Chelsea // 3B Natural Hair Style Icon

Introduce yourself!
C: I’m Chelsea! I’m from the huge state of Mississippi.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
C: I began my transition in November 2010. This November I will celebrate 3 years since I decided to return to natural. I made the decision to return to natural because I spent all of my teenage years as a natural, even though I didn’t really know what that meant. Then, on a whim, I relaxed before entering into the first year of undergrad. When I began my graduate school journey I began to notice that my big bouncy curls were no longer present. I missed my curls terribly! I researched and found that I could start a process known as “transitioning” to return back to my beloved curls.

How would you describe your texture?
C: My hair is predominantly 3b with one section near my crown that tends to lend itself a little closer to the 3c texture. I would also describe my hair as fine and dense. Chaka, as I affectionately call my hair, behaves quite well with proper care. I really can’t complain!

Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
C: Most of the time I rock wash and go’s with the products I mention below. My texture lends itself well to an easy to maintain wash and go, so I go with that.

What does wash day look like for you?
C: I begin by deep conditioning my hair with a mixture of Tresemme Naturals Conditioner, coconut oil, and olive oil. I do this because I use shampoo regularly which strips my hair, so I pre condition my hair in order to lessen the effects of the stripping. Then I shampoo with either Giovanni 50/50 Balanced Clarifying Shampoo or Shea Moisture Curl and Shine Shampoo. I then leave in Paul Mitchell’s The Conditioner. I am a bit of a product junkie when it comes to styling products so the products I use to style vary quite a bit. I love wash and goes, so typically I just apply my product and let it air dry. Some of my staple styling products are Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel, Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Miss Jessie’s Quick Curls or Curly Meringue, and Flax Seed Gel.

Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
C: I love flat twisting Chaka into a high sitting pony on top of my head. It is basically effortless. All I have to do is take down the pineapple I sleep in, twist, pull, and go!

How do you combat shrinkage?
C: I don’t! I embrace shrinkage! I’m really not concerned with length goals so seeing my length isn’t a priority to me. Don’t get me wrong, I fully enjoy my mid back hair straightened, but it isn’t a priority to always see the length. I love my shrinkage because of the volume it gives me!

What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
C: The crown of my hair tends to be of a more coarse texture than the rest of my hair. When styling, this section requires more attention than the rest.

What are 2 do’s for your texture?
C: DO moisturize. I can’t stress the importance of this step. Be very conscientious of the ingredients you are placing on your hair. Make sure that the ingredients are those that retain moisture and not deplete it. DO deep condition. My texture can begin to look a little dull and limp without a regular deep conditioning session.

What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
C: DON’T use a fine tooth comb. Due to the circumference of my curls (they’re quite large) I can’t use very many styling tools as they will literally rip the hair from my scalp. DON’T keep your hands in your hair. I know most people idly play in their own hair throughout the day. However, simply twirling my hair will increase the curl to the point of tangles. I must remember to keep my hands away from my hair.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
C: You can find me on my YouTube channel, which includes all the latest info on where to find me on the web. SOON, it will include info about my upcoming blog! The link is as follows: https://www.youtube.com/user/lovelytootychels.