The vivacious and entertaining Etoile (GOC Third Wave) shares her Hair Crush and pseudo Big Chop HairStory!!

(And yeah, I jacked and cropped a pic from the Sofistafunk party for this post;)!!)

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Describe yourself in 20 words or less.
Sorry no can do…I am one wordy chick! My name is Etoile and I am a certified, card carrying, licensed Product Junkie, daughter, lover, friend, sister, magic dust sprinkler and paid rain maker … marketing professional by trade.

How long have you been natural and why did you chose to go natural?
I chose to go natural because the chemicals had eaten away at my hair and it was over-processed, dry and damaged almost beyond repair. Going natural or going bald were the only two options … I decided going natural was the only route for me.

Did you transition or big chop?
I transitioned for 18 months. I have had long hair for the majority of my life and I was not ready to lose my length. I transitioned for so long so that I would be able to continue to wear my two signature styles … buns and ponytails.

What is/was your biggest hair challenge/obstacle?  How did you overcome it or what are you doing now to try to address the problem?
Keeping it moisturized.  What worked on my dead relaxed ends did not work on my natural hair. For now, I am pre-pooing with oil (evoo or jojoba) and I am also making sure to deep condition without fail every single week.

What do you love most about your natural hair and/or about being natural?
I LOVE my coils and curls, I LOVE my big hair, I love the versatility and I love, love, love that no one else in the world has my head of hair.

What is your current regimen?  Has it changed in any major way since you first went natural?
When I began transitioning I had no clue as to what would work or would not work for my hair. Name a product and, yep, I’ve tried it. I did not have a set regimen, I washed too frequently and I did not deep condition often enough. My current regimen consists of: Pre-pooing weekly with oil, either evoo or jojoba. I then wash, shower detangle and deep condition. I apply leave-in conditioner, styler and seal with an oil mix and either wet set on large rollers to bun for the week or do 2 strand twists, which I keep in for 3-4 days and then wear in a twist out until wash day. If I need to moisturize during the week, I do so with a few spritzes of my version of the Kimmaytube leave-in. For more detailed info check me out on the Hairscapade Grow Out Challenge!

What are your Holy Grail and staple products?
Olive oil and jojoba oil. Both products have been LIFE savers for adding much needed moisture to my formerly over-processed locks. I also love my version of the Kimmaytube leave-in condish recipe. Recently added to my mix and I will say are becoming HG products are my Doris New York Leave-In Conditioner and Olive Oil Cream. Both leave my hair very soft, supple and shiny.

What is your “go to” style? Do you wear protective and/or low manipulation styles? If so, how often and why?
My low manipulation style of choice is my bun. I suffer from a serious case of HIH aka Hand In Hair Disease and since I have fallen in love with my coils and curls, I could spend the day playing in them. Keeping my hair pulled up and away keeps my hands out of it and keeps me from having to fuss with it during the day.

How often do you cut/trim your hair and how do you cut it (salon, DIY, straight, curly, in twists)?
I just started seeing Tameeka of Christo Fifth Ave in NYC. She was PHENOMENAL! She listened to me and  gave me a fab cut and color. She cut my hair while it was wet and did an amazing job. I would HIGHLY recommend her. For now I plan on listening to my hair and getting it trimmed every 3-4 months, as needed.

Do you have a “hair crush?” If so, who?
Umm you, Curly Nikki, Tracee Ellis Ross and Yvette Nicole Brown.

Who do you follow online (i.e. blog/website, Youtube, Fotki, etc.)?
Hairscapades, CurlyNikki.com, NaturalChica.com, TheGoodHairBlog.com, BGLHonline.com

Where can we find you online?
www.curvealicious.blogspot.com

What advice would you give someone who is contemplating going natural and/or becoming discouraged with their natural journey?
Be patient, whether you chose to transition or big chop immediately, you will have to learn how to care for your natural hair.  You will encounter challenges along the way.  Do not look at another natural and expect your hair to look like hers. No two heads of hair are the same … but the reward is incredible. I have a thick, full head of healthy lucious curls.