Nikki Is Naturally Glam!
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- June 18, 2015
My name is Nikki. I have a style blog and I have pretty awesome natural hair! This is the second time I’ve been natural. I have been natural for nearly 2 years. I’d been natural over 7 years before I relaxed in 2013. I hadn’t been relaxed a whole year before I decided to chop it all off and start over.
What was your journey like?
I’m on my second journey as a naturalista—I big chopped both times and I think the difference between this time and the first is that I have more help! I’m not a DIY kinda gal, so all the YouTube videos and tutorials really weren’t for me. I’d try something and fail miserably and it was disheartening. That’s part of why I relaxed it after 7 years, but when I found a good stylist I felt comfortable and competent enough to start over. With my second chop, I wore braids and Havana twists for 3 months at a time until it got to a length I could work with.
Had you always embraced your texture?
I always thought my texture was just thick because that’s all I’ve ever heard my entire life—relaxed or not. I just figured that’s what it was and that’s what it’ll be, so deal with it.
How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural?
No, no, no, no, no, no, and NO! LOL I’ve always had long and thick hair and for me to cut it all off to a TWA, I might as well had been dead to some people. Even as I grew it out, I’d get negative criticism from my family wanting me to straighten it. To this day, I still get asked why I don’t straighten my hair. It’s my hair on my head and I have to deal with it. Love it or hate it, it’s me and it’s not going to change unless I decide to do it. So, all anyone can do is live with it because it’s not going anywhere ☺
Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick, highly porous, low, etc.)
My hair is super thick and probably highly porous
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to your hair?
The craziest thing I’ve ever done aside from the big chop was probably coloring it myself—it was supposed to be honey blonde, but it was so over processed that it looked orange. LOL. That lead to my first big chop.
What’s your biggest hair related regret?
My biggest hair related regret right now is relaxing after 7 years of being natural. I got frustrated and bored and instead of finding someone to give it some TLC, I took the easy way out. If I could do it all again, I’d stay the course and be stronger.
What’s your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? Favorite products! Deets!
My hair routine is simple. I think my hair responds very well to SheaMoisture products so that’s all I use really. I wash every 2-3 weeks at the with the Jamaican Black Castor Oil shampoo, condition with Raw Shea Butter restorative conditioner. I use the Jamaican Black Castor Oil leave-in conditioner and maybe a little coconut oil to twist and air dry. After a day or two, I’ll go back and use the Coconut & Hibiscus curl enhancing smoothie to add more moisture and make my twist out fluffier
What’s your favorite hairstyle? Where do you get hairstyle inspiration?
I don’t really have a favorite hairstyle, I just know twist outs work for me so that’s what I stick with. My hair and my personality really meld so when I get dressed in the morning my hair just goes with my outfit.
Who is your curl crush?
SOLANGE! I LOVE HER! Wig or no wig, she’s IT for me! And every other carefree curly black girl out there unapologetically being herself.
How do you maintain your hair at night?
I twist my hair every night, but as it gets older, I don’t twist it very tight. I twist enough to keep it together so it doesn’t unravel, but not so tight that it’s hard to unravel in the morning. I sleep in a satin bonnet and I also have a satin pillowcase for the edges that don’t get covered by the bonnet
How do you maintain healthy length?
I try to keep my hair moisturized with a big focus on my ends, but I’m not perfect and I get lazy and I forget sometimes. But, that’s all that I really do.
What’s the best thing about being natural?
The best thing about being natural is the freedom I feel from letting my hair do whatever it wants!
Where can folks find you on the web?
I’m building my style blog www.lookfabulessblog.wordpress.com where I discuss wardrobe building and looking stylish on a budget and offer personal styling and shopping services; but I can always be found on twitter @NikkiFabulous and instagram: Nikki_Freakin_Fab
