Cinni // Natural Hair Style Icon

*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally

Introduce yourself!
C: Allison is the birth name. Cinni is what I go by. I currently live in a lil town called Crewe in the UK but I rep South Florida and Jamaica. 876 we laarrge abroad! I am an undergraduate student, studying Dance.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
C: I really missed having big hair. I got a perm when I was 14 after moving from Jamaica to Florida because at the time it was the easiest thing to do for me. I had no idea how to take care of my hair, but as time went on I got heck bored with the relaxed hair. I would color it to “jazz it up”, but it wasn’t giving me the oomph I wanted.

When and how did you transition into natural hair?
C: I got my last relaxer in June 2009. My sister was always saying “you should go back natural” (she did the whole transition into natural bit yeaarrsss back), so I decided that was it for me. I sucked at transitioning Lol. I really did. I would always blow dry then flat iron my hair every week because I had no clue what to do. I eventually found CurlyNikki and BGLH which helped tremendously, but I couldn’t take the 2 textures after awhile so I BC’d in April 2010. The hair needed to go.

Doing the BC affected me hard because I never had short hair in my life. Short to me was shoulder length. I know people always say that, but it’s true. I was known as the girl with a lot of hair even when it was relaxed. Cutting off all my hair was difficult. I thought I didn’t look as attractive and whatnot, but I got over it.

How would you describe your hair?
C: My hair is very, very thick. I know it curls. What kind of curls? Psssh idk. I never did get into the whole hair typing thing. I know it doesn’t behave well. It frizzes no matter the weather or products used, so I let it be. It is a free mane.

What is your regimen?
C: I shampoo my hair every week. Tried the no-poo bit, yeaaah no. I developed eczema on my scalp so poo-ing works for me. I use Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Castile Soap or African Black Soap (got it off Amazon), but right now I’m trying Lush’s Soak n Float bar.

I shampoo in sections then condition with whatever I have around, i.e. Aussie Moist, Organix Coconut Milk or Tresemme Breakage Protection. I detangle in the shower, twist, then rinse. I apply my DC, which switches. I’ll mix my conditioner with honey, olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter or a deep treatment from Shea Moisture; slap it in my head, pop 2 shower caps on plus a winter hat & DC overnight. Next day I’ll rinse it out then apply Cantu Conditioning Cream or Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner, Curl & Style Milk, Thickening Growth Milk, coconut oil over that and twist or braid up my hair with regular shea butter or Shea Moisture’s Curl Enhancing Smoothie.

How do you retain length and moisture in your hair?
C: Sealing is key. I swear by coconut oil. I’ve been using that since I went natural and my hair loves it. Twists and braids…I do those 60-70% of the time. I’ll pull them out when I feel like it. I wear a silk scarf to bed as well.

What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from?
C: I wouldn’t say mistakes, but I’ve learned that I have to switch things up as my hair gets longer. Last year I could do a lot of WnG’s, but now not so much. I did make a mistake though of not bringing coconut oil with me on vacay to Jamaica earlier this year. My ends hated me and formed single strand knots in revolt. Never again.

What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
C: Coconut oil! Lol. I don’t do a lot with my hair because I can’t be bothered, but I know it needs to be moisturized, so coconut oil is really my go to.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
C: Yes, candidcinni.blogspot.com is my blog. If you want to follow me on Twitter it is @cinnirox.

Anything else you want to add?
C: Love your hair! It can be trying at times and trust me. I’ve had my fair share of fits because of my hair, but embrace what grows out of your scalp.