Venessa // 4B Natural Hair Style Icon

*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally

Introduce yourself!
V: My name is Venessa aka Vanie0295 and I’m from Kingston, Jamaica.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
V: Well it is a long and very traumatic story. But in short, I went to a relatively new upscale salon to get my hair permed. Got a bad perm job and had practically all the hair in the crown section fall out in the sink. I was so traumatized from this event, I was forced to go natural. Yes, I was one of those black girls who was addicted to the perm. In time, I fell in love with my natural texture. It was the right shape and density to complement my naturally God given beauty and now I can confidently say that I would never, ever perm my hair again. I have been natural now for four years and 10 months.

How would you describe your texture?
V: My hair is mostly 4b with some 4a and 4c sections. I have a head full of fine densely packed hair that has a high propensity to tangle.

Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
V: I’m not one to protective style a lot. I wear my hair out, big, and in an afro’ed out state (95% of the time). Therefore my styling regimen must include careful daily moisture retention maintenance. My morning routine consists of first spraying my hair with water and aloe juice followed up by some styler (I have plenty, but one of my favs is Qhemet Biologics). Lastly, I seal it with an oil (my favs are coconut oil, jojoba oil and Jamaican black castor oil). My nightly routine is very similar to my morning routine. I place my hair in 5 plaits and cover with my satin cap for the night.

What does wash day look like for you?
V: I’m a big advocate of having some sort of pre-shampoo routine, especially if you have major detangling issues on shampoo days. I typically pre-shampoo in an overnight cap with the Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment or Repair Me by Curl Junkie. In the morning I use a hair steamer, followed up by detangling. Then I shampoo (no allegiance as of yet), and condition with either Giovanni Smooth As Silk, Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa, or Wen Fig Cleaning Conditioner.

Tell us about your hair color?
V: Since going natural, I’ve gone from blonde to brown to black. Doing it myself I have damaged my hair some. But luckily enough, I was able to nurse it back to good health, cutting it along the way.

Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
V: An afro. Did I mention before that I love my big fro. My attitude has always been too bad if you don’t like it or think it’s unprofessional. I’ve rocked it at work in my suits, rock it at the mall, rocked it in a nightclub, you name it and I’ve rocked it there :).

How do you combat shrinkage?
V: I must admit that the worst part about being natural for me is the shrinkage I get…I HATE IT. I’ve spent the last two years perfecting the art of stretching my hair. I’ve used roller sets with no heat and with heat, rod sets, twisting when wet then taking down when 80% dry only to plait it up again all the while stretching the hair, tension method blow drying, you name it, I’ve probably tried it.

What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
V: My crown area.

What are 2 do’s for your texture?
V: Moisture, moisture and more moisture.

What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
V: Don’t get caught up in comparing hair growth with other naturals…hair will grow as long as you focus on getting and keeping healthy hair. Don’t get too caught up with your hair…it’s just hair!

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
V: YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/vanie0295
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vanie0295