Kanisha Is Naturally Glam!

Tell me about yourself!
Hey! My name is Kanisha Pitchford. I’m 22 years old, and I am an Educational Psychology major at Mississippi State University.

Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper? What was your journey like?
I transitioned for 1 year and 5 months. My transition was not hard at all because I used a lot of protective styles such as twists and sew ins to help the process go by smoothly. When I was not protective styling, I mostly did braid outs and bantu knots, or if I was feeling lazy I would just put my hair in a bun. My initial goal was to transition for at least 2 years, but I was over the dead ends and felt I was ready, so I went for it and I’m absolutely loving it so far!

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Had you always embraced your texture?
It wasn’t too hard to embrace my texture, because I transitioned for so long. When I finally cut all my perm off my reaction was hilarious, I couldn’t believe a fro actually looked cute on me!! I loved my kinky curly/coily texture, but although I loved it I was nervous to go into work the next day because I didn’t know what everyone would think, seeing as how I work in a corporate style office. I sent pictures to my mom, boyfriend and posted a few on Facebook and everyone couldn’t believe I finally did the cut. Everyone at work liked it as well, so with all the support around me embracing my texture was not hard at all!

How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural? What was your response to them? 
I did tons of research before finally deciding to go natural. I honestly think I may have researched and pondered on it for at least 1-2 years. My first year at MSU, I told some friends of mine I was going to stop getting perms and they honestly didn’t think I would do it, and I love proving people wrong! I got my last perm that December and of course you get a few comments here and there from strangers, but my family and friends were very supportive!

Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick, highly porous, low, etc.)
My hair is, very thick, Kinky, and coily, It has major shrinkage and it thrives off of water.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to your hair?
The craziest thing I’ve ever done to my hair would have to be the big chop, it’s the boldest thing I’ve ever done because I’m too much of a chicken to experiment too much with my hair. I do plan to experiment with color sometime soon because I’m obsessed with shades of red.

What’s your biggest hair related regret?
My biggest hair related regret is being too afraid to transition sooner.

What’s your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? Favorite products! Deets!
I wash my hair once a week. I use Eden body works Jojoba Monoi all natural shampoo or SheaMoisture Super fruit Complex 10 in 1 Renewal Shampoo and then deep condition with whatever deep conditioner I have available at the time, I really love Eden Body Works Deep Conditioner, but right now I’m using SheaMoisture Raw Shea butter Deep Treatment Masque, which is amazing as well. I let the deep conditioner sit on my hair for about 45 minutes to an hour, then rinse. I then apply a leave in conditioner, right now I use African Prides Shea Butter Miracle moisture intense leave in conditioner, I’ve been using this product for years and my hair loves it. I then continue by adding some type of oil to seal in moisture, I like to use Jojoba oil. Every other week I co-wash instead of using shampoo. The products I use may change often because I’m still experimenting with them, but I ALWAYS deep condition each time I wash.

What’s your favorite hairstyle? Where do you get hairstyle inspiration?
My favorite hairstyle would have to be protective styles, such as braids and sew ins, but when I’m not protective styling I like to do braid outs and twist outs or anything that can give me lots of volume! I love big hair! I get most of my inspiration from YouTube and Pinterest.

Who is your curl crush?
I have several from Instagram: _CHANDAPANDA_, DONEDO, __LIONNESS
YouTube: PrettieMajor, Nikkimae2003, Mo Knows Hair, Mini Marley, Janae Mason
and Kimberly Elise

How do you maintain your hair at night?
My night time routine is pretty simple. I spritz my hair with water, and add a moisturizer to it if needed. I then braid or twist my hair, depends on what look I’m going for the next day and I always cover it with a satin bonnet.

How do you maintain healthy length?
MOISTURIZE, PROTECTIVE STYLE, AND HEALTHY ENDS.

What’s the best thing about being natural?
I feel like the best thing about being natural is just embracing what God blessed you with and feeling beautiful without altering yourself to fit into a certain standard. I also feel that naturals are more conscious about the health of our hair because we’re learning more about how to take care of it and this can also teach us how to take care of our bodies as a whole.

Where can folks find you on the web?
Instagram: Southern_bread
I’m also working on a YouTube channel: Naturally_kayp