Naturally Fierce Feature: Latonae

1.Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey. 

My name is Latonae’ Smith aka Thundee, I am 24 years of age. I was born and raised in Bermuda but I’m currently living and studying at the University of the West Indies in the island of Barbados.

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

I had been natural from birth until 2005, then decided to perm my hair. Since then, I’ve been natural since 2011. I only recently (1 year) started to embrace my curls. I started to try different products and different styles.

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

There wasn’t much motivation, one day I just woke up and decided instead of going to get a “touch up”, I am going to chop my hair off. So yes, I did a big chop and I loved it.

4. How would you describe your hair?

Free, bipolar, untamed.

5. What do you love most about your hair?

I love that my hair is very versatile. My hair will never look the same every day.

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

The most memorable part of my hair journey is my big chop. I loved that stage of my natural hair journey. It was so easy to do and I would experience different color dyes. My hair journey has been both easy and difficult because now that my hair is much longer it takes more time and more product.

7. What are  some of your favorite hairstyles?

Recently, I enjoy doing a twist out but I’m still a “wash and go” type of girl.

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

My experiences as a natural in the Caribbean have been a task. Every day I feel like I need to prove that my hair is real and not a wig. I have had many people come to me and ask where I purchased my wig from. I use to be very offended about it, but now it doesn’t really bother me.

 

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

I normally just twist my hair at night with ORS Replenishing Conditioner and add coconut oil. When doing a wash and go, I use African Pride Shea butter miracle leave in conditioner and coconut oil.

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

Well of course my favorite natural website is my own “Yesbishitsmyhair.tumblr.com.  My favorite natural hair Youtubers would be Simply Bianca, The Gabe Fix, Yolanda Renee and Naptural85. My favorite blogs are Irockmynatural.com and myhaircrushblog.com

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

I just want naturals to understand that not everyone has the same hair type, if a product works in my hair it doesn’t mean that it will work in yours. Know your hair type and go out there and find the product that works for you.

12. Where can people find you for more information?

You can find me at:

Instagram: Thundeee

Hair Instagram page: yesbishitsmyhair

Tumblr: yesbishitsmyahir

Twitter: Thundeeranks

Facebook: Latonae thundee Smith