by
Meosha
*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally
Introduce yourself!
M: My name is Michelle, I’m from Ghana, West Africa and I live in Los Angeles, California. I work as a school psychologist and am in school working towards a doctorate in Education.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
M: I have been natural on and off my entire life. More recently, I have been natural for one year. Throughout my childhood up until I was 20, I wore my hair in braids and weaves. I never felt that my hair was beautiful so I did anything I could do to hide it. One day in college, a friend and I attempted to straighten my hair with a hot comb and it broke off most of my hair. After that, I decided I was tired of hiding behind wigs, weaves and braids and decided to take my hair and my self-esteem seriously. I also wanted to encourage other young girls with a texture similar to mine that they are beautiful, and they should be proud of who they are.
How would you describe your texture?
M: My hair texture is a combination of 4b/4c. The front and crown area have loose coils and the back of my hair is extremely coarse with much tighter coils. My hair strands are fine. My hair is also quite porous which can become problematic when trying to retain moisture. However, over time I have learned the best way to take care of my hair and keep it soft and healthy.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
M: My hair is typically in a protective style during the weekdays and worn in natural styles during the weekends. I wear my hair in flat twists underneath my wigs during the week. This allows for my hair to have a break from manipulation and allows me to focus on work and school during the weekdays. In the morning and evening, I moisturize my hair by spraying it with Giovanni Direct Leave-in Conditioner infused with oils.
What does wash day look like for you?
M: On Sunday, which is my wash day, I begin by pre-pooing (putting Aussie Moist Conditioner with olive oil and honey in my hair) for about an hour. I then rinse my hair, section and part it into six sections. From there I use Luv Naturals Don’t Be So Clingy detangler to detangle each section with a wide toothed comb, then rinse. I then shampoo my hair with Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo. After shampooing, I deep condition with Curl Junkie’s Curl Rehab mixed with olive oil, castor oil and honey and use my Huetiful Hair Steamer. I then rinse my hair and add my Kinky Curly Leave In Conditioner, sweet almond oil and twist with Qhemet Biologics Amla and Olive Heavy Cream.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
M: My favorite go-to hairstyle is the high bun with Marley braiding hair. I just put my hair in a high ponytail and wrap the Marley hair around it and run out of the door.
How do you combat shrinkage?
M: I don’ t lol. Shrinkage is a huge part of my hair texture and many times I just accept it. Occasionally I will band my hair the night before styling in order to have more elongated curls.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
M: The middle section of my hair. That is the section I neglect the most because it’s hardest to reach (especially because my hair is still short). That area of my head is often times the driest and most difficult to comb. I have to frequently remind myself to pay extra attention to those strands in order to prevent breakage.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
M: Deep conditioning and protective styling.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
M: Blow drying and using conditioner without slip.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
M: Yes, you can find me on YouTube under MissCinnamonCake (http://www.youtube.com/user/MissCinnamonCake) and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NaturaleGoddess.
50 Responses
I am really excited about the natural hair journey i just restarted. I tried it a while back, got a little frustrated and then gave up, a friend introduced me to BGLH and i am loving all that i am learning here. I enjoyed reading this story especially the Marley hair idea for weekdays. I wore my short natural hair ‘out’ last week but struggled with styling it in the morning; it just took so long and didn’t really give me the ‘fab’ look i wanted. So over the weekend i twisted my hair with Marley braids and have had a much easier week and loved how i looked. Though my scalp feels a little dry so i will probably have to take the twists out and deep condition it tomorrow.
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beautiful hair. i have the same hair texture. youre very beautiful and your natural styles only enhance your beauty. im gonna try the bun using the marley hair. thanks for sharing your journey with all of us. ill be checking for you on youtube.
I wanted to say that I clicked on this article mainly because of the title. West Africa??? I never say to people “Hello, I’m BB, I’m from West Africa”. Just my own personal opinion.
That being said, Michelle from Ghana, gorgeous hair and smile. Keep going.
Very very pretty! West Africa stand up!!!
Not only is your hair beautiful, Michelle, U are so Beautiful.
Woo Woo!! I’m from Ghana too!! I love your hair!! You are gorgeous.
Wow, you are a stunning beauty! Gorgeous hair, gorgeous skin, gorgeous everything. 🙂
your hair is beautiful and your skin is perfect what do you use on it?
Beautiful hair!
Ghana STAND UP!
AAAhhhhhh looove her on Youtube!!! She’s so pretty
I don’t see a problem with defining the term “natural.” Women can define the word for themselves, but then I also feel like those who wish to subscribe to the natural hair community should respect the way that it defines natural. It seems to me that the natural hair community defines “natural” as hair that has not been chemically processed. Some people choose to include color into that; some people just regard it as chemical straightening. Just like a company has a right to protect its brand, I believe that natural women who work and put the time and effort into loving their hair and cultivating their inherent beauty have a say in how the term is used. But if you want to rock a wig or weave as a form of protective styling, do it! If you don’t wear your hair out often, who cares? Part of being natural for me has been freeing myself of the judgment of others. My natural hair is professional no matter what any one thinks. However, it seems like more and more women get so caught up in everyone else’s opinion of who they are. Women and naturalistas can have their opinions. If you are offended by them, perhaps you need to evaluate yourself and why the opinions of strangers means so much to you.
