Introduce yourself!
F: My name is Felicia Olatunbosun. I am 21 years old and will be graduating from CUNY York College! I was born in Queens in New York and currently live in Long Island. My family is from Nigeria.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
F: I was natural all of my life until I was thirteen. No one wanted to help me do my hair because of its length and thickness, so I was forced to put in a relaxer. I transitioned for a year and cut off the permed hair. The transition was not easy, and I had a lot of negativity from family and friends. It was especially difficult when it was easy to see my natural hair from my relaxed hair. I just worked with what I had!
I decided to go natural because I truly missed my thick and natural hair. I missed being able to style it in so many diverse ways. It was part of my individuality and I was determined to get that back. I wanted to be proud of what God had given me and to inspire others to do the same. I have been natural for two years now and I am loving it!
How would you describe your texture?
F: I have very thick, 4C hair. The strands are very coarse and can be hard to handle. With proper care, moisture, and patience it becomes easier to deal with.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
F: I do low-styling and protective styles with my hair and I don’t like to use too many hair products. I like to let my hair do its own thing. Currently I use Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream. I always do braid-outs, and those last me for a week and a few days.
What does wash day look like for you?
F: A wash day includes Garnier Fructis shampoo, conditioner and sometimes leave-in conditioner if necessary. I always do about 15 to 20 cornrows. This way when I take my braids out there is more definition for my curls.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
F: My favorite hairstyle that is simple is the hair puff. Very quick, simple and it does not take a lot of time.
How do you combat shrinkage?
F: It is truly interesting how shrinkage occurs. I usually do braid-outs and by the night I put my hair up using the pineapple method. This really stretches my hair and it gets bigger as well.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
F: Areas of my hair that require a lot of attention are my ends because they can become very dry. I make sure I moisturize them a lot more than my roots.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
F: A do for my hair would have to be moisturizing my hair, A LOT! I have been looking at ingredients in leave-in conditioners to try and find more products that can really moisturize my hair.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
F: Wash and go’s are NO good for me because my hair becomes dry fast and can really become tangled. I do love how my hair comes out when straightened, but heat damage has happened before so I stay away from it completely.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
F: I currently do not have a blog, but I hope to create a YouTube channel soon! Follow me on Instagram: Licia_Ola. I love to share my natural hair and poetry with everyone.
Such beautiful, thick hair. It reminds me of Laila’s (FusionofCultures) on You Tube.
Thank you so much!! I have been told that as well!
Aaaaaaahhh you’re hair is awesome,4c rocks!! We have the same hair texture but I have fine hair.
Thank you so much I appreciate that!
That puff. Whew. Good lawd.
:)Thank you so much!
Wheeew!! All that hair. And that flawless skin! She is just lovely
Aww thank you!!
This is the FIRST TIME EVER I have found my hair twin!! I am transitioning for a second time and this time I am super ready for it. You just gave me so much inspiration as a 4b/c girl with extremely thick and big hair 🙂
THANK YOU!
Yay!! No thank you!! I am grateful if I can inspire and encourage. You will get through it and be stronger at the end of the process. I am always glad to help 🙂
Sister girl you have the best 4c hair I have ever seen!! LOVE IT!!
Thank you so much I truly appreciate that!!
yay! a queens girl! York College Alumni as well.
beautiful and thick hair.
:)!! Yes!!! Thank you so much!!
Beautiful girl with beautiful hair! I love that BGLH makes sure to represent all hair “types” and not just the loose 3C curl like a lot of other sites (and I say this being a 3B/3C girl myself). Keep rocking, and congrats on your upcoming graduation!
Thank you!! Yes all hair types are beautiful and unique!!
Your hair is amazing!
Thank you so much!! I appreciate the love!!
Your hair looks so THICK I can see why some might be intimidated by the idea of styling it. But it’s great that you went back to natural because you were BLESSED with an absolutely gorgeous head of hair!! I love your simple regimen and versatile styles.
Yess!! Thank you so much and I am happy I went back as well. I appreciate every moment of it!!
