*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally
Introduce yourself!
E: My name is Eureka. I am from Alabama, but currently live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
E: During undergrad in 2000 I couldn’t afford to get my hair professionally done, so I started getting sew and glue in weaves. Over time my hair thinned, but instead of dealing with the issue I continue on the same path for the next couple of months. The end result left the crown of my head completely bald and I didn’t want to get a perm because I knew it would make the situation worse. I transitioned for 1 year by washing, deep conditioning and pressing my hair using an old school pressing comb, the stove version. I wanted to eliminate direct heat so for 3 months I would roll my hair on perm rods to achieve the curly fro look. Finally I got tired of rolling my hair and just started incorporating twist outs and instantly fell in love with my hair.
June 2012 will mark 11 years natural, but May 2012 marked 4 years of healthy hair care practices. In the beginning my hair didn’t retain any length so I started doing research, joining hair boards, incorporating TLC and started seeing results.
How would you describe your texture?
E: I am definitely a fine haired natural.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
E: Once a week I pre-condition my hair by applying in sections, Mane n Tail, coconut and olive oil. I put on a plastic bag or steam my hair (without a plastic bag) for no less than 30 minutes to an hour. Then I will detangle my hair under water with shampoo. I always shampoo my hair in sections and apply shampoo directly to my scalp. After cleansing my hair I apply conditioner in sections and sit under my Huetiful Hair Steamer. Then I wash out the deep conditioner and mix up an ACV (apple cider vinegar) rinse. My ACV mix consists of a pint of cold H20, 4 tablespoons of ACV, honey, and 5 to 10 drops of rosemary and lemongrass. I pour the mixture on my hair as a final rinse. Tip: cold H20 serves as a cold water rinse to close the hair cuticles. Then I add leave-in, seal with an oil and 2 strand twist 6 sections. Every 6 to 8 weeks I will apply Aphogee 2 Step Protein Treatment.
Products of choice:
Shampoos: I switch between Dr. Bonner’s Castile and Peppermint (mixed together).
Conditioners: Mane n Tail (used as a prepoo or pre shampoo), Redken All Soft Conditioner, Vatika Hot Oil Conditioner.
Leave-in: Shea butter, Qhemet Biologics Amla & Honey Heavy Cream or Burdock Root Butter Cream and seal with Jamaican black castor oil.
Random Oils: Jojoba, coconut, Jamaican black castor (my fav), almond, amla, Vatika, and olive oil (2nd fav).
Essential oils: rosemary and lemongrass.
Miscellaneous: Aloe Vera juice, honey, apple cider vinegar or ACV (final rinse) Aphogee 2 Step Protein Treatment and H20.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style?
E: I love a bun, but to keep it funky I will place my bun high on top, to the side or create two buns. So basically any protective, low tension style that will keep my hair off of my face. On the weekend is when I go all out and experiment with different hairstyles.
How do you combat shrinkage?
E: Usually when my hair is not stretched I spray my hair daily with aloe vera juice and seal with an oil. But to combat shrinkage I will moisturize my hair with Qhemet Biologics Alma & Honey Heavy Cream then dry twist my hair into 6 sections at night. The process will yield longer stretched hair after a few days of repeating the process nightly. I moisturize my with Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream if needed.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require extra care and attention?
E: No problem areas, but the sides of my hair are very tightly coiled then the rest so I will add extra conditioner when I deep condition, make smaller sections when I twist to ensure no tangles, and randomly check for breakage. Tightly coiled hair is more prone to breakage so I am constantly moisturizing to keep dryness at bay.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
E: My fine texture needs gentle manipulation, weekly washing and conditioning (to keep my scalp healthy), steaming, moisture, protein balance, sealing in moisture with oil, low tension styling, and finger detangling.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
E: Tight tension styles are a big no no. No wash n go’s (too many tangles and knots when dried), washing my hair once a month is a don’t for me too and direct heat.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
E: http://www.qvelvet.com/ -Where Conformity is Not an Option and Being Authentically “You” is Fundamental-
Email * qr*********@***il.com
Twitter * http://twitter.com/#!/qrushvelvet
Facebook Page * http://www.facebook.com/QrushVelvet
48 Responses
Stunning in everyway possible. Great interview girl, love you, your style and ofcourse your hair. Beauty in its purest. Bless xx
Magnificent phrase
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Thanks for posting, I want to see women like me brown-dark-brown- to chocolate that are natural and are growing their hair long with beautiful skin and look pretty and healthy
You are beautiful.
Girl your hair is beautiful! I’m so mad at myself now. Eight years wasted because I’ve been complacent with what I have, but you’ve inspired me to take it to the next level. Time to start wearing that satin cap and actually doing some type of protective style.
All right. Once I get home from work, time to pre-poo with oil, shampoo in three or four sections, work with some protein, maybe a deep conditioning under a plastic cap and scarf, rinse hair, add leave-in conditioner, seal in moisture and put hair into some large twists. In other words, it’s time to get serious. This is the hair I want!!!
Eureka and her hair are both so beautiful.
Oooh, so thick and full! I hope my hair looks that full when it is longer!
great hair
Ridiculously beautiful!
