Introduce yourself!
L: My name is Lénora, I’m from Martinique, FWI and I’m currently living in Florida.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
L: I have been natural all my life, but my journey started in 2012. I used to be the kind of person that thought just because my hair was natural it was strong and could handle anything. I didn’t care about the snaps when I was combing my hair because I have so much. I was thinking “it’ll be alright, I got a lot”. What a fool was I now that I think about it.
How would you describe your texture?
L: I’m still unsure, but I think I am a 4b/4c. My hair sort of curls, but only when it is wet.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
L: My hair is 80% of the time in braids, cornrows or twists, and I have my phase when I just want to feel it free, so it can get wild. When I have to go somewhere I try different updos.
What does wash day look like for you?
L: The night before I pre poo my hair with olive oil. On wash day, I start by conditioning my hair to remove the oil with John Frieda Root Awakening. Then I shampoo with a product my cousin made for me with peppermint. I then let my hair air dry a little and do a deep condition with hair mayonnaise (Africa’s Best, Goldys SoftSheen-Carson Care or a DIY with olive oil, honey and banana, or I use Pantene Pro‑V 2min Deep Repair Masque.
I know it is backwards, but this works for me. I finger detangle while applying the masque, I detangle from roots to end (I was so happy to know I wasn’t the only one 😉 ) afterward I rinse. I keep my hair in 6 small buns. I let it air dry or from time to time I blow dry my hair using the tension method. I do not ever use a comb. I only finger detangle.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
L: If I don’t have time, updos are definitely the go-to hairstyle. They’re easy, fast and you can do so many different things with them. If you keep your hair loose in the front, make a ponytail with the hair in the back, then braid or twist the hair that is in the ponytail you can then pin each braid all around your hairband so that it forms a bun. When you are done, style the front as you wish and pin it in the ponytail, Voilà!
How do you combat shrinkage?
L: If I let my hair air dry, I will do 2 or 4 cornrows every night. But sometimes I use the shrinkage, and I do small twists while my hair is damp. This gives really nice body to the twists.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
L: I’m trying to pay extra attention to my ends, like most of us. They are dry compared to the rest of my hair.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
L: 1) To love my hair, accept what it can and cannot do, and have fun with it. Life is too short to have boring hair. 2) Moisturize my hair often. I like to use curl defining products as a leave-in (since I don’t have curls). I am currently using all natural Coconut Shea Curl Defining Crème from Eden Body Works, which is lovely for twist-outs.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
L: 1) Keeping a hairstyle too long. My ends tend to lock, and I lose too much hair while detangling. 2) Letting my hair be wild for too long. It starts breaking and I shed like a cat.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
L: Instagram: @leno972
Pinterest: Lenora GF
I’d love to get featured! how do I sign up? lol
Email meosha@BGLH Marketplace.com. She’s the style icon/BGLH Style editor and decides who appears on the site 🙂
You hair is beautiful, I can tell it’s super thick. Now what I need to know is how did you get a body like that? I’ve been lifting all my adult life and I don’t look as lean as you do. Do you sprint? Is it genetic? I would kill for your physique! Tell me all your secrets!
Yes that hair and face is gorgeous but that body is everything. Are u a fitness instructor
It has to be that good island living 🙂
Thank you so much 🙂
I am a professional athlete. I was introduce to sport at the age of 3.
And I do not diet but I do eat as healthy as possible but not to the extreme 😉
and cheat day during the weekend (always!!)
You are pretty with great hair!! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much 🙂
Hair and body to die for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh wow.…I am sooooo jealous! Gorgeous mane and beautiful lady
Wow, gal, thats wonderful hair there, Loving it.
Your hair is too beautiful. Wow.
Her deltoids!
I thought I was the only one! LOL I tried focusing on her beautiful hair, but that upper body is sick! Toned arms and delts like whoa!
gawjus lady with beautiful hair.
Black girl with long hair love it Sis!
