Introduce yourself!
P: My name is Philece and I am a Fine Artist from Nassau, Bahamas currently residing in Atlanta.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
P: Relaxers were no longer getting my hair as straight as I liked it and I figured out how to achieve the same look with a blow dryer and flat iron. I wore my hair curly even with a relaxer, crazy I know, so eventually I was like whatโs the point?! My hair is quite resilient as I have cut and colored more times that I can count, and not at the risk of thickness or length. However paying to have such harsh chemicals applied to my hair that no longer gave me the results I wanted and put my hair and scalp at risk of damage was no longer worth it. Overall leading a more healthy lifestyle did not exclude my hair. I didnโt think about it. Canโt even say I big chopped or transitioned. I wasnโt even aware of those terms back then. I frequently cut inches off when the mood hit, and I needed a change. At the time of my last relaxer I was growing my hair out from a pixie cut. My last relaxer was in January 2003, so it has been an interesting 10 years of learning, loving, sometimes hating lol and having fun with my hair!
How would you describe your texture?
P: I have never given much thought to hair typing, so if I had to guess I am somewhere around a 3c I think, with finer strands and high density. Iโve noticed my curl pattern has become much tighter over the past two years. I recently got my hair straightened for the first time in a year, which was the longest I have ever gone without putting heat on my hair. A huge accomplishment for me because my alter ego loves some straight hair and I was good for going straight at least every two months or so and even more before I buckled down and decided give my hair more TLC. It was so strange to be reminded of just how fine my strands are. My first glimpse in the mirror was awkward. I canโt get used to seeing myself without a huge head of wild curls! I forgot how big my head really is underneath all of those curls lol!
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
P: I shampoo once a month with Shea Moistureโs Coconut and Hibiscus Shampoo, co wash 1โ2 times a week with Suaveโs Almond & Shea Butter Conditioner and I deep condition every week and at a minimum of every two weeks with Shea Moistureโs Deep Treatment Masque. Between wash days, if my hair gets a little dry or my curls become crushed from sleeping I refresh by spritzing with water and applying a small amount of leave in conditioner. I do a slight finger detangle, shake and go!
What does wash day look like for you?
P: Wash day for me starts by separating my hair in two or four parts, detangling on damp hair with coconut oil and for those days when itโs really tangled I add a little Suave Almond & Shea Butter Conditioner to the mix. After years of use I love this stuff because it has the best slip ever and smells lovely! I then co wash with the same Suave Conditioner, though I have recently tried the new Pantene Truly Natural Co Wash and thus far I am loving it, so I may be rotating with that and my trusty Suave. I then apply Shea Moistureโs Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner as my leave in (which I once used as a co wash). Followed by either Shea Moistureโs Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Style milk or just some Unrefined Organic Coconut Oil (the brand I use is called Spectrum) and I seal with Aloe Vera from Trader Joeโs. Every few months I change up my co wash or my leave in so my hair doesnโt become too used to the same product, providing maximum benefits for my hair.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you donโt have a lot of time to style.
P: I have been a wash and go kind of girl pretty much all of my life, so itโs safe to say that is my number one go-to-hairstyle. But the high ponytail is in close second. Usually the results of being too lazy to take my pineapple down from the night before lol.
How do you combat shrinkage?
P: My shrinkage is insane and would drive me nuts if I let it. So I really just let my hair do whatever it wants. Besides this mop has a mind of its own anyway. After a few nights of a pineapple it starts stretching by itself and thatโs good enough for me!
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
P: Some days I am just plain lazy and canโt be bothered with my hair. Like doing that quick finger detangle mid week, especially since itโs mostly in a wash and go state. I deal with the consequences on wash day when detangling becomes a nightmare! I must do better!
What are 2 doโs for your texture?
P: Oh thatโs simpleโฆmoisture and moisture! For manageability, length retention and overall healthy hair, I must maintain an optimum level of moisture with my hair. There is a reason I replied with moisture twice. Itโs simply because moisturizers applied to the outside of the hair is important yes, but in my opinion even more important is what you are putting inside of your body that matters even more. So get that water intake up ladies. Your hair and skin will thank you for it!
