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*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally
Introduce yourself!
A: My name is Alex and I was born and raised in Las Vegas!
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
A: I decided to go natural back in 2010 because I noticed my hair had started thinning and I became so afraid to apply my next relaxer that I kept pushing the touch-up date further back. During that time I became aware of the natural hair movement and many natural women all over the internet. I fell in love with natural hair and became extremely curious as to what mine looked like. I have been transitioning since December of 2010, so it’s been about 27 months now.
How would you describe your texture?
A: I believe my texture to be 4a in the crown area and 4b around the perimeter of my head. It’s crazy thick and coily when wet.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
A: I wash my mane about every 2 weeks, though it really depends on how busy I am and how my hair is feeling/looking. After I wash, it will most likely be worn in a twist out state. To keep the twist out fresh, I retwist a few sections in the front/top using Nubian Heritage Repair & Extend Hair Butter and spray it with a little water.
What does wash day look like for you?
A: I always deep condition with Aubrey Organics GPB Conditioner before I start to do anything on wash day. After the conditioner has had time to marinate (I leave it on as long as I can) it’s time to melt some coconut oil between my hands and have a light finger detangling session. Next, I shampoo with Tresemme Naturals. Throughout this process my hair stays divided into at least 4 sections. After I rinse out the shampoo I apply Kinky Curly Knot Today and coconut oil as a leave-in, detangle with my Tangle Teezer and twist it up!
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
A: If I don’t have much time and my twist out is not cooperating, I’ll just pull it back into a textured ponytail. Still very cute.
How do you combat shrinkage?
A: As of now I don’t worry too much about shrinkage. Although, I do use the pineapple method at night which helps with stretching out the style.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
A: My nape area and ends always require special attention. Keeping those areas moisturized and being as gentle as possible usually does the trick.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
A: Deep condition on dry hair before doing anything. Twists – they’ll keep the hair moisturized and detangled until the next wash day.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
A: Don’t shampoo the hair strands. Focus on the scalp. Don’t go to sleep without tying your hair up with a satin scarf. I’ve spent too many mornings upset because I was just “too tired” the night before.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
A: You can find me and my mane on my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/alexxxhes.
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OMG! That is an absolutely beautiful mane!!!
Wow, that is a massive amount of hair to grow in two years!!
Man that’s what I’m saying lol her hair is gorgeous!
She’s still transitioning: “I have been transitioning since December of 2010, so it’s been about 27 months now.” Love her hair!
Love your hair
Ms. Alex your hair is awesome!!! I stumbled upon your YT earlier this week and I subscribed! I am so excited to see you on BGLH. I wish I would have known about your braided ends technique before I chopped of my heat damaged ends but its all good! I will use it on my natural teen! I look forward to seeing more tutorials on your channel! Best of Luck!
this is the best blend of texture I have seen amazing, keep up the great work!
Do you still have relaxed ends? I find it hard to believe (not saying it isn’t possible) a person can grow over 2 feet in hair in over 2 years. I’m not saying the hair isn’t pretty I’m just wondering bc if your still transitioning then state it because this blog piece is misleading.
She states it in above: “I have been transitioning since December of 2010, so it’s been about 27 months now.”
Reading is FUNDAMENTAL.
Reading is a skill….#justifying
great username, btw –fits poifectly! without even reading a word of anything — just pix alone, I could see she had been transitioning… I even thought “dang I should have done this because we have similar textures” yeah, I guess it’s best to just read stuff huh? 🙂
The article title states “4A/B Transitioning Natural Hair Style Icon”. What’s misleading about that?
i just have my mouth wide open this is beautiful!
Beauty!
I have the same hair type. After bc, within 2 years it was past my shoulders. You can tell by the ends that she had some good length already. It’s beautiful and healthy which shows she takes good care of it. My only negative is that she should cut off those straight ends. It would make the bottom fuller and curlier.
