Lindsay a.k.a Queenlin. I am a dancer, choreographer, moving artist and dance/movement therapist from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (DMV).
How long have you been natural?
I’ve been natural since 2006; freshmen year in college.
What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
My best friend and I embraced Afrocentism and we really admired the spirits of Angela Davis, Chaka Khan and Erykah Badu; who represented soul sisters, Queens and Goddesses. We did everything together so we decided to go natural together. Also my hair was extremely damaged from all of the chemical relaxers/perms and products being used in my hair so I was inspired to try something new and something healthier for my hair. I did the big chop, simply because I needed to start from scratch and when I did, it felt like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders.
How would you describe your hair?
I would describe my hair as full, thick, course hair, some would identify as a “4b.” It is perfect for braids, twists and loc styles because my hair locks quickly (so I have to be careful with leaving in protective styles for a long period of time; btw I’ve worn Yarn Twist, Kinky Twists, Yarn Braids and Marley Twists for protective styles) but I love the coarseness and body because it gives so much life when rocking something simple as an Afro.
What do you love most about your hair?
It’s full, beautiful, healthy and fun. There are endless possibilities to how I can style it and wear it.
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 was finding ways to be creative with a big chop hairdo (i.e. I invested a lot in big earrings and headbands). I think the beginning of my hair journey was the most difficult because everything was a trial and error; whether it was trying a new product, new hairstyle, finding the right shampoo or comb/brush for my hair texture. Everyone’s natural hair is different in texture, coarseness and body so although I had friends who were also natural, none of us had the same type of hair so I had to experiment, explore and learn what worked for me. After years of playing in my hair, it became easier and easier for me to manage.
What are some of your favorite hairstyles?
Curls, Curls and More Curls. You can never go wrong with flexi rod curl, twist out or bantu knot out. Also hair color always makes a Fro Fro POP (NO AMMONIA FREE, PPD FREE & FRUIT BASED COLOR SYSTEM, OF COURSE!!! NO BLEACH, NO RINSE OR NO BOX HAIR COLOR)
What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
In 2006, natural hair was not quite yet trending. Some people were doing it but it wasn’t as popular as it is today so many people didn’t understand why I chopped all of my hair off. My parents had a strong reaction. My mother wanted me to straighten my hair and when I didn’t I was just going through “a phase” in life. I lost friends because they didn’t want to be seen with me. Many of my college professors would assume that I was African or a foreign exchange student from another country. No lie, the lunch lady from the cafeteria asked me what international program I participated in because I am a straight “A” student and only Africans or foreign exchange students make the honors program in college. Don’t get me wrong; there is nothing wrong with the beauty of an African woman or international woman with natural hair but there was a stigma or prejudgment that a black, female with natural hair could not be an American, which really didn’t settle well with me. I’ll be honest, there were moments when I loved my natural hair and there were moments when I hated it. I hated getting picked on and talked about but I also refused to go back to chemical relaxers. I learned a lot about myself, how to love myself regardless of what others may think and how to be different, unique and fashionable in my own way. Also there were very few natural hair blogs, YouTube channels or easy and accessible natural hair care products (unless you stumbled across a friend who made her own); so I had to get creative and use every resource that I could find.
What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
I use Deep Treatment by Shea Moisture that contains Sea Kelp, Argan Oil, Shea Butter, Carrot Seed Oil and Avocado. Leave it in for an hour, rinse out then apply Shampoo (Yes to Carrots) rinse and repeat. Then I will apply my leave-in conditioner (Giovanni’s). This regimen is practiced every week. If I missed the every week then every other week, I’m using a AS I AM Co-wash (I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!) Honestly I’m slowly fading from Shampoos because I love co-washing then styling with Giovanni Leave In. Every morning, I use an oil mix as a moisturizer from Taliah Waajid’s Black Earth Products containing Almond oil, Olive Oil, Vitamin E, Kuki Nut Oil, Sunflower oil and I add Coconut Oil, specifically for the scalp. Water is my best friend so sometimes I may spray with water before applying the oils.
What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
Every now and then, I may take a glance at CurlyNikki.com, Napturallycurly.com, Pinterest, YouTube: Naptural85, Chime Edwards and BlackOnyx.
Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
PATIENCE. It won’t happen over night but be persistent, open your awareness to your hair’s reaction to products, environmental factors and physical factors (i.e. emotional stress, heat, too much of your hands being in hair) and remember what motivated you to embrace your beautiful natural hair in the first place that will motivate you to continue your journey.
Where can people find you for more information? FB: Lindsay Michelle (Queenlin)
IG: Queenlin_moves
Twitter: l_ephant_dancin
Pinterest: Queenlin_moves
www.rawartists.org/queenlin
I am a student of BAK College. The recent paper competition gave me a lot of headaches, and I checked a lot of information. Finally, after reading your article, it suddenly dawned on me that I can still have such an idea. grateful. But I still have some questions, hope you can help me.