Introduce yourself!
N: I’m NzuriAnne from Denver, Colorado.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
N: I have been natural my entire life. Being raised by a Persian/Spaniard mother, she thought what was best for my hair growing up was to leave it in its natural state with regular trims from my grandmother in our home kitchen. It wasn’t until I was in the 6th grade that my mother allowed me to cut my hair how I wanted for the first time. I got a shoulder length style, which forced me to flat iron it daily for the next two years because of the shortness. I didn’t understand the damage I was doing to my hair then. In my high school years I gained some confidence and some laziness to leave my hair as is every day. It was about junior year that I discovered healthy products, and my hair has been at its very best since then. It has now been almost 4 years of healthy hair!
How would you describe your texture?
N: I have never known my exact texture. I just describe my hair as soft, thick at the roots, and versatile. My hair flat irons easily, braid outs are very simple to do, and my hair holds styles well.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
N: Every day styling for me starts with my hair in a pineapple from overnight (because of the length of my hair and strands in my face, this is now just a messy bun). In the morning to remove the rubber band line I spritz my hair and scrunch it with Carol’s Daughter Tui Leave In Conditioner only until the band shape is gone. For freshly washed curls I use the regimen below for 3rd day curls.
For 2nd day curls, after the daily spritz I mix a little Cantu Shea Butter Hair Dressing Pomade with Proclaim Spray On Glosser in my palms and distribute with my curls upside down, scrunching upwards and gliding through gently on the top center where my frizziness occurs. I finish off with some Spectrum Unrefined Coconut Oil and Organix Argan Oil and Shea Butter Moisture Restore Weightless Oil on top, ends, and back center to help with tangles I get in those areas.
For 3rd thru 6th day curls I have lost some definition, and not as much product has remained in my hair. I also have some tangles when I wake up on those days, so I do as follows: spritz with Carol’s Daughter Tui Leave In Conditioner then saturate hair with water in a spray bottle. While hair is wet I get an ample amount of Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie in my palms and distribute evenly with my head upside down as always. Then I warm some coconut oil in my palms and glide it through my hair at the nape and back center, and finger detangle slightly. I next use about a quarter amount or more of Deva Curl Ultra Defining Gel and scrunch upward, then with my head upright I glide some near the roots at the crown. During this time I allow the products to sink into my hair while I do my makeup, get dressed, etc. Once that is finished, I spritz my hair really well with Chi Iron Guard Spray and blow dry on a low, cool to medium heat setting with my head upside down, scrunching upwards until my hair is dry. This gives me ultimate volume since the length of my hair weighs down my curls.
What does wash day look like for you?
N: Wash day starts at nighttime then continues the next morning. The night before my wash I detangle (saves me time in the morning). I put lots of coconut oil in a bowl then I section my hair, saturating the sections as I go. I detangle with a wide toothcomb. Once my whole head is finished (usually takes close to an hour) I tie my hair up in a tight bun and go to sleep. The next morning (wash day) I split my hair into two sections down the middle. I wash one side, then the next with Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner or Deva Curl No-Poo and One Condition (if my hair was greatly tangled). I then gently squeeze out any excess water and wrap my hair up in my “Turbie Twist” (microfiber). Then proceed with styling regimen.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
N: My favorite go to style is a simple messy bun.
How do you combat shrinkage?
N: I have retained so much length over this past year that shrinkage doesn’t affect me as much as it used to. In the past when it did, I would use mousse to style my hair, and would stretch out my curls, but that method was very harmful.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
N: Problem areas for me tend to be at my nape. Hairs there tend to get tangled very easily and don’t hold much coil.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
N: 2 do’s would be love it and appreciate it. Haha.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
N: 2 don’ts would be combing through with fingers and drying using anything other than a microfiber towel. I have ripped my strands out by using normal terrycloth in the past.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
N: Nzurianne.tumblr.com and Instagram and Twitter @Nzurianne
