Introduce yourself!
Y: My name is Yasmine, I also go by Yaz. I am a Haitian-born Canadian. Grew up in both Port-au-Prince and several parts of Canada (including Montreal and Calgary). I’m currently in Toronto.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
Y: I remember my last relaxer being in late 2009/early 2010, then I transitioned for a year and a few months, and big chopped in the summer of 2011. I went natural for two reasons. For one I had cut my relaxed hair into the short Rihanna tapered-at-the-back-heavy-up-top do, and I was realizing how costly it was to get a touch up every time my hair grew. Second reason, when I started to speak to some of my loved ones about going natural, they reacted as if I was talking about shaving their eye sockets out of their face. This was MY hair on MY body. It bothered me that my decision to embrace my hair was unwillingly a “political” thing and it was soooo personal for a bunch of people outside of myself. Also I remember asking myself what I would do if I was stuck on a desert island. My first concern was how I was going to do my hair, and not food. I got concerned and then went all in. So I did it out of spite/anger, and personal curiosity and being broke lol.
How would you describe your texture?
Y: I don’t type cast my strands, but if I had to check a box I’d say it’s predominantly 4b with two random patches of 3b in the very front and back. Oh there’s also two patches on the side that seem to be VERY 4c/z lol. Overall my hair is mad dense, and I love it, most-times lol.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
Y: I wish I actually had a solid regimen for my hair that was consistent, but I don’t have one. Everything I do to my hair depends on what she tells me, and my time/capacity to listen or not listen lol. I try to deep condition at least once a month using either stuff from my kitchen (like honey, banana, avocado and olive oil) or I use Beautiful Curls Shea Butter Deep Conditioning Treatment mixed with Amla oil, and try to clarify with apple cider vinegar or aloe vera juice, and shampoo when I feel like my scalp needs it. I use what’s cheap in my neck of the woods, which is Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream. (5$) …and in the worst of winters I make my own heavy duty leave in: a mix of Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave In, raw shea butter, some oils and aloe vera juice blended up. The rationale behind my hair decisions are entirely based on my time, budget, and mood lol.
What does wash day look like for you?
Y: I always start by separating my hair in 4 sections. I pre-poo with any conditioner that has a lot of slip like Herbal Essences, Aussie Moist or Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Conditioner. Then I wash my hair while it’s separated in 4 sections, which helps with the detangling.
I’ve been washing my hair with Giovanni’s Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner. I am a big fan of the tingly feel of tea tree and the squeaky clean feel of my scalp after shampooing, which I feel co-washing doesn’t do for me. I do this every week, although lately I’ve been trying to implement co-washing with As I Am Coconut Co-Wash, and I’ve been loving it. But my hair drinks it up, and I don’t have money to buy this stuff all the time.
While I’m rinsing the conditioner out of each section, I run my wide-tooth comb through, working it from tip to root to detangle, then I twist it until all the sections are done. I towel dry my hair with an old cotton shirt, while I lotion up. Then I braid the root for about an inch then twist the rest of each section. So that’s like what, a braid/twist out? I usually apply a leave-in like Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Cantu Shea Butter, or the As I Am Twist Defining Cream. Then I seal with grapeseed oil (I’m taking a break from my staple, coconut oil). Sometimes if I want big hair the next day I tension method lightly on a low-heat setting, then I apply my leave-in and braid accordingly.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
Y: I usually do one big massive milk braid all around. It’s fast and easy to do (when my hair is relatively stretched), it’s my go-to for this HORRID Canadian winter I’ve been battling, and when I go to the gym. Otherwise I do this thing where I put an elastic around my head and tuck the ends inside it lol. It’s hard to explain but it looks real old school, but maaad cute I promise 🙂 …best part is that it takes 2 seconds to do.
How do you combat shrinkage?
Y: Shrinkage is a part of the package, still learning to embrace it. I don’t fight it as much as I used to, but when I did/do I tension method using grapeseed oil to moisturize and protect, then go about my styling ways.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
Y: The temple and a little bit of the nape of my hair need some extra care. They seem to be the areas where I tend to get the most breakage and get dry the fastest/quickest. They are as a result the shortest in length. I read somewhere on BGLH that massaging castor oil in those areas would help, but I haven’t gotten around to doing it, just going on a prayer on that one and hoping for the best lol.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
Y: Moisturize/Protein balance = Happy strands | Stretched ends = No damn double stranded knots
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
Y: No Wash n’ Gos and Twist extensions (Senegalese twists, Havana twists) seem to do more damage than good to my hair. I always find that I need to do a major trim after my hair is in those types of protective hairstyles.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
Y: YES! I’m everywhere. I recently started a YT channel called Yazbe (https://www.youtube.com/user/0Yasmine) You can also find me on Twitter and Instagram at: @yazbegrams and Tumblr: http://yazbe.tumblr.com/.
