Naturally Fierce Feature: Tyrika from mainelement: love

September 26, 2013

My name is Tyrika Williams, owner of mainelement: love and I’m an ingredient snob. I started mainelement: love after realizing that many of the ingredients in our personal care products are unhealthy for our bodies. I started out making bath and body products and due to customer demand, I moved into making hair care products not long after. Because the demand was so great for my hair care products, I decided to focus my energy on providing for and helping women who wanted to love their natural hair but didn’t exactly know how or have the right products to do so.

How long have you been natural?
This is my second natural journey. My first journey back in 1998 was very brief due to bad information from a hair stylist (a texturizer is actually a mild perm, and a Wave Nouveau is actually a jheri curl…learned that the hard way!) I have been natural this time around for over 5 years, and have loved every single minute of it from the very moment all my relaxed hair hit the floor.

What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper & why?
My transition period was very brief, about 3 weeks. I initially thought I wanted to transition but after a bad experience with a weave, I decided to just big chop and be done with it. Big chopping was one of the best decisions I’ve made and I encourage anyone who is considering going natural to do it. It’s an experience that every woman should have.

How would you describe your hair?
My hair has curls for days! It’s a bit temperamental at times, just like its owner. As a wash n go girl, with a very hectic schedule, i don’t try to control it much; I like to let it do its own thing. It’s pampered a bit because it’s manipulated more than hair that is often in a protective style.

What do you love most about your hair?
I love my texture and curl pattern. It’s the biggest reason why I prefer wash n go. I have tried braid outs, twist outs, twists, and updos but I like to see my natural curl pattern. I even love the problematic extra frizzy spot right in the front of my hair that requires a little extra TLC. I quickly learned to accept and love my own curl pattern as it is, even with its quirks. Loving your hair is a conscious choice that you have to make every time you look at it or put your hands in it, because some days it’s not going to play nice.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy or difficult or both?
My journey has been easy, because I have always chosen to look at it as a journey; as a learning opportunity. There have been times where I haven’t properly cared for it and as a result I have lost a few inches a couple times. I also had to work to regrow my edges because of my lack of a nighttime routine. Despite those challenges, I have always looked at every phase of my journey as pleasurable.

What are some of your favorite hairstyles?
I am in love with the tapered cuts that are popular right now. I even briefly considered going for one myself (my eldest son humorously convinced my why that wasn’t a good idea for me though LOL) I also love the Marley twists that so many women are rocking right now. I love how versatile they are. They are a great way to wear a protective style, yet still be able to achieve many looks.

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
My husband has been my natural cheerleader from day one. He has been loc’d for twice as long as I’ve been natural and was the person who encouraged me from the moment I mentioned the thought of going natural. I’m blessed to have a very supportive family who has always understood that it’s just hair, I’m still just me. I recall my middle son being about a year old when I put mini twists in my hair for the very first time. When I arrived to pick him up from daycare, he wouldn’t come to me because he didn’t recognize me. I thought it was so hilarious because I realized at that moment I really never change my hair. I try to do a little better at that now, as to not have the same experience with my youngest son as he gets older.

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
My hair regimen is amazingly simple. I’m very busy to I keep it minimal. I shampoo as needed with the Herbal Shampoo Bar when I can feel product build up; approximately once every 2-3 weeks or so. I deep condition at that time as well. I co wash with the Aloe Conditioner 2-3 times a week. Refresh with a spritz of half aloe juice half water and any assortment of essential oils as needed. I don’t prepoo anymore because I realized it was over kill; the shampoo bar replenishes the oils lost when washing so the need to prepoo is eliminated. One less step in the regimen always makes me happy. I seal my ends and my edges with castor oil, and the rest of my hair with grapeseed oil. Castor oil is a heavier oil, which is the reason for using it sparingly on the areas that need the most protection. I have fine hair so I use grapeseed oil to seal the rest of my hair as to not weigh it down too much.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTubers, or blogs?
I only recently became a big YouTube watcher, and I absolutely love so many vloggers now it’s hard to pinpoint favorites. I love Naturally Melshary because she keeps it 100% real; she pulls no punches and I love that about her. I love how open Naptural85 is and how she’s big on diy recipes. I also love The Beauty Haven’s blog because she’s very informative about how to maintain healthy hair. And I love Natural Hair Rules because she covers such a wide variety of natural hair topics and provides information to back it up.

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
My message doesn’t change because everyday someone needs to hear it: Love YOUR hair as it is! It’s great to have hair crushes and admire other natural sister’s hair but at the end of the day, love your hair more than anyone else’s hair. It is beautiful exactly as it is!

Where can people find you for more information?
I am always happy and eager to answer any hair care questions women have and I am very accessible. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can find instructional videos and links to review on my website as well.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mainelementlove
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mainelementlove
Instagram: mainelementlove
Website: http://mainelementlove.com