Naturally Fierce Feature: Ivette Piña

Hi name is Ivette Piña (yes like the fruit). I am originally from the Dominican Republic, from a little town in the south of the country called San Juan De La Maguana very close to Haiti almost by the border.

I love to think of myself as a  really open-minded, family-oriented, funny, spiritual woman. I love to travel, discover, and learn new things. I admire smart, kind, honest individuals. I have a deep appreciation for nature, music, art, food, poetry and anything that touches my soul. I believe in respect, love, positive energy and on being compassionated and understanding to others.

How long have you been natural?
I have been natural for about 20 years now, I used to relax my hair but I was never happy about it. Growing up in DR it was the norm to have straight hair and go to the salon to look more presentable LOL. When I finally got the chance, I cut it all off and started fresh so I went for the big chop, not once but twice… the second time was due to heat damage. I have never been happier.

How would you describe your hair?
I’d say my hair is curly – between 3B and 3C (if you’re into patterns). My curls are evenly distributed everywhere. I’d like to think I am a mixture between Tracee Ellis Ross and Rachel True – at least those are the type of curly heads I tend to love and admire.



What do you love most about your hair?
What I love most about my hair is how soft and bouncy it is. It never stops surprising me how unique and pretty curls can be and I absolutely love the volume. I have learned to manage it and embrace every single curl. I love my hair because it fits my personality, my style, and it is simply free crazy and spontaneous; my curls have their own mind…especially after waking up in the morning.

What has been the most memorable part of the journey?
The most memorable part of my journey was finding people who would love and embrace my curls as much as I do; Also, realizing how for a lot of people curls are a complete mystery, so they assume they’re always fake or a perm. It is funny when some insist upon touching it just to make sure it is mine… (I don’t like it). For me, transitioning was easy simply because I did it so long ago. I wasn’t constantly exposed to so many trends, habits, routines  and advice about natural hair. I think it is awesome that there are so many natural hair communities, but it can also create such a hype and big expectations, especially after doing a BC. I’m glad I went through that a while ago (that’s just my opinion). I was completely oblivious of so many trends and products that, in a way, I think it was the best for me. I can become very repetitive and fixate on things so I’m glad I did it years ago. I really didn’t have any particular habits or protective hairstyles. For the most part, I always left my hair loose even when going to bed. I never braided my hair or wrapped it. I simply didn’t know about it. I avoided gels and mousse because I don’t like crunchy curls. I used to do and still do lots of leave in conditioners.

What are your favorite hairstyles?
Unfortunately I am not very creative when it comes to my hair, I do wash and go’s a lot, let it be for 4-5 days and then do a bun, I used to do bantu knots too but I eventually just gave up cause of the time it would take me to do them. For the most part, my family like my hair…they don’t love it, but they like it. My mother is not too fond of it. She still lives in DR and is used to the straight hair everybody does over there. My partner absolutely loves my hair so that’s a huge plus, and so do my closest friends…a few of them are curly beauties too.

What I consider memorable was once I said something in front of a friend about getting married wearing my curly hair and she asked me if I wouldn’t like straighting my hair for special occasions… I said to her my curly hair is special enough for any occasion.

What is your hair regimen (including favorite products)?
My favorite hair products so far are Devacurl and Miss Jessies Pillow Soft Curls (at the moment). I first wash my hair with the Low Poo Shampoo (Devacurl), then I use the Tresemme Flawless Curls Conditioner to detangle my hair, then I rinse it out. Lastly, I apply whichever product I’m in the mood for on that day. At the ends, I apply natural coconut oil before drying my hair. I usually part my hair in four sections, two in the front and two in the back. At the moment I am using Devacurl One conditioner, followed by Set It Free, and finally a few drops of natural coconut oil. If I have time, I air dry my hair; if not I use a salon hair dryer (I have one at home), and sit there for 30-40 minutes. I never use a diffuser. Once a month I deep condition my hair using Dominican Hair
Product Naturals Key Aloe Vera and Avocado Treatment Conditioner. If I decide to
use the Miss Jessies I follow the same steps using the Pillow Soft Curls by Miss
Jessies instead.

Tell us about your hair color.
A lot of girls ask me about my hair color…I color my hair at home, I use Garnier Fructis Hair color golden blonde 93. However, be advised my hair is naturally light, just a couple shades darker so it might be difficult for some to get the color to match. The bigger my hair looks, the better I feel.

What are your favorite blogs and vlogs?
I would lie if I say I have a favorite website, youtuber, or blogger. I have lots of natural hair girls I follow on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube but I look at all of them sporadically and only when I want to see a product review. I try not to obsess too much about my hair, because there are so
many products in the market. Once I find what works for me, I try to stick to it… But I can’t help being a product junkie sometimes.


Anything else you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
One thing I’d say to naturals is your hair is about you, and how it makes you feel…it is not about anybody else, so keep loving and embracing your curls and don’t listen to anybody else but yourself, have a great day and stay curly!

Where can people find you for more information?
You can find me on Instagram… I go by Curlylovekiss.


Comments

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