Naturally Fierce Feature: Courtney

November 12, 2014

Global Couture Blog Feature

1.Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey. (Name, where you’re from, etc)

My name is Courtney and I am from Staten Island! I currently reside in Long Island while I am attending graduate school. I am 25 years young. I have recently expanded my brand Curls and Couture and released my website catered to the fit and fashionably inclinednaturalista.com. I am also the co-founder and creative director of Black Girl Fly Magazine (coming soon)!

2. How long have you been natural? Have you always embraced your curls?

I have been natural a little over a year and a half. Honestly, I didn’t love my curls at first; it was a process. Once I learned how to style my hair and what products to use, then I really started to love it.

3. What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper, and why?

When my hair was relaxed it was always healthy and long. I had a relaxer since I was in the 4th grade so that was all I knew, but in college I became curious about my natural texture. Although my hair was healthy I knew it could be healthier without the chemicals. My transition started off as a bit of an accident. I had gotten a weave for my birthday and before I knew it I had gone 6 months without a relaxer. At that point I decided I would full transition to natural. I was too scared to big chop because I wanted to keep my length.

4. How would you describe your hair?

My hair definitely has personality and fits me perfectly. I have 3 different curl patterns which gives my hair a great shape and my color which is growing out now, gives it dimension.

5. What do you love most about your hair?

The thickness and density, although sometimes it frustrating because my hair is so thick and takes forever to style and dry. It is so volumous and beautiful

6. What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy, difficult, or both?!

The most memorable part of my journey was definitely when I cut off all of my relaxed ends. It was so liberating! Finally after a year of constantly transitioning and trimming, I was completely natural. Mission accomplished. My journey has definitely been both easy and difficult. I received a lot of backlash for wanting to go natural (the nerve of people haha), so that was a bit disheartening. Then, I when I was full transitioned everyone loved it. Learning how to deal with my hair every time it changed or I got a new style was a difficult as well, but once I got the hang of it I was fine. I was very patient with my hair so that has been helpful.

7. What are (or were) some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos’?

My favorite transitioning style was definitely my sew-ins because I only had to worry about moisturizing and not actually styling. My favorite style now is my two stand twistout. I would be lost without it. It can be such a versatile style too.

8. What have your experiences been as a ‘natural.’Any memorable reactions from family or others?

Everyone loves my hair. Even my boyfriend who prefers my hair straight, begs me to wear my natural hair instead of protective styles. I think the best reaction is always my mom. She is literally amazed every time she sees me. Lately, people have actually been trying to touch my hair in the street!! So that in itself is memorable.

9. What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?

Regimen and products! Well, my favorite product line is definitely Shea Moisture. It was the first product I ever used and it hasn’t done me wrong since. For most of my styling I use either Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie in combination with the Olive oil EcostylerGel. Daily I use Carol’s Daughter Curl Refreshing Milk to bring my curls back to life. At night I pineapple my hair using a satin scarf and satin bonnet to cover my puff. I moisturize every other day with Mane Choice Can’t Get Butter Than This and She Scent it Scalp Elixir

Wash Day is a long day:

I pre-poo with a combination of oils and a light conditioner. Then I co-wash with either Aussie Moist or Trader Joes Tea Tree Coditioner. If I am clarifying I use Bentonite Clay from Aztec Secrets and ACV. I use so many different deep conditioners depending how my hair feels. Right now, I’m using Obia Natural Haircare Babassu, Shea Moisture, Tahitiuan Noni, and Monoi. After I rinse out my DC, I rinse my hair with cold aloe juice. I loveeeee Mixed Chicks leave in conditioner, so I use that to lock in the moisture with EVOO and then style.

10. What are some of your favorite natural hair websites, YouTuber’s, or blogs?

That’s so hard because I follow a ton of blogs now, but I’m Youtube crazy! I start and can’t stop, but I find myself on Naptural85’s channel often.

11. Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?

Be patient and don’t give up! Not just with your hair, but in everything that you do. My natural hair journey and self-discovery in many ways parallel each other and the main lesson I have learned is to be patient with myself and my hair and to always remember that I’m a Queen. We all are and we can attain anything we want.

12. Where can people find you for more information?

My website www.curlsandcouture.com , Youtube.com/curlsandcouture, and of course my instagram @curlsandcouture