Hey Curlies,
Here's another ClassyCurly profile!
Name: Aaliayh Martin
Social Media Names: la_pinktacos
Hair Type: 4b/4c
URL: curlybbg,tumblr.com
How long have you been natural?:
I've been natural since May 8, 2012
Why did you go natural?:
My big sister suggested it to me. I thought it was a good
idea because I'm always up for something new. I never actually considered going
through with the process until I knew that I needed a lifestyle change. I've
always had straight medium length hair my entire life. I started getting into
things during my high school years that I know my parents didn't approve of, so
instead of acting out, I cut my hair off and been natural ever since.
A short regimen you can share:
I wash my hair as needed or when I have time. I'm a college
student with jobs, emphasis on the āsā in jobs.
I separate my hair into 4 sections (a top, 2 middles and a
back). I dampen my hair and start off with heating up castor oil or coconut oil
and rubbing it on my scalp. I then put a plastic cap on my head. When I have
done that for 15 minutes, I got to the shower and massage as much as I can out
of my scalp.
I have a mixture of water and Apple Cider Vinegar that I put
on my hair as a cleanser. It helps rid of the dandruff that I have from time to
time. Once I have put that on my hair and massaged it through, I use Suave
Professionals Shea Butter + Almond conditioner as a cowash. I go over all the
sections twice with the conditioner.
I don't use shampoo at all in my regimen. Once I have
finished all the sections and washed out all the conditioner, I immediately
find coconut oil to seal in all the moisture that my hair has obtained. Once
the oil is on, I put Cantu Shea Butter's Argon Oil leave-in repair cream on
top.
I usually am doing
this at night unless I'm off and I don't have class, so after the repair cream
is on, I twist my hair in sections and leave the twists out to air dry until I
put my satin cap on and go to sleep.
What are some of your favorite products?:
My all-time favorite product right now is the Suave
Professionals Shea Butter + Almond conditioner. It smells nice and leaves my
hair feeling really moisturized. I also love Cantu's Argon Oil leave-in repair
cream. The third thing that I can't live without is coconut oil. That is the
love of my hair's life. Everything that I use in my regimen basically!
What are some of your favorite styles?:
I love to do tiny twists into my hair and leave it twisted
for days. I do high puffs often, but nothing compares to a fro. It's so classic
and retro. I also will pull my hair back in to back puff with a hump bang in
the front. The longer it gets, the more versatile it gets.
What is your most favorite and least thing about being
natural?:
My least favorite thing is never knowing how long my hair
actually is. I know that it's longer than when it was permed, but since I don't
use heat, that's something that I'll never get the chance to know. At least not
any time soon anyway.
What is one piece of advice that all women should
have(pertaining to confidence)?:
DON'T QUIT. We all go through those stages where we're like
"Why did I do this to myself?" But believe me, it's worth it in the
end. Keep going. Get inspired by the wonderful women on YouTube like
Naptural85.
What natural hair bloggers/vloggers inspire you?:
Naptural85 is the person who inspires me the most. She just
has a positive attitude and was the one who inspired me to continue my hair
journey. I honestly wanted to quit until I saw her YouTube channel.
Do you have any advice on going natural?:
If you're someone who wants things to happen fast, don't do
a big chop. Transition. If you expect your hair to be BSL after a year, that is
very unlikely. Going natural taught me how to care for something other than
myself and to be patient. It takes time and effort. That's another thing, if
you aren't willing to put the work in, then your hair is not going to do what
you want it to do. Be patient and kind to your hair. It will do what you want
it to do in the end.
Labels: natural hair profile