*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally
Introduce yourself!
J: My name is Jess and I am from Georgia.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
J: I decided to go natural because I did not feel like relaxing my hair anymore.
How would you describe your texture?
J: I am not really into hair types, but I would say I am in the 3 category. I am not sure about the letter portion, however my strands are fine and my hair is dense.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
J: I follow the CG method. I do not use shampoo, I deep condition my hair once a week and I cowash to cleanse my scalp. I also avoid styling tools such as combs or brushes. At night, I protect my curls by placing my hair into a pineapple (high ponytail). I am currently using Paul Mitchell The Conditioner as my leave in (it has water-soluble silicones), Tresemme’ Naturals as my detangler/rinse out conditioner, DevaCurl Heaven in Hair as my deep conditioner and Eco Styler gel as my styler.
I am a wash n go girl. I do not do any protective styles; I wear my hair out all year long. I decided to follow the CG method because I did not like shampooing my hair (it made it very dry) and I feel the method is very simple. It works for me and I love it. I have been following this method for 3 years.
What does wash day look like for you?
J: My wash day consists of Tresemme Naturals Conditioner as my detangler, Paul Mitchell The Conditioner as my moisturizing leave in, and Eco styler gel as my styler. I step in the shower; allow the water to cleanse my scalp and hair, along with removing any excess product. I apply my Tresemme Naturals and then I allow it to sit in my hair for a few minutes. After I do that, I proceed with detangling.
I rinse all of the conditioner out of my hair and squeeze the excess water out of it. Then I apply the Paul Mitchell to damp hair, raking it through. After I am done with the Paul Mitchell product application, I begin smoothing the Eco styler gel through my hair. I allow my curls to air dry in a pineapple at night.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style?
J: My favorite go to hairstyle definitely is the wash n go. I can preserve it for several days without rewetting or remoisturizing it.
How do you combat shrinkage?
J: I don’t do anything to combat shrinkage. My hair is mid back length and shrinks to my shoulders. I just embrace it.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
J: Two do’s for my texture are moisture and low manipulation.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
J: Two don’ts for my texture are too much manipulation and lack of moisture.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
J: Yes! You can find me on YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/mahoganycurls, Blogger: www.mahoganycurls.com, Facebook: www.facebook.com/loveyourtwa and Twitter: www.twitter.com/mahoganycurls.
64 Responses
Inspiring.
A gorgeous woman with gorgeous hair.
We have to love and embrace what we have, divide and conquer has been an effective device since the days of slavery. I am 4ccc and always willing to listen and learn from fellow naturals. Let’s work together as a unified faction instead of seperating ourselves based on inconsequential labels and categeroies. It’s JUST HAIR.
Jess is one of the few youtubers I follow and that is mainly because of her simplicity of routine and the fact that she is the closest I have found to a hair twin and I don’t do protective styles either. I have been on my journey with her the whole time and love her advice and down to earth delivery – I almost had a fit when she took a hiatus to move back to the states from overseas. Nearly everything she has recommended has worked for me and I am SO HAPPY to see her featured here – I have been waiting! Be blessed Jess and thanks for all you do!
Beatiful braid styles and simple regimen
I really loved her simplistic reason for going natural ” I did not feel like relaxing my hair anymore.”
This was pretty much my reasoning behind going natural and I am glad that someone shares the same reasoning. I just got tired of relaxing. Tired of dryness breakage, etc. It wasn’t to make me feel more black or more in touch with my heritage (I’m Geechee/Gullah, so I grew up with plenty of that) or any other political reason.
Jess, Your hair is beautiful and you exude a beautiful energy while doing your tutorials which I have found to be so very useful!
I am now 1 year and almost 2 months into my hair journey and I love it!
Please continue to provide us information!
Wow I’ve followed her journey since her very first Youtube video. Just before I took the plunge myself. So proud of Jess.
Jess you’re a great example of someone who took their time to find out what worked for them and then took off running with it. Your efforts have paid off and it shows! Keep on doing your thing.. cuz your tips work for me too! 🙂
Her hair is gorgeous.
