Naturally Fierce Feature: Brandon

October 1, 2014

Hi everyone!(: my name is Brandon Sanchez but everyone calls me Coco. I’m from Sacramento, CA. 19 years old and I am currently in the works of becoming a hairstylist, but not just any I want to specialize in natural hair. I’m headed to the big apple this fall so I’m very excited to see what happens. As for my hair I focus on health and size. Bigger the better!

How long have you been natural?

I had short hair all my life till I was 18 so for about 1 year and 6 months now but I’ve had 2 bad haircuts that set me back. It was actually my boyfriends idea, he thought I’d look great with long hair and I decided to grow it and I fell in love with my own hair lol. I’ve been wearing my hair curly from the moment it started to curl. (:

How would you describe your hair?

I would describe my hair as unpredictable. No two days are the same, and it depends on if my scarf fell off while I sleep! Lol but for the most part my hair cooperates with me everyday. Some days I can’t even deal and put it in a ponytail. My natural pattern naturally defines itself and I love it.

What do you love most about your hair?

What I love most about my hair is how big and defined my curls can be. Sometimes they’re so thick and big that shaking my head really throws me off-balance. (:

How would you describe your hair journey?

My hair journey has been relatively easy. Doing my hair is simple, I just wash and add my favorite products and there you have it. Wait for it to dry and my hair is done (drying my hair takes over 4 hours). My most memorable moment of this journey has to be when I had it cut by a Paul Mitchell student and she cut off about 5 months worth of growth. It still haunts me to this day lol.

What is your favorite hair styles?

I love finger coiling. That’s about the only style I’ve ever tried and by tried I mean being bored so I would twirl my hair and I noticed that it reduced frizz and my curls spiraled more.

Any memorable reactions from others?

My experiences are ridiculous! I get asked the craziest questions, my family members ALWAYS say how much they love it and wonder why no one else in the family has my hair. I absolutely love getting compliments, and I receive so many from lovely women all the time. I’ve been stopped and asked if its real, they wanna touch it and I unwillingly give in. In San Francisco I was stopped by multiple women who wanted to take pictures! Crazy right.

What is your hair regimen??

My regimen is fairly simple and easy and a lot of people think I’m being vain when I say I wash it, condition it, moisturize and lastly dry with a microfiber towel. But it’s not so simple it took a lot of love and care to have my hair be so easy to manage. I use shea moisture and deva curl religiously. Those are the best products ever I don’t need anything else. Now to get detailed wash days are 2 or 3 times a week and it’s a big deal lol. I make sure to remove all the crap from my hair, I personally use a shampoo like coconut and hibiscus mix it with baking soda and that’s how I remove all build up. After that your hairs needs some moisture so I use a masque, right now I’m using shea moisture super fruit complex (love it). After rinsing out the masque I then condition to lock it in and apply deva curl defining gel. Finish it by patting my hair with a microfiber towel and let the rest air dry.

How is it being a curly man?

Being a man with big ol curly hair is awesome. I get so much attention and I really do love the love. Girls love it! They go crazy for it and I have to tell them I have a boyfriend lol, but then I tell them I have a twin brother who isn’t gay hahaha. I love my hair I think it frames my face better and my boyfriend loves my lions mane. And a little tip style while wet, saturate with product and let it air dry:).

Who are your favorite vlogs/blogs?

I never really used any to help me out I learned all on my own but I occasionally will go to some websites I like naturallycurly.com and I mostly just obsess over so many girls on Instagram hahaha.

Any advice?

Love your hair. You have to walk around knowing your hair is amazing! People will see it, they will compliment, and they will be jealous:). Also don’t worry about length ladies, I used to, still do sometimes all I want is my hair to be down my back but I focused on health and my hair flourished. It will grow just take care of it and be patient.

Where can we find you online?

You can follow me on Instagram it’s really all I use: @curlyyycoco

I’m always there to help, don’t be shy(: you can ask for my email as well.