Introduce yourself!
T: My name is Tenesha, most people call me ‘T’, and I’m from Chicago, IL.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
T: I have been natural for 3 years now! I celebrated my Natural-versary on August 4th. I went natural because I was curious about what my hair would look like if I no longer relaxed it. When my daughter was born in May of 2009, I instantly became captivated and inspired by her hair. I relaxed my hair for the last time in July of 2009 and transitioned for a little over a year. With the help of YouTube and CurlyNikki.com I was able to care for and style my hair during that time. I never felt alone, or that I didn’t know what I was doing.
How would you describe your texture?
T: This question stumps me every time! I honestly do not know. I do think that my hair is mostly 4a with some 3c. I have medium/normal strands, neither fine nor coarse. I just know that I have a lot of hair on this head of mine.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
T: I always, always, always do braid outs. This is my all time favorite hairstyle. Braid outs work so much better for my texture than twist outs ever did. When I style my hair, I use 3 products: a leave-in, sealant, and a gel for hold. I’m using Kinky Curly Knot Today or Tresemme Naturals as leave-ins, my shea butter mix to seal, and Kinky Curly Curling Custard to set my braids. I really only braid my hair mainly to stretch it because 9 times out of 10 my hair ends up in a bun. I’m a busy mom of three and wearing my hair out every day is unrealistic. I experiment with other styles when I have the time. I don’t like using heat on my hair ever, if at all. I only flat iron it twice a year.
What does wash day look like for you?
T: Wash day starts with a pre-wash treatment (hot oil, deep condition, or cassia). I then cleanse my hair with a cowash using Tresemme Naturals or a cleansing conditioner. My favorites at the moment are CURLS Curlicious Curls Cleansing Cream and Camille Rose Naturals Caramel Co-Wash. I detangle outside of the shower with my fingers. I use my leave-in as my detangler and I do not rinse it out. Saves me so much time, and I don’t have to hop in and out of the shower. As stated above, I use either Tresemme Naturals as a leave-in or Kinky Curly Knot Today. That’s it!
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
T: I am all about that Bun lifestyle!! Slap on a cute headband or some cutesy accessory and voila! You’re done.
How do you combat shrinkage?
T: By keeping my hair stretched. Braidouts and Buns, my two Bs.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
T: The front of my hair is quite delicate. The curl pattern is almost non-existent. This area is most susceptible to damage. I have to be very gentle when it comes to styling.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
T: Sealing my hair with shea butter has been my testament for a long as I can remember. It locks in the moisture, keeps my hair from drying out, and leaves it so, so soft. Low manipulation is key as well. I save time, reduce frizz and breakage, and maintain my style for longer when I keep my hands out of my hair.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
T: Wash and Go’s are a no no. They are few and far between. This style just does not agree with me! Too much shrinkage, crazy tangles, it’s just a no for me. I do not ever lay my head down without something silk or satin to protect it. Whether it be my scarf, bonnet or pillowcase, I can’t be without any of them.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
T: Instagram: @pretty_curl_swag
YouTube: youtube.com/user/misstenesha623
Im also a 4a sister who prefers braid outs over twist outs. Great pics!
Team Braidout!! Thanks 😉
Such beautiful hair, wow!
Love it!
I’d love to know how you do those buns. Video tutorial maybe?
Gorgeous! Thank you 🙂
Beautiful and your hair is fabulouscand chic!
Thank you ladies xoxo
@LBell I could try and do a tut, they’re super easy 😀
Hey hair/regimen twin– I sure wish I knew how to do that fabulous bun! Fabulous hair! Woohoo–Team braidout.
I guess I will have to do a tutorial soon!! Thx for the Love!!
very nice. I will marry u
Thank you! And thx for the proposal lol
Haha! I read this in a deep Nigerian accent!
‑excellent
hahahah same “i dey marry you-oh”
Wonderful hair, face, personality! Loved this interview
Great hair. Looks healthy and strong. I must ask. How do you get those straight hair curls? they look lovely and the light hits the color so nicely.….
loving them.
I used flexi rods!! I rolled my hair up on the skinny red ones (no product). Left in overnight, next morning..BAM!! I simply re-rolled each night.
Was this done on freshly washed or stretched hair?
Flat ironed hair 🙂
Ty. I’m 1 year natural, I tried flat ironing my hair and it was a major fail — I blow dried my hair before I did so. Any tips or tutorial?
Girrrrl, I am the worst person to ask LOL! I can’t get my hair as straight as I would like it, never could. I’m going to try roller setting next instead of blow drying to see if I can get silkier results. If not, I quit!
Luv your hair!! What color did you use?
+1 — your colour is beautiful. It looks really elegant as well, though that might be the colour combined with the awesome hairstyles 🙂
My color was a combination of previously dyed hair (circa 2010, then again in 2012) I used garnier brand..don’t remember the color, PLUS I used to use HENNA. I’ve since grown it out.
Gorgeous hair, that braid out in the first pic is gorgeous! Love the hair color and even those small twists in a pony tail, just lovely hair.
I love me some braid outs too, love the pattern they give especially with some gel and the stretch as well!
beautiful woman and GORGEOUS CURLS! BEAUTIFUL BUNS!!! love your style and cute headbands!
My new ‘haircrush’ 🙂
Such lovely, lovely hair! That twist ponytail is simply GORGEOUS!
What did you use on the twists?
Kinky curly curling custard and Shea butter 😉
I love how these women never look a day over 21. Something about natural beauty that brings youth. And of course, ya know, black don’t crack! Lol
Great hair,great styles, hair looks so perfect!
I would LOVE to know your hair straightening process. You have so much hair and it’s beautiful. How do you straighten it w/o damage?
Ummm. It might be because I have noooo clue what I’m doing! Lol. I don’t like straightening my hair for fear of damage, plus my hair just doesn’t get very straight. So, I really only flat iron twice a year. That could be why I don’t get any damage.
Lovely feature! I’m have have 4b/c and I live in braid-outs and buns.
WOW your hair is gorgeous! Your twists are amazing. So beautiful!
Love the hair color and your hair is gorgeous!
Your hair is so amazing
I feel depressed comparing to my short hair
Katia, my hair is also much shorter than hers, but with good love and care we can both get there.
Lovely head of hair! Wow…
Very nice! Loving all of her different looks too!
I found my hair twin !!! Lol. My curl pattern in the front is almost non-existent pattern, and the rest of my hair is 4a. I’m a try braid outs. I usually wear my hair in flat twist updo
Your hair is lovely, Tenesha.
Gorgeous hair that looks SO healthy–LOVE it!
Just beautiful! 🙂
Her hair is beautiful! I love the buns!
Mom of 3?!?!?! I swore you were 17 from the first picture :O flawless skin!
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in the 1st pic she favors Toni from Girlfriends. Very pretty hair
Looks good!!
Omg, we are hair twins! I wear my hair in a flat twist out puff and the texture looks identical to your ponytail. I also use kinky curly products. Love em!
I still say you have the BEST hair texture up in this joint! And you are so tiny and sweet. 🙂 Wish I knew your secret to all that hair?
Lol my hair twin im a 4a with some 3c parte except my hair is coarse . I have aa small part or my hair that is just puffy with no curl pattern. The rest of my hair is coily curly lol and I love doing twist outs .