Embracing diversity of Natural Hair

I sometimes feel like the big blogs or youtubers that do reviews all have super long gorgeous 'perfect' hair or all of their hair textures are very similar!! Well.. I wanted to profile 3 very different curl-friends who all are participating in the KCCM Fall Castor oil challenge thanks to me *dusts shoulders off* and give you all a look at their current lengths, regimens, goals, and challenges. Highlight the issues, struggles, and rawness of being natural because we know we have our days! And to show how *patience* and a consistent regimen (using Castor oil in this case) can be a world of difference!

They each have different hair textures,and lengths from TWA to APL, are at different points in their journey, and have different problem areas and struggles but all have a common goal of healthier hair from using Castor oil There will be a follow up with the ladies after the challenge is over to see their progress and what has changed.




Shamille-TWA

1. How long have you been natural?

 I have been natural since February and my big chop was in May

2. Why did you go natural?

I decided to go natural because I was tired of my hair being damaged. My hair started falling out when I had my last baby and that was a wake up call for me. My sister and my cousins were natural for a few years and they motivated me to do it.

3. Why are you participating in the Castor oil challenge?

I really wanted to try the Castor oil challenge after seeing KCCM's results. I really want my hair to grow more and I wanted more moisture.

4. What are your goals for the challenge?

My goals for the challenge are to get more length and moisture.

5. Describe your hair? Ex: Hair type (3, 4 abc or a mix); Texture (coarse or fine); Density(thick of thin); Porosity (thirsty hair lots of product or holds in moisture little product needed).

 I think my hair is a 4b, My hair is very thick coarse, and dry

6. What is your current weekly regimen and how is Castor oil incorporated?

My weekly routine consists of wash one day and co-wash two or three days depending if I work, then wash again. I have been using Castor oil on my scalp and I made a mixture of Castor oil, olive oil, coconut oil and Shea butter to seal in moisture after a wash or co wash
 
7. Do you have any problem areas & how do you deal with them?

 I solved this problem by using more Castor oil and my hair has started to grow more there.

8. Have you experienced any problems, set backs, or felt like giving up on your hair journey?

 I have had some setbacks, my hair has a mind of its own some days and no matter what I do its dry. I have come close to giving up.

9. How did you over come it?

My family and my other natural sisters.

10. Do you have any advice for anyone considering going natural or any insight you've learned along your journey?

My advice is that good things comes to those who wait and who are dedicated to having great results and beautiful hair. Hair that you were born with that did not come from a box.
Tiffany-Chin Length

1. How long have you been natural? 

TWO years and counting

2. Why did you go natural?

My hair broke off after getting my hair relaxed too soon after a coloring

3. Why are you participating in the Castor oil challenge?

My good friend and Soror introduced me to the product and I saw her amazing results and wanted the same thing. I am a reformed LAZY natural and now I'm willing to branch out and try new things to keep my length and jump start the growth in my problem areas.

4. What are your goals for the challenge?

I want my edges to grow back in and I want my back to at least touch the middle of my neck.

5. Describe your hair? Ex: Hair type (3, 4 abc or a mix); Texture (coarse or fine); Density (thick of thin); Porosity (thirsty hair lots of product or holds in moisture little product needed).

My hair is 4c, I actually had to look it up to answer the question. The texture is not fine and it's not coarse. I will to do a strand test at a local natural hair store in Atlanta and the owner said my hair, "wasn't coarse, but fluffy like clouds." The density is thick and it does hold a lot of water. I can not use water-based products, I use oil based products.

6. What is your current weekly regimen and how is Castor oil incorporated?

I use JBCO on my edges daily and around the neck area; I massage the oil into my hair and scalp. At night I do the LOC method and incorporate the JBCO and end with the GHE. When I wash my hair I deep condition with JBCO and sit under the hood dryer. I think that's about it.

7. Do you have any problem areas & how do you deal with them?

My edges are a problem area and my back doesn't seem to be growing. I massage my temples and neck with JBCO daily and I'm trying protective styles.

