Hennalice is Naturally Glam- ‘Don’t let people tell you what’s pretty…’

My name is Hennalice Silva, and I’m Cape Verdean (West Africa) but I was born and raised in the Netherlands. I’m 27 years old and graduated with a Bachelor of Law.

How long have you been natural? How you was embraced your curls?
My hair has always been like this, but that does not mean that I haven’t ruined it by pressing and dying my hair a lot! I haven’t dyed my hair for 2.5 years now. I don’t press my hair unless it’s my birthday or a special occasion where I need to be ‘classier’ and not enter the room like a lion, lol

What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper & why?
Yes, I had to do the big chop! After I shaved one side of my head it grew back so healthy, I had to chop the other side. Since that day, I promised myself not to dye and press my hair anymore.

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How would you describe your hair?
My hair can be really frizzy! I don’t have thick hair but I have a lot of volume! When I wash my hair and put it in a braid, you would never know that my hair can get so big and frizzy!

What do you love most about your hair?
What I like most is that I can have it big and curly when I want, but I can also have it straight when I like to. Also, the volume! Because I don’t have a lot of hair but the volume makes it look that way.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
Both, I think! I use to dye my hair a lot and my hair had no curls because of the pressing, so I couldn’t let my hair down with all the ugly ends. It took me a year before I could let my hair down. But, I was determined to get my hair back so that made it easy not to press it again!

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
Everybody is in shock! They forgot that my hair was like this! Otherwise they were like; “That’s the girl we remember!” … Everybody is pretty happy that I made this choice!

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
I wash my hair once a week (L’Oreal for curly hair). I wash my hair upside down because I have this feeling that it creates more volume (I don’t know if it’s true, lol). After I shampoo my hair two times, I condition (also L’Oreal) my hair and wash it out! After that I leave my hair in a towel for 15 minutes. This is because my hair doesn’t dry fast. After I remove the towel, I put in leave-in conditioner that I buy in a local store for 1 euro, very cheap… but I have never had a better product! Also I can use the leave in conditioner that L’Oreal has for curly hair. After this I just let it air dry. In a cold country such as the Netherlands, it’s best to let it dry in the house but when I’m in a warm country, I love to let it dry in the wind. When I go to sleep, I sleep with a high ponytail and in the morning I just untie my hair and run my fingers through it.. I don’t put anything in it until I wash my hair again; otherwise, my curls stay hard and it won’t bounce naturally anymore.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites, YouTubers, or blogs?
I never knew there were so many blogs and websites about natural hair! But since I’ve gotten on a few, I have been watching some on Instagram and the internet. Let’s just say yours is my favorite! Hahaha

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
Just be happy with what you look like. Some have straight hair, some curly, and others kinky. When I was a kid, people used to laugh at my frizzy/curly hair – now people love it! Don’t let people tell you what’s pretty and what’s not! Every hairstyle has its beauty!

Where can people find you for more information?
I don’t have a blog or a YouTube channel because I don’t have a lot to say about my hair but I do have Instagram: @h7_nnlc.