat. Wigs are great for protective styling!

What does wash day look like for you?
Q: I love my wash days! They are so relaxing. I start off with a co-wash and depending on what my hair needs at the moment, I will either use Deva Curl One Condition, Tresemme Naturals, or As I Am Coconut CoWash. After a good finger detangle, I follow up with As I Am Leave-In Conditioner then style with As I Am Curling Jelly for my wash and go. Or, if I am doing a twist out or braid out, I'll style with coconut oil and Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie.

Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don't have a lot of time to style.
Q: My go-to hairstyle when I'm in a time crunch is almost always a messy bun. Unless my wash and go can go one more day. In that case I just spritz my hair with water, shake it out and go!

How do you combat shrinkage?
Q: Ugh, Shrinkage! I am definitely all for stretching these curls. My preferred method of stretching is using a blow dryer with a concentration nozzle blowing warm air.

What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
Q: My hair is pretty much the same all the way around. But, I do have a very small section in the front (bang area) of my hair that likes to act like it's not curly, so I usually have to do a finger coil to get it to act right =).

What are 2 do's for your texture?
Q: Co-washing and oils like coconut and olive oil are a must for my texture.

What are 2 don'ts for your texture?
Q: Shampoo and heat are absolute no no's for my hair! My hair is so fragile and dries very easily.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
Q: I can be found at: youtube.com/user/naturallyquinn, tumblr.com/naturallyquinn and instagram.com/naturallyquinn.

Meosha

Just another lover of natural hair and expression. - Style Icon Coordinator for BGLH

Black Hair Styles

Friday 30 May 2014