Ayesha // Natural Hair Style Icon

*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally

Introduce yourself!
A: I’m Ayesha. I live in London and I’m a student at university currently studying Early Childhood and Psychology.

What is the natural hair scene like in London?
A: It has recently been growing. But I wish more women would rock their afros/natural hair with confidence! I’m sick of weaves and people applying a relaxer to their hair, which is overly damaged already!

Why did you go natural?
A: I used to relax my hair and one day I looked in the mirror and realised I had really nice curly re-growth. I said to myself “I’m sick of straight hair, my natural hair is awesome!” so that’s where the journey began. I didn’t do the big chop straight away. I didn’t think short hair would suit me so I kept my hair in braids or twists and when the re-growth was at a comfortable level for me, I chopped the relaxed ends.

In what ways (if any) has going natural affected you?
A: More positive than negative. If you are not comfortable with comments or reactions from strangers then be prepared! A lot (and I mean A LOT) of people will look at you. For me this is only because I wear my hair in an afro. You will get the awkward stares, the amazed stares, people asking to touch it or saying they love it. You get everything!

How would you describe your hair?
A: My hair is sooo thick! It’s very coily. A mixture of 4a, 4b and 4c texture!

What’s your regimen?
A: I tend to use Aphogee products. As far as oil, I use 100% refined coconut oil. I wash my hair with shampoo and deep condition it for the first week of every month and then just wash it with conditioner for the remaining 3 weeks of every month. I find it hard to deal with my hair in its complete natural state, so I blow dry after every wash and put it in twists using an olive oil or coconut oil based moisturizer.

Tell us about your hair color.
A: I recently coloured my hair a light brown/copper-ish colour. I did it myself using Dark and Lovely products. I noticed my hair has become just a little more dry at the ends so I pay extra attention to them when moisturizing.

How do you retain length and moisture in your hair, especially now that you have color?
A: The best thing for me is to keep my hair in braids. This leads to less manipulation. I moisturize whilst putting my hair in twists every night. If my hair is in braids I spray them with a little water and moisturize my scalp.

What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from?
A: Putting in a relaxer…by far the worst thing to do.

What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
A: Putting it in braids (by this I mean using extensions, preferably afro kinky extensions for a better blend). It just gives my hair a break from combing and just playing around with it.

Anything else you want to add?
A: Don’t be afraid of your curls! Give them a chance. I swear you won’t regret it! Stop killing them with chemicals made to just make money. They do no favours! Team Natural!