Where do you live?
G: I currently reside in the Boston area, however was raised in Queens, New York and I was born in Jamaica. I moved to the Boston several years ago for my studies. I am currently pursuing my PhD in sociology.
Why did you go natural?
G: As a young girl getting a relaxer was a rite of passage in some ways. It made me feel more grown (LOL). Well, in college I felt that wearing my hair naturally would be a rite of passage into my adulthood as far as my aesthetic appearance was concerned. I didn’t remember what my natural texture was like and wanted to experience wearing my hair naturally for at least one year in my twenties. Also, I would drool anytime I saw a fro or a puff. I realized how silly it was fawn over someone else’s hair as if I didn’t have the same kinks and coils growing out of my scalp.
When and how did you transition into natural hair?
G: It was 2004 and I was a junior in college when I started my transition. There weren’t Youtube channels and only a few forums so I didn’t know about the wonderful transition styles that I could have tried. I rocked ponytails and buns most of the time. I planned to transition for at least a year but late one night after a eleven months I couldn’t wait any more and did the big chop.
In what ways (if any) has going natural affected you?
G: I learned to place less value on what others think of my physical appearance. I got a few negative reactions when initially I cut off my hair that I had to learn to brush off. After 7 1/2 years of being natural I have also learned that my natural hair enhances my appearance and complements my features. In short, if I feel beautiful it shouldn’t matters whether or not others feel that way.
How would you describe your hair?
G: My hair is kinky-coily. For those who use hair typing I fall within the “4” type range. A few patches of my hair curl when wet but most of my hair takes on a cottony appearance and shrinks about 75%. My hair seems pretty thick but I actually think I’m at average density. I think I have a mix of medium and thick strands which makes my hair appear full.
What’s your regimen?
G: I now wash every other week with a non-sulfate cleanser. I pre-poo my my hair with oil and a conditioner and wash my hair in twisted sections. I usually twist my hair in medium twists or air dry in large twists and style later. I wear mostly protective styles and moisturize my hair every other day with a water based moisturizer.
How do you retain length and moisture?
G: Low manipulation and low maintenance is key! I only use a comb on wash day when my hair is loaded with conditioner and oil. Because I’m on a bi-monthly wash schedule that means there are several months where I’ve only picked up a comb twice. I wear protective styles that can last two weeks with minimal touching up so that I manipulate as little as possible. I try to moisturize my ends 3 to 4 times a week.
What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from?
G: In July of 2007 I flat ironed my hair into oblivion. I would touch up my hair daily (sometimes twice a day) with my flat iron set on 450 degrees. After two weeks of heat styling I washed my hair only to find my hair was straight, limp and fried. I slowly cut off the straight ends over the next year.
What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
G: Only combing my hair when it is coated with conditioner or at least a leave in moisturizer has been key to my length retention. For me, dry combing my hair is equivalent to a hair cut. The moment I realized that I saw the inches pile on.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
G: I have a Youtube channel called Beautifully Made devoted to my hair care practices.
Anything else you want to add?
G: I was natural for 5 years before I “got it”. If you’re struggling with your hair consider tweaking a practice. It took me a while but eventually it got easier. I believe it will for you too!
25 Responses
First time I read this I thought it said twerking, not tweaking LOL
I can’t find her youtube channel :/
Hi LaLa! Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/user/sunshower143?feature=watch
Beautiful hair!! I had to b/c AGAIN myself after I went flat-iron crazy a little over a year ago. I was wearing my hair straight all the time because I just assumed that a perm was the worst thing I could do to my hair – but I neglected to take extreme heat into account. Great tips – thanks for posting.
AAAAAAAH! I know this girl personally because we used to attend the same church. (SN: Wow! Good reminder that these Natural Hair Style Icons are real-life people.) Not only does Geniece have lovely hair, but she is a lovely person inside and out.
On the hair though — I can attest that Geniece was rocking a protective hair style each and every single time I saw her, especially important in the harsh Boston winters. ::sigh:: I clearly wish I had been doing the same, as these results speak for themselves!!!!
Thanks for the love chica!!!
I love her hair and her vibe on YT. I have been natural for so long and can necr retain more than 7 to 8 inches. I need to tweek my routine and do way less to my hair.
Hair Tutorial for photo bi3tq8 please!!!!!
Ditto! I LOVE that updo. 🙂
I actually have a tutorial for that on my channel. Here’s the link to that style. It’s one of my earliest videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apD9CXAE-Lw&feature=plcp&context=C4330a63VDvjVQa1PpcFO7cGIEsjhAnyW3PcOjsTbkGHTmQWlH8_A%3D
Her hair is absolutely fantastic. I’m in Boston, too so I’m hoping that her very presence in Massachusetts will rub off on my own hair growth. I will check out her YouTube channel and sub. This is all very inspiring!!
Best of luck to you with your studies and earning your Ph.D.
She is gorgeous and I could have sworn this is “Sunshower143” fellow youtuber. Her hair has grown so much, and love the different hairstyles that are posted
Yup that’s my youtube name. The channel is called Beautifully Made but I probably should have provided my user name. 🙂
Incredible beauty! I appreciate how she related her learning curve and mistakes. She has definitely succeeded on her natural journey. I’m going to look her up on YouTube!
Fab hair!
such beautiful hair
Very beautiful! Great advice!
Love her! Im a subbie to her channel http://www.youtube.com/user/sunshower143?ob=0&feature=results_main
Thanks for the love everyone. Thanks for posting the link Tee 🙂
Hair porn! Geniece, you are Gorgeous!! Yea, I totally feel you with regards to the learning curve. It has taken me about 5 years to understand my hair as well. =) Now, we are a happy couple!
Gorgeous ! I love your set of mini twis. I want to be able to do so with my hair and you girl keep me motivating. You, your hair and video are amaaazingly great !
* keep me motivatED* sorry I’m still french ^^ so I make spelling maistakes :s
Beautiful lady, beautiful hair! Her hair is so long! Natural Girls Rock!! She is super dope!
Beautiful lady, beautiful hair! Her hair is so long! Natural Girls Rock!!
*kicking my own behind for BCing 3 times after I went natural…we did it in the same year and my hair is nowhere near her length!*