*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally
Lybra was originally featured on April 16, 2010. I caught up with her to get the deets on her day to day natural hair regimen.
Introduce yourself!
L: My name is Lybra and Iโm from DC, but Iโm currently living in Atlanta.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
L: This was my third and final time going natural. Gosh, it was so many things that made me want to do it. The first two times I did it to see how long I could go without a relaxer and I wanted to color my hair without the double process of relaxer and color. I transitioned for a few months and went back to the creamy crack when the two textures were too much for me. This time around I was curious about my hair and who I was as a woman. I had recently relocated to Florida. I didnโt know anyone, but my boyfriend so I was pretty much free to experiment with myself without those โI knew you when sort of peopleโ. None of my peers at the time were natural; it was all weaves and lace fronts. My TWA made me stick out like a sore thumb! Let me tell you, that little bush caused me to move past my insecurities and stop fading in the background. Going natural was step one in the process of self love I always say.
How would you describe your texture?
L: Iโve never really been into the hair typing thing, but if I had to say itโs a mixture of 4a, b, and c. On the top I have very wavy hair without much curl at all. The sides are very tightly coiled and the back barely has a curl pattern. My entire head of hair is extremely thick and pretty coarse. Many say it looks soft to the touch, but that is really because I keep it moisturized.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
L: I am really low key when it comes to my regimen. I use Shea Moisture products, coconut oil, and raw shea butter to seal the ends. My hair and scalp can get pretty dry sometimes so I co wash and deep condition once a week. I wash with a sulfate free shampoo maybe once every 6 weeks or so to remove product build up. Sometimes I use apple cider vinegar diluted in a spray bottle directly on my scalp if it really needs clarifying. Itโs been awhile since Iโve henna-ed my hair, but if my hair feels weak then I will henna.
My go-to style is braid outs because they give me the most stretch. My hair has some serious coils, and stretching cuts down on tangles throughout the week. I refresh my hair with rose water and coconut oil when needed. I also donโt re-braid every night. I pull my hair on top of my head and do the pineapple method for bed. I try my best to keep my hands out of my hair and not over style it during the week because my hair breaks if I over manipulate it.
What does wash day look like for you?
L: Lately I have been needing to mentally prepare myself for wash day because the longer my hair gets the longer the process takes LOL. I finger comb and separate my hair into large braids and pre poo with coconut oil. Separating my hair into braids makes my hair easier to manage after washing. I co wash my hair with whatever conditioner I have on hand. Usually I use the Tresemme Curls line, or Hello Hydration, but right now I am using Suave Naturals Tea Tree Conditioner.
I take the braids down one by one and add my deep conditioner and braid it back up. To deep condition right now I am using Beautiful Textures Rapid Repair with a shower cap. I leave the conditioner in for a few hours while I do something else around the house. I rinse with cold water and wrap with a towel for about a half hour to soak up the moisture. Iโll turn on a movie and take down my braids one by one to separate into about two or three smaller braids for a braid out.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you donโt have a lot of time to style?
L: My favorite go to style is probably every naturalโs favoriteโฆThe Puff or a Bun. I love the puff because it is fun and easy, and mine is pretty massive. I love to bun my hair when I want something quick, protective and toned down. Sometimes if my hair is still wet or if Iโm not feeling a puff I will quickly put a wrap on my head turban style. Iโve even worn them to my job at the courthouse. As long as they match what I am wearing it looks put together.
How do you combat shrinkage?
L: I use braid outs to stretch my hair. Living in Florida for a few years I learned to not concern myself with shrinkage too much. Humidity is going to cause my hair to shrink and I am totally okay with that.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require extra care and attention?
L: I donโt really have any problem areas except for a few grey hairs here and there. Itโs genetic for everyone in my family to go grey in their early 20s so I canโt do much about that. The only thing that really bothers me about the greys is the fact that they donโt seem to curl much, so they stick straight up and taunt me!!
What are 2 doโs for your texture?
L: Moisture is key and being gentle while detangling.
What are 2 donโts for your texture?
L: 1. Not moisturizing thoroughly and over using gel.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
L: LybraPhyllise.blogspot.com, etsy.com/shop/7elementsdesigns, Lybra-Phyllise.tumblr.com, Instagram: Lybra Phyllise
Gorgeous hair! Great interview.
Lol at having to โmentally prepareโ for wash day. Sounds a lot like me. My hair isnโt long, but 10 inches is more than enough to cause some workโฆand then thereโs my daughterโs hair.
gorgeous hair! i want to move to florida! I live in DC now and iโm trying to get back to lower COL and closer to friends and fam! I feel ya on the mentally prepare myself for wash day cause I do the same thing!
Thank you Love! What part of Florida? I loved Florida but all my family is in DC & FL really wasnโt for me.
I donโt know what part! I just wanna move back to the south. I have no family and friends in florida but its close enough to al where Iโm from!
omg i want to lay down in her hair and take a nap.โฆi know i shouldnโt say it but it just looks so lush and softโฆJUST BEAUTIFUL!!! I canโt wait till my hair is that long! I know it will be work (my hair is tightly coiled too) but I know it will be definitely worth itโฆsheโs proof that working with natural hair is soooooooo worth it! beautiful!
Aww thatโs so funny!! Thank you and natural hair is definitely worth it.
Beautiful hair!!! Just one question..kinda new in my natural hair journey..could someone please explain to me what the pineapple method is in which Lybra made reference to..thanks ๐
It is usually done at night to preserve various styles when sleeping such as twist outs, braid outs, etc and to keep the hair stretched. The hair is piled and tied on top of the head like you would with a ponytail (unlike a ponytail which is at the back of the head, the pineapple is on top of the head). Since natural hair mostly sticks up, it looks like a pineapple. It is then covered with whatever such as a bonnet, silk scarf, etc. Go to youtube and type in pineapple method and you will find many tutorials. Youtube… Read more »
Here I how pineappleโฆ
http://www.lillian-mae.com/transitioning-guide/transitioning-tutorial-night-regimen-pineappling/
Her hair is gorgeous!
Beautiful lady and lovely hair!
Gosh, I love your hair! Itโs so thick & beautiful.
โmentally prepareโ :))))))
I just loved your interview, you sound so phenomenally put together! Great photos, what a demonstration of all the styles waiting to be released on a naturalโs head! The one with the citron tank and glasses is fire!
OMG I LUV ur hair itโs beautyFULL!!! <3
im so inspired by the beauty of ur hair to go on with my recent decision to go natural. I hope ur hair care and styling routine works with my hair cos im african and live in tropical africa. I just wanna knw if there wld be any differences.
That puff is the BUSINESS!! lol. BEAUTIFUL hair!
beautiful! <3
Your hair is beautiful!!! I have only been transitioning for about 3 months. My question is did you do the big chop the second time around? If not, how did you transition from relaxed to natural, what type of styles did you do when you had mostly a head full of natural hair?
Beautiful Hairโฆ another pretty natural reppโn the DMV ..
Kudos
@spotlight921
I think your haiir is gorgeous. We also have the same. Name. Mines is lebra lol
U have a peaceness about urself. U. Kno where u been, and where ur goin