1. Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey.
My name is Quinta, but people call me Quinn. I’m 25 years old and a proud mommy of a 5 year old daughter. I’m from Amsterdam, yes the Netherlands. Orginally my parents are from Surinam, a country in South-America.
2. How long have you been natural? Have you always embraced your curls?
I have been “creamy crack-free” since the age of 14/15. After that, I started to use the infamous flat iron. Experimented with some colors too, so in my eyes I wasn’t officially natural. Somewhere in 2012, I started to experiment with my natural curl pattern, but because it didn’t looked like the way I wanted, I fell off again and used the flat iron again. In 2013, I was so fed up with the way my hair felt and looked because of flat ironing it all of the time and that was my turning point.
I didn’t always love my curls because when it dried up it was huge and poofy. Back then, I only liked my hair when it was wet and I saw those curls. Right now, I’m loving my hair so much that sometimes even my boyfriend can’t touch it! I’m all about the bigger the hair, the better! And I really don’t mind frizz.
3. What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
I was a transitioner because i]I do not like scissors. It would be a nightmare for me to big chop. However, since 2012 I started to use Shea Moisture and I always used heat protectant so I didn’t need a big chop. I did cut some ends, but that was about it.
4. How would you describe your hair?
Funky, versatile, thick and has its own mind.
5. What do you love most about your hair?
It’s so fluffy!!!
6. What has been the most memorable part of your journey?Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
The most memorable part was when people were actually surprised that I had curls. Nobody, except for my mom, ever saw me wearing it natural or even knew that my hair was like this.
It was hard in the beginning because I wasn’t “listening” to my hair, so it didn’t looked like I wanted to be and I got frustrated with the shrinkage at first.
7. What are (or were) some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos?
I once did a frohawk and I really liked that, but I won’t do it myself again. I don’t really have favorite hairstyles, sometimes twistouts or braidouts etc. It depends on how my mood is.
8. What have your experiences been as a ‘natural.’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
I used to wear half sew-ins during the time I used the flat iron and everybody thought it was my real hair. The moment I start to go officially natural, people started to ask if it was weave. I thought that was funny! And the fact people were surprised that I had curls.
9. What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
I’m sort of a product junkie so I use different products. I don’t use different products every other day, but stick to a couple of them and then switch it up after a while. I love Shea Moisture so that brand is always in my regime.
Shampoo:
I don’t really have a schedule regarding wash day. It depends on how much buildup I have or if it feels heavy because of too much products in it.
– SheaMoisture JBCO shampoo or the one from the Coconut & Hiniscus line.
Conditioner/Leave-in;
I do co-wash every week with Giovanni Leave-in/SheaMoisture JBCO leave-in.
In the front I use Kinky Curly because my curl pattern is looser than in the back.
Deep treatment:
I try to do a deep treatment at least every month but i’m aiming at every week or every two weeks.
– SheaMoisture JBCO deep treatment masque
– Palmers proteine packs
I use the LOC method but i already mix the oil and cream before applying it.
– I have olive oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, coconut oil and almond oil at home so I switch it up.
– for the “C” I use SheaMoisture Curling Enhancing Smoothie or Cantu Curling Cream
10. Do you use the same products on your daughter’s hair? And does she likes her hair?
The only products I use for my daughter’s hair are from Shea Moisture JBCO because other products did not work for her. She likes her hair and she always says that she and I are twins when we are rocking our afros. I had to explain her one time that her hair is different than a couple of other girls in her class. She was wondering why she didn’t have blonde and straight hair. It was hard when she said that, but I tried to explain her that her hair is beautiful too and that the other girl maybe want her curls. After that she understood it and loving it.
11. What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
I like HeyFranHey, ItsMyRayeRaye, Naptural85, MahoganyCurls.. Omg there are soo many inspiring naturalistas! There are a lot more i follow or watch.
12. Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
Don’t mind others, just do what feels good! Loving your hair is YOUR journey and especially love YOUR hair because I see too many people still saying “I want her/your hair/curls!” but your hair is beautiful too, you just have to see that!
13. Where can people find you for more information?
I’m on Instagram: quinnlagraine
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