Nicole // 4A Natural Hair Style Icon

*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally

Introduce yourself!
N: Hi there, my name is Nicole and I live in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
N: Hair is a really big deal in Atlanta, and when I would get sew-ins or relaxers with my hair laying all nice…I would never be fully satisfied. It really just didn’t fit ME. My last year of school I decided to cut my relaxer off, and I have to say at first it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. There were days when I cried. Days when I cursed under my breath at the fact that I had to get ready for school in 20 minutes with my hair looking like mushed taco meat, and days when I just didn’t feel beautiful.

Now with it being a little over a year I have to say this was the best decision I have ever made. Everyone says it fits me so well. I feel good about myself, inspire others, and get a LOT of attention (sometimes attention that isn’t needed :/). And I get more compliments than the girl with the long Remi sitting next to me. I’ve been natural for a year and two months now! I’ve really learned to love what I was born with.

How would you describe your texture?
N: Um I’m a 4a, which took some getting used to. I had to realize that my tight curls were just as beautiful as a 3b. Since day 1 my hair does what it wants, frizzes up, shrinks, the whole nine. But I am able to manage it more as time goes on. It’s extremely thick.

Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
N: When I had my TWA I used a lot of Miss Jessie’s products — wetting it in the shower and adding some Curly Pudding and coconut oil before I walked out of the door. I really liked the whole curly look. As it got a little longer I would do a lot of wet twist outs using Jane Carter products along with Mixed Chicks. I usually twisted with regular conditioner (yes I know some people don’t agree with this). Then I went through the whole I want it big and long phase where I would wash it with As I Am products, blow dry it, do big dry twists, and let it go wild for days. I got tired of blow drying it…fast. And now I vary doing all of the above depending on how I feel.

What does wash day look like for you?
N: My wash day starts out with me bracing myself because it takes a while lol. I wash my hair in the shower using As I Am poo then using various conditioners like (Jane Carter, Giovanni, Shea Moisture, or just whatever is the closest!) I then get under my Huetiful Hair Steamer with Miss Jessie’s Rapid Recovery. I wash that out then finish off with Mixed Chicks Leave in Conditioner and coconut oil, then style!

Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
N: My favorite go to style is my good ol’ pin up. I part the back down the middle and roll both sides up, pin up my sides and wet or pick out the top. I actually get the most compliments with this.

How do you combat shrinkage?
N: If I know it’s going to be a rainy week I deal with shrinkage by blow drying my hair and keeping argan, olive, or coconut oil on it. This really helps stretch my hair and keep it at a good length for as long as possible.

What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
N: I got a little bored when I was first growing my hair out and decided to get a little color added. Now that my original color is really getting some length on it the added color wants to break off. I just deal with this by keep my hair moisturized.

What are 2 do’s for your texture?
N: Oil and water are our friendddd, put a bonnet on that head at night and moisturize from root all the way down to tip.

What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
N: Stay away from cheap gels, we don’t have that type of hair lol. Try not to keep so much tension on it by using stretchy headbands 5 times out of the week and don’t go a day without using some type of moisturizer

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
N: Follow me on Instagram if you’d like: CleopatraTheFox.