*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally
Introduce yourself!
G: Hey everyone! My name is Ms-gg, owner of frostoppa.com. I was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. I juggle between being a full-time student and a natural hair blogger/vlogger.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
G: I simply liked the way it looked. Back in 2005 I saw this girl with an AMAZING puff and I wanted it so bad! That year I transitioned for 6 months, but relapsed.
When and how did you transition into natural hair?
G: In 2006 I tried to transition again after a bad color job that left my hair extremely weak and damaged. I became natural in September 2006. I mainly wore braid extensions and kinky twists during my 6 month transition. I also wore half wigs, and my real hair in a rod set. I remember back then I use to complain about the one hour it took to rod and dry my hair. If only I knew what I know now! I also forced myself to big chop by slowly cutting away my relaxed hair. Right before my big chop, I didn’t even have enough hair to put in a ponytail. My only choice was to either big chop or relax.
In what ways (if any) has going natural affected you?
G: I am more confident. I don’t need anyone to validate how I should feel about myself. Everyone has an opinion and I take them with a grain of salt.
How would you describe your hair?
G: My hair is really, REALLY coarse and strong. It is also extremely dense. If I had to type my hair, it would be in the type four category. My hair doesn’t respond well to any topical proteins and it loves humectant-based products. My hair responds best to glycerin, water, and aloe juice.
What is your regimen?
G: My regimen is quite simple:
Prepoo hair with an oil (usually coconut, sweet almond or grapeseed oil). Wash with a generic sulfate free shampoo and condition hair for 20 minutes using Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner. Moisturize hair and put in a protective style. Wear it for 2-3 weeks and Repeat!
How do you retain length and moisture in your hair?
G: The number one thing that is important for anyone who wants to retain length is to know your hair. Know what ingredients your hair responds best to, what hairstyles cause the least amount of damage to your hair, and the proper way to handle your hair. I don’t use seamed combs, I don’t trim my hair on a “set schedule,” and I don’t wear my hair “out” for extended periods of time.
I usually use glycerin based products for moisture. My favorite for the past five years has been the Worlds of Curls Curl Activator Gel. It does a great job of moisturizing and adding impeccable shine. I use this product year round. In the winter I use Hairvèda’s Whipped Crème leave-in conditioner. I also mix up a blend of aloe juice, vegetable glycerin, castor oil, and sweet almond oil for a spritz.
What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from?
G: Jumping on bandwagons was a big mistake for me. It is so easy as a new natural or as a natural who is desperate for length to want to try the “next best thing” because so and so had great results. I have had so many setbacks as a result of them and now I just stick with what works for me. All naturals need to be careful about experimenting with new products, hair tools, and techniques. It doesn’t take much to damage hair.
What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
G: Leave it alone! The less you do to your hair, the better off it is. As long as you are breathing and relatively healthy, your hair will grow. Retaining length is usually the biggest problem and manipulating it entirely too much can cause breakage. Just leave your hair alone and you will have the long hair that you dream of sooner than you think.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
G: You can find my blog at http://www.frostoppa.com and my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/frostoppa.
Anything else you want to add?
G: Thank you for the interview!
