Naturals Speak UP featuring Britany (heat damage)

What made you go natural?

I’ve never had a relaxer/perm but I had always been one to flat iron my hair immediately after washing it. This was about 2-3 times a week. Growing up there wasn’t nearly as much natural hair products that you see on the shelves today. My mom (a Caucasian woman) had no clue what to do with my kinks. I remember when I was a junior in high school (around 17 years old) it was time to wash my hair, while in the shower all I smelled was burnt hair. I didn’t know the term then but I learned that I encountered severe heat damage, and I had no clue what to do to recover.  In 2013, off and on, I made a decision to put the flat iron down. After I realized how bad I was damaging my hair, I stopped straightening it. I slowly chopped off the heat damage. In March 2012, I got my first deva cut and I put the flat iron down (with the exception of 1-2 times a year). I learned to be more knowledgeable about using heat/flat ironing my hair so frequently by researching. I used coconut oil as a hair mask continually to make my hair healthier. So, I guess you can say that I went natural in 2013, and it’s the healthiest that it has ever been.

 

Heat damage 2007

What are you favorite products?

At my first my favorite products were the Deva Curl line but my pockets begged to differ. I quickly found a group of cost efficient products that my hair loves. As a leave in, I use treseme naturals nourishing moisture with Aloe Vera and avocado. As a sealant, I use jojoba oil, avocado oil, or Aloe Vera juice. If I must use a gel I use Giovanni LA Natural Styling Gel on top of my sealant.

Heat Damage 2009

 

 

What’s the hardest part about being natural? At times it can be time consuming, especially when it comes down to giving your hair the tlc it needs, such as washing, conditioning, and deep conditioning, etc.

 

 

Can you give advice to individuals wanting to become natural? You can do it! Nothing is more beautiful than natural beauty. Give your crown a chance. It’s what you were born to rock!