Beautiful!!
Thanks everyone!! <3
you’re gorgeous! love all the different styles you’re rocking.
i feel you about this cold weather; i’ve started doing four puffy cornrows and it’s funny, i just walked by a girl in the street (in Paris) with the very same look! it’s a really good way to retain moisture and stretch your hair out in one go. i take it out in the evenings and it’s like a broad-patterned braid-out.
I hear you Leila!
Not a fan of “protectively styling my hair” at all lol… but the things one must endure for length and less Single-stranded knots hahahah smh. #naturalgirlprobs
also, LOVE that photo of you reading Chimamanda
One of the best books I’ve read lately. <3
Oh! and Chimamanda and Ifemelu and I are besties from back in the day… In my mind. lol
That’s a beautiful head of hair you got.
thanks Ms Vee!
Her hair is too amazing it’s unfair.
Thank you! <3
Kinda jealous right now. Beautiful.
#sayNoToHairEnvy lol I feel mad flattered!! thank you Knetts!
My heart could melt. What a beautiful set of kinks you have.
Thank you!! This natural hair is a lifetime journey, and I love my kinks more and more as I go. We fight a lot though lol.. but we good 🙂
If my hair had to die and be born again, I’d want your hair! Beautiful! Where do you buy your hair products from? Fellow Torontonian! 😀
Hi lexi, fellow Torontonian! 🙂 Thank you for the love! <3
I used to buy my product from HoneyFig (in North York), Now I buy them from Chloré (on Dufferin & Bloor) cuz their stuff is waay cheaper. I get my oils from NoFrills lol or the Natural food store across the street from me.
You’re welcome! Thank you! Bigup no frills! I’m happy to see Chlores and even the Beauty supply warehouses, bringing in natural hair friendly products!
You’re are really uniquely pretty, and your hair is lovely. I really like the first picture with the hat. I like that you don’t make your hair type/texture sound impossible, unmanageable, or hard to deal with.…because it’s not and that is good for people to realize.
Thank you Stace!! I’ve never been told that before! lol that’s sweet. ps. Got my hat from H&M, my latest obsession for this spring/summer! Natural Hair is soo NOT impossible to manage… the more people know about it, the easier it is to manage… like any/everything else in life right 🙂
I wish I could put my hair in a big bun like that. I can reach ponytail status but, my hair is so uneven that it looks like a mess. The ecostyler gel that I use clumps up when I try to use it to slick the sides. Smh
Hang in there @curlyBlue! the earlier stages of my hair journey were least fun, but keep at it, and stay consistent in taking care of your hair and especially your body, and it’ll get there!
<3
I dread the “protective styling” but I guess I have to go back to it to retain my length.
beautiful young lady, and such an expressive face!
lol.. thank you! <3
Wow…you have the most interesting face! It’s beautiful! You also take great photos…I especially love the one in the wicker chair and the one on the skateboard.
Thanks Ann! <3
Bella
<3 thank you.
Pretty on 8 levels: hair is fiyah!
Thank you abi! <3
skin, hair, face.….. *faints*
<3 that’s sooo sweet! thank you!!
Very lovely. Very.
thank you!! <3
As a fellow Haitian woman, I love your hair!
Woot! another Haitian!! Thank you!! kote lòt ayisyen yo ye la?
Mw la Cherie, mw remin chevea
Great hair Yaz! Do you happen to have a link to a pic on Instagram or something of that headband hair tuck thing you were describing as one of your go-to styles? I’m super curious to see what that looks like. Color me intrigued lol!
Hi DaniT. Thank you!! I don’t have a picture of it, but working on a YouTube video that’ll show the many ways I rock my protective hairstyles. Subscribe and stay posted 😉
Beautiful! Your hair looks well moisturised in every picture too <3
Thanks Roo!! It doesn’t always look well moisturized LOL, these are carefully selected pics.. trusst #ohthestruggle lol
Pretty girl with hair to match!
Thank you Caramelcurls! <3
Yayy fellow Haitian! 🙂 „Thanks for the inspiration and sharing your beautiful hair with us!
+1 Love your hair sak pase