Maci // 4A/B Natural Hair Style Icon

Introduce yourself!
M: Hi my name is Immaculeta Okwuoha, but you can call me Maci, (Macky) :). I am 20 years young and I live in Dayton, Ohio!

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
M: As a child at the age of 3 or 4, I received my first relaxer. So for most of my young life up until I was 17 years old I went without knowing what my natural curl pattern looked like. Back in 2010 I didn’t even know that wearing my hair natural was an option! I have been natural now for a little over 3 years. I decided to go natural in 2010 because I couldn’t get my relaxed hair to grow past shoulder length without my ends breaking causing a never ending cycle of short hair. I was discouraged and didn’t believe that my hair could grow past that point. So one day when I discovered the website Youtube.com I started to look up healthy hair practices for relaxed hair. That is when I stumbled upon the beautiful natural hair blogger BlackOnyx77 whose videos inspired women to take care and LOVE their hair no matter the texture! After watching her videos on natural hair and hundreds more videos from other natural Curlies, I decided that I too wanted to rock my natural hair and the confidence that came with it! I now know that wearing your natural hair IS an option, and one of the best decisions I have ever made for my hair! <3

How would you describe your texture?
M: My hair texture is a mixture of “S curls”, tight coils, and lightning bolts better known as 4a/4b lol. My 4a/4b hair behaves very well with a lot of love and good upkeep, but does act disrespectful when I get lazy on its upkeep lol. My hair is also coarse, not overly dense, but not very thin either.

Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
M: Over the course of the month I pretty much use the same styling regimen weekly because I use what is known as the “LOC method”. I have been using the LOC method after washing my hair for over the last two months with great results, and I even use this method of hairstyling when I try different products. My version of the LOC method consists of using a water based leave in conditioner, followed by an oil of my choice, and then using a heavier cream for my hair. For my leave in I use anything from Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Leave-in Conditioning Cream to Shea Moisture’s Hair Milk. For my oil I love to use good ol’ olive oil and/or coconut oil to seal my hair, and for my cream leave in I have been using Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie because it gives my hair the definition that it needs for styling. All of the products that I mentioned are very moisturizing, smell great, and leave my coarse 4a/4b hair soft and shiny. Oh! I also henna my hair every month when my hair starts to look a little dull and needs a protein treatment, and I use Suave Almond and Shea Butter Conditioner for deep conditioning! 🙂 #TeamHennaHead

What does wash day look like for you?
M: My wash day first consists of me wetting down my hair while in the shower at night. I then split my hair down the middle into two sections then proceed to cowash each section using Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa Conditioner, focusing on cleansing my scalp. I then use the same conditioner to cleanse the length of my hair. After cowashing, I place a t‑shirt over my hair and allow it to dry about 97%, then proceed to style.

Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
M: My favorite go-to hairstyle when I don’t have a lot of time to style is hands down the braid and curl! This is a great style for my 4a/4b hair because it takes me about 10 to 15 minutes at night to braid my hair and add foam rollers to the ends. And when I style my hair in a braid and curl it gives me the consistent, defined, smooth, and bouncy hair that I desire!

How do you combat shrinkage?
M: I combat shrinkage by keeping my hair stretched at all times with braid outs. On wash days I make sure to wash my hair in sections, braid each section after washing, and then pin up each braid before leaving the shower.

What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
M: The areas of my hair that need extra care would definitely be my ends, edges, and nape. My hair is very fragile in these areas, so I make sure to keep it well moisturized.

What are 2 do’s for your texture?
M: Keeping my hair stretched and well moisturized are two do’s for my hair.

What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
M: Two don’ts for my hair are allowing it to become dry and tangled and going too long without cowashing.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
M: You can always find me and my hair on Instagram: @TheEclecticNatural and you can follow me on Tumblr at: www.TransformedByLove.Tumblr.com.