Aevin // Natural Hair Style Icon

A photo of Aevin’s gorgeous, humongous fro (posted Friday) set off a comments firestorm and several requests for her regimen. So here it is! Updated with her responses about people’s reactions to her hair.

Where do you live?
A: I live in Reserve, La. Which is about 25 miles outside of New Orleans La. I rep New Orleans of course!!! I work in a family business, helping women with developmental disabilities

Why did you go natural?
A: Honestly I got tired of the chemicals, the chemical burns, the breakage, etc!!! I went natural in 1999. I decided to stop getting perms and just let my hair grow. I would get it braided, or set it on rods then pull my curls aloose with a little pink lotion and it would look like it was natural. Finally one day I went to set my hair and decided that I was comfortable enough to cut the permed ends off and I started chopping. Best moment ever!!!!

When I first did it, I got ALOT of crazy looks. Family, friends and strangers were in shock. I would get questions like “Why do you want to wear your hair nappy?” Of course I was proud of MY hair and would ignore the negative and embrace the positive.

What kinds of reactions do you get to your hair? What’s the CRAZIEST reaction you’ve gotten to your hair?
A: Lol, I get everything from pointing to people yelling from across the street “Is that ALL your hair”!! Recently this girl was so amazed by my hair that she kept yelling ” Oh my God, your hair is (explicit word) AWESOME, just (explicit word) AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She just kept walking back and forth yelling it.

Do you feel that other black people appreciate how amazing your hair is?
A: For the most part yes they do, but there are still some who look at my fro as if it’s the “black plague”!!!! Either way I’m proud of my hair, wouldn’t change a thing!!!

How would you describe your hair?
A: I would described my hair as kinky, somewhat thick strands, dense and VERY POROUS

What’s your regimen?
A: Up until recently I pretty much used Pantene and Dove, but have recently added Aussie and Garnier Fructis to the mix. I use Pantene Nature Fusion Moisture Balance, Moisture Renewal, Beautiful Lengths, Fragile to strong, Dry to Moisturized, Dove Intense Moisture, Aussie Moist, And Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition, Fortifying and Sleek and Shine.

As far as my regimen goes I wash with Suave Clarifying shampoo, then follow with Suave Almond and Shea Butter, and Garnier Fructis Triple nutrition shampoo, (I mix them together.) I recently started doing an apple cider vinegar rinse at the end, which I find very effective. Then I mix a little of all those conditioners I named (in the first paragraph) and apply them to my hair. Most of the time I will style my hair with the conditioner in it. During the week I usually like to put my hair in a protective style like 1 french braid, or a donut bun, maybe 2 french braids, etc. By Thursday, I double strand twist it and then wear it loose in a twist out for the weekend!!!

What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from?
A: I learned that I don’t need as much oil on my hair as I thought, the conditioner during the week helps with that ALOT. I also learned to not take my hair for granted and not let just anybody get in it.

What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
A: Probably letting conditioner stay in it during the week. I’ve done it for so long that I rarely have to put any kind of moisturizer in it.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
A: My friend Nyesha and I started a website called www.afromaniacs.com, where you find everything from hair to make up, skin care, children’s hair care, locs and even a little poetry.

Anything else you want to add?
A: I would just like to thank BGLH for even asking me to do an interview and I’d like to thank everyone for their compliments and words of encouragement about my BAA (big ass afro)!!!