Ari // Natural Hair Style Icon

I actually met Ari at BGLH’s last meetup, where she was a vendor 🙂

Where do you live?
A: I was born and raised on Chicago’s South East Side but I travel between Chicago, Minneapolis, Orlando, and Atlanta working on music. I am a Modern Day Renaissance Woman: Musician. Songwriter. Afrikan Dancer. Model. Mompreneur.

I have been rocking natural hair since birth. It has always been second nature for me to wear it the way the Creator made it. Being natural keeps me close to mother earth and my ancestors. It helps me stay in tune with self.

What’s your regimen?
A: I co-wash my hair with Suave Coconut Conditioner. I comb it out using a wide tooth comb and Suave Coconut Conditioner. I part it into sections and apply coconut oil to the roots and work it through to the edges. Then I double strand twist my hair and tie it up before going to bed.

If I’m going for the wet and wavy look I use Kinky Curly Custard. For basic ponytails, buns, and pin-ups I use Fantasia I.C. Hair Polisher Olive Styling Gel on my edges and tie it down with a scarf or Wrapp-It Styling Strips.

What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
A: Deep conditioning and double strand twisting my hair is the best thing I do for it. The twists can take a few hours to do depending on how small I make them. But, the style lasts a few weeks and requires little maintenance (water, oil, and a head scarf at night). And twists are even cuter once you unravel them. You’ll have a new hairstyle that lasts about a week.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
A: http://bit.ly/ari-utube
http://soundcloud.com/arilourdes
http://www.twitter.com/ari_lourdes
http://www.facebook.com/arisalaamel