Introduce yourself!
A: My name is Asha and I’m 20 years old. I’m from England but I moved to Trinidad and Tobago when I was 12. Since then, I’ve become a bit of a traveler: last year I moved to Spain to learn Spanish and this year I’ve moved to the Netherlands for university.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
A: It was one of the most random decisions I’ve ever made to be honest. My last relaxer was July 30, 2009. I had cut my hair really short about 5 months prior and I was looking at weave/extension videos because I missed my (slightly) longer hair. It may be of value to mention that I had cut my hair due to damage.
1- Boy cut
2-Weaved relaxed hair
3-Transition braids (kinky twists)
I came across a racist comment online saying that black women couldn’t grow their hair and had to buy fake-looking hair. Then I saw a rebuttal comment saying, ‘Black women can grow their natural afro textured hair really long. Look at Rustic Beauty.’
At the time, I had no idea who that was so I searched for her and was surprised to find a happy lady with my hair texture! And the fact that it was so long was remarkable. I watched all of her videos and instantaneously started my transition.
How would you describe your texture?
A: I would generally say 4b due to its high porosity and how brittle it is. That said there are (as there typically are with women of colour) a lot of different textures on my head. In the front it’s a z-shape and it’s the wiriest, in the middle it’s a slightly looser s-shape, which takes in moisture a little more easily- this is more 4a. Then there’s more 4b and right at the back there’s a tiny patch of 3c.
This isn’t me, this is my brother before he got dreadlocks! 😀 Impressive eh? I don’t ever comb my hair when it’s dry, so I’ve never seen my hair like this.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
A: Wow, what a question. When I go to Trinidad to visit friends and family I usually want a low-manipulation hairstyle so that I can party a lot without worrying too much about my hair. On such occasions I wear my hair in twists or loose twists.
To do these I first wash my hair (in sections) and condition it (in sections. At the end of the cleansing and conditioning period, my hair is usually in big plaits, which have been finger detangled in the shower. Over the course of the next few days, I begin to loosen the aforementioned plaits and twist my hair using Shea butter and water (if needed).
All about my loose twists and the styles I wear them in:
How I do my loose twists
About 5 days later I finish my hair. Then I have a strict moisture regimen. I usually start the moisture regimen the following week because the ends are tucked away in buns most of the time so they don’t tend to be dry.
1) I dampen my hair with water.
2) I add aloe vera juice.
3) I add Kinky Curly Knot Today.
4) I seal with extra virgin olive oil (coconut oil stinks to high heavens and I don’t wash this out).
5) I roll my hair into 4 Bantu knots and I go to sleep.
I do this every other night while my hair’s in twists. I wash my hair depending on how it feels. I do this in 4 big plaits WITHOUT taking out the twists.
How I moisturise and stretch my loose twists:
If it’s not in small twists I’ll wear it in medium-sized twists and follow the same moisturizing regimen. I style these twists in different ways and at the weekend I’ll loosen the twists for textured buns or I might even wear my hair out. Depending on how it feels, I’ll wash or co-wash and re-do the twists.
Shampoo – Shea Moisture
Deep Conditioner – Curls Hair Tea Conditioner
Cheap Conditioner – Tressemé Split Remedy
Moisture – Aloe vera juice, extra virgin olive oil and Kinky Curly Knot Today
Butter – Shea butter
**I tend to steer clear of heat styling.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style?
A: If my hair’s in loose twists, I’ll put it in a bun with a pretty headband at the front. If it’s loose and knotty, I’ll do this rolled Mohican (Mohawk) as inspired by NikkiMae.
How do you combat shrinkage?
A: For me, shrinkage isn’t something to be combatted. To avoid knotting, I never wet my hair and leave it loose so that means no wash-n-go’s or kinky curly styles. I always stretch my hair after washing by letting it dry in twists. When I want it to look longer, I put it in Bantu knots.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
A: 1. Moisturise and seal!
2. Stretch after washing.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
A: 1. Leave your hair for ages without detangling it.
2. Use a comb. Period.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
A: My Facebook page is called Naturally High. We make personalized regimens for any hair texture based on your current abilities and schedules. My YouTube channel is ashababe56.
53 Responses
Fabolous hair 🙂
i was looking for your channel on youtube, i can’t seem to find it… if you dont mind posting it…
Hey!
It’s ashababe56 http://www.youtube.com/user/ashababe56?feature=CAQQwRs%3D thanks for commenting!
Great hair.
BTW, is your brother single. He’s a cutie,lol.
Thank you very much. And yes, my brother is single 🙂
My hair twin.
Brilliant! Post pics on my facebook page Naturally HIgh! I’d love to see my hair on another person! 😀
Gorgeous girl and hair. Thanks for sharing your story!
Thank you very much. I hope my story helps others.
her last pic makes me feel like my hair isn’t retaining any kind of length..sadness lol. She has gorgeous hair
LM,
Not to worry, I find that my hair grows when I stop thinking about growth. Just ensure you’re giving your hair what it needs: cleansing, moisture, patience and care.