I’m drooling over her hair!
<3
yasss gorgeous hair and body
Hi Lenora,
You are creative with your buns and I love them.
Question, so how long do you keep braids/corn rows for? I had braids in for 3 months and boy did my hair tangle, I lost some hair but was big chopping so didn’t care but going forward I want to be more mindful.
Thanks. 🙂
Thank you 🙂 I braid using my hair only, and there is no limited time. Just look at how your hair behave, when my end start to lock or too much hair are out of the braid, you know its time to take it down. The smaller the braid, the longer they stay nice, but the more careful you will have to be. the longer I can do is from 3 weeks to a month, not more. I shampoo my braids and apply moisture every day. And I like to keep my braids in buns so they stay nice longer and… Read more »
Oh ok, thanks for clarifying. I was thinking more extensions because I do them as protective styles from time to time.
Appreciate the response though.
i love your hair and your muscle tone!!
Etant moi-même martiniquaise et adhérente profonde de la cause Nappy, je suis contente qu’il y ait enfin une enfant du pays icône BGLH. Du coup j’ai quelques questions, quels produits achètes-tu de retour sur notre île et où? utilises-tu de l’huile carapate ou autre produit tradi d’ici? Je viens de big choper après 7 ans de locs et je commence donc une nouvelle aventure. En tout cas, félicitations pour ta belle chevelure 4C. Translation : Being myself from Martinique (the most beautiful island in the world by the way) and attached to the Nappy movement, I am very glad to see one… Read more »
Plaisir partagé Elodie. Je vais continuer en anglais ;
so I buy my shampoo at home, they are homemade by Racine 100% nature (on facebook)
I use castor oil, homemade as well for me from St Martin. Otherwise I buy everything else in the USA.
I like natural products, but honestly, my hair don’t mind any type of products such as the one said for “white folks”
Génial génial!! Une martiniquaise sur BGLH!!! Moi je suis guadeloupéenne.
Tes cheveux sont super!
Merci 🙂
Oh so your from Haiti? I can see that your buff around the arms and neck. You must work out alot and stay in shape. Your updo’s are just lovely and I can’t grasp enough on how beautiful your hair has grown and become. Your lovely and you deserved the feature. I definitley want photo 15;lucky girl.
Martinique not Haiti
OK..so I was a little focused on her great muscle definition. I can tell she hits the gym!!! Her hair is extra beautiful as well as moisturized!!!
Beautiful hair and body!! Inspired on both fronts!
Okay, stopped to read because of the beautiful woman with her beautiful hair, then laughed when I read the comment about being glad that you aren’t the only one who detangles from roots to tips!! Woot woot!!!! lol!!
You are gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing!!
Shelli
(p.s. I knew the comments would be full of references to those awesome arms and shoulders!! LOL!!)
Thank you so much <3
I really didn’t expect ppl to even notice my upper body, and even less to like it.
And I have been following you for a little while and I was so glad when you break the news 🙂
I don’t know you but I like you for so many reasons. Love your mind set and lifestyle.
Have a bless Sunday
Stunning. I really cant wait for my hair to get to that length. Beautiful hair and body. love your regimen too. super simple.
Thank you 🙂
Wow, tes cheveux sont magnifiques ! 🙂
My hair wants to be like your hair when it grows up! But seriously, your hair is fabulous. And your hair needs it’s own Youtube channel.
Thank you,
I actually thought about it but there is already so much informations out there that I don’t think I have anything new to bring, but I’ll keep posting pictures and motivate who ever find motivation in me ???? ????
It was 2 smiley faces lol, been replaced by question mark
Agreed!
Beautiful hair and body!!
Beautiful hair, indeed. But what I am oogling is shorty’s diesel upper body. Nice!
[…] it healthy and out of their faces. Traditionally, many women in Middle Eastern countries do have long hair. However, farm work or tending to family has required them to maintain practical hairstyles. The […]
Nice! i like it.