by
Meosha
Introduce yourself!
P: Hi guys! My name is Porsha, I’m 19, and I’m from Miami. I’m currently living in Orlando attending the University of Central Florida where I’ll be a senior this Fall.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
P: As of June 9, 2013 I have been natural for two years. I transitioned the last four months of my senior year in high school, and then big chopped the day of graduation. Honestly, I never liked relaxing my hair. How long it took, the smell, and those chemical burns were just too much for me. I got my first relaxer when I was six, and I think eleven years was enough. My hair was okay and still pretty long, but I just stopped seeing the point of getting my hair permed. Since I was going off to college soon I figured that was the perfect time to go natural, even if some friends and family members weren’t exactly supportive. Seeing the huge natural hair community online definitely eased the transition process, and going natural has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
How would you describe your texture?
P: Kinky. Curly. Coily. Frizzy. Lol. My hair is mostly 3c in the front and some parts of the middle back, while the rest of my hair is 4a with some 4b thrown in for good measure. My hair is great at mimicking other textures depending on the style (and whatever the Florida humidity has decided to do to it). My hair strands are fine, however there are a lot of them so my hair is VERY VERY THICK. Hairstylists always end up charging me more because my hair tricks them. Hair will just start popping up out of nowhere and Senegalese twists that were supposed to take six hours have turned into twelve. I’ve traumatized a number of stylists and a few friends because of that lol.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
P: My first year I mostly rocked my TWA and then twist outs once my hair got a little longer. This past year I stuck to protective styles for the most part (Senegalese twists, afro puffy twists, marley braids, etc.), so my styling regimen varies month to month. I always make sure to moisturize whether my hair is out or not.
What does wash day look like for you?
P: Wash day = #theStruggle
I make sure to get up a little early that day (normally a Saturday or Sunday depending), then start with a hot oil treatment, a mix of coconut oil and olive oil usually. After that I clean my scalp with a medicated shampoo for my seborrheic dermatitis. Once that’s done, I condition my hair in sections with the Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner from WEN (which is the only conditioner that has ever left my hair feeling moisturized and clumps my curls really well. I swear by it!). I leave in a little of the WEN, then wrap my hair in a t-shirt or towel to dry for a few hours. After that I’ll either do a braid out or twist out to stretch my hair.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
P: I throw on a headscarf and run out the door lol. They have really been a lifesaver, especially on days when I have an exam, two essays due, and a quiz to take on top of everything else. I’ll usually do a little bump in the front, or I just add some water and Eco Styler Gel to define my curls.
How do you combat shrinkage?
P: I don’t really. It’s inevitable and I think I’m learning to work with it, even if I don’t love it. Sometimes I’ll stretch my twists or braids with scrunchies and that’ll stretch my hair out a bit more, but once the humidity hits it’s a done deal lol. I think the shrinkage is growing on me though, it adds to the versatility of natural hair. One day I’ll have a huge fro, the next it’s short and spunky. People never know how my hair’s going to be haha.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
P: My scalp is a huge problem area for me. While tea tree oil, jojoba oil, and a few other natural remedies helped a little, it took me going to a dermatologist to figure out exactly what my scalp needed to stay flake free and healthy. Since I’ve used the medicated shampoo I’ve noticed not only a difference in my scalp, but my hair growth as well. A healthy scalp is really important to hair health and length retention.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
P: Coconut oil and protective styling for sure! I love the shine and moisture coconut oil gives my hair. Protective styling has helped me retain my length and saves me time when school gets hectic. Being able to come home from a long day at school without worrying about having to twist my hair is very good for my sanity lol.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
P: Wash n’ go’s and sulfates. Wash n’ go’s make my hair really matted (and they take forever to dry), while sulfates dry out my hair.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
P: Heck yeah!
You guys can catch me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/xoLoleetahox
Follow me on Tumblr: http://zora-neale-hurston.tumblr.com/
And Instagram: http://instagram.com/porsha_dee
39 Responses
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote
the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit,
but instead of that, this is great blog. A fantastic read.
I’ll definitely be back.
Awesome blog! Do youu have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option?
