Nicollette // Transitioning Natural Hair Style Icon

Introduce yourself!
N: Hey Everyone! My name is Nicollette and I was born and raised in the Boogie Down Bronx.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
N: Thus far I am 8 months into transitioning to natural hair. I began my natural hair journey in April 2013. I decided to go natural after my cousin and sister both suggested it. I was a major creamy crack addict and could never picture myself going natural. I could barely manage detangling permed hair, so natural hair would be death haha! About 7 months prior, my cousin went natural and did a BC. She was shocked and so was I. I thought she was insane, but after seeing her beautiful soft curls I wanted to have them too. In April, I decided it was time for me to stop the perms and begin a new life (a natural life that is). I was happy with my decision and honestly looked at it as a long term benefit for when I eventually decide to start having children.

How would you describe your texture?
N: I don’t necessarily like to classify what hair texture I have because my hair textures are different in many areas. In the middle my hair has a loose curl whereas the front and back areas have a tighter curl. My motto is love every texture of your hair dearly. The more you show each part some TLC, the TLC will be given right back to you!

Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
N: Hmm … my styling regimen … I’d say my comfort zone is in my infamous curly fro hawk that everyone seems to adore haha! Other than that I like to step out my comfort zone and try different hairstyles to see which ones I can master and which ones I can work on as my hair grows.

What does wash day look like for you?
N: Wash day is usually every 2 weeks. I usually shampoo 2–3 times and condition once using Tresemme Shampoo and Conditioner. When I do bantu knots or my curly fro/fro hawk, I use Cantu Curl Enhancer after the excess water is out, then set my hair with flexirods. When I am planning to straighten my hair I do a deep treatment masque after I shampoo. I rinse it out, add a leave in conditioner (ORS Curls Unleashed Leave-In Conditioner) and a heat protection serum (Fantasia IC Heat Protector Straightening Serum). I then blow dry my hair on low using the stretch tension method, and flat iron my hair. I absolutely hate using heat, but I do straighten once a month and my hair lasts for about a week and a half.

Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
N: I have two. My curly fro hawk of course and my secret weapon, my angled bob wig!

How do you combat shrinkage?
N: At the moment, shrinkage isn’t much of a concern to me since I’m still transitioning and not fully natural, however after discovering the tension method of blow drying hair I have to say that’s my key to shrinkage for the moment.

What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
N: I’d have to say detangling after my curly styles wear out and shedding from excessive detangling. I usually detangle in a slow motion method, but now I have slowed down my slow motion method even slower and thus far have had great results!

What are 2 do’s for your texture?
N: Hmm, the only must do for my texture I’d have to say would be moisture, moisture, and moisture!! Can’t get enough moisture! If my hair isn’t fully moisturized my sets come out dry and dead which makes me upset and frustrated. AND there’s nothing scarier than a girl with natural hair whose hairstyle won’t come out the way she wants it haha!

What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
N: 2 don’ts would probably be no heavy product use (too much product makes everything clumpy, flaky, and just overall disastrous) and setting styles on wet hair (in order for the majority of styles I wear to result in perfection, my hair must be a little damp to somewhat dry.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
N: My Instagram is modelesque_nic. My Pinterest can be found from searching my name Nicollette Francis. I use both to show off most of my looks. I have received requests to start a YouTube channel so I am highly considering that as well. Most likely if I create one you will see it on my Instagram.