Lynnie // Natural Hair Style Icon

Where do you live?
L: I live in Mississippi and I am a stay at home mom.

Why did go natural?
L: Postpartum shedding was my reason for going natural along with inspiration from my best friend and a few ladies at church.

My last relaxer was April 2009 (for Easter). I wanted to transition long enough to have about 2 or 3 inches of hair. I only lasted 4 months. I wore mostly curly styles during my transition; roller sets, straw sets, rod sets, etc. I big chopped on August 9, 2009.

Going natural is one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. I know you’ve heard it before but I wish I had done it sooner.

What’s your regimen?
L: I shampoo every two weeks using Creme of Nature Ultra Moisturizing Shampoo or KBB Conditioning Shampoo and I deep condition every two weeks using Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque or an extra virgin olive oil/extra virgin coconut oil combo.

After I rinse my deep conditioner out, I apply my leave in (modified Kimmaytube leave in; Giovanni Direct Leave in, organic aloe vera gel, jojoba oil, and castor oil), coconut oil and my styler of choice (shea butter mix or Koils By Nature Citrus Bliss Hair & Body Butter and eucalyptus gel) to twist my hair. I recently twisted my hair with the Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque and loved the results.

I moisturize my two strand twist during the week with Greg Juice and coconut oil or my new favorite Butters-n-Bars Aloe Vera Spritzer and coconut oil. When I use the latter, I have less shrinkage. To refresh my twist outs, I use Shea Moisture Curl and Style Milk to retwist at night.

Protein treatments are done once a month using Giovanni Smooth As Silk Extreme Protein.

How do you retain length?
L: Protective styling has been key in retaining length for me. I wear two strand twist about 90% of the time.

What mistakes have you made with your hair that you learned from?
L: I haven’t made any major mistakes (Thank God). I did learn during my recent self trim (or hack job) that I need to blow my hair out first before I trim. I attempted to trim my hair while wearing an old twist out. A big NO NO (for me)!! It’s a good thing I don’t wear my hair straight so I can kind of hide the awful cut, LOL!!

What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
L: The most effective thing I do for my hair is protective styling. It’s hard sometimes to because I’d rather just wear a big curly fro everyday but I know if I did that I would have a head full of fairy/single strand knots….which leads to tangles….which leads to frustration….which leads to me handling my hair too rough….which leads to needing a trim very often.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
L: www.fotki.com/lynnieluve
http://www.youtube.com/Lynnieluve