*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally
Introduce yourself!
T: My name is TeKeyia (yes, the โKโ in my first name is capitalized), I was born in San Diego, CA and I am currently living in Orange County, CA about to make my move to Long Beach, CA. At the moment I am working on getting to grad school for a master in education as well as a teaching credential.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
T: This past September was 4 years since my big chop. My decision to go natural was actually really random. For the most part, the only person I trust to do my hair is my mother and she had been giving me relaxers since I was about 10 or 11 years old. When I moved away to college it was such a hassle to drive down to San Diego just to have my mom relax my hair and there werenโt many salons near UC Irvine where I was attending college, so I decided to just let my hair grow out from the relaxer. As the time passed, I started to vaguely remember that I had curly hair and I was just really curious as to what my natural texture looked like because I honestly couldnโt remember.
How would you describe your texture?
T: I have never really been able to figure out the whole hair typing thing, but I think Iโm 4a/b. My hair is VERY thick. I donโt think Iโve ever met anyone whose hair is as thick and dense as mine is. I always joke that I have 3 strands of hair per follicle. And my hair also tangles no matter how much I detangle it, which can be extremely frustrating when styling.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
T: I did a mini-chop in May โ11 and cut off about 2.5 inches of damaged ends from not taking good care of my hair when I highlighted and straightened it. Right around the year mark of my mini-chop my hair had practically grown back to almost armpit length and since then I have been wearing my hair in mini-twists for about 3 weeks, then wearing a twist out for about a week, washing it, and then putting it back into mini twists.
Typically after I wash my hair I will detangle and moisturize with a leave-in of TRESemmรฉ for curls conditioner mixed with some water and a little peppermint oil for the smell. I always use a mix of shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, a little vitamin E to moisturize, and my staple for twisting is Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel. Styling my hair is very frustrating, especially because I have so much hair and it takes 2 days at the minimum no matter the style, so I prefer to not have to style it often. Usually three weeks is just at the point where I am missing my free hair, especially my afro, and a twist out is perfect for that (even though I DREAD detangling a week old twist out/afro).
What does wash day look like for you?
T: When my hair was shorter I would co-wash with TRESemmรฉ for curls, detangle with a wide tooth comb and my Denman and then wear a wash-and-go. And for the most part I would wash my hair with shampoo about once every other month. But now that my hair is longer I will separate my hair into four main sections and then each of those sections into four sections for washing. If my hair is feeling dry I will pre-poo with coconut oil and Hollywood Beauty Olive Cholesterol and try to detangle my hair as much as it will allow. After that I usually wash my scalp with TRESemmรฉ Naturals Shampoo, then condition with TRESemmรฉ for curls and once again detangle. Once out of the shower I get started with my twisting routine.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you donโt have a lot of time to style.
T: My go-to style would be my afro. If I have washed my hair and donโt have the time to start my twists I will just leave it in my braided sections from washing. Once my hair has dried I take out the braids and rock a fluffy afro until I find the time to style.
How do you combat shrinkage?
T: Shrinkage is the least of my worries. I actually donโt mind shrinkage and usually my hair will relax from its shrunken state around day 4 or 5, so I just go with the flow.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
T: If I get lazy with taking care of my hair (i.e. not taking the time to deep condition, wearing it out in an afro too long without co-washing, and throwing it into a puff). It tends to start to break in the front near my hairline. Itโs not very noticeable to other people, but I can tell because my twists in the front will be a little skinnier than the others. I am horrible with wrapping my hair at night, but I do sleep with a satin pillowcase
What are 2 doโs for your texture?
T: 1) Having a good conditioner for detangling, which is why Iโve stuck with TRESemmรฉ because itโs just heavy enough for my hair and 2) Taking the time to deep condition really works wonders. My hair loves coconut milk as a deep conditioner.
What are 2 donโts for your texture?
T: 1) Donโt wear free hair out for too long and 2) Donโt rush detangling.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
T: Tumblr: girlwiththeafro.tumblr.com
Instagram: girlwittheafro
WOW! Beautiful!
Beautiful Sis, its amazing how different 4a hair can look depending on products and the hair is style, we rock!
u read my mind!! iโm like, her hair looked kinky, curly, coily depending on the state and how it was styled! her hair is gorgeous!