There are soo many choices out there that I’m totally confused ..
Any recommendations? Many thanks!
Here is my site how to install hardwood flooring
Very nice #wishmyhairdidthat
You’re so beautiful and that’s a lovely, healthy mane you’ve got there!
DaDe CoUnTy!!!!!!!!!!!! Gorgeous hair! 3-0-5 reppin in the 4-0-7 lol. Continue to maintain that lovely hair, I’m off to check out your YT. MIAMI!
your hair is amazing. love how thick it is. still transitioning and am inspired by you.
Wow! You’re my hair twin (except for the scalp issues)…
You should consider trying an even MORE natural approach, if you can. Have you ever tried shampoo bars and homemade tea conditioning rinses? The blog, Minimialist Beauty has a lot of info on this.
A lot of products that we consider “natural” really have a lot more chemicals than we think. I find when I cut out ALL chemicals and focus on stuff that is STRICKTLY from nature, I have way better result with my hair. Chagrin Valley is where I get my shampoo bars, check out their site. I also like mud washes and henna. I don’t use anything that comes from a bottle anymore, unless its oil.
Beautiful hair!
Aja
Hair Twins! <3 and thank you!
Beautiful!!
Your hair is amazing! Are u Bahamian?
Yes ma’am! I’m of Bahamian descent on my mom’s side. My grandparents were from there 🙂
I noticed the flag and got real excited. Im Bahamian as well!
Beautiful!
thanks! <3
SD is a pain, but manageable if treated correctly. Lovely hair!
Hey Porsha both you and your hair are gorgeous. My hair texture looks just like yours except I suffer from single strand knots. Do you find that you get them a lot wearing your hair out. And if so how do you combat them.
Thanks ma’am! 🙂
I do get them a lot of the time, especially in the front of my hair. Any time I see them I make sure to cut them off. I think they’re just apart of being natural, especially when you wear your hair out frequently :/
OK, so this post made me so, so happy.
1. I’m a UCF Alum, so it’s so nice to run into a fellow Knight here!
2. I also suffer from sebborheic dermatitis, so I understand your struggle
3. I loved this post and your hair!
Best of luck this Fall and beyond!
GO KNIGHTS! haha, and thank you! <3
Gorgeous. Props, props, props, your life and looks are poppin’!
vertmoot.blogspot.com
so lovely
That’s my beautiful ride or die right there. ;* Love ya, babygirl! xoxo
Beautiful!!! How is it living in Miami with natural hair? It seems like the latina and latina looking women get all the love every time I’ve been there
lovelyyyyyyyyyyyyy <3
I have been natural frm day 1 n loving it. It’s the best way nothing else
Go KNIGHTS! Great hair!
Your hair is gorgeous
Gorgeous hair! But whoa??? Senior in college at 19?! Get it girl!
Thanks! 🙂
Lot’s of AP classes in high school and taking extra classes during the summer lol. I’m hoping all of this hard work will pay off
Oh my goodness, thanks you so much for this. I’ve finally found someone that struggles with seborrheic dermatitis too. My scalp flares up like crazy sometimes and everyone makes me feel bad when they’re like so misunderstanding.
“Oh, you just have dandruff”
No, dandruff is from OILY scalp, mine is DRY and clinically so
And those that give advice always say “your hair may fall out with treatment”
Thank you Porsha and Black Girl, Long Hair, for giving me that confidence that I can grow my hair while getting my scalp treatment
I think now i’ll stop avoiding the dermatologist like the plague, and finally go!
She.Is.GAWJUSS! Her skin and hair and body is on POINT!
Love your skin! Love your hair! You are gorgeous 🙂
You have beautiful skin!
Super pretty lady and hair looks wonderful! Also, is anyone else getting Kelly Rowland vibes?? No? just me? Okay… *retreatstocorner*
That’s who she reminded me of. I couldn’t place it.
Lol you guys are too kind! I wish I looked liked Kelly, she’s gorgeous haha
Beautiful!! I like how you said your hair tricks stylist – My own plays the same games too
gorgeous with beautiful hair!
thank you 😀 <3