by
Meosha
Introduce yourself!
Q: Hi! I’m Qiana, hailing from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada… Not sure where that is? It is a suburb outside of Toronto. I’m sure everyone knows where Toronto is now. I am a manager at a corporate retail office and my mane is a usual topic of discussion at work.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
Q: I have always been natural. My mother always made time to take care of our family’s hair and did not encourage a relaxer or any other chemical processes. I dreaded the “Sunday Wash days” as a child because it seemed like an all day event, but I am definitely thankful for the pride my mom instilled in us and the foundation she set in regard to caring for my hair.
How would you describe your texture?
Q: The hairs of the frontal and temporal areas of my head are drier and finer than the other areas. Based on the descriptions explained on your site, looks like my hair falls predominantly under the 4a category. I used to think my hair was unmanageable and had a mind of its own until I realized I had made peace with my mane by keeping it moisturized. Now I make a habit of regularly moisturizing my hair at least every other day, regardless of the style it is in.
When I used to watch YouTube videos and see this being done, I used to think, “These women have so much more time than me. Who the heck has time to be moisturizing everyday?!” The defining moment in my natural hair care journey took place after I returned from Jamaica in August 2012, wearing two strand twists. While there for two weeks, I did nothing but sunbathe, swim in the ocean, and enjoy the fact I did not have to worry about styling my hair. Yes, I washed it (to get the salt water out) and then smoothed some hair oil down the twists, but that obviously was not enough. I cried when I took those twists out because my hair seemed to almost entirely have loc’d itself and I could not comb it. I felt terrible because I had neglected my hair and it was matted and parched. With the help of my fantastic sister in law Vennis aka the hair whisperer, and tips from your site, I promised to never neglect my mane again.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
Q: During the summer, my go-to hairstyle was a twist out. For a less defined and soft look I use Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey and Healthy Hair Butter and for more definition, Miss Jessie’s Baby ButterCreme and Quick Curls. I also rocked a wash & go style, where I raked a mixture of Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue, avocado oil and Eco Styler Gel through my hair. At night I put my hair up in a “pineapple” and wrap a silk scarf around my head. These styles last me a week and I freshen them up by spritzing with an apple cider vinegar-water solution and two strand twisting, where necessary. In the fall/ winter season I take advantage of the absence of humidity to wear my hair straight. I deep condition before flat ironing and blow dry my hair on the coolest setting, then twist and flat iron the next day. For all that work, I try to get 2 weeks out of that style. Every other night I treat the length of my hair with a mixture of castor oil and avocado oil. Then I put it up in a bun and wrap my head with a silk scarf. I just finished a straight hair stint, and before wash day I decided to try completely saturating my scalp and hair with coconut oil. Felt great and I kept it in for a day. Diet is also a big part of my hair care. I cannot exactly credit a specific part of my daily routine to my hair’s manageability, but I am positive that supplementing with Omega 3-6-9, coconut oil, eating as clean as possible, and drinking water everyday helps me.
What does wash day look like for you?
Q: Wash day looks like I can kiss that whole day goodbye because it is dedicated solely to my mane. Usually, the night before I lightly mist my hair down with an apple cider vinegar-water solution from root to tip, and then I generously apply an oil (avocado or coconut) on the length. I wear a heating cap for about an hour and then I go to sleep. The next day I section my hair and shampoo my scalp with Dr. Bronner’s Citrus Liquid Soap and then wash the ends with the suds from the liquid soap and TRESemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner. I use a microfiber towel to pat my hair dry and then use Kinky Curly Knot Today Conditioner as a leave-in. I finger detangle then apply an oil. I tried castor oil recently and I love the thickness of the oil because it almost seems to provide a bit of hold. And last but not least, I always have music playing during this process! It definitely helps the time pass!
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
Q: If I decide to postpone wash day, my go-to hair style is either a tall bun or an asymmetrical flat twist style. Otherwise I will just tease out my curls and go big!
How do you combat shrinkage?
