Naturally Fierce Feature: Cynthia

February 27, 2015

1. Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey.
My name is Cynthia Louis, also known as Cyndii. I’m from the very small state of Providence Rhode Island. I’m 25 years old.

2. How long have you been natural? Have you always embraced your curls?
I have been natural for 3 years and 5 months.
It actually took me a while to embrace my curls. I had long hair my whole life, but it was relaxed and it was like my blanket. When I big chopped I wasn’t sure what I would look like with short hair so I wore weave for a while.

3. What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
I went natural for all the wrong reasons. I originally went natural to just grow my hair out and relax it again. I also went natural because my now ex-boyfriend liked girls with curly hair and I thought it would keep him, which was terrible thinking. I transitioned for 10 months before I big chopped.

4. How would you describe your hair?
I would describe my hair as rebellious. My hair literally does whatever it wants. My hair hardly ever really comes out exactly how I want it. I usually have to improvise and do something different. The only time my hair listens is when I have it in a wash n go.

5. What do you love most about your hair?
What I love most about my hair is how thick it is and it doesn’t shrink as much. I’m not sure why that is, but it looks great when I’m going for the “big hair” looks.

6. What has been the most memorable part of your journey?Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
The most memorable part is when I finally embraced my hair. It took me a while to find what works and what doesn’t and how to deal with my hair. It was definitely difficult. I spent about 2 out of 3 yrs simply finding what works. It wasn’t until recently that I truly found what my hair likes and how to best keep my hair moisturized. I was a bit of a product junkie for a while but I now finally have staples.

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

My two top transitioning hairstyles were The Sock Bun and Bantu Knots. Nothing else really worked and at that time I didn’t know about flexi-rods or perm rods so I worked with what I could.

8. What have your experiences been as a ‘natural’? Any memorable reactions from family or others?
My parents hated it! My dad still calls me Tina Turner when I leave my hair out. My parents are kind of stuck in this European sense of beauty phase and they think I look better with straight hair. My mom has started to embrace it more. My dad also thinks I wear a wig half the time. It’s kind of funny. Other than that I get nothing but great reactions from people when they see my hair.

9. What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
My hair regimen is probably the simplest thing ever. I watch lots of YouTube videos and I personally think they do to much. I use the L.O.C method and my Hair usually takes no more then 1-2hrs including styling.
Deep conditioning every 2-3 weeks
Trimming every 6 months

My fav products right now are:
Herbal Essences Naked Line
As I Am Coconut Cowash
Cantu hair moisturizer and Leave In
Miss Jessie’s Curl Jelly
Curls Passion Fruit Curl Paste
Olive Oil and Coconut Oil are the only oils I use on my hair.

10. What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
My fave websites are:
NaturallyCurly.com
CurlyNikki.com

Fave YouTubers:
Naturally Niecey
Naptural 85
Mahogany Curls
Taren Guy

11. Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
I would like to let everyone know that you are beautiful no matter what. People focus so much in hair texture and hair type and I think it’s ridiculous. Once you truly embrace who you are no one can tell you anything. So always remember to be you and be fab!

12. Where can people find you for more information?
You can follow me on various social networks:
Twitter: @CyndiiL
Instagram: @CyndiiLou
Email: @Clouis14@icloud.com

13. Dating while natural?
Dating while natural gas been an interesting journey. My boyfriend is actually very supportive of my hair. He says it’s one of the things that attracts him to me so much. He has seen it all from the bonnet to the slave braids and he hasn’t run away yet! He also says that my hair always smells good which is a great plus. So ladies never be afraid to embrace your hair especially around your man. Men love a natural woman. 😉