Introduce yourself!
Q: My name is Quincee, I’m 21 years old, and I’m from the greater Seattle area.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
Q: I stopped getting relaxers because I was tired of only being able to wear straight hair. But I decided to actually rock my natural hair as a challenge to myself. After graduating high school, I wanted to see if I could go a full year without heat, and I wanted to see if it would make my hair grow back to BSL, the length it was when I stopped relaxing. After the year was up I decided that I liked the natural look on me more than I liked straight hair. So I just kept doing natural styles lol. My last relaxer was in spring of 2008, but I used to straighten my hair everyday and was in the salon every other week getting a fresh press. I would say I fully embraced being natural in July of 2011. So I guess you could say almost 3 years.
How would you describe your texture?
Q: I don’t usually type my texture, but I guess you could say I’m a 4a living the life of a 4c. I wear my hair picked out to where you can’t see my natural texture too much because I like it better. As far as the individual strands, my hair is VERY coarse, very thick, and very dense. My porosity is probably on the lower side since my hair cuticles tend to be closed.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
Q: Honestly my styling regimen is a joke lol. After washing and conditioning I usually twist my hair into 16-20 two strand twists using the LOC method. L being water, O being either Naptrual85′s oil mixture or Africa’s Best Hair & Scalp Conditioner, and the C being whatever thick conditioner I find first lol. Then I wear a twist out for the next 4 to 5 days and I pineapple every night. After my twist out is beyond old I pick it out and wear a fro, and again, pineapple every night. Once I get sick of my fro, I either pull it up into a high puff, or wrap it up in a turban until I either A) feel like re twisting, or B) feel like washing my hair again lol. I like wearing my hair out, so I rarely protective style. And my hair has gotten so long and thick, it’s just easier to fluff and go versus spend 3 to 4 hours re twisting my hair every 3 to 5 days. *que the ain’t nobody got time for that gif* lol
What does wash day look like for you?
Q: A real deal wash day for me includes an ACV rinse, shampoo, detangle, deep condition/protein treatment, then style. I split my hair into 8 sections and ACV rinse all throughout my scalp to get rid of buildup. I shampoo in the shower with Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa Shampoo, but recently switched to a brand called Argan Magic. Both shampoos leave my hair feeling amazing and clean without the stripped feeling. But Argan Magic gives my hair twice the shine. I detangle with V05 Conditioner if I’m in the shower, or Mane ‘n Tail Detangler if I’m “dry” detangling. I usually mix together a bunch of old random conditioners I have around for a deep conditioner because there’s no need to be wasteful lol.
I’m currently using the Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise for a protein treatment, but my favorite is the Africa’s Best brand. I don’t deep condition and do protein treatments on the same day, and I do my entire routine with my hair in 8 sections. 4 on each side. I use the Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa Conditioner after using the shampoo, and vice versa with the Argan Magic Conditioner. My wash day takes anywhere from 4 to 7 hours depending on what I decide to do.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
Q: Hands down my favorite lazy/rushed hair day style is a turban. That way I always look cute even when what’s going on beneath the headwrap is far from it haha. Not to mention there are a gazillion ways to wear a turban, so it can’t get boring. That’s actually my “protective style”.
How do you combat shrinkage?
Q: Generally by twisting my hair after washing. Washing in sections and keeping my hair twisted up during the process takes my shrinkage down a notch as well. If I want it realllly stretched, I’ll just blow it out.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
Q: I wouldn’t say I have problem areas anymore. It’s always a bit more difficult to blow out the crown of my head though. *shrugs*
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
Q: As I mentioned before, I don’t pay much mind to texture typing, but for someone with hair as thick and as coarse as mine, I’d definitely recommend thicker conditioners and heavier oils. Oh and grease like Blue Magic does a lot within the LOC method for me. Also pineappling is the only way for me to stretch styles out as long as I do.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
Q: Light oils such as jojoba and coconut, watery conditioners, sleeping without my hair pineappled… All definite no no’s for me.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
Q: My IG is @queenqui___ (3 underscores) and my Tumblr is www.my-opossum-is-awesome.tumblr.com.