Wow, I knew you were Nigerian before I even read your intro! 🙂
lol me too with a last name like that you have to be nigerian! and ugh i have the worst hair envy!!!! i wish i had kinkier hair cause my braid outs never look as bomb as yours they look curly and it does its own thing >_> but beautiful hair repping for nigeria yay!
such beautiful thick healthy hair
Thank you so much!!
Your hair is amazingggg! Why don’t you have a youtube/tumblr/blog yet so I can follow you?! I have v thick, and dense hair, but normal sized strands. But your the first natural where it seems our hair is pretty much the identical in its care and needs. inspiration for sure! <3
I would like to make a YouTube channel this summer!
All textures are lovely but yay for having 4c like me! Gorgeous head of hair 🙂
Yes I agree all textures are beautiful! Thank you!
how long have you been natural?
I have been natural for 2 years now!
Wow ur hair is beautiful I’m also have 4c hair very dense but fine strand and u jst inspired me . I love my hair even more now thanx2 u
Thank you so much!! I am glad that I can inspire that is the goal :)!!
Such a beautiful mane of hair! A fellow natural hair naturalista!
Love ur hair so beautiful
Yes supporting the movement!! Thank you so much!
Your hair looks very fluffy soft. I’m a 4C too but my texture is not soft, it looks more coarse but is made up of fine strands. I have about the same density as you. It’s lovely to see that even within the 4C category, there are soooo many different heads of hair. Yours looks very healthy.
Awaiting your Youtube channel!
Thank you so much! I do have coarse hair as well! But I make sure I moisturize and use products that my hair likes 🙂
I loved your instagram. You is beautiful.
brown-princess.tumblr.com
Thank you so much!!
Do you twist your own natural hair often?
No I do not. I do braid-outs that usually last for the and two days more. I do low manipulation with my hair. If I am too tired I put it in a hair puff.
week*
Are the twist outs on a blow-dried hair?
I only do braid-outs. I always do it when my hair is wet. I make sure it fully dries before taking them out 🙂
How did you retain such length in two years? I have 4C hair as well but it’s no where this long. Do you trim often?
Both sides of my family have a lot of hair. But despite that, I do low manipulation styling, use products that work for my hair and have patience with it 🙂
Woooo! Now that’s what I call hair! Thanks for the inspiration. Someone’s going on my Natural Hair pinterest 🙂
Awww thank you so much!!
May I ask if you finger detangle and do you use any other products to moisturize your hair? My hair is a mix between 4b and c and I’ve such a terrible time with it being very brittle and breakage.
I’ve been growing out my hair for the past year, and it’s been a frustrating experience, so looking at other women with 4c hair and seeing how awesome it is always lifts me up. 🙂
I do not finger detangle at all, that would cause a lot of problems for me. But I moisturize with oils sometimes. Olive and carrot oils are really good! Another thing that helps is that I leave the conditioner in my hair for a long time before washing it out. But, have patience it will all be well and stay strong 🙂
Gorgeous, lush hair–LOVE it!!
Thank you so much!!
Great hair. My hair looks like yours but I am only 1 year in. I hope to have that much hair at 2 years! Gorgeous girl.
Thank you so much!!! Congrat as well being a year in 🙂
Just lovely, like two heads of hair!!! Congrats in your graduation as well. Hillside Avenue “in the house!”
…on your graduation…
Hey!! And thank you so much i appreciate it!
Congrats on your graduation! I graduated from CUNY York College.
Thank you!! And that is lovely!!
Lovely hair, congratulations on your graduation.
Thank you so much!!!
Ah-mazing hair! You are gorgeous!
Awwww! ! Thanks so much it means alot!!
can I ask why you don’t do twist outs?
I have tried twisting my hair but they unravel because m y hair is so thick. So for me personally braidout last longer and bring definition to my hair.
you could try putting the ends in curlers overnight. That helps the ends stay secure, I saw someone in a video do this.
Oh okay yes that would defintely work. Thank you 🙂
Your hair is thick and luscious!!! Truly beautiful!!!
Thanks so much!!!
I love the variety of styles! The bangs look so vintage. You and your hair are beautiful 😀
Thank you!!! I truly appreciate it!
