by Brittany of Island Curls

Hi Shelli! My name is Brittany, aka KinkyIslandGirl, and I frequently view your blog, as well as your updates on Facebook. I was happy to see that you were looking for guest bloggers, because I have recently started a natural hair blog that has an island twist, because I am from the Bahamas (though I reside in Minnesota). The blog is called http://www.islandcurls.blogspot.com. Below is an article featuring a Bahamian lady that I would like to share with your readers, if you would allow me. Thank you!

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Say Hi!
Hello, my name is Alissa. I’m 22 years old, born and raised in the Bahamas. Both of my parents are Black.

When and how did you transition into natural hair? Did you transition or big chop? How did you take care of your hair while going natural?
I have always been natural.

Do you love your hair? Have you always loved it?
There was a time when I disliked being natural. I wanted straight hair, because all of the celebrities I liked had straight hair and I thought I would have more versatility. I was tired of tangling and ponytails. As I grew older, I learned how to take care of my hair, which made it more manageable. I also learned more hairstyles and techniques, which I think make my natural hair more versatile than any other texture. Learning to love my hair was a process.

How would you describe your hair?
My hair is a 3c/4a texture. I have more of a S-curl/wavy texture around my edges and a tighter curl texture in the middle of my head.

What is your hair regimen and nightly routine?
I wash and deep condition once a week. I oil my scalp at least twice a week with olive oil or another natural oil and I moisturize and seal my hair everyday. Every night, I plait or bun my hair and wear a satin cap to prevent breaking.

How do you retain length and moisture in your hair?
To retain length, I make sure to always sleep with my hair in a bun or plait under my satin cap. I moisturize and seal my ends everyday. I wear protective styles most of the time. Those are styles that protect my ends from breaking by keeping them up and off of my shoulders and clothes. I only use a wide-toothed comb on well moisturized hair after finger combing. Sometimes I detangle while conditioning my hair. I avoid products with petroleum, alcohol or mineral oil and only use natural oils on my scalp.

What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from?
I burned off and damaged the ends of my hair with hot combs and flat irons for a few years until I learned healthy hair habits. I had to cut it a few times to fix that. I also used to wear my hair in a puff a lot when I was in high school and I used an afro pic on it while it was dry. That broke my hair a lot. I used to shampoo and not condition not knowing how harsh shampoo is. I used to use vaseline on my scalp, pink lotion on my ends and slick my hair down with gel and beeswax. I was terrible and the list goes on and on.

What’s the best thing you do for your hair?
The best thing I do is add oils to my routine. Whether it be on my scalp, mixing it with my deep conditioner or sealing my ends.

If you were going away to a deserted place and could only take 3 products, what would they be and why?
Woowwwww! My garnier fructis shampoo, Elasta QP deep conditioner and definitely my extra virgin olive oil.

What is your go-to style?
The high bun… All day.

Who is your hair idol?
A vlogger named Megz who taught me so much of what I now know about black hair.

Any last words of wisdom?
Good hair is healthy hair. Spend time learning how to take better care of yours.