8. Have you experienced any problems, set backs, or felt like giving up on your hair journey?

I haven't felt like giving up. I've come to far to go back to the "creamy crack!" But, I was using a satin scarf and thought it was the same as a bonnet and it broke my hair off in the back.

9. How did you over come it?

With patience

10. Do you have any advice for anyone considering going natural or any insight you've learned along your journey?

Advice would be to not judge your hair or journey to someone elses. Just b/c they are the same race, ethnicity, or even use the same products your hair will not grow the same length and the same time. Being natural is about trial and error with styles and products. Also, be patient.

Once, the compliments come it will help the transition. I realized that I did not as much make-up once I went natural. Just a headband and fly accessories.

Erica-APL

1. How long have you been natural?

About 5 or 6 years, my first big chop was in 2006 (don't remember exact date) then i reverted back to a relaxer in 07 and went back to natural 08

2. Why did you go natural?

The first time because my hair was damaged and breaking off (I was used to having healthy long relaxed hair that I always received plenty of compliments on but after a certain point it just wasn't doing it for me anymore). The second time is because I truly missed my hair in its natural state. I remember being so impatient for it to grow out to the length it previously was and my beautician at the time was just like you have to be patient and I wasn't trying to hear it, lol

3. Why are you participating in the Castor oil challenge?

Because I am obsessed with my hair and after seeing the results on KCCM's hair I was inspired to do so on my own. I want my hair to grow to bra strap length and be thick and healthy and I think I’m on the right track.

4. What are your goals for the challenge?

To take care of my hair, make sure it's properly moisturized, and promote as much growth as possible.

 5. Describe your hair? Ex: Hair type (3, 4 abc or a mix); Texture (coarse or fine); Density (thick of thin); Porosity (thirsty hair lots of product or holds in moisture little product needed).

My hair's texture is lots of springy, corkscrew, defined curls with LOTS of shrinkage...I want to say it’s a type 4 but I’m not totally sure. My hair holds in moisture pretty well so I don't need to apply huge amounts of product or it will weigh my hair down and become overly greasy (not hot!)

6. What is your current weekly regimen and how is Castor oil incorporated?

My regime is as follows: Sunday = wash day. I only actually wash with a shampoo once a month. The rest of the month I co-wash with conditioner. next I deep condition and I apply my Castor oil, tea tree, grape seed, vitamin e, and olive oil mix to my scalp, edges, and hair then I apply my conditioner and detangle. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes or up to a few hours, depends on what I have to do and how I feel.

After I rinse my conditioner out I towel blot my hair to absorb excess water. I spray my hair with leave in conditioner, then apply either tea tree or Castor oil. then I wrap my hair in a t-shirt for about 30 - 60 minutes. after that I let it air dry while I do chores or whatever until it's about 90% dry then I blow dry on low to finish the drying process.

Next I section my hair based on the style I want, apply my styling product and do two strand twists, braid out, or flat twist and let it set. Take out the next day and go!
I usually apply the Castor oil mix to my scalp and edges 2 - 3 times a week. Most of the time I re-twist my hair at night depending on how I plan to wear it the next day. Sounds like a lot but it really isn't, the most I do during the week is re-twisting or braiding.

Also I just wanted to note that I don't think the pre-poo is for me, I think doing that and co-washing and deep conditioning is over moisturizing my hair so I will be limiting that to every blue moon. Co-washing is working just fine for my hair thus far.

7. Do you have any problem areas & how do you deal with them?

I don't have any problem areas

8. Have you experienced any problems, set backs, or felt like giving up on your hair journey?

I have never felt like giving up on my natural hair journey. I’ve felt that I was in a styling rut before but I started researching and I will never wear a wash and go again, lol

9. How did you over come it?

 Research is my best friend...you tube, FB, and google

10. Do you have any advice for anyone considering going natural or any insight you've learned along your journey?

I say if you are thinking of going natural, go for it! Just be sure to educate yourself. There are plenty of research tools out there.

What insight I can say that I’ve learned is that even with all of the info out there it really truly is an experimental process. You have to learn your hair, and what products work for you.

Stay tuned for an update from the ladies!! Thank you all for allowing me to feature you!!