And thank you. Maybe my youtube channel could help you. I never had long hair as a kid – I used to think that it didn’t grow. Ashababe56 is my youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/ashababe56?feature=CAQQwRs%3D
Her hair grows fast. Love the thickness.
Thank you very much Patricia – it’s not without hard work.
That is the denses hair I think I’ve ever seen! It’s so thick and gorgeous! Very beautiful, keep up the good work girl!
Thank you Nikki! I’m trying to keep up the good work but the changing weather is scaring my hair away 🙁 Let’s see how I survive my first real winter in 8 years.
Gorgeous hair!!! I can’t wait to try these loose twists. I really like the fullness that they give. I just love big hair!! 😉
Thanks Blair. How did the loose twists work out? I think they’re brilliant.
This is so weird. My name is also Asha. I am also 20 and also from England. With very similar hair textures. What are the chances? Beautiful girl with beautiful hair
Hey Asha! Where abouts in England are you from? What a coincidence! Share a pic of your hair with me on my Facebook page Naturally High, I’d love to see my hair/name twin.
Another Asha …AshaJamila really..but I am from the states and also much older, 32, but still representing here!! i have similar texture as well, been natural for almost 4 years. I have tried almost every style and color throughout the years; and yes, black women can grow long hair! mine was lower back length when in locks. i had them for 8 years. Just letting my hair be, was the one style i had not tried. I love it!! the versatility and comfort of my hair expressing itself as much as i do! job well done on caring for you beautiful hair. It’s so nice to hear about so many women making the time and EFFORT to care for themselves and their hair…which is a “crown of beauty”. 😉
does the woman behind rustic beauty know how much of an icon she is?
even though i’d been natural for years, when i started growing my hair a few years ago, she showed me that a 4 type hair could grow really long.
oh rustic. i so loved her.
asha is a lovely young woman with great hair too.
She’s amazing. I love how simple her videos are. Thanks Merry!
Her routine is very similar to the routine i figured out on accident. Its so nice to see more ladies with longer 4b hair!
Thanks for commenting. Accidentally figured-out routines tend to be the best!
Lovely girl. I like the loose twits, I can’t wait to try them.
They’re such a good protective style. Have you tried them yet? How did you find them?
She’s so global! Lovely head of hair.
Thank you. ‘Being global’ as you’ve so nicely put it can be both a blessing and a curse. The positive side is I’m a citizen of the world and the negative is that I don’t know how to answer identity questions. 😀 Check out my youtube videos for updates on my travels!
Another great type 4 interview.
Thanks! I’m glad you liked it.
great post, I especially like her answer “For me, shrinkage isn’t something to be combatted”…so many type 4 naturals dislike shrinkage…I’m happy to see one type 4 natural that does not have a problem with it…lovely hair
Thank you for commenting. I often wonder ‘why have natural hair if you don’t like what it does?’ shrinkage may be a part of that and we have to learn how to work with it.
Woot woot big up Trinidad! ? Beautiful hair love 🙂
Thank you very much!
gorgeous hair…
Thank you Marsha.
Beautiful girl! Her hair looks great. And big ups to T&T!
Thank you very much! I was thrilled to represent naturals from T and T – I expect to see some more on here soon 😀
I love Trinidad and Tobago, but this lady has a great spirit based on her youtube videos. Lovely hair.
Hello Mia,
Trinidad and Tobago is great! I was lucky enough to live there for 7 years and I’m glad I got to represent the country 😀 Thanks for checking out my videos, there are some more to come soon.
Nice hair! I might have to start doing the loose twists as my hair gets longer. I will save that video.
Lol at her comment about coconut oil, I LOVE the smell. It’s olive that I’m not that crazy over. 🙂
They’re brilliant (the twists) – just make sure you keep your hair moisturised and you don’t leave them in for too long.
I really liked this interview. She has beautiful hair and she tries so many styles!!
Thank you very much, I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. Make sure you check out my youtube channel for more styles and updates!
Gorgeous (you and your brother!)
+1
Thank you Mel, I shall tell my brother you said that.
Beautiful!
Thank you!
So thick! Go Trini girl!
Thank you Treece! I’m glad to represent Tand T 😀
Asha has beautiful hair. I have a regimen similar to hers. We seem to have a very similar hair texture. I have had natural hair off an on throughout my life (more on than off). I must admit it is affirming to see another person with texture like you own (I know there are many textures out there) keeping it healthy and styling attractively. Best wishes to Asha as she enjoys how she is wonderfully and uniquely made. Thank you for sharing Asha.
Hey Cat,
Thanks so much, I’m glad that I could be of some encouragement. You must know, having the same texture, how difficult our hair can be at times. It’s great to know it’s all worth the effort.
Take care,
Asha