Emerald // Natural Hair Style Icon

Introduce yourself!
E: My name is Emerald Guidry. I am from Lake Charles, Louisiana, but I reside in Lafayette, Louisiana where I attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. I am currently a senior at the UL of Lafayette where I am majoring in Pre-law/Political Science. I actually graduate this May. (I am beyond excited)

How long have you been natural?
E: I have been natural for the last 5 years. I went natural my junior year in high school.

How and why did you transition into natural hair?
E: I transitioned to go natural in high school because I was having a hard time getting my relaxers to take properly. I would get perms, but they would never straighten all of my hair. So from there I decided to stop getting them all together. Not only were the perms not taking, they also began to thin my hair out. As I transitioned I knew nothing about the process, so I continued my normal routine of roller wraps, deep conditions, and rod sets. However, I was oblivious to the danger of using a flat iron while transitioning. So once I entered college and decided to wear my natural hair I noticed that I had to basically retrain my front pieces of hair to act right. I had a bad habit of going over my bangs with a flat iron while transitioning at the beginning. Toward the end of my transitioning process I would rod my hair with perm rods weekly. It truly helped me keep the flat iron out of my hair.

What are your must-have products for shampooing, conditioning and styling your hair?
E: My must have products are normally whatever I feel like using. My main go to products are Shea Moisture Brilliant Curl Shampoo and the Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque. In between shampoos, I co-wash my hair with Biolage by Matrix Conditioning Balm. It is a bit pricey, so sometimes I switch it out with Aussie Moist Conditioner. For basic styling I use Elasta QP Mango-Olive Oil Butter (It works miracles in my hair), and Shea Moisture Coconut Hibiscus Curl and Style Milk. For oils I tend to just stick to my handy virgin olive oil. Lastly, for detangling I use the Denman styling hair brush.

Tell us about your hair color?
E: My hair color right now is a copper/orangish brown. I love experimenting with color. Experimenting with hair color does not do much damage to my hair. The only negative experience I have is about two months after coloring my hair my ends get dry. I normally saturate them with conditioner and oil during my deep conditioning days to get them back moisturized. My latest experiment with color was when I ombred the ends of my fro with a blazing burgundy using a box color by Clairol Textures and Tones. Unfortunately the burgundy faded quickly and my hair returned back to this copper color that my hair is now. During the winter I tend to rinse it a dark brown or black.

What is your signature hairstyle?
E: My signature hairstyle would be my afro puff, my braid outs, and my two flat twists. With my school and work schedule I find braid outs on freshly washed hair or day old hair works easier for me and helps me eliminate time. I normally do about 9 braids and allow them to dry over night. I sleep with a silk bonnet and in the morning take them apart with a little olive oil on my fingertips to eliminate frizz. Once my braid outs become old after about 4 days, I opt to putting a little olive oil and Eco Styler Gel on my edges, push my hair back with a silk piece of scarf, and pull my afro up into a puff. I also do the two flat twists when my hair is at its wits end. Whenever it is time for a good shampoo and I do not have the time I normally will twist two nice sized flat twists going to the back and complete it with a nice bun for school or work.

What is your style philosophy?
E: My style philosophy is to have no limits to your own personal style. Allow your style to tell a story and tell who you are. There will be many of times you will not be able to speak a word to anyone when you enter a room, but your style will tell it all. So allow your style to speak for you and leave an imprint on people’s mind.

What are the three favorite things in your closet?
E: My three favorite things in my closet right now will have to be my array of vintage colored blazers, ankle length jeans, and my floral pieces for spring. I can make a chic and unique outfit for almost any occasion with my blazers. My vintage blazers are my own personal collection. I seriously have a blazer in every color for any season. I adore my ankle length jeans because I am petite so the length works out perfectly for me. I am loving my spring pieces, especially the floral ones. I have purchased floral blazers, floral heels, and floral pants!

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
E: I do not have a blog, but you can find me on Instagram at: em_jayde or on Facebook: Emerald Jayde.