What is your name and where are you from?
D: My name is Danielle Desiree. My family is from Guyana, South America and I reside in Houston, Tx. (H TOWN!!!)
Did you transition or big chop? Share your natural hair journey with us!
D: I actually went natural by an accident. I was in college and I wore hair extensions throughout most of my collegiate career. I word weaves consistently for about 8 months, and when I finally allowed my hair to breathe, I had a whole bunch of new growth so I decided to wear it like that. It ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve made with my hair. My hair journey started out on a positive note. Admittedly, when I first started to wear my natural hair I was so nervous. I didn’t really know how others would react to my hair either. The same week I took out my extensions, an associate of mine asked me to participate in a photo shoot. I was so nervous! I told him I was natural and didn’t have any extensions in my hair. He told me not to worry and show up because the makeup artist would take care of everything. So I showed up that day and the makeup artist threw my hair in a fro-hawk. We took a few pictures and I left.
The fro-hawk image from that shoot went viral and I began seeing that image in many natural hair blogs and salons. People were complimenting my hair online and in person. It really felt good to receive such a positive response on a decision I made for myself. I was able to own my hair with confidence from the beginning of my hair journey and I am so grateful for that. Men and women all over are becoming more comfortable with their own hair and it’s so beautiful to see people accepting themselves more. Being natural is actually making women, especially black women more unified than before and that is awesome! I love talking to people in random places about hair products and regimens. I’ve met more people because of being natural and some of those same people have become such an essential part of my life today. Companies are starting to cater more to the naturals and one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had was being asked to be one of the signature models for As I Am. I’ve made some magazine and commercial appearances and it has been so much fun. I can’t wait to see what’s next for me!
How would you describe your texture?
D: My hair is predominately 4b/4c. It loses moisture and shine easily and can behave like a wild beast! I have very fine hair, but a lot of it!
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month, and the rationale behind your various styling decisions.
D: I usually put my hair in a protective style throughout the month, wearing my hair in buns or twists. It’s important for me to keep my ends moisturized and tucked in. I just took my faux locs out and let me tell you, I had a great experience with them. They kept my hair as moisturized as when I put them in…and I had them in for months! It definitely gave my hair a healthy rest. When I do wear my hair out, I typically prepare it by putting a cream, a styling gel, and a little water in my hair before twisting it in 8 sections and placing flexi rods in it. Flexi rods are wonderful for that stretched look I like to achieve.
What does wash day look like for you?
D: I co-wash my hair every 2–3 weeks. If I have a lot of product build up, I’ll use a clarifying shampoo. I deep condition every time I wash. I prepare a conditioner mixed with honey, coconut oil, coconut milk, aloe vera juice, olive oil, vegetable glycerin, mayonnaise, eggs. My hair is so shiny and soft after I pop that mix in.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
D: I LIKE BIG BUNS!!! Seriously, buns are the way to go when I don’t have time to style my hair.
How do you combat shrinkage?
D: I stretch my hair with twists or braids on dry hair, then I put some flexi rods in to stretch it out even more.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require extra care and attention?
D: I have a little heat damage in the front of my hair. It’s so annoying because my curls in that area are so lazy. There is nothing I can really do, but grow it out a little more then cut the damage out.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
D: You have got to keep your hair moisturized! Use protective styles. Trim your hair (I use the search and destroy method). Wear stretched styles. Be patient.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
D: Do not. I repeat. DO NO do wash and gos. They are not for 4b/4c hair. Don’t do it to yourself. Just don’t. Also, don’t compare your hair to others. Your hair is uniquely beautiful. When you are busy comparing your progress with others, you take away from the beauty of your personal journey.
Is there a blog/webpage or social media account where we can find you?
D: You can find me on:
Instagram: danielledesireexoxo
Facebook: Danielle Desiree
Don’t be afraid to reach out!!!
What a beautiful black queen,
She is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!! I just love fierce, healthy, luscious 4B/4C hair!!!
That is a beautiful head of hair! These icons always inspire me to keep working toward my hair goals.