Jess,
I love your hair and your humble attitude!! I’ve seen your YouTube videos and recently visited your blog. Amazing process of hair discovery you have had. You are like my hair twin, so I ran out and bought Tresemme Naturals, a sample size of Paul Mitchell condish and even the Let’s Jam Custard you recently tried. I have been using Eco Styler for years- its the only gel I use. I am not really a PJ, but your praises about this process convinced me step outside of my usual box
I was so happy to see that Eco gel is CG friendly. I guess I have been CG wtihout realizing it.
Anyhoo, I tried the recent process you have discovered and I L O V E the results. I got a bit afraid at first while my hair was drying, as it did look Jheri-curlish. Lol! Not a look I was striving for.
I pineappled it and went to the gym. SN- I also like the fact that you work out each day. I do too and it is hard to hear regimen from hardcore fitness natural bloggers.
After sweating like crazy at the gym, letting it dry and breaking the gel cast, I was ASTONISHED at the fact that my hair was well moisturized, very soft and actually MOVED with ease!!!!! Every curl was evident! THANK YOU for sharing your discovery with us! You are a true gem!!
MahoganyCurls is one of my favorite YouTubers! She’s the reason I started doing the CG method!!
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What, may I ask, is the CG method?
The CG method in simply put form is when you no longer use shampoo in your hair when washing it, just conditioner. They do this because shampoo is known to have sulfates in it which sucks up and dries out all the essential and vital oils in your strands that your hair needs to thrive and grow. Basically, you no longer use shampoo, just conditioner. 🙂
yassssssss Jess ! Slaying ! 🙂
Jess has such a positive spirit and I love watching her videos. After reading this article, I have just been reminded that I need to simplify my regimen again. My hair did so much better when it was simple. Lately I have been over-manipulating my hair and it is starting to suffer. Thanks for the post!
Jess’s hair is sooooo gorgeous!! Just DROOL worthy!!! And, I love it at every length!! So beautiful!!
Shelli
Watched her videos on Youtube. Willing to give it a try. I had been doing almost constant protective styling. She has one video where she only uses Tresemme Naturals. If I can get my products down to one, I’m all for it!
Thought I would update. I’m totally a believer!! Went to the store (Walmart) and picked up Tresemmes Natural Conditioner ($4.97). On one of Jess’s videos on her wash n go method, she had mentioned that the conditioner left her hair crunchy, so I also got some argan oil ($6.99). I also bought Henna n’ Placenta deep conditioner, just to try it ($0.98). OMG!! AMAZING!!! I would say I did a modified CG method. I still used shampoo, but I used Shea Moisture shampoo that is completely sulfate free and low suds ($9.99 at walgreens). The I rinsed, and put on the Henna n’ Placenta and got under my steamer for about 10 minutes. Rinsed. I towel dried my hair and then put the Tresemme Natural Conditioner on. Not a ton, but enough to coat my strands. Then I actually used just a little bit of argan all over. I actually finger detangled at every step, so no need to a comb or styling tool. I thought it was going to be weird not rinsing out the conditioner, but my hair looks and feels amazing. Tons of curl definition. A beautiful gloss. And not crunchy at all!!! I definitely suggest that people watch Jess’s channel on Youtube.
P.S. My hair is 4A, I think. I find hair typing helpful just so I can anticipate if my results will be similar. But I think this system would work, modified to your particular hair of course, for any hair type.
Do you have any pictures to show the results?
No, but I’ll take some soon.
Here is an interesting article on Henna and Placenta:
http://www.thenaturalhavenbloom.com/2010/09/hormone-containing-hair-products-what.html?m=1
Beautiful…what doe CG stand for?
CG means Curly Girl! HTH! 🙂
thank you! now i’m going to look up the curly girl method
Gorgeous hair, Love the curl definition
Hair is gorgeous!! I’m kinda doing the natural look too but I need help when it comes to the products
you look AWESOME IN A TWA
Gorgeous hair and face! And loving that fishtail, I was just wondering if any naturals had posted one.