Q: I do not fight against shrinkage. It doesn’t bother me. It is pretty funny to see the reaction I get when I transition between curly and straight. People cannot believe how long my hair is.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
Q: Because the hairs in the frontal and temporal areas are drier and finer than the other areas of my hair, I don’t pull my hair tight, brush/slick it back, nor sleep without a silk scarf. I am sure that has preserved my edges.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
Q: Moisture and more moisture are definitely do’s for my texture.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
Q: Air drying without a moisturizing leave-in or going without moisturizing my hair at least once a week, is definitely a don’t for my texture.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
Q: Instagram @missqiiqii
86 Responses
These are some of the best pics I have seen from someone with hair like mine! Way to rock it gurl!
i know where mississauga is…i’m a toronto girl too!!!! shout outs to my fellow canucks up on bglh!
Is it wrong for me to salivate? Your hair is amazing. I look forward to my own hair growing that long. It is similar in texture to yours.
Gorgeous!
:). Thank you. I’m blushing. Patience will make a difference. Cheers.
Wow…..totally inspired. Beautiful hair and lady
Thank you!
I have been transitioning since Sept..i have bra length hair.. ANd i finally go tthe deep conditioning is key down..we have the same texture.. i’m going to try the wash and go..bc my goal is to wear
Good for you. It’s all about patience. I love wash and gos. I just don’t like how much product my hair devours! Lol. Good luck.
You reMind me of lisa leslie ? the women’s basketball player
Thank you!! Love her!
She looks like a queen.
Thank you!!
You’re from Mississauga too! I’m SO happy to see other Canadians on this site never mind naturals in my own backyard 🙂
Thank you!! Sauga! 🙂
Beautiful lady and beautiful hair!
Thank you!!
I am sorry but I am learning how to take care of my daughters hair. She is 5 and I do not like the Idea of using chemicals on her hair. I am white, but she is mixed with Black and Puerto Rican….. She has 4C hair with lighter curls in the front of her head. I have recently started banding to give her some lenght and started using organic hair products, which has seemed to help. I do want to know when I use a straightening comb or a flat iron do I put any hair products in first? When I do it seems like her hair is stiff. I saw the pic of you with straight hair and it seemed pretty soft, what am I doing wrong?
Products with silicone (plastic) in them aren’t great for hair but they do help to shield hair a bit. Put it on before you straighten or blow dry. … and if you’re using a hot comb use a white paper towel to check for excessive heat. …ex:if it turns brown it is too hot. Hope this helps. Best not to use heat though, can’t avoid heat damage entirely.
Thank you!! Deep condition her hair before and after flat ironing. I do not use very much oil before flat ironing. Look for a heat protectant that satisfies your requirements regarding ingredients. Coconut or avocado oil works for me and I moisturize the ends while straight. I prefer the flat iron because I can’t visually assess the temperature of the hot comb. Hope that helps.
Wow! Seriously just WOW! Gorgeous lady with amazing hair!
Thank you!!
Her hair looks so great. Such an inspiration. Yay naturals!!!
Thank you!!
I like the professional look of it.
Thank you!
Gorgeous!
Thank you!
beautiful woman..gorgeous hair
Thank you!
Beautifil and thanks for sharing. We have some similar hair care techniques! I Have used Dr Bronners to wash my hair for years and you are the first person to mention this product which is a great cleanser bass in a moisturizing formula. I am not a shrinkage fighter either. I also like to do me pre-poo condition the night before it is such a time saver!
Great minds think alike! Thank you!
In some photos she looks a lot like Jada Pinkett Smith. Seriously jealous of her mane though, need her hair like ASAP!! Gorgeous woman.
Thank you!
sooo…your hair is on point, along with your bone structure. Love the curls!
Thank you!
Wow — Jada Pinket Smith’s twin…
Gorg hair!!
Beautiful young lady.
What a compliment! Thank you!
LOVE ,LOVE, LOVE Your hair!!!!!!! My hair grows long on top, short on sides and nape so I’m just really starting to Love what I Have, and play with it. I usually add a type of Marley Hair to achieve your look, a lot of people think its minez or that I have locks!!! I know where your at, I go there for work myself!
Thank you! I agree. Love what you have.
Gorgeous hair, gorgeous woman… Yeah, I’m a little jealous. =)
Thank you! 🙂
You’re absolutely gorgeous. I’m gonna try the ACV sprtiz. We have similar hair and you’re pretty much at my goal length.
Thank you! I hope it works for you!
