Introduce yourself!
A: My name is Antonia (some call me Toni). I am from Indianapolis, IN.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
A: My mom and sister have always been natural and I used to be a bit envious of their curls and didn’t understand why I relaxed and they didn’t. I knew my hair was a lot thicker than theirs and harder to manage, so I just always figured I had to relax because that’s what my mom had been doing to my hair for so long. As I got older I continued to relax, but would have moments when I started growing it out but eventually always went back because it was hard to manage on my own. My stylist would even complain about me not relaxing and said my hair was too much to deal with without one. When I was living in NYC I sort of stumbled into transitioning. I didn’t trust anyone out there to give me relaxers so I just stopped getting them. I was used to going a long time between relaxers so it wasn’t that big of a deal to me. I was still constantly straightening my hair at this time though. I started noticing all of the beautiful women in the city who were natural and became obsessed. This is when I actually started doing some research and decided I wanted to go natural. At first it was just about growing out the relaxer for me, but as I became more familiar with natural hair it was about not straightening anymore either and wearing my natural curl pattern. As of January 16, 2014 I am 3 years natural.
How would you describe your texture?
A: In the beginning I used to pay attention more to hair typing. I eventually realized for me it didn’t really help in caring for my hair. However, I still understand the possible benefits of using the system. I have a lot of different textures going on. My nape area is 3b, the middle of my hair is a mix of 3c/4a and the top/crown area is 3b/3c. I have a lot of hair on my head. My individual strands are fine-medium, but the amount of hair is dense.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
A: I am all over the place when it comes to washing. I have no set routine. I wash based on how my hair feels and how I want to style it. If I am doing a wash and go I like my hair to be pretty clean. This means I may opt for a sulfate shampoo to get rid of all the build-up. Any one will do. If I am not doing a wash and go I just rinse my hair in the shower with water and detangle with conditioner (some might call this co-wash, I don’t because my intention is not to cleanse but just detangle). I use Kenra Color Maintenance Conditioner and Tresemme Naturals. Sometimes I use a gentler shampoo on these days as well.
I really like Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo and Kenra Color Maintenance Conditioner (it has a cone though 🙁 ). I used to be into some of the conditioning cleaners, but found they are kind of a waste. They don’t really do much for me. I deep condition every time I wet my hair. I use Biolage Aqua-Immersion Crème Masque or Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Hair Masque.
What does wash day look like for you?
A: As with washing, I have no set styling routine. I just do whatever I feel like. With it being winter and being so cold in Indy I haven’t been wearing my hair out. I stick to buns, braids and twists. Right now I am wearing semi mini twists. I often do them when I feel my hair is dry and needs a major styling break. When the weather is not terrible I definitely prefer to wear my hair out. I usually start with a wash and go. After about 3-4 days I turn the wash and go into a braid-out. It’s a very curly braid-out look. This will get me another 2-3 days. If I’ve worn my hair out for this amount of time (5-7 days) I then opt for a bun the next few days. I wash and then bun it up. This gives my hair a rest from being out. If I do a bun on wet hair it may take 3 full days for it to dry. After it’s been in the bun for a few days or so I take it out and now my hair is stretched. This allows me to now wear a stretched braid-out. This process is the closest thing I have to a styling regimen.
I have a few products that I pretty much use for all my styles. Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter (I use it as a styler and leave-in) and Tree Naturals Rice Flower & Shea Leave-In are my go to leave-in conditioners. I alternate the two when I am doing a wash and go. Every now and then I also use Giovanni Direct Leave-In. To style my wash and go I just put Deva Curl Styling Crème on top of one of the above. When I wear my bun I just use a leave-in. For braid-outs I use the same Camille Rose Twisting Butter. Another favorite product I have a million uses for is Original Moxie Hair Bling. That’s pretty much it. A goal of mine was to find a few products and stick to them. I hate having a ton of hair products. I like to have a set routine. It makes me feel better.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
A: A low side bun is for sure my go-to. I have a few variations of it. I do this bun on wet hair and dry, stretched hair. Sometimes I braid my hair first and then twist it into the bun.
How do you combat shrinkage?
A: I really only worry about shrinkage when I wear a wash and go. I use what I call the “pineapple bun” to combat this shrinkage. I pull all my hair to the front as if I were going to do a pineapple, but then I make a little bun. The 2nd time I wrap my hair band.
Tell us about your hair color?
A: My hair is color treated. I love hair color. One might say I am a bit addicted. Right now I have an all over red/auburn/brown color with golden highlights. I got it professionally done. I have dyed my hair myself once and I probably won’t ever do it again. I have decided to grow my current color out. I go through phases. I don’t stick to any color for too long.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
A: The middle of my hair that is 3c/4a is my problem area. It is the driest, breaks the easiest, and is the slowest to grow. There isn’t really much I do. I treat it just like the rest of my hair. I try to be a little more gentle when I detangle this section though.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
A: -Protein. With being colored treated, my hair really likes protein. I use a conditioner that has protein every time I am in the shower. -Styling my wash and go on wet hair. My hair must be pretty wet for my wash and go to turn out the way I prefer. It’s a no-no to try and do my wash and go if my hair isn’t practically dripping with water.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
A: -Wearing styles for too long. I can’t go too long wearing my hair in any style. There are times when I know I could get a few more days out of a style but I call it quits early. If I go too long without wetting and detangling my hair it is an all out war and I end up hurt. –Shea butter. My hair hates shea butter. Whether I put it on wet or dry hair, it is just a disaster. It makes my hair gummy.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
A: -YouTube: www.youtube.com/lipstickloveaffair
-Tumblr: www.hipslipshair.tumblr.com
–Instagram/Twitter @ToekneeRoyale
