*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally
Introduce yourself!
L: My name is Lauren and I am from Gastonia, NC.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
L: I went natural simply because I wanted to. It has always been something that I was interested in; I just had to wait until the right time for me. I hadn’t experienced any major damage issues due to relaxing my hair. My hair was healthy during those years as well. I just got tired of relaxers and woke up one morning and told myself “Ok, I’m done”, and haven’t looked back since. I have been relaxer free since November 2008 and fully natural since my BC on July 8, 2009. I am approaching my 4th year post BC.
How would you describe your texture?
L: This is actually a great question that I don’t totally know the answer to haha. I haven’t really gotten into the hair typing issue. I do know that I have different curl patterns and that the front of my hair is closer to a 3b/c and my sides and back to a 4b/c. My hair is very full, thick, and strong and I love it the way it is.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
L: My styling regimen over the course of a month typically depends on the season. With fall approaching I am staying closer to the staple twist and braidouts. Over the past month I have been wearing twists that I have worn freely and pinned into various updos. Once I am tired of the twists I will take them out and wear a twistout that will eventually become a puff or bun. My hair appreciates it too and I have learned that the heaviness provides better looking styles for me and longevity. I add moisturizers as needed and always perform nightly maintenance.
I use Cantu Leave in Conditioner or Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie along with my own shea butter mix (shea butter, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, aloe vera juice) and argan oil to seal the moisture for styling.
What does wash day look like for you?
L: I only wash once a month now and use Terresentials Lavender Mud Wash and Aussie Moist for my cleansing. If I need a more clarifying wash I will use Giovanni Invigorating Shampoo and I always apply the Giovanna Direct Leave-In Conditioner before styling. I section my hair into 4 twists then detangle with the Aussie Moist. I then apply the Terresentials section by section until clean, rinse, and apply the Direct Leave-In. My process is the same whether done in the shower or sink.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
L: I love to twist my hair into chunky twists and then pin them into an updo. It’s such a simple style that looks like it took a lot of effort and it looks good year around. If I don’t have time for this I can always rely on a nice low or high puff or bun.
How do you combat shrinkage?
L: I typically braid my hair and allow it time to dry prior to styling to stretch it and then style however I please, and sometimes I will blow dry using the tension method prior to styling as well.
Tell us about your hair color?
L: I was a little apprehensive about coloring my hair because I’d heard so many horror stories about the damage it did to others. Since I knew my hair was really strong and had never been affected by color when I was relaxed, I decided to give it a try. I did it myself using Texture Tones Flaming Desire. I applied the color and let it sit for about 20 minutes then afterwards I cowashed using the conditioner that came along with the color, then deep conditioned with my own mix. I applied my initial color in October 2010 and it was more red, then again in the summer of 2011 after it had turned more blonde. I haven’t colored again since then. I’ve really enjoyed having it and haven’t noticed any change in the texture of my hair. I’ve just been a lot more conscious of keeping it moisturized properly.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
L: I don’t have specific problem areas, but since coloring my hair 2 years ago I have been extremely cautious about moisture and maintaining that. I drink plenty of water and pay attention to how my hair reacts to certain things such as styles, the weather, and products.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
L: Nightly maintenance and plenty of moisture!!!! My hair lets me know how angry it is if I negate from the two.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
L: I don’t know if these are considered 2 don’ts but I had to pull away from shampooing a lot because I noticed it stripped away a lot of the moisture that my hair needs. I would also say a lot of heat. I probably only use it about 2-3 times a year.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
L: Yes I have a Facebook page Beau-ti-FRO-lly Lauren.
25 Responses
She reminds me of one the Miss Jessie’s sisters! That hair is all cruela deville-d up!!!! You doing it girl…
Well alright!!…gorgeous hair & beautiful complexion as well! 🙂
Those twists are perfection!
I lost all my hair to cancer! I had a head full of curly hair never had a perm in my life. I hid behind braids for almost 7 years since I survived cancers because I didn’t know how to deal with my natural hair. I miss my curls but I don’t miss being sick. Now I use onion and garlic to grow my hair it has come back but it is drys straight washes straight like nothing I have ever seen I only put heat on my hair after I brush it dry and then sit under the dryer for a bend in the end. I greenhouse the day before I wash which has really been great in keeping my hair strong. I have just become comfortable with my hair, when I first took my hair out of braids moving from Maryland to Atlanta I had a emotional breakdown cause I really never dealt with my hair until I was taken my braids out washing it and getting it braided the next day.
My website is how I pay my rent and bills it’s a free way of making money you pay nothing I spent countless hours checking it out and going thru all the steps to see if it would work I didn’t do step 4 because it cost $25 dollars my first couple of days I made $350 and every morning I wakeup to money in my paypal account just love to share how fortune 500 companies pay you for just getting people to watch a video and signing up for 3 free offers. I did 2 credit reports and got 5 books for 99 cents and although I had to pay for shipping they gave me $10 back for that. So this helps me while looking for work. If you want to make extra money this is the best way. NO SCAM! NO MLM! NO PYRAMID! They do all the work for you like building your site for you all you have to do is give your site to other people.
Back to my hair now I’m in love with it but it is a lot of work to keep it up for me because I’m still a beginner but I use things in my kitchen for my hair since I did have cancer the onion is amazing for your hair.
Great job Boogie! Very lovely!
LAWD!!! I’m gonna try to not be dramatic but I am so proud of you!!!! I remember when you started out natural and this is just so awesome!!!! A beautiful accomplishment for a beautiful young lady, inside and out!!!
Just love it!
Come such a long way! Thanks for encouraging me when I started this wonderful journey!
Love the color, wish I was brave enough and your twists are awesome.
How does he manage to go a month before washing? By week two my hair refuses products and just needs washing to reconfigure. Her colour is pretty and I like the thickness of her twists!
*She manage
I’m able to go a month without shampooing because I limit the amount of produuct that I use in my hair.The more product, the mre build up. I also don’t have problems with dandruff. The only time I have heavy build up is when I use gel for a few days if I’m wearing a puff or have done a was-n-go. I’ve learned my hair does better with my washing less.
Do you rinse or cowash in between washes?
I only cowash on my wash days. I used to shampoo a few times a month, but I noticed early in my journey that shampoos weren’t the best option for me bc they stripped the moisture from my hair. If for some reason between my typical wash days I notice that my hair needs to be cleansed then I will cowash as needed. I only using a clarifying shampoo if I have excessive build up like I mentioned from using gel. Then I use Giovanni Clarifying Shampoo followed by the Direct Leave In
I love the minitwists!
So beautiful !
Wow, you are gorgeous! Beautiful hair and smile.
omg hey! i’m from shelby! i love your hair
Hi there!!! My Dad used to Pastor in Waco so I spent many days that way! 🙂
Beautiful style. Love her look
Such a beautiful smile ! You look gorgeous !
Her hair is beautiful. I love her mini twist. I hae to try those one day and I love all the styles.
Minitwists are the gift that keeps on giving. They are fun to style, easy to maintain and even give a cute twistout when you take them out! Go for it!!!!
BEAUTIFUL
Your dimples are killing me softly ! Go ahead gorgeous !
lol thanks so much Toni!