Fatimah // 3C/4A Natural Hair Style Icon

Introduce yourself!
F: My name is Fatimah Austin and I’m from St. Louis, Missouri but I currently live in Atlanta.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
F: I’ve been natural all my life, but I’ve had locs for around 15 years (got them when I was 5). My mom had locs when I was a child and I wanted them as well, so she started them and I’ve kept them in ever since. I have around 170 locs on my head. One day my brother and I were bored when we were kids and counted all of them lol.

How would you describe your texture?
F: My hair texture in my roots is very wavy, so I would say my roots are around a 3c, while the ends of my hair are a 4a because of the spiral curls all of my ends have. My hair typically behaves pretty well, it’s very easy to tame. My hair is pretty thick, but my strands are of a finer texture.

What method was used to start your locs?
F: My mom started my locs by hand twisting them, but she parted them strategically so that my hair looks neat in the roots when I do different styles. My mom was the main person who did my hair until I moved away for college. I now do my own hair.

How do you style your locs?
F: I use the palm rolling technique and also a trick my mom taught me which is to braid the roots in the back of my head so that they stay neat and tamed. I’ve been trying to learn how to do more styles with my hair on my own recently, so I’ve been drawing inspiration from Chescaleigh’s YouTube channel Chescalocs. I’ve tried loc petals, the braided bun, and my favorite Chescalocs style, loc knots! On the days that I don’t have time to style my hair I just spritz my hair with a moisturizing hair mist (usually Soft Sheen Carson Wave Nouveau Moisturizing Finishing Mist or Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Milk Shine & Hold Mist which I just started using recently) and then let me hair hang down.

What does wash day look like for you?
F: I wash my hair with Garnier Fructis Color Shield Shampoo, and then afterwards I use Garnier’s Color Shield Lightweight Leave-In which leaves my hair feeling extremely soft. Afterwards I use either coconut oil or Africa’s Best Hair & Scalp Conditioner to moisturize my scalp. Then I blow dry my hair for around 35-45 minutes and re-twist my hair using Curls Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste, which tightens up my hair really well and also does wonders for slicking back my edges.

What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
F: Over the summer I developed problem areas in the back of my head when some of my locs broke off. I always tie my hair back by using my own locs, and by doing so it can weaken them. So I have about 4 locs, which are now very short compared to my other locs in the back of my head.

What are 2 do’s for your locs?
F: 2 do’s for my locs are to always moisturize my hair every day (typically in the mornings). It just makes my hair stay very soft especially my roots. Also, I have to make sure my roots are always maintained or at least the locs which are visible.

What are 2 don’ts for your locs?
F: A don’t for my locs would have to be to not use creamy products in my hair because of the residue which can get stuck in my locs. Another don’t for my locs is to go to bed with wet hair. I’ve done that a few times and it never turns out good. Don’t do it! lol

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
F: You can find me on my blog crimsoncrushxoxo.wordpress.com, http://crimsoncrushxoxo.tumblr.com/ and follow me on Instagram @crimson_crush. Note: Professional photos are taken by Bernard Mallala photography and Julian Plowden.