Why would she cut the ends if she is still transitioning, she will cut when SHE IS READY!
Alex is a different kind of natural and one who is not often celebrated, even though her transitioning hair is more common in our community than some may think. In our community, natural hair is exalted over relaxed hair and vice versa. One of the reasons she looks so stunning is because her particular hair is unique insofar as there aren’t a lot of naturals who transition this long WITH relaxed ends this long. There aren’t many naturals who can even hold on to their relaxed ends this long without the ends breaking off and the line of demarcation becoming… Read more »
Woo Hoo, Im 18 mohths post relaxer it feels so good to get this far.
How much relaxed hair does she have left?
Lovely head of hair. I just wish there were more questions about her transition, like how long does she plan to transition or why she transitioned verses big chopping…
Its obvious is transitioned to keep her length….
I wanted to hear it in her words. That’s the point of an interview.
Love to read the article, but the ad is annoying. I was given no options to close it (except for when I clicked on it, it took me to another site) and being at work doesn’t help. I really don’t appreciate this. I really enjoy this site.
did i miss something?
when does she plan on cutting the straightened ends off?
that seems like it’s one of the most important things to know. i just skimmed the article.
Her hair is beautiful. She most of started off with shoulder length hair when she started her transition to natural. I’m transfixed by her length. I find that she doesn’t really need to cut the straight parts as it looks rather sexy the way she wears it as is. This should be very encouraging to the ladies out there that are transitioning. I’m a BC girl, but, I appreciate how lovely her hair looks. I can’t wait to subscribe to her YT channel.
I would think btwn armpit length and bra strap length because although she’s had approx a foot of hair growth, we have to remember about shrinkage from the natural hair.
I BC’d my long relaxed hair, but after seeing this young lady’s gorgeous transition I kinda wish that I would have transitioned at least as long as she has so that I could have the longer length. Anywho – I love natural hair.
Good interview BGLH!
I have to agree with @For the Love of Curls. I’m transitioning as well and would’ve loved to hear more about her actual transition. It would be great if the questions were actually catered to whatever stage the person is in (ie fully natural v transitioning)
wow!! She has what I would call “mermaid hair”. it is very pretty!! I wonder if she can comeback and show her hair once she has done the chop…or once she is fully natural.
Do you henna? Your color (and the rest of your hair) is gorgeous!!!!
Those twistouts are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!
Wow, nice job with the twistouts! I kind of wish I knew more about transitioning back when I stopped relaxing because I might have gone longer. It’s going to be even more lovely when her natural hair is at the length she’s aiming for and she’s ready to trim it!
Yessssss ma’m your hair is gorgeous, I shall be subscribing to you on YouTube now!!!
you have an absolutely gorgeous curly hair. Always keep it long.
her hair is gorgeoussss
beautiful
Gorgeous hair Alex!! Keep doing YOU and transition for as long as you need to. I think those twist-outs are gorgeous!!
I wonder how long she’s going to transition for?
Wow! I was just on her Youtube channel last week and marked it to go back to. I was wondering how heavy her hair is wet.
She’s my new hair crush..right after youtuber haircrush! she has what I call mermiad hair! I love it! Her hair looks really healthy! And I love the subtle highlights! I have those too!
I was just wondering about the color! It’s so pretty! What did you do to get your highlights?? Is it a red dye over dark hair that gives it that appearance or are they technically lowlights?? I’ve been trying to figure this coloring out forever! Lol
Her hair is BEAUTIFUL! 😀 my suggestion to her is she doesn’t want to bc then she can trim a little at a time. Happy transitioning! ^_^
After 27 months of transitioning, no bc is necessary.
That’s what I just said… I said if she doesn’t want to bc then she can trim her hair a little at a time 😛
Wow she has beautiful hair. I have hair envy. 🙂
So are her ends still relaxed (she said she’s been transitioning for 27 months), or does she just not twist her hair all the way to the ends?
