Maria Antoinette is Naturally Glam!

I am Maria Antoinette and I was born and raised in St. Louis MO, I currently live in Knoxville TN. I am happily married and we just had our first child together.  I feel motherhood is the best job I have ever had.  I also have a Youtube channel- http://www.youtube.com/MariaAntoinetteTV

How long have you been natural?
Off and on over 11 years. I’ve been growing my hair out this time since 2011(2 1/2 years). That was my last big chop. I was natural prior to that cut and just wanted a change.

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What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
The first time I went natural wasn’t on purpose.  I was wearing a lot of sew-ins and I didn’t need a relaxer with them and before I knew it, I was natural. So I guess I transitioned, lol. The benefit to being natural is that I’m able to explore hair color and blond is my favorite! Blonde girls have all the fun!

How would you describe your hair?
I feel my hair is very easy to mold. I have a combination of 3c and 4a hair texture. My hair is fine but dense. When I was younger I hated my hair.  I wanted it to be thick and long.  But now I appreciate my hair just the way it is! It’s my crown and I wear it with so much pride!

What do you love most about your hair?
How versatile it is now that I am natural…I can go straight or curly, I can color and still wear all the protective styles!

What has been the most memorable part of your journey?Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
The most memorable part of my journey has been the journey itself! I have had so many complements and was even featured in Essence.com a few times. I feel the most confident in my hair these days! The bigger the better. My journey hasn’t been too difficult. I am always changing my hair and it helps that I am a licensed Hair Stylist so I am a lot more confident tackling my hair!

What are some of your favorite hairstyles?
Sew-ins are my go to protective style.

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
My experience with my natural hair has been great.  I am a free spirit who is always changing my look, so whenever I rocked my natural hair, I was asked what kind of hair I was wearing, lol.  People thought it was a weave. So I didn’t have the negativity that some naturals experience. My advice for any one thinking of going natural- ‘DO IT, with you head held high and never let anyone steal your joy!’

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
I don’t do much with my hair, I contribute my length retention to that.  I shampoo with Giovanni 50/50 Balance or Biolage Rejuvathérapie Age Redefining and I always condition with Enjoy Instant Reconstructor. I use these prducts because they work best with my color treated hair. I then dry with a teeshirt, which prevents friction and results in less breakage. I apply Design Essentals HCO and Matrix Repair Break Fix Leave-In Elixir. If it’s a blow out, that’s all I use. If it’s a set, I use Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream and seal with coconut oil. My favorite stylers are Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue and Shea Moisture’s Curly Enhance Smoothie. I use either Giovanni L.A. Natural Styling Gel or Eco Styling Gel in the Olive Oil.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
Curly Nikki and my favorite YouTuber is Naptural85 she is my fav not just because of her hair but she so sweet!

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
In this life it’s so easy to get caught up comparing and wishing for what you don’t have. I say enjoy where God has you today because it’s your todays that build your tomorrows! – Maria Antoinette Quote

Where can people find you for more information?
I am all over the place… www.theMariaAntoinette.com, www.YouTube.com/MariaAntoinetteTV, Facebook.com/TheMariaAntoinette, Twitter @TMAblog, Instagram @Maria_Antoinette. Come Check me out, hope to meet you soon!