AMEN!!! If it doesn’t apply let it fly, I could care less what anyone says natural or relaxed, forget em.
Girl bye!
All that decisiveness. You should be more concerned with that rachett mess on TV representing Blk women to a international audience.
Sooo pretty!! Wow!
Thank you thank you love!!
Beautiful girl and hair!
W Africa representing! I love ms cinnn….. Great personality n awesome tips without being dictatorial! Glad to see her featured here…….
lol!!! You’re so sweet, thank you!!
Some of the comments above is why I have started to pull away from the natural forums. I really starting to follow behind “himay10nence” on YT, who IS natural, but who COMPLETELY shuns being a part of the “natural hair community” because it comes with too many rules and regulations. Yes, women are natural, but we want to color our hair, why the hell not? if we want to wear wigs, exstentions or braids, why the the hell not? OBVIOUSLY it’s not that we’re ashamed of our natural hair cause if that’s the case, Dark & Lovely costs 7.99 at CVS, problem solved. I saw this with the Solange wig thread and it’s like, REALLY?? Like women can’t switch it up every once in a while? If Michelle, or anyone, wants to perm her hair, shave it tomorrow, and throw a wig on the day after that, that is THIER choice to make. She is NATURAL. Point blank period.
Thank you sis 🙂 You are right. There are people in this world who sometimes choose to judge and at the end of the day, you do what works for you. Because those same people will not be there for you when you can’t. Peace sista
+1000
The woman asked a QUESTION and the model answered it. It’s not that serious. Why are people so sensitive? The model didn’t take it personally, so why should you and some of the others chiming in like the peanut gallery? Goodness!
Hey Girl, This is DiscoveringNatural from YouTube. I didn’t know you were Ghanaian. I love your YouTube channel. You always keep it real!!!
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Yes ma’m I am 🙂 Thank you sis
Nice pics! I’m already subscribed to YT page 🙂
Thank you Ang 🙂
One day in college, a friend and I attempted to straighten my hair with a hot comb and it broke off most of my hair. After that, I decided I was tired of hiding behind wigs, weaves and braids and decided to take my hair and my self-esteem seriously. I also wanted to encourage other young girls with a texture similar to mine that they are beautiful, and they should be proud of who they are.
I’M WONDERING HOW YOU ENCOURAGE THOSE YOUNG GIRLS WHEN YOU SAY THE FOLLOWING:
My hair is typically in a protective style during the weekdays and worn in natural styles during the weekends. I wear my hair in flat twists underneath my wigs during the week.
I WOULD THINK YOU WOULD ENCONTER A LOT OF YOUNG GIRLS DURING THE WEEKDAY IN YOUR CURRENT POSITION.
I understand why you ask this. When I first began wearing wigs it was to hide my hair. I never felt my hair was even acceptable to wear and I was ashamed of it. The reason I wear wigs now is SOLELY because of time. Working a demanding job full-time and being in a PhD program in the evening isn’t easy; and unfortunately, as a result I am unable to do much with my hair on weekdays. Therefore on weekends, I wear it out and usually do my filming. In regard to being an inspiration, I believe I do that by dedicating my youtube channel to help women embrace their natural beauty. I have several videos which include but are not limited to embracing your hair texture, having confidence with a t.w.a (and the one which I felt was most important) creating the term M.L.A. to refer to our medium length hair instead of “the awkward stage”. So I am sorry if you do not like my choice to wear wigs during the week, however it is what I choose to do to balance my life at this time. Thanks for writing 🙂
What a classy reply THATS WHY I LUV U! I can speak for myself when I say I was going through a depression and was seriously considering taking my life at one point. I remember stumbling across your video about embracing your texture. It made me feel so good about myself. Like I didnt have to be perfect. I can say to you that video was the difference between me being here right now and me being somewhere else. love you ms cc
Shelly, I love wearing wigs…with my job wearing wigs save so much time and one can have so much fun with them. Please do not apologize to the reader above about your choice…continue to do YOU 🙂
Wait your upset cuz she’s being a phenomenal woman who wants to keep her hair protected while she’s at it? Wow shallow as shallow gets. Wake up!!! It’s her hair and she IS an inspiration whether she wears it out once a week or once a year!
DIDN’T SHE USE A TEXTURIZER ONE TIME
She got the wave nouveau, hence why she’s currently been natural for a little over a year.
people are so petty. get your facts straight. and why does it matter? DIDNT YOU HAVE A RELAXER?? people are a trip
I’m ALWAYS watching her YouTube vids 🙂
OMG soooooo pretty!! I love your hair!
I looovvvee her and her hair. That is my Ashanti sister. She always comes up with the best hairstyles, especially for short to medium length naturals. Her styles also go well for naturals with thick and kinky hair like mine.
She is one of my favorite YT channels! Very create with her twa styles.
Love the updo….She has beautiful face
Bang Bang! What a beauty!
I love this lady! MissCinnamonCake on youtube. I’m one of her subbies. She is breathtaking!
That updo is BEAUTIFUL!!!
Thank you 🙂 I have a tutorial for it up 🙂
Ghana Stand up!
Lol 🙂
I am subscribed to her You Tube channel 🙂
Whoot Whoot!!! Thank you for being a part of my yt family <3
Beautiful woman. That hair is gorgeous
Thank you so much!!! 🙂
Wow you look amazing nd I love your hair texture.
That is so sweet, thank you so much!!!