I like her routine because it’s similar to my own, Lol! I do a daily, water-only WNG, keep my hair loose and do either a nighttime pineapple or let it fly, it makes me and hair happy. My hair also thrives on moisture and low-manipulation.
Great interview and congrats on all of your success!
I’ve done on a fishtail braid on my hair when it was stretched with an old twist out that had been bunned. It was my first time every trying it (I’d always admired the style, but didn’t know how to do it … enter YouTube!!). I was really pleased with the outcome! A few months later, I tried another style where I did a cornrow on the top half of my hair and a side fishtail braid on the bottom half. That turned out pretty cool too. At least, I liked it! LOL!
Shelli
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Very beautiful!
this is beautiful! i have sisterlocks. i can’t wait until they are longer so i can try this!
That is just so Guinevere, Lol! I saw the video and really liked the creativity and look of the Dutch/Fishtail combo. I do Dutch braids all the time but making a fishtail as nice, or at all, is going to take practice!
Gorgeous, Shelli!! 🙂
Awesomely gorgeous!
Awwwwwww, thank you so much ladies!!! :))
Shelli
BeAutiful hair.how you going to say you not really into hair typing but then mention it.may be I’m tripping.
You’re not tripping, you’re just being deliberately negative. Have fun with that!
How am I being dilberately negative when I complemented her.I just stated a fact.
+ ITA!
Meant to agree w/Annie L. MahoganyCurls was asked to describe her hair texture and she simply did.
One of my fav Natural hair icons.
I’ve always followed her on You Tube, though not a subscriber. I love her hair and her outgoing personality.
I started the CG method about 2 weeks ago after joining her facebook page and watching her videos. I tell ya, it has been the best thing I could have ever done.
Every night I would spend 40 mins to an hour two strand twisting my hair and waking up early to unravel for work, which drove me crazy! I had to find an easier solution, which resulted in me stumbling across her page; As a result, I have recieved more compliments with my wash & go, than I did with my twist outs.
Jess is definitely my hair icon!
Good to see her featured here as I subscribe to her. I really like her simple routine and she is the one from whom I learned to use Tressemme Naturals conditioner as a leave-in which works fantastic for me after being let down by so many actual leave-ins. I guess she stopped using it as a leave-in but I don’t see that happening with me any time soon.
I really like this chica, when I first seen her on Youtube, I had mix feelings but being a fan on Facebook and watching her do her thing she is so down to earth and cute as all get out 😉
Keep doing those great videos MahoganyCurls!
I feel like I’m watching a little sister grow up. I remember seeing her a few years back when she first did the big chop. We have the same hair texture/type and I emailed her to laugh, since it’s rare to find someone with the exact same hair as me . I showed her a picture of my hair and what hers would look like when it grew out, and we’ve been cool ever since. She has far surpassed me in hair styling though. She’s trying products and experimenting, and I’m looking to her for advice now, lol.
I’ve been natural for three years now. I’ve just discovered your blog as well as all of the many other CG bloggers out there last week. Since being introduced to your page I’ve turned my entire family and friends to the CG Method. Thank u soo much. We all had issues with moisture and frizz. YOU ARE OUR SAVIOR. I have lived by the wash n go and now I’ve learned how to preserve my style to alleviate washing daily. Again my family and I thank you.
I have been following your regimen on youtube the Icon title is fitting, awesome hair and helpful tips!!
ur hair is BEAUTIFUL and so are u!! I have to confess to some real hair envy here…ur blessed to have such a naturally defined curl pattern…and ur routine sounds like one the simplest i’ve read on here…
thanks 4 sharing 😉 stay blessed
‘Blessed to have a naturally defined hair type’?
