*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally
Laila was featured on December 06, 2010 when she was 17 months into her transition to natural hair. I caught up with her to get an update on her regimen and find out how life is treating her now that she’s au naturale.
Introduce yourself!
L: My name is Laila and I’m from across the pond…London to be exact :) I’m currently a Public Relations and Business Law Student. I’m also an entertainment contributor for a small urban magazine and I dibble dabble in some freelance PR, events and communications.
When and how did you transition into natural hair?
L: I started transitioning 2 years ago and I only BC’d 3 months ago, so I took the long route. I wanted to master my hair in that time so I spent 99% of my transition styling and caring for my hair on a weekly basis. I kept all my hairstyles in line with my personal style and taste! I believe this is what kept me going for so long. I always felt like myself. I never felt uncomfortable with the way my hair looked.
How did you decide when it was time to complete your transition?
L: Being such an anal-retentive person, I set my BC date the day I decided to transition and I stuck to it. It was hard sometimes and ever so often temptation would come my way, but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t let myself down. In August of 2009 I said I would BC on July 7th 2011 and that’s what I did…and it made me really happy lol
Any major changes you’ve noticed since cutting off your relaxed ends?
L: Since cutting my ends off I’ve noticed a definite difFerence in my texture(s). It’s not necessarily changing, but it’s more pronounced. I have a few different curl/coil sizes in different sections on my head and each section seems to be coming into its self. I’m not sure if that even makes sense lol
As for my personal experience towards being natural I can well and true say I’ve never been happier with my hair! I just love it! I feel like the definition of beautiful when I wear my hair out in all its glory. Having my hair in its natural state hasn’t hindered my personal style at all. While transitioning I had a lot of people telling me all I could do with natural hair was wear a puff, an afro or kinky twists. These are styles I like, but I love updos. I love my hair up and being natural just gives my styles that extra something.
How would you describe your hair?
L: I believe my hair to be kinky/curly with a combination of all the 4′s (a, b and c) My strands are medium to fine with high density. I think I have normal porosity, but I could be wrong.
What’s your current regimen?
L: I shampoo my hair weekly with Schwarzkopf Gliss Oil Nutritive Shampoo. I deep condition after every shampoo and it’s usually a combination of any conditioner I have with full fat natural yogurt, coconut milk, honey and any oil that’s close to hand. I moisturize and seal as needed with water and my whipped shea butter mix.
Tell us about your hair color?
L: Oh yes my colour :) I did it myself. I know your not meant to, but I was naughty. I used Dark and Lovely Color ‘Red Hot Rhythm’. I believe my weekly deep conditioning has really helped in moisture retention and keeping breakage at bay. If my hair is dehydrated (dry and extra frizzy) the coloured section gives it away, so it really forces me to stay on top of moisturizing. I haven’t experienced a texture change, but that part of my hair sheds the most and I’m pretty sure it’s colour related.
What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from?
L: Fortunately for me, since my BC I’m yet to make any detrimental mistakes, but it’s only been 3 months. I’m hoping I can keep it that way for as long as possible. I’m sure my lengthy transition has helped, although the two are completely different, the basics of hair care are the same.
What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
L: It has to be protective/low maintenance styles hands down! 99% of the time my ends are tucked away. It’s also a personal preference to wear my hair up and away. That’s how I kept it even when I was relaxed, so it’s not really a chore for me.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
L: Oh yes…I’m a social network whore lol…but here are the basics.
My Tumblr: http://neffyfrofro.tumblr.com/
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/fusionofcultures
Do you have any parting advice for transitioners?
L: It’s your journey! Long or short it’s up to you, no one else…so enjoy it and at the end you’ll be greeted with greater joy.
Serious hair envy!
I LOVE your hair and nails in that first pic! I used to dye my hair that Red Hot Rhythm color as well… until my stylist told me to stop, I suppose I wasn’t moisturizing enough! But mine never turned out as good as yours anyways =)
pictures like this make me want to comb out my locs.
me too, ruthi!
My FAVORITE Youtuber.
She’s definitely a “Natural Hair Style Icon”.
Her hair styles are natural hair inspiration!
Love her YouTube channel! Accent is killer, and she has a great charming personality! :) Happy hair growing Laila :)
Thank you, I’ve recently been srcnahieg for information about this subject for a long time and yours is the best I have came upon till now. But, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you positive concerning the source?|What i don’t realize is actually how you are now not really a lot more smartly-favored than you may be right now. You are so intelligent.
Oh I just love you to death! I knew of you from YT first and I must say you and your fiancee are too adorable! He is VERY cute and I’m sure the wedding will be BEAUTIFUL. Thanks for your upbeat personality, it makes a world of difference from the many other naturals on YT who are just all about themselves and their opinions. Take care!
Hey Avanti… i’m so curios to find out who you think my fiance is, i dont even have a boyfriend :( So this made me lol
I feel like she is confusing you with BritpopPrincess. Another popular British youtuber who is engaged. Though, I could be wrong. Avanti please clarify..lol :-)
That’s what I thought even though they look nothing alike and do not share hair types.
HOLY CRAP! I am so sorry Laila! I was watching your YT vids and thought to myself why doesn’t she have any vids of her and her fiancee, then I thought about the video I watched and the girl had straight hair and I was like WAAAAAAAIT A MIIIINUTE! I am SO SORRY! It is BritPopPrincess! Not you! Ay-yie-yie!!! I’m starting rumors aren’t I?! You both sorta have a raspy tone and skin color but DEFINITELY not the same person. Please, feel free to laugh me up. I deserve it. Hahaha X-D
And even though you aren’t who I thought I was talking to, your personality is still so bubbly and upbeat I love it! But I definitely adore your hairstyles more than the other girl. And when you do get a boyfriend and he turns into a fiancee I still wish you the best! (I’m trying hard to redeem myself.) HAHAHA!
I was just wondering whether you have anymore photos of you with the style in the third picture, that shows the other side etc? I really like that style and would love to see the rest
I loved this article! She has a great head of hair…off to check out her You Tube channel!
Gorgeous hair! Will def check out the YT channel. So proud to see fellow Ghanaian naturals!
Thanx for all the kind words guys i really appreciate it and thank you to Leila and Meosha for having me back on here :)
I LOVE Laila!!!! She has been such an awesome inspiration as I reach the end of my own two-year transition (just two more days, can you believe it???? I haven’t had a perm since 11/2/09!). I swear her “BC” video made me tear up. I wish I had her dexterity and patience to do those amazing updos on myself.
Laila, I really enjoy your Tumblr and YouTube =) very nice hairstyles you have there!
I LOVE her youtube channel. Very “Dream Hair”. lol I go to it and others whenever I’m in need of inpiration.
I love photos 3 and 6. Her hair is very nice. I plan to check out her YT channel.
WOWWW!!! You have the cutest hair styles!
WOWZERS! In the words of Beyonce..This girl is dripping Swagu! lol
she is lovely! her personality just seems so much fun!
she’s totally adorable. i sub to her yt channel.
Yea her hair is dope. Always loved the styles she did :)
This is a great feature! I’ve watched quite a few of your YT videos and always lusted after your lush twists!! Love how the color accents your updo styles too!! I didn’t know you BC’d though! I was so impressed by how long you transitioned and how wonderfully you did it! I have to remember to tell people to check you out when they ask for transitioning advice!!
Shelli
**DROOL**
I’m trying that Twist n’ Curl TONIGHT!