Naturally Fierce Feature: Ree | Global Couture Blog

1. Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey. (Name, where you’re from, etc)

My name is Ree Browne. I was born in Japan. So that makes me Half Japanese and Black (African American). I was born with super straight fine hair and into middle school my hair changed to super curly. I played 7 years of professional basketball in Europe so I washed my hair a lot and the water from other countries seem to be really hard on my hair. But the colder the climate the easier my hair was to manage.

2. How long have you been natural?

I wore my hair down and kept it natural without chemicals all my childhood and most of my adult life. A year ago, I colored my hair from black to a auburn reddish color. That washed out to a light brown almost honey blonde color, which I love now! So natural my hair has always been, but adding color I don’t think it’s un-natural……

3. What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper? Why?

I just wanted a big change in my hair style. I’m a tomboy, so I wear my hair up a lot. Wanted to change it up. Going to do a full on honey blonde color change soon!

I use to chop it and keep it short to maintain easier, but in college I grew it out and loved it. Conditioners are expensive and good hair products are also so me being super frugal I wouldn’t want to spend a lot of money on hair that’s going to be washed daily and in a ponytail all day. I felt like I didn’t need to invest too much in my hair.

4. How would you describe your hair?

I would describe my hair as rebellious. But it’s super dry so its important that I deep condition.

5. What do you love most about your hair?

I love my natural curls. I can straighten my hair if I want, but I love my curls. When I was younger ages 10 through 17, I used to never wear it down and curly and big and amazing, due to the people I grew up around. Being half Japanese and seeing the straight haired girls, my curls used to stand out. And already being tall, I didn’t want that could handle it. Once I got to college and in a more diverse setting, I let my hair down literally.

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

The most memorable and traumatizing moment was when I straighten my hair with a 100 hair flat iron. I wore if straight for a week and when I washed my hair my curls didn’t return to the full volume and bounce it had. I was super scared I messed up my curl pattern. So I cut my hair short and it grew out and I cut it again. To force my hair to grow and once my curls returned I never use a flat iron again. I will occasionally straighten my hair, but with a cheap flat iron. It took about 2 years for my hair to get back to its natural curly ways. I had a weak half wave curl that I hated, so I did a lot and decided to spend more and invest more into my hair health and curls.

7. What are (or were) some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos’?

The shorter my hair the curlier it would be. But I also enjoy my length. So that’s where Layers come into Play. I tried bangs before and would like to explore that again. I have one layer going to get 2 more and bangs in the front.

8. What have your experiences been as a ‘natural’? Any memorable reactions from family or others?

When I wear my hair curly and natural everyone loves it. I get compliments and even offers to grow out my hair Enough to make a wig. Go figure.

9. What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?

I wash my hair about 2 -3 times a week. My hair products hold up and all I need to do is some touch ups.

If I wash and go I do this….

a)Shampoo

b)Detangle

c)Deep conditioner 15 mins

Then apply my products with wet hair

d) Hair smoothie, blow dry (warm)until it’s damp

e) curl milk

f) oil and hold mist

g) blow dry (cold) some More

Then I let my hair air dry as I get ready to leave my house.

Wash and sleep

I wake up to a head full of soft curly hair and I may add more hair smoothie and take my fingers and scrunch and tease my hair to get volume.

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

I look at almost any and all IG hair pages and follow and view a lot of my fellow curly haired women. I love seeing how other ladies style and color and just value and accept their curls. I will try to copy a hair style and when it doesn’t work on me I will compliment that girl and say her hair style looks great!!!!

11. Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?

Embrace you hair! If you don’t like it change it. But remember there are plenty of women that want your texture, lengthen, hair color, natural curl, or whatever so embrace it and appreciate it. Also let’s help each other out by suggesting a product line and taking the time to support and exchange positive conversation.