Introduce yourself!
T: Hey, guys! I’m Teesha and I’m from Norfolk, Virginia. I currently reside in Central New York!
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
T: I have been natural for two years and four months! I transitioned for thirteen months before I big chopped, so I have three years and five months of growth. Since I can remember, whenever I admired someone’s hair, it was natural – before I even knew it was “natural”! Namely, Yaya Alafia from America’s Next Top Model. I saw her hair and fell in LOVE! It took me finding the natural hair community online and seeing how amazing natural hair is. As soon as I learned about transitioning, I decided not to get any more relaxers!
How would you describe your texture?
T: I’m not really big on hair typing, but I’d say I’m a combination of 4a and 4b. My hair behaves pretty well, as long as it is stretched! If I let it get shrunken, it takes forever to detangle. Shrinkage is my hair’s worst enemy! My hair is both coarse and dense. That really helped me in the beginning (and now), to be able to make it look bigger when it wasn’t as long as I wanted it to be.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
T: Over the course of a month I do one really good protein treatment with Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment because my hair has become very protein needy. Without that, I get crazy breakage. Then I shampoo every two weeks with Dr. Woods’ Pure Almond Castile Soap and deep condition with Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner. The weeks I don’t shampoo, I deep condition with Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle then wash it out. Co-washing and conditioning in one is a big timesaver, plus it leaves my hair super moist! If I’m not in a long-term protective style, I usually just spend my week in a bun. Every few weeks I get the itch to wear it down so for a few days I’ll just stretch it, fluff it out, and go!
What does wash day look like for you?
T: A typical wash day (when I’m not cutting corners) for me includes several showers, wrinkly skin, and making sure I’m properly hydrated so that I don’t pass out in the shower. Haha, also washing my hair in two to four sections with Dr. Woods Pure Almond Castile Soap. Then I finger detangle with Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner and let that sit until I get around to rinsing it out. I seal it with a shea butter mix (raw shea butter, coconut oil, Vitamin E, olive oil and lavender oil) while it’s still wet, and ordinarily I would let it air dry overnight in four braids, but since I don’t have much time anymore I let it air dry until it’s about 70% dry, then blow dry on cool.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
T: My go-to hairstyle, hands down, is pinning it to one side and fluffing it out as much as I can on the other side. You know, kind of pretending to be Cassie. This style never, ever fails me!
How do you combat shrinkage?
T: I fight shrinkage by making sure I don’t go any longer than a few nights without stretching it. Stretching it every night is ideal. I moisturize and put my hair in two braids or two bantu knots — anything that is quick and has enough tension to stretch it out.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
T: THE FRONT! My protective styles always include either wearing some of the front out, or brushing it back into a bun. That part of my hair is definitely struggling.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
T: Two do’s for my hair are lots of moisture and stretching to keep it from getting dry (the less stretched, the more dry my hair gets).
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
T: Too much manipulation and not enough protective styling are my biggest don’ts.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
T: I always start personal blogs and the perfectionist in me deletes them. But you can find me at http://www.imatoilet.tumblr.com or on Instagram @cupidblitzen!
