Samantha // 3C/4A Natural Hair Style Icon

*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally

Introduce yourself!
S: My name is Samantha Pollack. I was born in Surinam, Paramaribo. At the age of 12, I moved to the Netherlands. I grew up in Suriname with the idea that the Netherlands was a paradise and perfect. Shortly after I moved to the Netherlands I found out that it was totally different. My development in Holland is far from what it would be If I was in Surinam, but Surinam will always stay my home.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
S: I have been natural since 2007. At age 14 I had my hair relaxed for the first time. It was straight for a long time and I thought it was prettier. I never had a problem with relaxed hair. My hair was healthy and my mother knew how to handle it (natural or straight). I relaxed my hair for 2 years until I met a great friend named ‘flat iron’. After I became familiar with the flat iron I thought “Why should I relax my hair if I can get it straight with the flat iron?” Since then I have never relaxed my hair again. My first big chop was at the age of 16 in 2005. It turned out that I didn’t flat iron my hair in a healthy way. In 2007 I was completely natural. For 3 years I took care of my hair until 2010 when I bought a new flat iron. This flat iron could go up to 230 °C (446 °F). I straightened my hair with too much heat and too long, so I got heat damage. Big chopping for the second time wasn’t an option, so I cut my hair gradually. Now my hair is healthy and I take care of it the right way.

How would you describe your texture??
S: I think my hair type is between 3c/4a. It is kinky, tightly curled and elastic. You could compare my hair with the hair of Tanika Ray and Kelis (before she had short straightened hair).

Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
S: I start by rinsing my hair. Then I comb it out gently from the end to the roots. When it’s still wet, I part the hair in half and use the Mixed Chicks Leave in Conditioner, Humidity Control by Organic Root Stimulator and Organic Olive Oil Hair Milk by Luster’s Pink. After this I immediately bend forward and blow dry my hair (I never use a diffuser, it doesn’t work for me). When my hair is almost dry (90%) I stand up, still blow drying and stretching the hair for length. At night I use the pineapple method, go to sleep, wake up, blow dry the hair (on dry hair) and go to school. This hairstyle will last for 3/4 days.

What does wash day look like for you?
S: 2 or 3 times a month I do a big wash day. In the shower I start by soaking the hair with water for about 4 minutes. Then I detangle gently and smooth with a big tooth comb from the ends, slowly working my way up to the roots. This is not hard if you do the day to day regimen. If you’re not, I recommend putting a conditioner in and then combing the hair out. After detangling I shampoo using Organic Olive Oil Aloe Shampoo. I do this at least 3 times. After this I deep condition my hair using the Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise. I cover my hair with a plastic cap and continue with my shower. After 15–20 minutes I rinse my hair and comb it. I come out the shower and do my day to day regimen.

Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.?
S: My go-to hairstyle is the side frohawk. I love it! It’s easy to do and it takes me 10 minutes to achieve. If my hair is in a twist out my go-to hairstyle would be an up-do with bobby pens.

How do you combat shrinkage?
S: Blow drying helps me combat shrinkage. I blow dry and stretch the hair. I don’t blow dry my hair if I’m wearing a twist out. With twist outs I just pull the hair or wear a headband all the way up in a pineapply then do my up-do.

Tell us about your hair color?
S: I always use Dark & Lovely hair color. I dye my hair very often and Dark & Lovely always works for me. I do it myself and it has not changed the texture of my hair.

What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention??
S: My problem area would be on the right side in the middle. I don’t know why this has always been a struggle when I detangle. Even when I start detangling that side first, it never goes easy.

What are 2 do’s for your texture?
S: Comb the hair under the shower with a large tooth comb. At night use the pineapple method to sleep (I use a stocking).

What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
S: Combing the hair in a dry state. Leaving the hair to air dry right after rinsing, without products in.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
S: You can find me on Instagram @Samanthapollack
You can find me on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/Jadoremycurls
You can find me on Tumblr: http://jadoremycurls.tumblr.com/