Naturally Fierce Feature: Nadia

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

Hello! My name is Nadia Feracho and I am from Brooklyn, NY! I am a student studying communication arts with a concentration in film and a minor in Acting. I’m a lover of natural hair and I love to explore the beauty in women of the African Diaspora.

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

I have been natural for 2 years. I haven’t always embraced my kinks and curls. I remember as a child seated between my mother’s legs as she combed my hair until I was in tears. Although I did love my braids, I just didn’t understand why I had to always have braids. It made me feel like my hair wasn’t “good enough” to wear out. I also cared about what everyone else would think as I entered high school with braids because in my mind, braids equaled childhood and straight, permed hair equaled adulthood, so I wanted a perm at 13. Now, you can’t tell me anything about my natural hair. I’m in love with it.

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

I decided to go natural after getting tired of getting relaxers. I had a good time with straight hair, until my hair started breaking and I hated it! I was so mad that I would just stop and think of all the reasons why I even decided to get a relaxer when people told me not to. I was mad at myself for getting sucked into societies standards of beauty and decided that October 2011 was my last relaxer. After my decision to go natural, I was motivated to transition by some fabulous YouTubers! I transitioned for 9 months, then finally showcased my little fro down the street of New York!

4. How would you describe your hair? 

My hair is thick and kinky. If we are going by the hair typing system then I would say I am a 4a, 4b. She loves to do her own thing and I am just fine with that most of the time.

5. What do you love most about your hair?

What I love most about my hair is its versatility. People tell me that every time they see me I have a new hairstyle. I can do so many styles with it and I love the attention she gets whether good or bad.

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 journey is the countless hours that I’d stay up watching YouTube videos on what to do with it. I remember the beginning stages when I couldn’t even get a twist out right! Now, I’m queen of the twist-out! This journey hasn’t been easy, but definitely full of surprises, trial and error and questions from many people! I’m still learning everyday.

7. What were some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles? 

My favorite transitioning styles were box braids and Marley twist! When transitioning that’s all I did. I also gave Bantu knots a try once, but nothing beats getting braids and not having to worry about doing anything to it at night.

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

My experience being natural has been very interesting. People would ask questions like “What are you going to do now?” or “Is it nappy?”, “Can I touch it?” Or say things like “that’s just a phase.” I like it better when it was straight.” “I don’t like it.” Overall, everyone close to me has been very supportive! The good outweighs the bad and I honestly don’t care about the bad. Wearing my fro makes me feel so beautiful! I’ve gained more confidence since going natural and that’s how I want every natural woman to feel!

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

I co-wash once a week and wash with shampoo every other week. I’ve been trying out products lately, but my staples are Dr. Bronners Castile peppermint soap to shampoo, Trader Joes tea tree tingle to co-wash or conditioner and my other favorite conditioner is Herbal Essence Hello Hydration conditioner. Then, I follow up with oils like olive oil or grape seed oil. Next, I use Cantu Shea butter leave in or Giovanni leave in conditioner. I always do a twistout! I want to experiment more, but for now I’ve been sticking to what works for me and less time consuming since I am a college student. For my twist out, I use Cream of Nature argon oil pudding perfection.

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

My favorite natural hair YouTuber’s is naptural85, blakizbeautyful, joulzey, Gabe Flowers, iknowlee, and naturalme4C.

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

To my women transitioning and on the journey I say to you please stay strong! Please do not let anyone tell you that your hair isn’t beautiful and that you aren’t a queen! Queens, if this is a journey that you want to travel on, DO IT. It’s not as simple as it may be conveyed. Your hair is unique. Do not compare it to anyone else’s. Not YouTuber’s, not mine, not the girl walking down the street. Do what’s best for YOUR HAIR.

12. Where can people find you for more information?

You can find me on Instagram @ohh_naydia and I have one video on YouTube (lol) but I will try to post more in January. YouTube name for now: Nadia Feracho

13. How do you inform people about your hair when they ask? 

I embrace my curls everywhere I go and I always inform people on natural hair if I’m in the mood because Lord knows I get tired of educating everybody! From doing natural hair speeches in my public speaking class to now doing a documentary on natural hair and the standards of beauty in America and how these standards exclude women of the African Diaspora! This is my way of informing people.