I must say stayed stuck on this sentence. Does it mean that those who do not have a naturally defined curl pattern aren’t blessed. Curly is the new straight so called good hair smh.
lol. yep she said that. oh dear. ::face in palm::
Yes why not? What is wrong about it? She says blessed because someone with naturally defined hair has less issues (if any) with they hair. They don’t need much styling or products. They can step out of the shower and go and they hair looks amazing. For me that is a blessing but it does not necessary mean that others with frizzy curls (like me) are not blessed.
here comes all the natural hair police…
exactly! I like this blog but some of you all take hair way too seriously. maybe she just really loves the look of defined curl pattern. Her personal preference. Doesn’t make her a bad person, right?
I am rereading the comments and I am still trying to figure out where the bad person comment is stemming from based on our dissenting comments maybe ?? #jumping on conclusion i guess #confused.
where is the hair police? I don’t see it LMAO just because we share a different opinion means that we are a hair police let me laugh out LOUD cause this is really too funny.
Although folks are dissecting your comment like a 6th grade science project i do understand, she has what seems to be an easier routine because of her curl pattern, which might be easier compared to some of us who have to go through hell and high water to seek certain looks and styles. Some of us wish were weren’t spending a ton of time to achieve looks that make us confident about our hair, and not everyone is perfect, or to a point where they are. SHOCKER!
Not all us can do this, and it might seem like a blessing to those us who constantly have to moisturize, and twist every night when all we want to do is this, put it in a pineapple and go. No whipping Shea butter, no oil mixtures, no olive oil, avocado mashes, simplicity. To some she is lucky/blessed that she can have such a quick routine, some of us would be god knows where if we didn’t use protective styles, some us can’t wash and go like her, some of us are really busy and wish they this where the case for them. So while I think people who are natural tend to look really deep into comments, and are kinda reaching by twisting peoples words around. I do understand where you are coming from. With different curl patterns come easy and or complicated routines, and some are blessed to now have to deal with the more complicated sides of things, and some people won’t get that until they have lived a month or two with really stubborn hair, and it’s okay to call it stubborn, if it’s ours and we are willing to deal with it, that counts for something, we aren’t running for the hills for the creamy crack, nor complaining, but it is what it is, sometimes certain grains of hair is complicated to deal with, a pain, and time consuming.
This is the stigma that people are building against us naturals already, that we are snarky, and overbearing, and a bit catty when it comes to things like this. It’s always got to be a deep message behind someones words…but instead of being respectful, you take it to a point where someone has to get defensive, or vice versa.
If this woman thinks it might be a blessing to have an easier routine, and it’s obvious that her hair isn’t the same and the person being featured then it’s a fact, that her grain of hair makes its a little bit easier to manage, and I think we can all agree, and of course someone is going to say Well not all hair like that is easy, well for the most part it’s much easier to deal with then someone with my grade of hair 4C. Take a deep breathe, and chill.
Stepping off my Soapbox
Thank you!
I don’t have the same curl pattern as Jess, but I’ve been following her regimen. What she does would work for everyone. I’ve cut all my products down to three, and it takes me five minutes to do my hair in the morning. I have one wash day a week, and it doesn’t take forever. You should really watch her youtube videos. What she says really works. Just don’t go into it think your hair will look exactly like hers. It won’t. It’ll look like your hair. I also can’t go as long as she does between remoisturizing or rewetting, but it’s super easy.
Ummm, I do not have Jess’ “hair type”, but I also follow her exact routine & it works perfectly for me. She’s taught me so much. I wish ppl stop being so obsesses with curl defintion and patterns. ALL OF US HAVE BEAUTIFUL HAIR. When I “went natural”, one major goal of mine was not to have to do so much to it. I wanted the entire wash-n-go experience, which Jess (and many like her) has graciously shared throughout the years on youtube. My point: Don’t let hair typing or any of that mess limit what you think of your hair or anyone elses. What works for some, may not work for others. It doesn’t mean that one is better than the other.
All of this parable on the mountain because of curl pattern. You need therapy.
Beautiful! A faithful follower of your journey! So glad u did the feature
OMG..Beautiful 🙂