Naturally Fierce Feaure: Lauren

May 10, 2013

My name is Lauren and I am from Cranford, NJ. My hair journey starts when I was about 5 years old. I always had a lot of hair. My family wasn’t “natural hairsavvy” and I was really the first in my family to have thick curly hair.No one knew what to do with it. My mother and my aunts took turns braiding myhair because it was too much for 1 person to do all the time. I got my firstrelaxer in 5th grade to make my hair more manageable and allow me to do it myself. At this time, my sister was around 6 and it was A LOT of hair between the both of us. I started the regular of perming every 6 weeks but that was too much and my hair was severely damaged. In high school I found a new hairstylist who told me I could relax my hair twice a year: the beginning of the summer and the beginning of winter- just to tame the new growth. I did that all the way up until my freshman year in college.

How long have you been natural?

I have been natural since 2006.

(first time rocking my curls)

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

My sorority sisters inspired and encouraged me to wear my hair natural. They were probably the first ones to ever see my hair curly. I stopped relaxing my hair freshman year, but I was still wearing it straight all the time. With theirbacking it was easier to ease into the curly world. I didn’t do the big chop because I have a big head- I think I would have looked weird. So I just kept getting it trimmed monthly until it was all out.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey?Has it been easy or difficult or both?!

Themost memorable is jut how comfortable I’ve gotten with my hair. When I first went natural my hair intimidated me. I thought it was so big and that everyonewas staring at me. I was always conscious of it and actually scared to wear mycurls. Now when I look back I laugh. Not only at how small my hair was comparedto now, but at how close minded I was. I was so brainwashed that “straight was great” that I didn’t let myself embrace my natural beauty. I made the transition more difficult than it had to be with my train of thoughts.

What were some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles?

When Iwas transitioning I would do 4-6 big box braids and then use flexi-rod rollers.This gave me the feaux natural look. Today to get a larger curl look (my curls are small and tight) I do 2 double strand braids while my hair is wet. Let it dry overnight and then take it out in the morning.

Any memorable reactions from family or others since going natural?

It’s always funny to see how people react when they see my hair STRAIGHT. They can’tbelieve how long it is/has gotten. I hardly ever straighten my hair, but it’s funny to me because I remember when I would NEVER think to wear it naturally. My little cousins Jaden and Janiya love my hair. And being natural is something I encourage them to embrace at their age (they’re both under 10). Especially when they go to a school that is predominately white, they have to be confident to wear their hair in their natural curls.

And I always laugh when people come up to me and whisper, “Is that yourhair?” I also get the occasional,”Where did you get your hair from?”

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?

I wash my hair about every 3 days. I use and anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner from Alterna (sold in Sephora). Anti-frizz helps to keep the curl especially in the humidity. Also once a week I do a deep conditioning mask. I switch between onefrom Living Proof and Bumble and bumble. These masks help keep the hairhydrated and help with breakage. To style my hair I use one of these threeitems:

1. KendiOil from Alterna- I use this in the summer time because it’s not a heavy oil.It will help with the frizz tremendously and keep the hair hydrated.

2. OuidadHumidity Control Gel- don’t let the word “gel” scare you. It’s more like a serum. Part your hair into 4 sections. Take about the size of a dime anddistribute to the hair shaft from root to tip to the first section. Then rakethrough with your fingers. You’ll see the curl start to define itself. So thesame to the other sections.

3. PaulMitchell “Round Trip”- it’s very similar to Ouidad in texture. Gives a little more shine.

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

I’m probably the worst person to ask this question because I don’t look at any. :-/When I first went natural I used www.thecoilreview.com. Butall I really do is look at magazines, stare at people in the street (I make sure they don’t see me stare) or just come up with stuff on my own.

Anything else you want the readrer to know?

Patience is a virtue. It takes time. And everyone’s hair is different. Don’t judge your growth, curl pattern, texture, etc. using someone else’s hair. Beingnatural is a personal journey and everyone’s end result is different. But keepgoing!!!! Also it’s easier when you have a buddy to do it with you. It can besomeone that is already natural or that is going natural. They either have beenwhere you are in transitioning or are going through it with you.

Where can readers find you for more information?

FB- www.facebook.com/laurenalayne85

IG-@laurenitabonita_

Or if youare in the NJ area, come visit me at Sephora in Menlo Park Mall (Edison, NJ). I’ll be happy to give haircare advice to you there. 🙂