Safia from French Guiana // Natural Hair Style Icon

Introduce yourself 🙂
S: I’m from FRENCH GUIANA but I currently live in Martinique studying English Language and Civilization at the French West Indies University. I am native of F.G, my parents and grand-parents are also native from there.

What’s interesting about French Guiana?
S: At first sight, when you arrive in F.G. you are amazed because it’s very green. Actually, we are a part of the Amazonian forest. We have various species of birds, wild animals, fishes and colourful flowers. We have very large rivers and wonderful falls. F.G people are blessed because we don’t suffer natural disasters.

We have a unique carnival led by women dressed in “touloulou” (a character representing the bourgeois women of the 18th and 19th centuries, in their Sunday best, dressed from head to toe.)

The most interesting about F.G is the ethnical diversity. We have Amerindians, Haitians, Dominicans, Brasilians, Surinamians, Indians, Europeans, Chinese, and descendants of African slaves. All of them mix. They are friends and lovers, they are neighbours and colleagues at work. There is no ethnic segregation or social stratification like I’ve noticed in some other countries. I stop here because I can speak all day and all night about my country!

Why did you go natural?
S: When I was a child I was already wondering why black people transform their hair in a Caucasian way, and the contrary never happens. Then Lauryn Hill arrived in the music industry. She had gorgeous dreadlocks and I said to myself; that is definitely the way I want my hair to look. At this time, my parents disagreed with this hairstyle so I had to wait until I was living by myself to start my dreadlocks. Now they love it and have learned that dreadlocks can be feminine, stylish, clean, trendy and much more.

When did you transition into natural hair?
S: My parents never relaxed my hair. They used to put it in plaits but later when I entered high school every girl’s hair was relaxed. I decided to do the same because at this age you are searching for your own personality so you try many things until you realize what really fits you. I didn’t like my hair relaxed so I quickly cut it very short and start over with my natural hair. At last, in 2006, when I started living by myself – in my own place with my own money – I started my dreadlocks.

What’s your regimen?
S: First of all I protect my hair from smoke. I cover my head to go in some clubs where people smoke a lot inside because smoke carries a lot of dust. I also avoid pool water because the chlorine damages hair seriously. I do a shampoo once a week. I don’t use specific products for dreadlocks. I mostly use shampoos with avocado, coconut, or other elements which hydrate hair because I live in sunny places (French Guiana, Martinique, Jamaica) and the sun dries the hair. After each shampoo I let my hair dry naturally then I twist my locs with shea butter or cocoa butter to feed them. When I twist them I use a very strong gel named “Sculpture”, the brand is “AG premium brands”.

What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from?
S: When I started my dreadlocks in 2006 I had the terrible idea of coloring my hair in blonde!!! I did it myself, and that was the worst decision I ever made with my hair! A real nightmare!! I left the product on my hair too long so the colour was too bright and my hair was completely damaged. Soon my locks started to break! I had to cut them very short and start over. Even today I have regrets because my hair would be twice as long if I didn’t make this mistake. Trust me, if you want to color your hair and you never did it before, do yourself a favor and go to a professional hair salon!! Personally I will never color them again, even to hide white hair, dwl!

Where do you buy your products?
S: When I started my dreadlocks I was living in France so I used to buy my gel (Sculpture) in Paris at Château d’eau. This place is well-known for black hair salons and products. But recently the gel was discontinued. I have a few boxes left but I don’t know what I’m gonna do when they’re done. Otherwise my products vary because I travel a lot. I change products each time I move.

What would you like to see in French Guiana in terms of haircare?
S: French Guianese people are very fashionable, they take great care of their appearance, and hair is treated very carefully. I am very satisfied with the new generation because there are more and more youths with natural hair, especially dreadlocks. The only thing I wish in term of haircare is a decrease in prices, lol! Products and hair salons are very expensive!

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
S: I have a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/enjoylifeninja.

Anything else you want to add?
S: I congratulate the excellent initiative of the Black Girl with Long Hair Facebook page. The page shows fantastic examples of natural crowns which reinforce black pride.