Sharlene Is Naturally Glam!

Were you a slow transitioner or a Big Chopper & why? (tell us your natural hair journey)
I was a slow transitioner. I grew my hair out for 2 1/2 years wearing protective styles such as braids, weaves and braidouts. I chose to grow my hair out instead of doing the big chop solely because I wasn’t brave enough to do so. During my transition stage I experimented a lot with my hair because I had to learn how to work the 2 textures helped me start to discover what works best for my hair.

Read More>>

Had you always embraced your texture? 
I can truly say I grew to love my texture. When I started my journey natural, very few were doing so there was a lot of TRIAL AND ERROR with my hair but that made me appreciate the journey so much more. Once I learned how to treat my hair properly and learned what works best for my hair; I began to appreciate it a lot more and experiment with different products and styles.

How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural? How did they react to the new you? What was your response to them? 
 My mom loved it she would always tell her friends and show them pictures of my hair. After, I started my journey my mom did her big chop and it is absolutely lovely on her. My friends were very supportive during my process; they were all still wearing their long weaves and I was over here with a big twistout or braid out. All in all they all loved my hair and always complimented, so it was all encouraging.

Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick, highly porous, low, etc.) 
My hair is SUPER THICK, high density, with a mix of 3C to 4A textures .

What’s your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? Favorite products! Deets! 
I co wash weekly, shampoo when needed (ex. if I have a lot of build up from working out), deep conditioning twice a month or more depending on what my hair needs because sometimes my hair is super dry. During the week my hair is almost always in some type of braid (french braid or goddess braid) for work. Braids are just so low maintenance and an easy style, which also helps cut down on my time when getting ready in the morning. I use the Organix Renewing Moroccan Argon Oil Conditioner and Herbal Essences Hello Hydration interchangeably when I co-wash. The Leave in- Kinky Curly Knot Today: Leave In/Detangler is my HOLY GRAIL. I absolutely love how it makes my hair feel and it makes is so much easier to detangle. When I deep condition I use the Shea Moisture Deep Conditioning Masque and I’ll perform my hot oil treatments with Olive oil to add moisture when my hair needs a little more TLC. My favorite oils to use are Coconut oil and Jojoba oil. I use the Jojoba oil more on my ends and the coconut oil when I do my scalp massages or just to refreshen my hair from and old style. And lastly, for my braid and twist outs I use either Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothing or the Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioner. I love how both of these products give my hair definition and leave my hair nourished.

How do you maintain your hair at night? 
At night, I try to always sleep with a silk scarf or bonnet no matter if my hair is in a pony or twist out. My hair will quickly get matted or tangled, so it just easier to protect it to reduce that from happening.

How do you maintain healthy length? 
I maintain a healthy length by keeping my hair in some type of protective style (French braid, goddess braid, bun, etc.) during the week and keeping my hair moisturized when wearing a style where my hair is out such as a twist out or braid out. I am a big advocate on little to no heat on my hair because I have had severe heat damage from excessive straightening in the past. I aim to straighten my hair no more than twice a year and during that time I get my trim if needed.

What’s the best thing about being curly?
The best things about being curly is being able to wear my hair any way I please and they style is still cute. I don’t have to worry about slicking down my edges or worrying about having the perfect bun. Curly hair is so versatile; it gives all us curly girls a way to express our personality and style through our hair. 

Where can folks find you on the web? 
Youtube: www.youtube.com/Sharleneyvonne
 Instagram: Sharleneyvonner 
Blog: www.sharleneyvonne.blogspot.com