My family still lives in Mississauga. Good to see you representing Canada here.
She’s stunning!! Face and hair! #workitgirl
Thank you!
Seeing this makes me believe that I can really take care of my hair ’cause your hair texture is the same as mine. Love your hair!!!
You definitely can! Thank you!
RIIIIIDGEe-wayyyyyyyy
🙂
🙂
First of all, I do know where ‘Sauga is because I’m from Toronto myself (currently living in the US). I’m also of West African background (Ghana). Knowing Canadians, I’m guessing you’re from Jamaica and weren’t just at a resort or something. A lot of times, growing up, natural hair was downplayed…we were told that it’s “nappy” and it can’t grow. When I go back home, at times, I still hear that (someone just told that to my sister the other day in fact). As a natural myself whose hair has grown much healthier than in it’s relaxed state, I’m glad there are examples like you who prove that our black hair can grow! And when you take care of it, the skies the limit!
Lol! Sauga! I have a lot of family living there. No resorts. 🙂 Healthy hair will grow faster. Thank you! I’m still working on it. The sky is the limit!
WOOOW gorgeous!! I love the picture with the green coat and ponytail! love the earrings! And the one with the dark berry lipstick is one point too! Don’t know about the others but you resemble Yaya Da Costa & Jada Pinkett Smith at the same time when I look at those pictures lol. Has anyone ever told you that?
Anyways it is great that you have always been natural!
xx from Paris
Iris-
I love those earrings too! Bought them for a dollar at a thriftshop lol. I’m starting to hear more mentions of the resemblance. Thank you!
Beautiful!
Thank you!
Now I know what it is to experience hair envy..lol. Just georgeous!
Thank you! 🙂
such a beauty and gorgeous hair!!!
Thank you.
such a beautiful woman n mane of hair!!
Thank you!
Your hair is everything…. Amazingly gorgeous.
Thank you!
I absolutely love your hair. Our textures are very similar. You are one of the few (and when I say few I mean maybe the only) naturals who flat irons and I cannot detect heat damage or curls that appear stringy because of heat alteration. I know ppl say deep condition before, others say store bought heat protectants are a gimmick, and I knoe grapeseed oil does not prevent 450 degree hest from penetrating the hair shaft meaning it is not a natural heat protectant….So whats your secret?
Thank you! I don’t flat iron very often and when I do, I try to get most of the straightening done at the blow drying step (cooler setting of course). I also don’t flat iron right after blow drying. Sometimes I flat iron the next day. I think heat serums can make a difference. I’ve tried quite a few.
Thank you! I deep condition before and after. I don’t flat iron very often and when I do, I try to get most of the straightening done at the blow drying step (cooler setting of course). I also don’t flat iron right after blow drying. Sometimes I flat iron the next day. Every other day, I work in some coconut or avocado oil to my hair focusing on the ends. I think heat serums can make a difference. I’ve tried quite a few.
Wow! That pic with ur hair straightened tho! Super fab. Mad proud cuz! Xoxo
Xoxo!
Gorgeous
Thank you.
Beautiful hair and woman.
Thank you.
Beautiful Hair!
Thank you.
You take good care of your hair and it shows.Especially important since you like to keep it straight sometimes. Taking advantage of low humidity in the fall and winter is a good tip for those who go sleek. This time of the year is when it makes the best sense. Lots of nice tips and tricks. Your wash day seems so basic. How come it takes you the whole day? Is everyone washing and styling their hair on the same day?
I’m guessing it takes all day because she has a lot of hair. That makes sense to me. I just BC’d for the second time recently and my regimen now is a whole lot shorter in time than when I wore it long.
Thank you. It’s a long day for me because I don’t rush, taking time to properly detangle and to follow any product directions. Plus my arms get tired, so breaks are mandatory. 🙂
Your look is beautiful. We both have similar hair, it helps to know I’m on the right track as I use similar products and methods 🙂
Thank you! I think we’re on the right track!
Your look is beautiful. We both have similar hair, it helps to know I’m on the right track as I use similar products and methods 🙂
Thank you.
Thank you for your tips. I will use your advice on my hair and my daughter’s hair.
You’re welcome. I hope they work for you.
Beautiful!
Thank you!