Naturally Fierce Feature: Alandrea

Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey.

Hi, I’m Alandrea, from Florissant, Missouri. I’m a wife, mother, educator and student amongst other things. My natural hair journey began about a year before I actually went natural. I had been contemplating going natural, but was intimidated by doing the “Big Chop”. For months, I had been transitioning my hair by growing out my perm, pressing my hair, and clipping the ends. I found the effort involved in maintaining both textures of hair to be very overwhelming. I knew I had done the “right thing” when I felt no emotional ties to my ponytail as I saw it fall to the floor.

Two years as of March 2013!

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

I finally decided to do the “Big Chop” in March 2011 in support of my twin sister who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. While my sister decided to shave her head, I opted for a TWA (teeny weenie afro). I found the “Big Chop” to be liberating; it was an awakening of a new consciousness where I became really comfortable with who God made me to be.

My experience being a ‘Black.Natural.Professional’ has been fairly positive. Fortunately, I work in an environment where there are several women who wear their hair naturally. In fact, my manager and I did the “Big Chop” around the same time. It’s not uncommon for us to swap products or hair care tips at work.

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?

My regimen lately has been very minimal. I shampoo on the weekends and if needed co-wash midweek.  I moisturize daily, twist at night, and sleep with a satin bonnet on at night. My favorite products right now are: Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream, Cantu Shea Butter Moisturizing Cream Shampoo, Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner, Shea Moisture Raw Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo, and Curls Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites, You Tuber’s, or blogs?

loved wearing my hair short, however as it began to get longer I struggled with finding professional looking hairstyles that I could do on my own. Practice, along with a little hairspiration from You Tubers  She’Kia Renea and Lovely Anneka, and websites like Curls on the go, fuckyeahnaturalhair.tumblr.com/, www.curlynikki.com, www.thirstyroots.com, have helped me on my journey.

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?

Two things: I’ve met a lot of women (natural and not natural) who have attachment issues with their hair. Don’t let your hair define you! Finally, everyone’s hair is different. Find products and a style that work for you. Practice makes perfect.

A special thanks to the beautiful and intelligent Alandrea.