Like Homer Simpson is to a donut or a good glass of beer is how I am to alla that lovely hair!
Hey Eureka!
When did you first go natural? how logn did it take to attain this length for you? & did you struggle w/ finding the right products?
Hi Jasminicole,
My hair started to retain length when I incorporated protein treatments, weekly deep conditioning, protective styling and keeping my hair moisturized by spraying my hair with water or aloe vera juice daily. It took about 3 1/2 yrs but I saw changes in my growth and texture after a month.
Finding the right products is like rolling the dice in vegas. Because products I used in the beginning of my journey my hair hates now. You will just have to experiment with different products and go with what works. Also it might be helpful to find someone who has a similar texture and ask what products work for them. Hope this helps!!
Thank you Eureka! I appreciate it.I have been natural for a year & 8 mos & am JUST NOW getting the hang of it! this does help thanks!
Hair looking fabulous, Girl! That’s what healthy Black hair looks like. I can only dream (smile).
Hairgasm!!!Beaute.I want your hair!!!!
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SO uhm… Imma need her hurr to git’up and reside on mah scalp.
Fab-you-las
Girl your hair is gorgeous!!! Your twistouts and blowouts are soooo fierce. I live in OKC too (born and raised). THunder Up! LOL :0)
Oh my word. That is Hair!!! My sisters will faint. Inspiring. Just had me a eureka moment too.
I’ve added another Black Beauty to my list of fabulous hair Icons.
Great interview, fabulous style, fantastic hair!
Your hair is amazing. I love aloe vera juice as a detangler as well. 🙂
Your hair is GAWJUS. By the looks of your regime, you really take care of your hair. Something that I need to do more of…your pics are LOVELY! Much love..
Love the name Love the hair
It’s amazing that her hair grew back so well after the thinning, and her variety in styles is awesome.
Cueful I love that– ‘Kisa w di m là ’ something like “qui ça w [not sure what that part is, but I’m guessing transitional] dit me là ” sorta like ‘who told me that!’ being from Jamaica & filling in the creole/patois blanks, I totally get the intent… lol I’m so gonna use that! anyway, sorry for the language tangent y’all… now, Eureka!! so lovely!! and you have FINE hair?? for you to have so much lushy volume, that’s a lot of work & awesomeness. well done!
You sound like a fellow lover of languages, gigi.
Let me try to break it down:
-kisa (what)
-w (abbreviated form of “ou,” meaning “you.”)
-di (say; said; tell; told)
-m (me)
-la (there; here)
Literal translation: What did you just tell me here?!
[then insert typical Haitian gesture where person crosses their arms and puts right hand over their open mouth; the mouth is open, because the person is in shock.]
LOL!
OH MY GAH *flatlines*
GORGEOUS!!!
I love thick hair, looks great!
My word, her hair is amazing! Wow!
Your hair is GORGEOUS! I wish I would have gone natural 11 years ago *drools*
Thank you ladies for all the kind comments…feel like break dancing, lol!!
Love, lover, love her hair. You can really the results of her care. I can’t until my hair reaches that length.
Kisa w di m la??!!! (basically Haitian for WTF?!)
What an inspiration!
Can one friend another’s hair like one friends people,
because my hair is all about that healthy lifestyle!
Congrats, Eureka, on having an awesome name & head of hair!
Lol!!!
Eureka, your hair looks like a superb place to take a nap 🙂 seriously woman, just beautiful! BTW, born and raised in NY but spent summers at my grandparents’ farm in AL, go ‘Bama girls!
All I have to say is absolutely beautiful.
Beautiful hair! I love the thickness and length. I really enjoy detailed interviews like yours, lots of practical and specific detail on how you take care of your lovely tresses! You are definitely a hair crush!
*Feeling so inspired* that she is 11 years natural! As a new natural that is something great to hear.
Gorgeous healthy hair–go girl!
Girl, let me just say that you have a “whole lotta hair” haha. Beautiful! Stay cool with all of that hair down south….I’m originally from AR so I understand the heat, lol 🙂
Awesomely beautiful! When I big chop, I hope we are hair twins!
Al in the house! Beautiful hair!
Eureka I clicked on the link to say you and your hair is gorgeous, then I saw ALL of the pics and I’m thinking OH MY GOD your hair is phenomenal! I started seeing thinning at my edges from the perm before I went back to my natural hair. Your honesty about balding is refreshing, I’m sure lots of women will read this and get inspiration. Congrats & keep up the great work.
*Mouth open*…. YOU have my dream hair! *adds to list of hair crushes* lool 🙂
RIGHT?!!! i know her hair is legit! i was like.. she has my hair goal! my hair is sooo thick that once its that length i’m sure it will be similar to Eurekas hair!
Eureka, how long does it take you to detangle through on wash day?.My hair is about 8-9 inches stretched now & it takes me forevvvvvver to detangle.
AWESOME!!! o-O i’m speechless!
I thought I had hair envy before with other icons. I was wrong. This is IT!!!
lol 🙂 her hair is full and lovely! i was like.. 0_o .. !!!wow! great!
+1
When at first I saw her name was Eureka____ I knew her hair would be BOMB!!!!
AMAZING!!!
LOL!! Me too!!! Hairgasm!!