Introduce yourself!
C: Hey there! My name is Chelsea and I’m from Houston, TX but I’m currently attending school in San Marcos, TX.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
C: I went natural because relaxed hair was expensive to maintain. I was going off to college and there was no way I was going to keep going home to get my hair done, especially because I didn’t have a car. Also, I just never enjoyed getting relaxers. I think it’s been about 3 to 4 years now that I’ve been natural.
How would you describe your texture?
C: I don’t know my texture in terms of 3a, 4c, etc. My hair isn’t coarse, but it isn’t fine…it’s in the middle I guess. It’s extremely thick and fluffy. Some strands coil more than others. There are some parts of my hair that coil then poof in random sections.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
C: Well, usually my hair is in the same style because I workout a lot and my hair sweats out quickly. It also depends on my mood. Usually I wash my hair every two weeks, but again I workout a lot so I have to wash my hair weekly. I then twist my hair in big twists and probably take it down the next day or the day after that. It really just depends on what I have going with school in that month.
What does wash day look like for you?
C: Wash days are loooong days. I divide my hair into four sections and wash each section once or twice with Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo. Afterward I dry it section by section with an old t-shirt, apply Koils by Nature Hydrating Shealoe Creamy Conditioner to each section and let it stay on for a few hours, sometimes overnight (just depending on how much time I have). After I rinse my hair, I dry each section with a t-shirt and apply Koils by Nature Moisturizing Shealoe Leave-In Conditioner then twist my hair with castor oil and Koils by Nature Nourishing Hair & Body Butter. I usually just do large twists so my hair can dry without tangling, then I style it the next day (usually a braid out or a puff). Also, I finger detangle as much as I can then use a wide toothed comb before twisting.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
C: My favorite go to has to be my puff/pineapple, especially when I’m going to the gym. Another is a frohawk, but I don’t do that one nearly as much as the puff.
How do you combat shrinkage?
C: I combat shrinkage (to the best of my ability) with braid outs. I usually don’t do them on wet hair though because it…still……shrinks. Lol
Tell us about your hair color?
C: I used box color from Clairol, but I don’t remember the color. Whenever I first color my hair, which I rarely do, I MUST make sure my hair is thoroughly moisturized. I know it’s supposed to be moisturized all the time, but it is especially crucial the weeks following fresh color.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
C: 1. Braid out all the way! 2. Castor oil is a definite do for maintaining moisture.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
C: 1. Wash n go’s are a definite No No. 2. Having my hair out on a humid day, but that’s a don’t for all natural girls. Lol
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
C: Yes! IG: respectthe_fro and Tumblr: respectthe-fro.tumblr.com.