You said you leave your hair in protective styles :).. How do you care for your hair in that state? I’m thinking about doing protective styling. My hair seems to grow more without being touched.
I do not put my hair in protective styles oftern at all. I love leaving my hair free! I miss my fro already lol. I make sure i moisturize my scalp. But not everyday so that it wont build up dirt. Also washing it you don’t need to soak the hair just use little water and shampoo. Plenty videos online. I also wait few days before styling my twists so not to pull on my edges.
Another fake 4c hair article! *Annoyed* T_T
Her hair is very beautiful though. But I notice everytime people complain about 4c hair they seem to create a new article and slap 4c on it.
Thank you! Sorry your annoyed but my hair is 4c. I never got into he whole hair typing thing because what matters to me is my individuality. But that is the only category where my hair falls into. Doing it to inspire and help best way i can.
…things that people who aren’t 4c say.…
The problem lies in mixing up curl type with texture — she does NOT have curls but her texture is soft. I have seen 4C types with this texture and no curls. My 4C is not the same. It does not look soft and fluffy to the eye but is softer than people expect when touched. To the eye it looks coarse but is actually fine strands that are densely packed. I think looking at people’s hair on the Internet is misleading because often you cannot tell what someone’s hair looks or behaves like in reality especially with the kinkier… Read more »
I like your perspective on this! I do have natural curls, but it has always been brought to my attention that I fall in the 4c category. There could be a possibility of 4b but my goal is to love, take care of my hair and encourage others to do the same. But you are right it is really interesting how you can have the same hair type as someone but their hair still has its own uniqueness. It just shows the versatility of natural hair 🙂
This is the exact reason hairtyping is bullshit. Too many people seem to think, hair softness, shine, natural strength, porosity is linked to a ‘curl or wave’ pattern, when in fact it is not. This girl is great example of that. Her hair doesn’t have a curlpattern, but her shine/softness if different from ‘other’ no curl hairtypes, that is why you feel like she doesn’t ‘belong’ in your category. As more black women go natural, you’ll come to find many of us DO NOT fit in these so called categories. Any hairpattern can have the afore mentioned characteristics. That is… Read more »
How often do you wash your hair? do you shampoo or cowash?
I only wash my hair once a month. I use shampoo and leave the conditioner for long time. It is very rare for me to cowash, but i have done it a few times 🙂
Beautiful!!!
Thank You so much!!!
Hi Felicia! You’re gorgeous! I’m first gen Nigerian too! I was wondering about the braid-outs. When I try to braid my 4c hair for a braid-out, it is very hard to take out. Does that happen with your hair too?
Hey!! I use leave in conditioner which really helps. Once i moisturize my hair very well it is not hard to take out the braids. Also when i especially wash my hair i leave the conditioner in for about 45 minute’s to an 1hr. Before washing it out.
Do any 4Cs do the African threading technique? I want to try it.
When my sister was younger, she would do threading with her braids and it really helped. Her hair is also considered 4c, so there wouldn’t be much tangling when it was time to take the braids out or even to wash her hair.
Whooooo, such thick hair! It’s beautiful, you’re beautiful, go ‘head, girl!
vertmoot.blogspot.com
Thank you so much I appreciate it a lot!!!
Just wanted to let everyone know that I have changed my Instagram name! Iconic_Africana to match my YouTube channel!! Thank you all again!!
thanks i was looking for you!
Hi Licia, naija gal in the house! Your hair is the reason I stayed natural…scrumptious volume!
One moisturising tip I learnt that worked for me here in Nigeria was this mix.
In 100ml clean water, add two tbs of Cantu shea butter leave in conditioning repair cream and 1 tsp of olive oil and mix well. The resulting mixture retains moisture as well as the LOC method. For me, its a one step alternative to the three step LOC.
nappilynigeriangirl.blogspot.com
I’m not a 4c, but I love all texture natural hair. Earlier on my my journey when I was transitioning I coveted the 3’s textures, and though I do have a bit 3c, I’ve fallen in love with the 4’s. Your hair is proof that not only 4a, and b, but C hair can be just as gorgeous, full and versatile! You definitely are a hairspiration!