Roxanne // 3B/C Natural Hair Style Icon

*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally

Introduce yourself!
R: Hi Girls! My name is Roxanne Duarte da Cruz, I am 20 years old, I was born and raised in the Netherlands and currently I’m a student in Rotterdam City.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
R: I’ve been natural my whole life. My mother has always been careful with my hair and did her best to treat it well. As a child I used to hate my hair. I couldn’t deal with it, felt insecure and wanted my hair to be smooth just like other girls. My mom was totally against it and nowadays I thank god that she taught me to accept my hair! Years later I’ve learned to deal with my hair the way it is, and I actually love it!

How would you describe your texture?
R: My hair is a mixture of 3B/3C. Like most naturals it seems very thick because of the curls, but in fact my hair is quite thin. My curls are tight and springy, and they can get huge and crazy if I don’t tame them, which is very funny sometimes! My hair is also very soft and easy to comb out, especially when it’s wet.

Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
R: My style regimen for the week is very simple. I wash my hair with Andrelon Care & Oil Shampoo and I always leave the conditioner in my hair. While my hair is still soaking wet from washing it, I separate my hair into 2 sections and then comb it in 1 or 2 minutes. It usually takes a couple of hours before my hair gets completely dry, so I always wash it early in the morning. I wear my hair straight maybe once or twice a year.

What does wash day look like for you?
R: I use Andrelon Care & Oil Shampoo and Conditioner. After the conditioner, I put Seda in my hair. Seda is a Brazilian product which makes my hair very soft. Sometimes I also use gel, for example when I do my hair in a ponytail.

Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
R: My favorite go-to hairstyle is a wash and go or a messy bun on the top of my head!

How do you combat shrinkage?
R: I don’t usually have shrinkage because by the time my hair is completely dry it has fallen and is back to its normal length. When my hair is dry and curly, it’s past my shoulders.

What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
R: My ends!! They are very dry and fragile. So every night I try to put some coconut oil on my ends to make them a bit soft.

What are 2 do’s for your texture?
R: Moisturizing and protecting my ends!

What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
R: Styling…It looks great when I do it but it’s terrible for my hair. It also makes it very greasy and stiff afterwards and that’s why I only do it twice a year. I don’t like to mix a lot of different products into my hair either! That makes it very greasy too.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
R: Instagram: @roxanneddc
Facebook: @Roxanne Duarte da Cruz
Email: r.duartedacruz@hotmail.com