1. Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey.
My name is Lynette-Lashawn, a Fashion Blogger/Correspondent from Newark, New Jersey
2. How long have you been natural? Have you always embraced your curls?
I have been natural of one year and seven months to date. I have not always embraced my curls. If fact I had to detox my mind first in order to truly and completely embrace the essence of me UNALTERED.
3. What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
I grew tired of the perms and weaves as well as the condition of my hair. It seemed lifeless and I knew I had to act fast. After transitioning for nearly 5 months I walked into a barber shop and asked the barber to chop me off and so I did. I was exhausted with treating two different hair textures.
4. How would you describe your hair?
Strong, Healthy and Resilient, hence why I call my afro Harriet. Named after one of the toughest women I regarded in African American History. Harriet Tubman.
5. What do you love most about your hair?
I am in love with the texture of my 4c hair. It is stronger than ever and back to what I remember as a young girl and frankly I am loving it.
6. What has been the most memorable part of your journey?Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
My big chop was memorable for sure because I had to learn to embrace who I was and that wasn’t easy. When you decide to go natural its like getting to know yourself all over again, plus the whole acceptance from society, family and friends.
7. What are (or were) some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos’
Senegalese twist and box braids were/still is my favorite go-to’s
8. What have your experiences been as a ‘natural.’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
For the most part my family has been very supportive of my journey. Although one family member asked one day if I was going to go outside rocking my afro, and I replied …why of course! Is there any other way?
9. What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
Currently I am crushing on Shea Moisture “Black Jamaican Castor Oil” collection, particularly the leave-in conditioner and masque.
I co-wash twice a week with As I am co-wash, then follow up with shea moisture leave-in conditioner, then flat twist “twist out” with a little ego styling gel and my hair last for about a week.
Every 3-5 days I oil my hair with black jamaican castor oil, wild growth, coconut oil and or olive oil.
10. What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
Global Couture, of course. Curly Nikki, Mahogany Curls and a host of others.
11. Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
Going natural is a process, embrace it every step of the way because the reward gets sweeter as you allow you mane to grow.
I am a married natural and my baby loves my hair, actually encouraged the journey before I ever considered going back to my roots. Ain’t love grand?!!!
12. Where can people find you for more information?
On instagram: BOUTIQUEOFFTHEHANGER
You can add questions such as dating while natural, feeling sexy with a fro, styling tips, raising natural kids, etc.
For my thesis, I consulted a lot of information, read your article made me feel a lot, benefited me a lot from it, thank you for your help. Thanks!