Naturally Fierce Feature: Wendy

October 14, 2015

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

Hello! My name is Wendy Joseph, 26 years old, and I am from New Jersey. I was originally born in Haiti and am 100% Haitian. After begging my mother for what seemed like years, she finally relaxed my hair in the 5^th grade. My hair went from all the way down my back to above my shoulder in less than a year. It was pretty much all downhill from there until I learned how to take care of my hair around 16 years old. From about 16 to 22, I was able to maintain shoulder length without much breakage or much growth. I chopped it all off right before my 23^rd birthday to start fresh! As they say, I was young, wild and free!

2. How long have you been natural? Have you always embraced your curls?

I am proud to say to that I’ve been natural for four years and counting! I can never see myself going back to relaxed hair because this afro is too much fun! It seems to fascinate others so I am constantly meeting great new people asking questions about my hair. Being natural makes me feel sexy, proud, and confident! I embrace my curls by practicing great haircare so that I can rock those puffs and afro proudly! I had trouble with adjusting to my curls at first. I use to wear wigs and weaves because they were easier to style and manage. About a year in, I decided to start wearing my hair out. That was when I noticed how manageable my hair was getting by just letting it out! My curls let loose a little and started to react positively to the products I was using at the time. Since then, I’ve been an advocate for women wearing their natural!

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

A bad protein treatment and relaxer led me to the dermatologist to get a diagnosis as to why I suddenly had uncontrollable dandruff and massive hair lost. I was sent home with a cream for the dandruff and a date for a biopsy of my scalp. That was when I realized I needed to change everything! I decided not to have the biopsy and just start all over with no chemicals! ONE OF MY BEST LIFE DECISIONS! I did my big chop in September of 2011 and haven’t looked back since.

4. How would you describe your hair?

My hair is a mixture of 3C/4A texture; 3C (loose kinky curl) toward the middle of my hair and 4A (tight kinky curl) around the perimeters. My hair is pretty easy to manage when I co-wash and deep condition every week. When I wait two weeks or more to do so, I end up pulling a lot of hair out in the detangling process. My hair really responds well to gel, so I’ve been a faithful Eco Styler consumer since my first year after my big chop. I love my hair big and curly so I always let it air-dry and do its own thing!

5. What do you love most about your hair?

That it’s mine! Lol! No but seriously, I’ve been wearing weaves off and on since high school and now it’s not a necessity but an option. I also love that it grows so densely. Last November, I did an in home protein treatment that my hair did not respond well to and I lost tons of hair! (I obviously hadn’t learned my lesson the first time!) Somehow, my afro was still pretty full and my hair is growing normally again.

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

The most memorable part of my journey was when my mother walked in on me doing my hair a little after my big chop. She was so disappointed! She told me my hair would never grow back (Haitians parents have no filter lol). Although her words were discouraging, I still knew that I made the right decision. It was priceless to see her jaw drop a little over a year later when I finally straightened my hair.

Concerning myself with others opinions of my “new look” made the beginning of my journey difficult. Like I said before, I wore wigs and weave almost my entire first year because I was too afraid to show anyone my hair. As soon as I let my hair out, I felt FREE! That’s when everything about my journey became easier and fun. Not only did my mindset change, but the texture of my hair started to become easier to manage. The more I wore my hair out, my hair journey became less and less nerve wrecking and those opinions no longer mattered.

7. Any advice on dating as a natural hair woman?

My only advice is not to date anyone that does not accept who you are, especially if you are an awesome, beautiful natural hair woman. My friends and I always say, if he compliments your eyebrows or your natural hair, he’s a keeper lol! I am grateful that my special someone has had my back since the beginning.

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

My experience as a ‘natural’ has had its ups and downs. I didn’t get much positivity from people in the beginning. I was the first one out of my close friends and family to go natural so of course I received several remarks along the lines of how “crazy” I was for cutting off all of my hair. My best friend, Daphney, strangely always believed in the process even when I didn’t at times. When my hair started to get longer, that’s when everyone around me started to ‘believe’ in the going natural for a healthier lifestyle. So, my most memorable memories were when each one of my friends and family went natural one by one because I made them believe! Without even knowing that anyone was watching, I was inspiring people. I was afraid, still learning and growing into a completely different person but everyone seemed to notice the difference in me physically and internally which inspired them to embark on a new journey.

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

My current hair regimen is very simple. I do weekly wash and go’s and style here and there. I always make sure that my hair is very moisturized and detangled.

Weekly:

Co-wash with Hair One: Olive Oil
Deep condition with Organics hair mayonnaise
Detangle with a wide tooth comb
Rinse with Herbal Essence: Hello Hydration
Apply Cantu Shea Butter leave in conditioning cream and Eco Styler olive oil gel in sections
Twist my hair in sections at night (when I remember lol)
Damp hair as I shower every day and apply gel as needed

Being natural for four years, I’ve learned one very important thing, KEEP IT SIMPLE! When I am consistent with this regimen, my hair blossoms. I also believe that my active lifestyle aids with my weekly regime. I work out about 3-5 times a week and drink plenty of water throughout the day.

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

A few things:

Patience! Patience! Patience! Please just be patient and believe in the process. All of that hard work and tediousness is well worth it!
Keep that hair moisturized! It sounds so simple but extremely difficult at times! Wet it, use leave in conditioner, moisturizer, oils…just try your hardest to keep your hair moist.
Think long term. Not 2,3,10 years but a lifetime. Think about our future generation and the positive impact of seeing beautiful black natural women will have! It’s not always about us. Yes, we want beautiful healthy hair, but I also see natural hair women as key players in helping our youth in accepting their true natural beauty.

12. Where can people find you for more information?

Find me on Instagram for hair and fitness related post: @ohwendyohwww.instagram.com/ohwendyoh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyhtCLWgXLc