Naturally Fierce Feature: Mia

Mia Settle originally from Fayetteville, NC but currently reside in the DMV area. I big chopped in summer 2006 after major damage from chemical processing. I was so frustrated with my damaged hair I first decided that I would cut all of my permed ends off, wear braids for a few months until my hair was healthy again, and then perm again. After about 9 months wearing micro braids, I decided to let my hair breath and that’s when I fell in love! I mean, I had no clue how to care for or style my natural hair but I loved my curls and knew that I wanted to learn all about it. Natural hair sites, blogs and YouTube videos became my best friends, although there wasn’t nearly as many as there are now. Needless to say, haven’t turned back since. Best decision I’ve ever made.

I’ve been natural for 9 years. This year is the first year that I haven’t cut my hair. Other than regular trims, I plan on letting my hair grow as long as it can.

Think I answered this is question 1 but damage from all the chemical processing. I was over processing my hair to the point where it actually started to fall out. I did not transition. I cut it all off with the hopes of regaining healthy hair and then processing again. Wore braids for about 9 months and after I took them out, I decided to move forward and embrace my natural curls and coils.

I’m not really into hair typing so I’m not sure what letter and number I am (lol) but I have several different textures. Tighter curls in the back, looser curls in the front and crazy curls on the left side. It makes it challenging when trying to find what products work since there are so many textures but I think I’m getting closer.

I love the versatility of my hair! I can wear it big, blown out, straightened, buns, braids, twists, big curls, etc.

The most memorable part of my hair journey would have to be learning how to care for it. After all of these years I’m still in search of the perfect products and regimen for MY hair. I’ve learned a lot throughout the years and I’m still learning. It’s definitely gotten much easier. I was struggling in the beginning. I had no clue what I was doing. Thank God for tutorials!7. I never transitioned but in the beginning of my journey I swore by micro braids and puffs!! Currently, I rock wngs most of the time. I have that routine pretty much down to a science, but also big buns and top knots.

My experience as a natural overall has been extremely positive!! I receive a lot of compliments and positive feedback. I had a few family members give me the side eye at first and even some now who probably prefer it straightened, but I think it’s grown on them. Either that or they just know it’s not going anywhere so they just deal with it. Lol

I pretty much only wear wngs. I start off by sectioning my hair off into four. Then I get in the shower and wet one section. I put olive oil on that section first, then Treseme Naturals conditioner, twist back up in clip and the repeat on other sections. I then rinse it all out and put in my leave in conditioner. These days I’m living Kinky Kurly Knot Today. After I get out of the shower I smooth olive oil Eco styler gel through small sections. I prefer air drying, but if I’m in a hurry I will diffuse. I’m not a fan of my day 1 hair because I love big hair, so by day 3 I’m a happy camper:) To maintain my wng I sleep on a satin pillow case and just spritz with water and a little olive oil to refresh each day. I try to deep condition once a week using either Shea Moisture or Miss Jessie’s.

Now that I’ve got a pretty solid regimen, I don’t really look at YouTube videos or blogs anymore, but I do follow a few faves on Instagram: Mahoganycurls, Samirahgxgilliy Gilli and Loverasheeda are just a few!

Love YOUR hair!! It’s sooo easy to look at videos and blogs of other people and get frustrated when your hair doesn’t do or look the same. Trust me I know! I used to be that person. But then I finally realized that just because I don’t have the perfect curl doesn’t mean my hair isn’t just as beautiful. Our hair tends to have a mind of it’s own so I say just let it do what it do. Don’t work against it, work with it. You AND your hair are beautiful as is!

You can follow me on Instagram @youfrogirl