Yes!! The versatility of her hair is truly amazing wow!!!!
Thats what I love about natural 4a hair it is truly amazing, you can rock it curly or kinky!
I have very fine 4b hair but I can appreciate a huge fro..your hair is stunning!!
Your hair texture is similar to mine, but not as dense. Your hair is gorgeous! Love type 4 hair!!!
Gorgeousssss!!!
Lovely!
Thickness.โฆ*drooling*
Love your hair!! Especially the way it is styled in the first pic. Mimi twists are my friend too!!
that hair is so thick that just looking at it makes my arms hurtโฆbut boy is it gorgeous!!I love how the same hair can look different depending on how you style itโฆand of course, I like the capital K right in the middle of the name, too cool!!
My hair tangles no matter what too. Itโs similar to her hair in density only. I think her hair looks great!
luv the hair!
โyes, the โKโ in my first name is capitalizedโ Lol
Why my people why? Some of these names are just.โฆ..Beautiful hair, though.
Your comment is beyond rude.
Some of these names are just whatโฆfailing to conform to what you deem as an acceptable name? If we can learn to pronounce Eโliz-a-beth (four whole syllables!) or MaryAnn (look at thatโฆa capital letter in the middle!) then what exactly is the big deal? And really, no shade here. Iโm genuinely curious. I never understood the whole โgood name/bad nameโ thing. Actually, thatโs a lie. I understand exactly where it comes from. Itโs still a shame that not only do we acquiesce and accept it, but we join in. โWhy my people, why?โ is exactly right. TeKeyia, that is one… Read more »
+100000000000000
Okay, Shaka-deeโsh,ei&a LOL You non conformist you!
This is a classic example of how some people can NOT be nice. Even with compliments, they have to be rude. Plus I noticed you didnโt put your fantastic real name. Why, my person, why?
beautiful hair, YAY type4 hair!
I am more than excited to have been able to share a little about with hair with you all. I remember when I first decided to do my big chop, I was all over the internet looking for pictures and stories for encouragement. Thank you so much to everyone for their complements. And just a sidebar about the K in my first name being capitalized: My mom has always told me that when she was thinking of how she was going to spell my name, she wanted something that looked pretty and somehow the capital K was the cherry on… Read more »
You hair is beautiful, you are beautiful, and your name is beautiful. Period.
Your hair is very beautiful! I love the first photo the best!
Did you have any challenges growing your hair out with wash and gos?
How long was your hair when you stopped doing them?
My texture is very similar to yours, Iโve worn wash and gos all summer, but now my ends seem to relish knotting up for no reason!
Any tips?
I think I stopped doing wash n gos when my hair got passed my ears when wet. Any longer than that and a wash n go would look a mess for my hair. When my hair starts to have to many single stand knots and my ends are feeling a little crispy, I always deep condition with cholesterol, coconut milk and olive oil. If your hair, especially your ends, doesnโt feel like silk while you combing the mix through, you probably just need a trim. Hope that helps ๐
Welcome to the LBC! You look so pretty when you smile. Great hair.
I LOVE HER HAIR! My hairspiration!
+1 OMG yes!
Loves it!
OMG your hair is gorgeous. So thick and lucious looking.
Great blog right here! Also your web site loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your associate link to your host? I drisee my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
my hair goal!!!!!
Such amazing personal style to match that gorgeous head of hair!
Pretty hair.โฆ.
quick question what products you use in the winterโฆ
.I love your name!
Iโve yet to find anyone w/my nameโฆbut than again I wasnโt born hereโฆhehe
For the most part I try and keep my hair up in the winter because I wear a lot of beanies. My staple products no matter the season are shea butter and coconut oil because I live in California (we donโt really have seasons). But recently I have been in love with oil grapeseed, itโs really helped me retain moister and gives my hair a great shine.
WOW lovely head of hair and on such a beautiful girl.I love the afros the afro puffs and all the other styles most of all.
and a lovely attitude to match that lovely hair,lovely face and lovely person
Lovely person, pretty face, gorgeous hair!
INSPIRATION OVERLOAD!! Loving the thickness of your hairโฆIโm so jealous, but in a good way! : )