Introduce yourself!
R: Hey yall!! My name is Raven and Im from Charleston SC!! Im a full time student majoring in Bio/Pre-Med!! I love writing, art, music, and FOOD!!
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
R: I made the decision to go natural because I was BORED with my relaxed hair. It was in a short cut for about 4 years and I needed something new!! So that summer I started looking into going natural. I did a lot of research and on Aug 3rd 2010 decided to do the Big Chop!! I did not transition, so my hair was SUPER short! But it gave me confidence, and I’m glad I made the decision.
How would you describe your texture?
R: My texture is THICK!!! My hair is super thick. If I had to place it in a hair type, it would be a 4a. It has plenty of body and volume, and is more curly than coarse…
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
R: I mainly just wear braid outs or puffs throughout the month. Every night I re-braid my hair and moisturize with water, Qhemets Amla Oil and Heavy Cream, and an extra virgin olive oil/castor oil mix. As far as protective styling goes, I wear turbans/headwraps or my half wig!! Also occasionally I will install mini twists!
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style?
R: When I don’t have a lot of time to do my hair, I wear headwraps/turbans or beanies to cover my hair. When I wear them I leave my hair braided underneath with a satin bonnet. Wearing headwraps allows me to still look cute, while protecting my hair, and not having to worry about it later!
What does wash day look like for you?
R: Ok! I detangle with my fingers using a cheap conditioner, and extra virgin olive oil. I then cleanse with Terressential Hair Mud Wash, and follow with my deep conditioner mix Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose conditioner/extra virgin olive oil/castor oil/coconut milk. I let that sit for about 2 hours, rinse it out and then put curlformers or flexi rods in my hair to help stretch it. Sit under the dryer for about 30 mins and then once my hair is dry I braid it in 8 chunky braids for my braid outs for the week!!
How do you combat shrinkage?
R: My hair is stretched 95% of the time, I found this keeps single strand knots and split ends AWAY!! I wash my hair once a week, once I’m done with that process I use curlformers or flexi rods to stretch my hair. I sit under the dryer, let it dry and then put 8 chunky braids in my hair for my braid out for the week!! I re-braid my hair each night when I wear it out. This keeps it stretched throughout the week, and keeps a good bit of the shrinkage AWAY!
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
R: Keep it stretched and moisturized. Doing those two things help my hair from breaking and has helped me retain length!!
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
R: Wash n Go’s are a BIG No No for my hair!!! My curls are way too tight to be in a shrunken wash n go state. I would be left with a hot tangled mess afterwards! Also my hair is protein sensitive, so staying away from products that have protein in them is important or I’m left with dry crunchy hair!
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
R: Youtube: SimplyRay1
Blog: www.bighairmorestares.blogspot.com
Instagram: naptural_ray1
Great tips, how do you stop the shrinkage with all of this humidity?
well there really is no way to stop that smh doesnt matter how stretch my hair is..when I go home Im still left with a shrunken fro..BUT by keeping my hair in a high puff Im stretching the back and side..so usually when i kno its going to be humid I wear a high puff, leaves a lil length
cute. cute. cute. CUUUTTEEEEEE.. I want that thickness
I absolutely love her hair! Such a beautiful texture
Totally love your hair Raven, it looks so beautiful!
thanks!!
Hair so thick and luscious! Love it!
I love reading about others experiences with avoiding shrinkage and keeping the hair stretched, not because of an obsession with length, but to avoid split ends and tangles. I’ve been natural for ten years and just within the last year or two I’ve seen how beyond a certain length, I gotta keep my hair stretched or I’ll have mutant knots all over.
me too!! i know for sure I wouldn’t have the length I have now if It wasnt for stretching!!
Love your pics!!!!
yea Chuck-town…your hair is lovely
Charleston’s natural community is on the come up! Great post!
Your hair is too fly miss ray ray lol. Texture like mine and we use many of the same products. Love my qb aohc and aohsr too! 😛 I can’t wait til my hair grows super long, what??? Who gon check my fro? Lol beautiful hair and pix and what’s most importantly lol is that its healthy.
lol thanks!! yes girl give me 2 more years when my fro gets stupid BIG!! who gone check me!! lol but thanks again and your right healthy hair is always beautiful
gorgeous..would kill for your thickness!
I really, i mean REALLY love that bonnet (is that the right term?) you are wearing in that 2nd pic…its soooo cute!!! Love the pre-med focus too…pretty girls doing awesome things!
Thanks!! It’s a scarf tied into a turban I wear them a lot!! Check out my YouTube channel on how to do it 🙂
Awesome!!! Thanks, subscribing now 🙂
Beautiful head of hair! Love the wraps too 🙂
thanks!!!
Hi Raven!!! My name is Raven too. I was born in the 70s so for years I was the only Raven around. It’s great to “meet” another Raven…and a natural one at that. Your hair is beautiful! Take care!
lol nice to meet another Raven as well!! thanks!!
Hi I am a 4A/4B. How do you know your hair is protein sensitive?