Robin // Natural Hair Style Icon

Introduce yourself!
R: My name is Robin. I live in Dallas, Texas and rep Fort Worth, Texas born and raised. I am an advertising merchandise coordinator. I coordinate (fashion) samples to and from photo shoots for a luxury specialty retail department store, and I have my own line in the works 😉 

Why did you go natural?
R: My decision to go natural was unplanned. I was so tired of dealing with my dry, brittle, and damaged (relaxed) hair that one day I went to a barber and asked him to buzz it all off. I didn’t know what I was going to do with my hair thereafter, I just lived in the moment and did it. After allowing it to grow out I discovered my natural kinks, fell in love, and the rest is history.

How did you transition?
R: 2006 Straight BC. I kept it short for about a year. When I decided to grow it out, I knew no-low manipulation was the best way for me to get the most growth. I braided my hair and used big curly “natural” half wigs as my protective style for about 3–4 months. I kept my hair clean and moisturized under the wigs to ensure I was maintaining a healthy scalp. I was aiming for that Pam Grier fro for real lol. When it grew to my desired length I alternated between wash and go’s and fro’s. I eventually ended up buzzing it again. This grow then buzz pattern is basically my natural hair story. I love my hair, but I definitely love the freedom of having it buzzed, and I may even be leaning toward keeping it this way forever… or maybe just until next year lol.

In what ways (if any) has going natural affected you?
R: I stopped eating pork, and began a healthier diet around the same time I went natural. It definitely made me more aware of the things I was doing my body.

I look at my fist BC as my crash course in confidence. I have so many crazy stories about the reception to my bald head/natural hair. I had to develop a thick skin, and hold my head up high even though some people were not too nice about what they had to say about me.

How would you describe your hair?
R: Well when grown out my hair is coily and thick. It responds beautifully to water more so than anything, and grows thrives when left alone. Before I cut it for the twenty-leventh time I was playing around with butters and oils and my hair loved it. I am still using those oils on my shorter hair to maintain a healthy scalp.

What’s your regimen?
R: I get it cut professionally twice a month, and I touch it up myself as needed. I also wash and (deep) condition as needed with motions lavish conditioning shampoo, and motions moisture plus conditioner. I moisturize with napptural85’s (youtube) shea butter mixture, and I do a scalp massage/treatment as needed with castor and rosemary essential oil. Loves it!

What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from?
R: I was a bit intimidated for a while by the DIY scene. I would always read blogs about how to make your own this and that, and I was just pass it off as girls in nature doing the most with their twigs and berries Lol. I was stuck on stupid… I just recently became a part of the twig and berries nation and I got the (custom) tie dye tee shirt that comes along with it. Rurl cute!

What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
R: If you do decide to BC, don it proudly chica! Look at it as an opportunity to “give face”. All that means is allowing “the audience” to really enjoy the view of your full beauty. Do a bold lip or eye, grab the most extravagant earrings you can find, go forth and be fabulous. In that order.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
R: You can find me at thegirlwiththecrown.tumblr.com or my beard blog Debeard.Tumblr.com if you need a fix. I’m also a member of the BGLH forum. My forum name is Robin Nicole.

Anything else you want to add?
R: Also Big ups to Leila, the founder of BGLH doing major things. I have been lurking since late 08–09, it was the first online natural hair care website I discovered and it’s been great watching the community grow!