If you do self-relax, what technique do you swear by?

Do you part your hair in 4's? Half and half method? Do you apply the relaxer vertically?

Describe your process :)



♥ Sunshyne

What's your name and where are you from?

Nia Imani Johnson and I am from Darlington, South Carolina

Have you always been natural? If not, what inspired you to go natural? Did you transition? If so, for how long?

I have been natural for a year this past March. I was one of those sisters who went to the salon every week and kept a fresh relaxer and loved it. But I always loved natural hair and how versatile it is. One day I went from armpit length to ear length with a really cute cut. After that I decided that I wanted to take that step and go natural and have never looked back. I transitioned for a year with kinky twists and then finally BC’d. I felt I was ready.

What is your hair type?

4b/c in a few places.

What do you love most about being natural?

I love being able to wash my hair whenever I want to. Not running from the rain and going to beach without worrying about my hair. I love that I can be straight one minute and rock a curls the next. I love being different and not like the next woman when I walk in a room. I get stares and people ask, is that your hair or how did you that!

What are your hair goals for 2010?

At first I was obsessed with length and I would have answered to get to arm pit length. I still want that, but I want to focus on healthy hair and being more consistent with my deep conditioning. I have a steamer and I only use it about once a month. I want to change that and use it at least twice a month.


Name a few challenges you are currently facing with your hair. Have you been doing anything different to overcome these challenges?

My current challenge is, now that my hair has grown, my twist outs are not as cute as they used to be mainly because I need some shape to my hair. The back of my hair grows faster and my sides are growing out instead of down! I have been trying to find really cute protective styles to wear and have ordered a couple of half wigs to try out.

What styles do you love to wear the most and why? How do you go about achieving this style?

Right now I am wearing wash and go’s. Now that it is warm it is so easy to wash and let my hair air dry. I usually leave the conditioner in my hair after the second co wash and twirl my curls around with my finger to better define them.

List the products that you use and how you use them. What is your current hair regimen? share what works for you!

I am now using Hello Hydration and Suave Shea and Almond. I always add extra oils to my conditioner i.e. Olive, grape seed, Shea butter, coconut, vitamin E and argan oil. I usually pre-poo with honey, olive oil and water for about an hour. Then I co-wash with the Hello Hydration. I detangle in the shower in sections. If I am deep conditioning I use ORS and get under my steamer for about 20 minutes. I then rinse, co wash a second time with the Suave and leave it in. I then squeeze the excess water out with a towel. I then get small sections of my hair and start to twirl the section of my hair that does not curl on their own. I have my water bottle on hand. When I finish I spritz my hair with my homemade spritz made with water, coconut oil, Jamaican black Castor oil, grape seed oil and vegetable glycerin. I then let it air dry. Lately I have been trying Miss Jessie’s stretch silkening crème and using that on the ends of my hair and so far so good!!!! I also love Oyin Handmade products, I just need to get some more!! Their Honey Hemp conditioner and Shine and Define give me the best twist outs!

What products do you use to achieve soft beautiful curl definition?


Shea Butter and leave-in conditioner in my hair have really helped. My hair has curls in places and some places it is just really fluffy. Really defining them with the conditioner in my hair has really given me a uniformed curl.

How do you detangle your hair?

Currently, I detangle my hair in sections in the shower with lots of conditioner. I do not lose as much hair as when I wait until I detangle after I wash.

What product or technique would you say really helped your hair flourish?

I think Shea butter and adding the different oils to my conditioner have really helped with the moisture and growth.

Do you have any advice for other naturals?

My most important advice would be to join Hairlista!!!! I have learned so much about styles and products and have met so many naturals that have given me great advice. The best advice is not to compare your hair to anyone else. You are different, unique and learn to appreciate that!

Where on the web can we find more about you and your styles?

On Hairlista!!

http://www.hairlista.com/profile/NiaJohnson

Check me out!!!

Check out the new Challenges that recently surfaced on Hairlista.com! They all started in April and end in July 2010. Be sure to check them out and join in on the fun! Get your hair on point for Summer via one of these challenges :)





♥ Sunshyne

What's your name and where are you from?

My name is Sanai and I am from Philadelphia.

Have you always been natural? If not, what inspired you to go natural? Did you transition? If so, for how long?

I wasn't always natural. I got my first relaxer when I was 10 and had my last one when I was 20! I decided to go natural in February of 2008 because my hair couldn't take the damage I was enduring from the relaxers anymore. I literally woke up one morning and said...."I'm going natural!" I transitioned for 6 months with kinky twists and then did the big chop. It took some time getting used to the short hair, but I got used to it.


What is your hair type?

I am a 4a b.

What do you love most about being natural?

I love the versatility of my hair. I can wear it straight, curly or however! I also love the compliments I get for my hair.

What are your hair goals for 2010?

By the end of 2010 I plan to be mid back length...that might be asking for too much LOL, but I believe I can achieve it with dedication and patience!

Name a few challenges you are currently facing with your hair. Have you been doing anything different to overcome these challenges?

My hair has been a little dry lately...olive oil and regular deep conditioners helps me with this issue.

What styles do you love to wear the most and why? How do you go about achieving this style?

I love to wear my hair in twists, twists, and more twists!! Sometimes I do them myself, but my hair dresser does it for me most of the times.


List the products that you use and how you use them. What is your current hair regimen? share what works for you!

I use:

• Oyin handmade- Burnt Sugar Pomade...its very nourishing to the scalp.
• Jane Carter- Revitalizing Leave in Conditioner....I use this after I wash my hair and it also works for de-tangling the hair.
• Jamila Henna- Helps to stretch my hair and also deposited some auburn coloring to my hair...also helps with split ends.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil- Hot oil treatment. Also helps with dryness.
• Aubrey Organics- Honey suckle Rose Conditioner- I use this as a deep conditioner every month and also for my co-washes.
• Qhemet Biologics- Karkady Tea Replenishing Mist- Good for braids and dryness.
• Alaffia Black Soap Shampoo- Good sulfate free shampoo.
  

What products do you use to achieve soft beautiful curl definition?

I use my Jane carter solution leave in to provide some curl definition, but I am currently looking for a new curl defining product for my hair.

How do you detangle your hair?

I use my Qhemet Biologics Cocoa Tree detangling Ghee to detangle. I Always detangle from ends to roots to avoid breakage.

What product or technique would you say really helped your hair flourish?

The best technique that has helped me is less manipulation. The less you manipulate your hair, the more it will thank you. When I first went natural, I could not leave my hair alone. As my hair grew longer I've learned to prolong my styles and apply less manipulation to avoid breakage.


Do you have any advice for other naturals?

No matter what other people think always do what you feel is best for your hair. Being natural is beautiful....embrace your natural hair!

Where on the web can we find more about you and your styles?

Google, Google, Google...of course!
Motowngirl.com
Nappturality.com

The Naturalista Series™ is a new showcase of women who rock their natural hair with style and flair. They adore being natural and they rock their kinks well!

All of the Featured Naturals are from Hairlista.com. Each week, a Natural Hairlista member will be featured displaying their hair styles and revealing all of their hair care secrets.

The Naturalista Series™ will allow other naturals and Transitioning ladies the opportunity to understand their hair better, adapt new techniques, and learn about new products. You don't want to miss this.

COMING SOON

♥ Sunshyne

♥ Sunshyne

Please share your secrets, methods and techniques on how YOU achieve soft, silky, defined curls (also state your hair type i.e. 2 a/b/c, 3 a/b/c, 4 a/b/c etc.).

Spill the beans on the oils, products, and home treatments that work for you!



♥ Sunshyne