Teniqua // Multi-Texture Style Icon

Introduce yourself!
T: My name is Teniqua and I’m straight outta Compton.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
T: I’ve been natural now for 2 years. I decided to go natural because I hated my relaxed hair. It was limp, dry, and didn’t have any life to it. I really missed my natural hair.

How would you describe your texture?
T: My hair has at least 3 different textures, and it’s SO frustrating at times. Around the perimeter of my head the hair is 3b/3c and the crown section is the thickest, which maybe 4b/4c. I definitely have to be a lot more sensitive with my crown area and more generous with products.

Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
T: A TWIST OUT IS MY BESTFRIEND! It’s the only style where I can tend to every strand. I always start with co-washed hair. I never start with dry hair, and I start to twist with Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream. Then I lock in the moisture with either coconut oil or olive oil, and last I spread Eco Styler Gel (olive oil) on my ends so that they will be defined when I untwist them and not be too frizzy.

What does wash day look like for you?
T: I wash my hair every 1-2 days because I have psoriasis, so I can’t really stretch my styles as much as I would like to. When I’m not lazy and I do it the right way I section my hair in 8 or 10 twists, completely saturate my hair with water, and use As I Am Coconut Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner. I focus it towards my roots and not my ends. When my hair is too dirty for a cleanser I use Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo. To condition I always use any Herbal Essences Conditioner, which are my fave!

Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
T: Most likely a puff ball, dead in the top of my head! If anyone saw me the majority of the time that’s how my hair would be. I try to come up with other easy styles, but that one is just too darn easy and I love it.

How do you combat shrinkage?
T: I gave up trying to combat it! Better off embracing it 🙂

Tell us about your hair color?
T: I’ve colored my hair quite a bit so far in my natural hair journey. I’ve constantly gone from auburn red to blue, to black, and I always used the Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color to achieve it. Recently I bleached the front of my hair and dyed it green. I doubt I’ll be doing anything with color for a while!

What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
T: The crown of my head is the thickest, but the weakest. I can’t just rake the detangling brush through it as easily as the rest of my head. I really have to take my time and be gentle, and it requires a lot more moisture.

What are 2 do’s for your texture?
T: Water and moisture!

What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
T: Heavy manipulation and a lazy attitude when you don’t want to do it!

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
T: Yes!
Instagram: @aliencum
YouTube: Pep-tit
Tumblr: Pep-tit.tumblr.com