*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally
Introduce yourself!
A: Hi! My name is Ashley Small. Iām originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma but after being here for 9 years Iām now a Houstonian and loving it! Iām a Digital PR Strategist and I own Medley Incorporated, The Brand Development Company.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
A: Iād wanted to since I was in high school, but never had the courage to. When I went off to college, it just seemed like the natural thing to do. I canāt point to exactly what inspired me to do it but I knew that putting so much heat on it, matched with chemicals, wasnāt how our hair was intended to be treated. I even got to a point that I felt like I looked ridiculous with a texture that was other than my ownā¦thatās when I knew it was time to do the big chop. Iāve been natural now for 6 years.
How would you describe your texture?
A: Honestly, my knowledge of hair type is not very extensive. Perhaps because I feel that it can be divisive at times. My hair is thick. Some might call it coarse. Itās mine, and I love it;).
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
A: I get my hair washed, deep conditioned, trimmed and styled every 4ā6 weeks at Natural Resources Salon. In between appointments, I wash it at home and usually wear it blown out or curly in a variety of updoās. In Houston, updoās are perfect for the weather and easy to pull off when youāre on the go. I donāt use a large variety of products, but my consistent go-to one for daily hydration is the Conditioning CrĆØme by Earthās Nectar.
What does wash day look like for you?
A: I wash and condition with Earthās Nectar Mint Leaves & Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner. Then detangle using a Denman brush and Africaās Best Detangling Moisturizing Lotion for Kids. Sometimes Iāll blow it out with my Deep Brilliance Blow dryer made by Chi or two strand twist it and let it air dry. Ultimately, I end up pinning it up and creating some type of updo.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you donāt have a lot of time to style.
A: My favorite go to style would be a pompadour in the front and one braid or two strand twists pinned up or held together by the Conair Upzing Clip. Itās been a lifesaver on busy days!
How do you combat shrinkage?
A: Iāve noticed that if I section my hair off into about 8ā10 two strand twists and sit under the dryer until itās partially dry, I get a pretty nice-sized fro.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
A: Iāve always had an unhealthy addiction to color. Iāve had to cut up to 5 inches off at time (on multiple occasions) due to hair color damage. Thatās been my biggest challenge in maintaining healthy hair and growing it out. So I deep condition quite a bit.
What are 2 doās for your texture?
A: Do experiment with products intended for children. Believe it or not, practically the entire line of Africaās Best Kids Organic line works miracles on my hair. Do give it a lot of TLC. Wash and goās donāt work for me. When I wash my hair at home, I put on a good movie, lay out all my tools and products and plan a night in to give my hair some attention.
What are 2 donāts for your texture?
A: Donāt go to sleep with it wet (without detangling it). I learned this the hard way. Use heavy product consistently. My hair started locking one time. It was a nightmare!
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
A: To learn more about me and what I do, visit http://www.medley-inc.com. My random musings can be found at http://www.ashleysmallonline.com.
Ashley, you and your hair look absolutely WONDERFUL!!
Your hairstyles are adorable.
Amazing hair, and the styles are quite neat and unique
I totally agree,natural hair is soooooo versatile and beautiful!
Beautiful hair and beautiful girl! I love the styles especially the jumbo flat twist style
I have a question to all the naturals. Do yall braid your hair with extensions aswell like for protective styles. Iāve fully trasitioned and during the process i wore wigs and weaves. Iām planning on wearing my natural hair towards the end of the year and iād like to know if all the natural here braid their hair with extensions when doing protective styles. Or do you care for your hair without any weaveās wigs and extensions ?
Hey Christy, some of us do and some of us donāt. I also stay in Namibia and i use extensions to braid my hair cause they are convenient and save time and energy while keeping my hair protected. Itās also easier to moisturise my hair like this. Itās a personal decision and using extentions or not using them does not make you wrong or right. At the end of the day use a protective style that works for you.
Hi Christy. Its really up to you. I use yarn braids when I need to do an extended protective style. The yarn is inexpensive, and I can still keep my hair/scalp clean and moisturized with them in.
I did wigs/half wigs to help me.ā¦ I would braid my hair down and use a wig or half wig so I can still co wash/moisturized/ and conditioned my hair to make sure it was healthy, while giving it a chance to rest and trying me styles all at the same timeā¦ Loved it
Hi Christy, I did nearly 2 years ago, big mistake, the texture of hair although looking like mine was much coarser and it did a number on my hair( letās just say I had to go behind it with a pair of scissors) had to cut it down to 2ā3 inches. Never again, each persons hair is different, but just know what can happen. Iāll never add anything to my hair again.
