Introduce yourself!
W: My name is Whitney Madueke. I am from Anambra state but I live in Lagos state, Nigeria.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
W: I have been fully natural for less than a year. It will be a year on the 13th of March, 2013, the day I did my big chop. I transitioned for almost a year, my last relaxer was the 20th of June, 2012. I simply got tired of relaxed hair and as a lover of change, I was continuously inspired by natural heads on social networks, especially Tumblr. It just seemed so beautiful and worth it in all its diversity. I could not resist.
How would you describe your texture?
W: My short afro is of a 4c hair type. It can be so hard to maintain with sudden times of dryness and then a bearer of good news when it is soft and easy to style. I have super tight curls with shrinkage as its best friend. It‘s a lover of water which eases up the tangles.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
W: My styling regimen usually fluctuates between weaves, braids and my afro being out. When my afro is out, I usually wash and go every two days. I wash with V05 conditioner and wrap my hair with an old t-shirt since towels are bad. The t-shirt stays on while I get dressed just to take out any excess water. Afterward, I use my LOC method where I apply Castor Oil, then Indian Hemp and my Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioner on damp hair. I then leave it to air dry. I may use an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse at times. It depends on if I feel I have product build up, dandruff or an itchy scalp. What helps me make my styling decisions is the weather, any special occasion, my hair’s needs and time. The aim is always to look good, but not at the expense of my hair’s health.
What does wash day look like for you?
W: A wash day can be anything from relaxing, exciting, pleasing to stressful. It ranges from homemade recipes like apple cider vinegar rinses and my deep conditioner (which you can find on my YouTube) to using a shampoo and/or a conditioner. Wash day always depends on my hair’s needs, how I feel about my hair, and the time I have to spare. It usually involves just these products: V05 Conditioner and/or Shampoo, Castor Oil, Indian Hemp and my Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioner. I use the Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque more during harsh weather. Also, I use a mix of oils and hair creams.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
W: Wash and go is my motto. It is simple and easy to do. If I want something different I go for scarves and hats to top it off. I wash, apply cream and go, or if I don’t wash and only condition it, then I just tie on a scarf or put on a hat – always helpful on busy university mornings.
How do you combat shrinkage?
W: Shrinkage does not really bother me. I am not in a rush to leave my ‘short hair’ stage so I am pretty cool with it. I guess as my hair grows longer and I have hairstyles I am desperate to try, I will find ways to deal with it.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
W: Dryness is always a problem. It is a feature of 4c hair, as it is tightly coiled. Trying to keep my hair moisturized throughout the day, especially in harsh weather can be so tasking and frustrating, but I am getting to know what works and what does not. It is part of the journey.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
W: Always comb and style damp hair, it is less painful. Sleep with a satin/silk scarf or pillow to prevent dryness and breakage.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
W: Do not ignore labels, read before you buy. Do not jump into products all at once, test one at a time and see how your hair loves or hates the product. You save a lot of time and money.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
W: I have a personal blog: http://desourire.tumblr.com. I also recently started Leazz Way, my blog and vlog on my natural hair, beauty and style: http://leazzway.tumblr.com. Feel free to support me with your likes, comments, subscriptions, etc. and ask questions on any of the networks you can find me on:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/desourire_
Instagram: http://instagram.com/desourire
YouTube: http://youtube.com/leazzway
Facebook: http://facebook.com/leazzway
Gmail: le*****@***il.com
Google+: Leazz Way
38 Responses
You’re such a beauty, love your style and hair. Happy growing
its so awesome how u leave your natural for all to see it is really is so gorgeous. so much like my hair since my chop early this year will defss be following you.
take care and all the very beat from Zim!!!!
God bless.
Anambrarian and Nigerian in da house! !! you go girl! !!
Very pretty. This kinda made me interested to visit Nigeria.
Gorgeous girl, and that SKIN!
Its nice to see someone with my same hair type. Shes very pretty!!
why was the front page pic changed? Love the pic with her TWA and texture showing…
i agree. its rare to see images of type 4 hair that hasnt been fully manipulated so it was good to see that pic.
I like the eyebrows.
& Your eyebrows are so beautiful! lol . My father is from Anambra as well. Okay I’m done commenting
Those buns give me so much life~! AGH! YASSS~! 😀
You are so radiant and beautiful my Naija sister!
Lovely skin & a radiant smile!
Happpy healthy growing 🙂
She’s gorgeous. Her hair looks like it would be soft to the touch. I love the “pigtails” hair style. Super cute!
she’s one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen on this site or anywhere. Her hair also looks so soft, fluffy and healthy. LOVE IT!
4c and sexy. Rock on girlfriend rock on 🙂
Big chops is a refreshing look on a woman and it doesn’t seem to manipulated. It’s nice to see another woman coming from Nigeria.
Thanks for sharing….
Your hair is beautiful. You are right about read product labels. I learned the hard way. I don’t know whether you seen Tyler Perry new show Haves and Have not, you favor Candice.
ooooh! we are almost hair twins. My big chop anniversary is 3/13/13. My last relaxer was 12/12/12. Wash and gos are everything. I also could not resist the images of natural hair on tumblr. Where we part—shrinkage gets on my nerves and I am a product junkie. You have beautiful hair. Keep up the good work
Correction: My Last relaxer was 12/12/11. Wow, time flys
I love that she’s a 4c girl who doesn’t shy away from a wash n go! (Finally!) Just goes to show that the hairstyle is still a possibility when you stop associating it with curls 🙂
so true! a wash and fro is still a wash and go
True 4c hair always happy to see it!
so true, on point!
You got them real ancient Egyptian eyes *^*
You are a beauty! Absolutely stunning photos! I just loved the faux fade in the 2nd picture.
Pretty girl. Original interview, well written.
such a pretty girl
Combing your hair should not be painful at all. Learn to comb that thing properly.
Hair types, my love, hair types…
some hair don’t play that comb ish.
https://bglh-marketplace.com/2013/11/7-tips-for-length-retention-of-type-4b4c-natural-hair/
Well I understand where Tina is coming from when she suggests that we need to learn to comb this hair type. Tenderheadedness aside, many people rip through 4b/c hair through frustration which leads to pain and unnecessary breakage. I used to be tender headed, I still am but I limit tool usage, comb hair that is neither wet or dry and do everything in sections. There is a way to lessen the pain but it takes learning and experimentation.
Some scalps are just a lot more sensitive than others. Some hair strands are a lot more fragile when dealing with hair tools. I strongly believe that there are just some hair types that thrive much better without combs, brushes and the likes. That’s just the way it is, and that’s ok 🙂
I gave up combs yesterday. The only time I ever use a brush is when I’ve finger detangled, finished my wash day routine and doing a final detangle before stretching.
I gave it up last year in October but that habitual need to put a comb through my hair (even though my hands can run thru just fine) still made me comb it for no reason.
Yesterday I gave it up again Cous my fingers just slid through my hair after finger detangling. I’m going to give it up this year. Might actually be the culprit to my hair length plateau.
i have type 4a-b-c hair by the way. almost equally spaced across my head.
love how she embraces shrinkage
Stunning, she looks like a model and I love her hair.
Beautiful girl, that shrinkage is crazy.
Beautiful journey so far! You are absolutely right about reading product labels. Saves a lot of wasted money if you know which ingredients and formulations works best for your hair. Luv the faux high top n the eye liner in your 2nd pic.