Introduce yourself!
N: My Name is Nina Timothy. I was born in Long Island, New York but I grew up in Florida.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
N: I’ve been natural for three years since this past January. I’ve been getting perms since I was suuper young, initially against my will. By the time I was on my own and got to college, I couldn’t keep up with it. I didn’t want to anymore.
How would you describe your texture?
N: My hair texture varies; it’s tightly coiled all over, but in some places like in the back it’s looser, softer. It behaves I guess depending on what I want it to do! I have trouble pinning it back and it stands up all on its own. My strands are mostly coarse, some fine. The sides and back of my head are where the hair is more coarse. The top and back are more loose however. My hair is very dense I suppose, when it’s moisturized properly.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
N: For the most part I pick it while in the shower only. I’ve been mostly focused on growth and stimulating the scalp. I would like to start incorporating more twist styles throughout the month however. I’ve observed that it prevents knotting on your ends, and it really emphasizes your curl pattern. One product I use daily is Cantu Shea Butter Leave in Conditioning Repair Cream. I also use Cantu’s Define & Shine Custard for down hairstyles, as well as raw African shea butter at the ends. I use tea tree oil at my roots on occasion.
What does wash day look like for you?
N: Depending on how much build up is on my scalp I’ll use apple cider vinegar as a quick rinse out some days. I be on my African black soap mostly though! It’s efficient, economical and good for cleansing everything from head-to-toe. I try to avoid most on the shelf products to be honest.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
N: Hair wraps all day! Hair accessories are my saving grace when my hair’s not picked out. Scarves more than anything else are really accessible, and versatile. They can be tied in so many different ways – folded, tied, or pinned. There is so much you can do with a scarf! I’m actually in the works of creating my own line of hair accessories for girls who have big/kinky hair.
How do you combat shrinkage?
N: I try to moisturize from root to tip. I put tea tree oil at the root of my hair and shea butter at the ends on top of my leave-in treatment. A spritz of water+aloe throughout the day really soothes the scalp and adds moisture and shine to the hair.
Tell us about your hair color.
N: My color is a very deep brown, sprinkled with grays. It always has been. I’ve had a gray-ish streak dyed in the front of my head for a few months now, professionally colored at the same hair salon I work at, “Hair on Earth” located in Tallahassee, Florida. Bumble and Bumble is the primary product Hair On Earth uses and distributes. Processing even the little bit that they did definitely changed the texture in the front of my hair. It’s more loose now, wilder. Not to mention it also breaks easier.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
N: The back of my head and the sides more than anything else stay dry or knotted up, and break once picked.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
N: One, wrap my hair nightly to retain moisture and prevent knotting, and two, only use light oils to moisturize my scalp, otherwise the pores can get clogged.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
N: Don’t wash your hair more than once a week, SELF! And absolutely, don’t buy just any off the shelf product! It’s likely I’ll find more healthy hair care products in my fridge…
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
N: Blog: ninaamour.tumblr.com
Instagram: ninaam0ur
Twitter: @ninaamour
