Where do you live?
N: I am a Jersey girl, born and raised, who is a business analyst.
Why did you go natural?
N: I felt other people loved my hair more than I did. It was long and straight… but I hated it. I hated getting relaxers, blow dryers and curling irons. I hated trying to outsmart the fog and rain in an effort to not look like a troll doll when arriving at school… I usually was unsuccessful, my 10th grade class photo proves this.
After graduating high school in 1998 I found a photo in a hair magazine. The photo was of a woman with a short curly fro and I loved it. At the time i had no idea what my natural hair texture was like. While I was deciding what to do, I stopped getting touch-ups. I would wash my hair and let it air dry or sometimes roller set it. This went on for about 6 months or so, then I made an appointment. In one night, i went from having about bra-strap length hair to hair that barely reached the middle of my forehead. But what a surprise… I have naturally curly hair! I had no idea!
How would you describe your hair?
N: My hair is curly, I have thick strands. It’s sorta dense and somewhat porous.
What’s your regimen?
N: I like to keep it simple. It’s been the best and most cost effective route for me. I co-wash with Pantene (for curly hair) usually. While the conditioner is on my hair I detangle. Pat dry with a towel (never rub) then to style I usually use 3 products. First, I work a creme conditioner through my hair, usually an olive oil creme instead of a grease. Next, I finger style using Ampro Gel (the Clear Ice or Berry Ice versions). Ampro gel is the only gel I have used that does not flake or make my hair hard… I cannot see myself using any other product. When done with the gel will then throw a gloss on for extra shine. Right now I am using Fantasia Hair Polisher. All of the products I use are available at Walgreens, CVS or a Supermarket.
What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from?
N: Finding the right products definitely has been trial and error. I have found some products are more drying than others. On top of that I used to lighten my hair and have definitely fried it a few times! There are way more resources now for natural hair girls than in 1998 but I managed to find my way!
What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
N: I will tie my hair up on the nights after it has been washed to preserve the curls. I typically will co-wash once or twice a week unless there’s a special occasion. Also, really keeping my routine low maintenance and not fussing with my hair so much has allowed me to grow it longer than I ever thought possible.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
N: http://facebook.com/qnhikohle
http://art.durralink.com
http://twitter.com/Qnhikohle
Anything else you want to add?
N: I want for everyone to embrace their natural textures… I think the world would be a better place. 🙂
11 Responses
Thanks MJ and yes Anonda when my hair was short I was using Miss Jessie’s for a while but as my hair got longer the jars didn’t last long enough and they’re not exactly cheap. I don’t feel bad about going through a jar of Ampro gel in 2-3 weeks— i spent less than $5 on it. 🙂 Thanks so much 🙂
You’re beautiful and thanks for promoting less expensive brands.
Natural hair seems to turn into another bill for some reason lol.
STUNNING!
Thank you all! I have few more pix here which are in chronological order, hopefully the link works for you!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2085592&id=1127971580&l=409fe2baf6
I agree with Benita. It is so easy to go broke trying to find the right products. I go through everything so quickly especially conditioner. Another cost effective thing I have done is saturate my hair with regular Olive Oil at night (tie it up) and rinse it out in the morning. I’m no chemist but I think its a good conditioning treatment. 🙂
Amber, I think my hair is probably somewhere between 3A and 3B.
Thanks again!
I didn’t really know my natural texture either until I did my BC. I’ve had a relaxer since 9 and my new growth always looked like tiny waves because of the relaxed hair was weighing it down. When I did my BC those waves shrunk into fuzzy coils the size of a spring inside a pen. I really had no clue. My hair is grown out now and it coils more the longer it gets. Plus I’m using better styling and moisturizing techniques then I did as a child so that also influences the texture.
I love your hair??? What texture would you say it was???
I do not think that you can tell what your natural hair type is when you only have a few inches of new growth, and Im sure a lot of women didn’t let their hair grow out to that much new growth so in my opinion I do not believe that you can tell your natural hair texture when relaxed. By the way lovely interview love the hair!
Nicole, you are stunning and have fabulous hair!
I love how she mentioned her routine being cost effective. I love all the natural products that are out, but it gets expensive. However, I do know that is also part of the trial and error stage too with trying to find what works best for you.
Me personally, No i didn’t know. Growing up my hair was in cornrows for the most part and yes my mom had the pleasure of dealing with that. When I stopped getting braids, i had a relaxer. My “new growth” was never curly. When it got wet, it definitely did not curl up like this. Everyone’s hair is different and reacts differently… I also heard/read your texture changes over the years. *shrugs*
I don’t understand when people say they didn’t know their natural texture. I know it may have been years since you’ve seen it and your mom was probably dealing with it at that time, but doesn’t it curl up a little when you wash it? Can’t you look at baby pictures and have some idea of what it naturally looks like?