Nimca // Multi-Texture Style Icon

*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally

Introduce yourself!
N: My name is Nimca, but everyone calls me Nimo. Born and raised in Holland amongst mills and tulips. Living in London UK for the past 7 years.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
N: I have been natural my whole life but my hair and scalp were terribly damaged from the age of 6. I had a really bad scalp condition and my head pretty much was an experimenting ground for doctors for about 3 years. The use of all those chemicals left my hair so damaged and discoloured. Once that was all healed, my mum used a lot of virgin olive oil, an Indian oil called Amla on my hair, and some Motions products. My hair started to look decent again and quite healthy. Around age 15 I started to do my own hair and discovered straighteners (flat irons) and excessively used that for 5 years. So only for the past 2 years can I really say that I’ve paid attention to my hair as it grows out of my head and paying attention to its health and not so much length. All thanks to lovely youtubers like Chisellecouture (although she disappeared), Taren916 and so many more.

How would you describe your texture?
N: The texture of my hair I would say is a mixture of 3c and 4a and the ends when manipulated with a Denman brush come out looking like a 3b. My hair does need a lot of moisture and can be very dry. It’s of high density and no scalp shows when my hair is up or down.

Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
N: I’m very boring and lazy when it comes to styling, 99% of the time I do a wash n go, and this is because I like how it looks on me. I use coconut oil, Mixed Chicks Leave in Conditioner and Eco Styler Gel. Although to avoid wash day, which is usually once a week for me, or to sometimes stretch it I would wear my hair up in a high bun for a few more days or brush it all back and put it in a tight bun with a middle parting.

What does wash day look like for you?
N: For wash day I would heat up olive oil and/or Vatika coconut oil the night before, soak it in my hair and rub it in my scalp, and keep it in till the next day. I then finger detangle and use Silky Cool Garlic Deep Conditioner and leave that in for about half hour. Then start the wash process. I shampoo my hair about 3 or 4 times a year with Lush Curly Wurly Shampoo and for the rest I co-wash preferably with Lush Retread Conditioner or Herbal Essences Hello Hydration if not TRESemmé Curl Hydration Conditioner.

Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
N: If I’ve bothered to sleep with a satin bonnet the night before then my wash n go look, if not then a quick high bun.

How do you combat shrinkage?
N: Oeh I’ve finally found a way that works for me without using heat e.g. blow drying. Once I’ve styled my hair for a wash n go I tie all of my hair to the top like a pineapple, leaving the ends out freely. I then wrap my hair with an old t‑shirt to soak all the remaining water and that way I avoid frizz as well. When I take down the t‑shirt, I shake my head front to back and side to side and a let it air dry a bit longer, and when it’s relatively dry I tie it back up as a pineapple and leave it for about 20 minutes. Voila stretched curls and very little frizz (nothing a little serum can’t tame).

What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
N: Edges and scalp and for that I use Snake Oil Bar from Lush. I absolutely hate the smell, but my scalp and edges love it.

What are 2 do’s for your texture?
N: Moisturising and deep conditioning twice a month definitely. My hair loves oils and is so much more manageable when properly moisturised.

What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
N: Not protecting it overnight leaves me so frustrated the next day, trying to revive the curls etc. Also washing my hair before finger detangling can be a nightmare.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
N: Yeah you can find me on www.ni-motion.tumblr.com and also on Instagram: Wholehearted_nimo. I haven’t been so active on tumblr lately but that will change in the new year.