1.Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey.
My name is Shaneice, better known as Knotty Girl on Instagram. I am a “military brat” but I was born and bred in South Carolina. Even though I have moved a lot throughout my life, I am a southern country girl at heart.
2. How long have you been natural?
I have been natural for 5 years. When I was getting relaxers, I would only get them once every 3-4 months so that I could occasionally wear my natural curl pattern. Don’t get me wrong, I loved having laid edges but there’s nothing like big curly hair!
3. What motivated you to go back to natural?
My best friend and I had the pleasure of going to college together at Winthrop University. GO EAGLES! She was natural when we began our college career in 2006. I loved how hair hair looked and the different styles she would wear. She asked me about going natural and I completely objected. Little did I know, 3 years later I would begin my transition to “team natural”. Before transitioning, my hair was past my shoulders, but above my bra strap. After about 3 months of transitioning, I got my hair cut into a bob and that was the shortest my hair has ever been. I couldn’t even put it in a ponytail!
4. How would you describe your hair?
I would describe my hair as disrespectful. 🙂 It has a mind of its own sometimes.
5. What do you love most about your hair?
The thing I love most about my hair is its versatility. It shrinks when it wet A LOT. It’s fluffy when its straight. It doesn’t like being in a wash and go for more than 2-3 days, but I love it!
6. What has been the most memorable part of the journey?
I would say that the most memorable part of my natural hair journey has been getting my hair cut. I was a nervous wreck, but I realized that cutting my hair made things so much easier. Styling my hair became much easier because I didn’t have to fight with as much long straggly permed ends.
7. What are your favorite hairstyles?
While transitioning, my favorite style was anything that involved perm rods. I loved how they would basically blend my hair making it look all one texture even though I still had permed ends. As my hair grew and I kept trimming it, my favorite style became twist outs. I still love a good twist out, especially after day 2 or 3. The bigger the better! My other favorite go to style is two flat twist or braids going back. When I take those out, I have a nice twist out or braid out.
8. Any memorable reactions from others?
I have enjoyed my journey thus far as a natural or knotty girl. My friends and family have been supportive and I have even encouraged some of them to go natural. I’ll never forget before my grandma passed. When I would visit her she would sometimes say “Girl what you doing with that mess on your head?” She was brutally honest and I would just laugh and smile and say “my hair IS done, you don’t like it?” As far as how strangers feel about my hair, it’s hard to tell. I get as many stares as I do compliments. I guess it’s true when they say, “The bigger the hair the harder they stare.”
9. What is your hair regimen?
Hair regimen? I don’t really have one. Depending on how long my styles last, I’ll co-wash my hair every week or every 2 weeks. Also depending on the products I use in my hair, I’ll use shampoo. I rarely deep condition. I trim my hair often and I don’t use all natural products. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with doing these things and if you do more power to you. I do what I know works for my hair and what doesn’t take forever. I feel like my hair is still healthy and is growing at a steady rate. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? 90% of my styles are done on wet hair. My staple products are raw shea butter, evoo (extra virgin olive oil), luster pink lotion, and of course EcoStyler gel, the green kind. As you may notice all these products are very inexpensive. I’m sorry, but I can’t see myself spending lots of money on a product that I’m unsure will even work. I’d rather spend that money on shoes.
10. Who are your favorite vloggers and bloggers?
My favorite naturalistas are @mahoganycurls , @b_r_i_b_r_i , @mz_tammy , @msdanti, and @mz_k_versatile. I think all of these ladies have a YouTube account, but I’m not sure. I’m not a big “YouTuber” because 9 times out of 10, the way you did your hair isn’t going to work for my hair. I still love y’all though!!
11. Anything else you would like to share?
I want the readers to know that it’s OK to be different. You don’t have to do everything that all the other naturalistas are doing. DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU! When you get so caught up in doing what others are doing and the way they do it, you get discouraged when your hair doesn’t turn out the same way. Find what works for you and stick to it. You hair will thank you.
12. Where can we find you on social media?
For more info about me, follow me on Instagram @KnottyGirl