Your hair is lovely Alexis. As I’ve been following the natural hair sites, I have noted two things that I have no clue on. First…is there some kind of natural black hair texture charts…I have no idea what 4a and4b textures are. How is that determined? Also…what the heck is pineappleing…what does that process entail? I have been natural for 7 years now, and would love some insight on any updated information. Thank you.
If you google ‘hair type charts’ you should get the information you need. Also, pineappling the hair is pulling it to the top of your head in a loose ponytail and wrapping a satin scarf around it for the night…to keep you hair stretched and curls in tact for the next day. I do this technique mostly when I do wash and go styles to get 2nd and 3rd day hair out of my curls without having to re-wet my hair every day. There’s plenty of YT videos on this technique. For naturals with shorter hair they do several little… Read more »
Beautiful & inspiring! Thanks for sharing your story!
This may not be a sentiment that a lot of people want to express out loud and it’s a sentiment that some naturals don’t feel. But when I see long-term transitioners like Alex I personally (not talking about anyone else) wish I had waited longer to big chop. I big chopped because I was anxious to see my hair and honestly thought I had no other options. I had long hair like Alex so it was such a dramatic change for me to go from long hair to very short hair. Even though I learned patience and learned to work… Read more »
I think alot of naturals who big chop feel the same way is you but would never admit it! I transitioned an still is transitioning 18 mths post relaxer. I didnt have hair as long has hers but I couldnt imagine cutting my hair off to a TWA just to be natural…I wanted length!
I always had sort of longer hair too when I was relaxed, so when I decided to stop perming, for me a big chop was not even an option. I just don’t have the face, body, and mainly confidence to willingly rock short hair (despite all the sexy women I see out here making it look goood). It just wasn’t me. So I did a loooong transition too, and just dealt with the 2 textures with twist outs. I’m glad to see BGLH featuring transitioning icons to show women that they do not necessarily have to do a BIG chop…… Read more »
” . . . transitioning icons show women that they do not necessarily have to do a BIG chop . . . little chops work just fine too.” I like that, well said.
Totally agree! Although I’ve found and fallen in love with my puffs (still in the awkward stage, too short for ponytails…) my big chop gave me a lot of issues — I put my hair in braids two days immediately after (that was always the plan when I decided to chop) and when the braids came out I had no idea what to do with my hair, and that made me feel like I didn’t look attractive. Even though I don’t regret big chopping, that extra length I would have had if transitioning might’ve given me more styles to work… Read more »
I actually love that I bit the bullet and cut my hair. From the age of 2, I never had hair above my shoulders and kind of became my hair without realizing it (I have pretty awesome hair), so it was cool to cut it all off, almost cry, and then come to love and appreciate the way I look without hair. Now I just think there’s nothing that can take away my beauty. Plus I got to experience what having short hair is like (Not for me. Too high maintenance and I have ZERO hairstyling skills which makes for… Read more »
Also, I wouldn’t have the time or patience to keep up a twist-out routine. (See, not a hairstylist at all. I need to wash it and go.)
First of all, i feel like no one has aknowlaged the elephant in the room….
This is NOT 4 type hair
With that being said….
GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS
Beautiful hair. It’s not kinky but its breathtaking nonetheless 🙂
It is, she is still transitioning with relaxed ends on her hair. My hair looked the same way when I was transitioning because of the relaxed ends.
If you look at the picture of her hair where she shows it freshly washed you can see the difference in the textures…and her natural hair that’s grown out at the roots does look 4a-ish. She’s transitioning and still has her permed ends so when it’s dry it doesn’t look like a type 4 texture…
It is long, beautiful, shiny 4a hair. Don’t be sour grapes.
Sour grape?..because I don’t agree about the texture? I said her hair was beautiful. An angry person sees a fight everywhere she looks…
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I totally get not wanting to BC but my goodness she has tons of hair I think she can cut off the permed ends now. I wish my hair was that long.