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.
Some more transitioners, yeaaah!
I must say I do like both the hair AND all those earrings !
I might give it a shot and send some pictures at my one year mark (in few weeks)
Wow! 😀 You are officially my favorite transitioning hair STYLE icon…yep.
thank you both !! and congrats on your 1 year mark Mima (:
She’s adorable and makes transitioning look so easy.
I think her updos are pretty awesome.
please move to Portland, OR & teach me your updo game. PLEASE.
& that bantu knot picture. /fans self
every time I try to wear bantus out I look crazy.
lol yes agree ! when I first tried my Bantu knots I failed miserably sighhh. it’s all about patience trust me I’m still not satisfied with mine!
Accidentally thumbed you down. Meant to thumbs up because she has some of the best hairstyles I’ve seen on an icon.
I’ve been natural 10+ years now, but she’s sporting WAY more styles than I’ve ever managed. Beautiful!
I love your creativity with some of your styles. My favorite is the curlhawk,it looks great. Keep it up!!
She is so cute! Yes please start a YT channel 🙂
I cannot fathom. Fro hawks are the bomb! I’m still a transitioned myself marking my second year now.
Yessir! Updo game is the best!
Loved it!
whatshetaughther.blogspot.com
BANTU KNOTS!!! You’re my kind of girl!!! You’re a beautiful girl with beautiful hair.
Love ya hair and ya style. But what hear protector do you use and what’s your regimen interms of putting heat in your hai before/after?
to Rolanda: I used ors olive oil heat protection serum before I blow dry/flat iron. I only blow dry/flat iron once a month but at times when I really love my curls I then straighten my hair every two months. hope this helps (: (I’m a red head now haha tried something new)
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Yay, happy to see a fellow sistah from The Bronx! Congrats on taking the natural hair journey, Nicollette.
thanks love !!! (: one if the best decisions I’ve ever made!
thank you everyone for the natural hair love !!
Your curly frohawk is to die for . It’s so adorable~ I took inspiration from you as a fellow transitioner myself (3months) can you give me a step by step as to how you achieve your frohawk?
I’m in the process of creating a YT channel so stay tuned for it (:
Thank you for this im a transitioner who’s on the edge of going back to the creamy crack! Im def struggle with my hair journey but you have seemed to have it together
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nooo don’t ! you can do it lol I felt the same way during my 2nd to 3rd month of transitioning but after it gets easier trust me !
Eh. Whatever you do. Step away from The creamy crack. Just back away slowly…
Hey ladies I made a youtube channel in case you were interest .. youtube.com/modelesquenic
Am happy to read all about how to manage natural hair, i am getting more convinced to continue, thanks much Nicollette!
you’re welcome ! I’m glad I’m helpful in your journey. i started a YT channel you should subscribe (: YouTube.com/modelesquenic
[…] More of Nicollete’s hair pics here […]
We both started our transition in April 2013! Cool! Love your hairstyles btw :)…
PLEASE make a youtube account! i love each and everyone of those styles you did in those pictures!