Amanda // Natural Hair Style Icon

Where do you live?
A: Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. I went to undergrad in the LA area. Now, I’m currently in living in DC.

Why did you go natural?
A: I officially went natural in April 2001 when I was 15 years old. However, I didn’t stop religiously straightening it with heat until 2 years ago (Summer 2008). Because I used to straighten my hair incessantly it suffered a lot of breakage. My hair wasn’t cared for properly. When I would wash my hair, I thought I had a really loose curl pattern, but I later learned this was from all the heat damage from pressing it. Nevertheless, after going to hairstylist after hairstylist, one finally convinced my mother to put me back on the creamy crack.

During this time, I began to really miss my natural hair and the ridiculous proclamations of me having “good hair” in its natural state. Mind you, as previously stated, my hair had been damaged by heat so my curl pattern was looser, which is why my young mind bought into this “good hair” nonsense. I yearned to have that hair back. When I finally let the relaxer grow out, my hair was nothing like I thought it was, which was hard for me to accept, especially while in high school (an institution that breeds insecurity). So, of course, I straightened it.

It wasn’t until summer 2008, that I finally decided to embrace my hair. Maturity, at least for me, settled in. I was tired of fried, limp, lifeless hair. I wanted to get to know my hair and build a better relationship with it on my own terms.

What’s your regimen?
A: I actually don’t have a strict regimen because I’m a firm believer that like people, hair evolves. However, I am going to try a regimen for a few months and change it up when I feel necessary. I will say that I do color my hair a lot (some would argue that I’m not “natural” because of this), so moisturizing and sealing are key.

I typically co-wash daily but now I’m trying to cut back and do it every few days to maybe a week. We’ll see!

Products I use are:

• Vo5 moisturizing conditioner
• Suave humectant conditioner
• glycerin
• raw shea butter
• Eco styler gel
• aloe vera gel
• oils (jojoba, castor, coconut)

What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from?
A: Straightening it way too often and buying expensive products (not to knock any of the great products out there). I find that my own concoctions best serve my hair.

What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
A: Leaving it alone to do its own thing (basically not manipulating it too much). I still haven’t fully learned this lesson but I notice when I put it into practice, it makes a WORLD of a difference.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
A: www.honeyfaced.blogspot.com