What are 2 donโts for your texture?
P: Being impatient with detangling is a huge no for my texture. My curls have become much tighter over the past two years and beautiful spirals can easily and quickly become a head of knots. I love my hair to feel light and free and volume is everything so I find that less is more with the use of styling products. Too much product and my hair just kind of hangs and my big hair days cease to exist!
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
P: You can find me on social media outlets as thatArtista and learn more about myself and my artwork on my website at www.thatArtista.com.
Love your hair ๐
Thank you!
Great article, Philece! I love your hairโฆabsolutely gorgeous!
As soon as I saw her pic, I knew she was from the Bahamas. She is beatuiful ๐
how can you tell, Iโm from the bahamas also and I saw nothing distinctively bahamian.
lovely bahama mama!
Thank you!
Very beautiful lady with very beautiful hair! Informative interview! THanks!
Thank you much!
Sheโs gorgeous. Her hair is beautiful
So sweet, thank you!
Her artwork is brilliant
Thanks so much for checking out the artwork. Much love!
Beautiful hair!
Thanks!
Thank you!
Not only is your hair gorgeous but so is your spirit & especially your artwork! Iโm an aspiring artist (photographer) myself. Some day soon Iโll definitely be purchasing one of your iphone cases! So gorgeous & inspiring! Much <3 Philece
So very sweet of you Eboni! Thanks so much for the hair and art love and much success to you with your photography! Keep it creative!
Love & Light! xo
Your hair is soo big and beautiful!! Love it!!
I have definitely learned to embrace the volume over the years lol. Thanks Cleo!
Always loved your free spirit and your confidence to be flexible with your hairsstyle. Thanks for sharing and continued success, I miss you P.
Thanks P! As you can see not much has changed lol. A reunion is long overdue, miss you bunches!! <3
Loving your hair, lady!! ๐ And loved your hair story.
Thank you beautiful! xo
I love everything about her! Beautiful hair, gorgeous face, adorable personality. I also really want to try that Suave conditioner she kept mentioning. Iโm not a product junkie but it did sound tempting from the scents.
Adorable personality? Iโll take that lol. ๐ Thank you so much for your kind words. I do like trying new products from time to time but when I find something that works I stay with it! So yes, give that Suave a try and the Pantene Co Wash as well! Hope you like it! xo
What a beautiful lady and beautiful hair!!! I checked out her page and she is talented as well. Blessed.
Bless you and thanks so much Camillia! Love & Light!
OMG, looooove your hair!! i am 5 months in since my big chop so my hair is still quite short but your story and pictures are giving me the inspiration and hope that i needed againโฆ Thank you!!
Thanks Tanya! My hair has been many different lengths over the years so I know the frustration of waiting for it to grow out. Just continue to be patient, keep it strong and healthy and the growth will come! So glad my experience helps! All the best! xo
I think Iโve finally found my hair twin! ๐ Thanks for highlighting her, just beautiful!
Sweet! Thanks lady!
I absolutely love your hair!! Is your hair cut into a style that allows you to have bangs? I also love how you style it. My hair is thinner than yours I have to find the right products that wonโt weigh my hair down and add volume.
Thanks Sophia! My hair is almost always cut in layers. Two years ago I cut my bangs to my eyebrows and rocked some โchinese bangsโ for a bit. That has since grown all the way out. Either way the front section of my hair is always a bit shorter which definitely helps with the overall shape. You may want to try more cream based styling products instead of oil based ones since you have finer hair and remember less is more to help with volume. All the best! xo
Her hair is GORGEOUS!
Thank you!
I am soooooo glad I found this page, Philece, I have been searching for days for someone who has texture as similar as mine, before I take the challenge to keep my hair curly for most of spring and summer. Iโve flat ironed my hair for so long, Iโm having a hard time getting used to โBig Hairโ. Whatever tips you have in addition to your info above would be an absolute goto for me. Thanks soo much for posting!!
Thank you for some other informative website. The place else may just I get that type of information written in such an ideal way? I have a venture that I am simply now running on, and Iโve been at the look out for such info.