I mix it up, Christy from Namibia. Right now I just reinstalled afro kinky twists after wearing it without for about 2 weeks. This will stay in for about a month then I take down. I have no qualms about using extensions. Personally I love them and they give me a new look when my own hair needs a rest or is not looking @ its best, Just do you,
Oh my gosh, her styles are amazing!! Going to her blog now! PLEASE have tutorials!
I know right?! Iām praying for some tutorials. <3 her up-dos!
yes! those french braids are to die for!! she is so gorgeous. I have a question tho, Ashley. Your braided/flat twisted updos r done on blown out hair? they r incredibly neat! U make me wanna learn to french braid even more!! But I cant imagine doing a braid that neat on my kinky hair.ā¦do u have a youtube channel??
Stalker mode on!! lol
Nice up doās. Christy most naturals donāt rely on weaves and wigs to style or care for their hair on a regular basis. Maybe for a change up every now and then but not as a must on a day to day basis. Some styles are dependent on the legnth and thickness of your hair. All you can do is experiment on some similar styles on your natural and see what you can do. Get creative. A good starting point would be to put in some two strand twists and some bobby pins. Hope this helps
I mean put in some twist and grab some bobby pins.
Hair Envy!!! I want to create some of these up doās ! Simply beautiful
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/marapic.jpg[/img]ā¦This is my 12 year old grand daughter Mara and yes this is all her hair ā¦
We keep it trimmed that is the key!
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/marapicā1.jpg[/img]
No offense, but what does this have to do with the lovely, featured natural??
+1
Linda, beautiful! How do you care for her hair on a day to day?
Well really just make sure that it is well oiled and trimmed we keep away from brushes and always use wide tooth combs on it whether it is flat ironed or natural like this small tooth combs are the enemy. When her hair is washed whether it is me or a salon, we divide and clip it into four sections and wash and condition each section separately. By doing it this way it does not tangle as opposed to doing the entire head of hair at one time. The comb out for natural hair regardless of texture is the enemy if… Read more »
Creative, Funky Style and GORGEOUS Hair!!!!! I love it!!!
I love your hair styles.
Beautiful hair! I really like the flat-twist up do. I will be trying that soon. Oh, and I love natural resources salon. Iāve never been there, but I have gotten their newsletter and I watch the tutorials they give. Iām really good at doing by hair, but I would love to got to one of their hair bootcamps to get more info and be around other beautiful black women.
I love your hair!
WOW! Gorgeous girl, hair, & iām loving all the different styles! Go āhead girl!
Ah-HA! So youāre the girl with the FABULOUS twisted updo in the first three pics thatās floating around the internet! I covet that style! It is simply magnificent! You are so frigginā cute and so photogenic! That haircolor is perfect on you. And your styles are on point as well! Such an inspiration!
We have the same length and almost the same texture (by eye but we all know that the feel is never the same). I like her hair color too!
Yes I use Africaās Best Kids Organics EVO & Shea Moisturizing lotion for 6 months now and its gr8ā¦
She is absolutely beautiful! Wow! Oh, her hair too!
Lovely hair!
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Absolutely beautiful x
Africaās best sure does work wonders for me too plus itās very affordable..
Sheās so gorgeous !! Love her hair ! <3
my my my what lovely lovely updos. i will be practicing. awesome feature and beautiful woman!
u r so beautiful!!! I love ur hair styles!! Who does your hair, and r u on instagram??
I love how neat your styles are. Absolutely beautiful! Do you do your own updos?
Ashley, you are just too fab for words!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the different styles! i am in such a rut, but Iām not that skilled in styling my own hair. I will have to use some of your pics as inspiration and take to a salon.
Love her hair and all the up doās and colorā¦my hair was colored similar to hers.ā¦she gave me motivation to try some up doās and long for more color.
I LOVE her style! Everything is gorgeous ā the hair, the updos, her! I need to get on this updo game! Please, please, PLEASE do some vlog tutorials!!!!! I beg of you!!!
Iām in love with her hair and style. She is a beautiful woman.
Absolutely stunning!
What hair color is it, if I may ask? Looks gorgeous on you.
O āam so tempted to color .ā¦..!!!
[ā¦] Style Icon Ashley [ā¦]
WOW! Beautiful!