I understand why many people are anti-Wash and Go, but I wouldn’t advise everyone with 4B/C hair against them. For some of us with hair that can’t tolerate much manipulation of any kind other than finger detangling, it’s our only option.
Thank you for sharing this sensational mane!
I second that about wash n gos. Also we shouldn’t really advise people with the same hair type to do anything. You have to make the journey your own and not someone else’s. One person’s disaster is another person’s must have.
Thank you! And Exactly! Wash and gos don’t work for me at all. I tried them a few times, and my hair ended up a tangled mess. I lost more hair than necessary on those occasions. Of course, that is just MY experience. I encourage everyone to be an expert on their own hair. If wash and gos work for you, then go for it! My sister only does wash and gos and her hair is fabulous!
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!!!!
beautiful young lady and awesome hair!
Awesome hair and beautiful woman.
She’s stunning
It’s the girl form the infamous fro hawk picture glad I know who she is now
Yes I disagree with her about the wash n gos. I don’t get into hair typing but my hair luvs the wash n gos & its low manipulation style for me. Just cause something doesn’t work for u, don’t sent mean it won’t work for someone else
Exactly. Wash and gos don’t work for me, but they may work for you. I was just sharing my experience.
Totally agree with you. 4c hair & W&Gs don’t mix well to say the least.
Yessss I’m from Guyana too! lovely just lovely
She’s gorgeous. I don’t know what’s more flawless: the make-up or the hair?
She’s such a natural beauty. Just gorgeous.
Beautiful sister and yes i recognise the infamous picture with the frohawk. On a bit of a negative point though, isn’t she contradicting herself by saying that those of a particular hair texture shouldn’t do WNGs but then goes on to say that we shouldn’t compare our hair to others? May be not everyone will agree with her on the WNGs.
I don’t think I was contradicting myself. I don’t think people should compare their hair to others. BGLH asked me what are the “don’ts” for my hair texture. WNGs do not work for me at all, but that’s just me. I don’t advise WNGs based on my experiences only. I’m only an expert on my hair 🙂
I would like to agree with you and have my own evidence to support this. WnGs do not work on my 4c hair and I learned early on. Heck, hair vlogger Glamfun even made a song about it, lol.
It’s the way you worded your response. It sounded as though you were advising those with your same hair texture/type not to do WNGs.
What a stunning beauty! Thanks for sharing your journey!
Yes Guyana!!
Of course she’s from Guyana, we are GORGEOUS!
Guyanese chick all the way.…yes we are gorgeous…:)
hot
I’m going to need you to go ahead and audition for America’s Next Top Model…;) You are so pretty!! With hair to match!
Wow! Sista you are gorgeous!
She’s gorgeous!
Wow!! Finally, a name to go with that beautiful face and hair! Great tips too =)
Danielle is too gorgeous!!
People are taking her comment on WnG to another level. It’s not that serious. On another note, I would love to know exactly how many years has she been natural?
The comment loaded for a long time yesterday but I love her hair and how someone recognized her full potential in that day because he saw her hair. I’m pretty sure you were flattered to be on the Internet and on muse. I recognized you when I seen photo 8. I was like,“I remember her. Her picture is on Blackwomensnaturalhairstyles.com” You wowed me with photo 18 with your messy puff like that. You look like a model and your fierce with it.
Omg I’m so happy to see someone with my kind of hair looking so gorgeous and totally rocking their fro! How long have you been natural for? I’m just curious bc I love the length and fullness of your hair! I’ve been natural for 2 years now but have been keeping it under lace front wigs since I don’t have time for a natural hair care regimen and the wigs help with growth. I figure I have another 2 years to go before my hair gets to your length, then I’ll rock it out all the time
Very pretty!
I love your hair and I esp. love the advice at the end!
Gorgeous woman, beautiful hair. Great article
I’d love to see you on youtube
I could not even read this article! You are stunningly beautiful.
I MEAN.…. her face is just distracting. and that buttery brown skin. and those eyes. and lips… GIRLLLL.….*two snaps*… oh… nice hair, too.