*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally
Introduce yourself!
K: Greetings! My name is Kala. I also go by KG. I’m from sunny San Diego, California, but I currently reside in Detroit, Michigan where I work in the network engineering field.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
K: I went natural after being relaxed for 4 years (age 13-17). When I turned 17 I realized the box perms my Mommy put in my hair were not healthy. So one day when it was touch-up time I opted out. I transitioned on accident, meaning I had no idea that I was going natural. My mistake was the constant flat-ironing I did. It caused some severe heat damage, but in 2009 I decided to put the flat-iron down for a year. That is when my hair journey started, where I transitioned from heat damage. I’ve embraced my hair since, recently cut off the remaining heat damage and am LOVING it!
How would you describe your texture?
K: I’m really not a fan of the typing system because it can be divisive at times. I think the tighter your curl pattern, the heavier and creamier your products should be. I call my hair kinky-coily because most of it is. But I have a looser curl pattern at my crown and a tighter curl pattern around my edges. It’s such a mixture of textures, which is fine. I pay close attention to the back and front of my hair when it comes to moisture. I have coarse dense strands mostly and I‘ve grown to accept and love my hair the way it is.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
K: My regimen is like my styling choices, it changes based on my mood. I do however stick with a consistent regimen for at least a month in order to really get an idea of how my hair likes it. For this past month I’ve been experimenting with the Curly Girl Method. I love this regimen although I know I’ll continue styling my hair in braid outs, flexi-rod sets, and twist outs in the future.
Regimen:
Pre-poo: Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (EVCO) and Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
Co-Wash (every 4-5 days): Tresemme Naturals Conditioner or V05 Moisture Milks Conditioner (both silicone-free)
Wash (once a month): Shea Moisture Curl and Shine Shampoo
Deep Condition (once a week): Shea Moisture Purification Masque and Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque
Moisturize and Style: Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Olive Oil EcoStyler or just Tresemme Naturals Conditioner alone
Seal: Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Maintenance: Pat a small amount of Curl Enhancing Smoothie and EVCO on my hair every night before pineappling to sleep
What does wash day look like for you?
K: I separate my hair in 4 sections first to make the process easier. I pre-poo concentrating the EVCO on my scalp and hair shaft and concentrating the EVOO on the ends. I rinse my hair with lukewarm water to remove all the old products I used. If it’s my day to use shampoo I use a dime-sized amount of the shampoo per section, working the product onto my scalp with my finger pads. I don’t really apply the shampoo to my hair, just my scalp. I squeeze the shampoo down my strands and rinse it out and immediately apply my conditioner.
On co-wash days I do exactly the same thing with a conditioner. Next I finger detangle with more conditioner saturated throughout. I rinse that out and once a week apply my deep conditioners. I cover my hair with a Target (yes, Target) bag for at least an hour, sometimes overnight. Rinse that out with cold water and put in my leave-in conditioners to style. My wash ‘n go wash days are a cinch because at that point I’m done. But if I’m going to wear a stretched style I braid, twist, bun, etc. up my damp hair. In the morning or whenever completely dry I take the braids, twists, buns, etc. out.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style?
K: Lately I just pineapple my wash ‘n go at night and fluff in the morning. If my wash ‘n go isn’t looking too hot I’ll style it in one of these quick styles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRxCC9GIXqk.
How do you combat shrinkage?
K: With my wash ‘n gos I leave my hair be because it stretches and gets bigger as time goes on. However, stretching my hair is something I’ve mastered for myself. I use a banding technique to stretch my hair. Braid outs, twist and curls, twist outs, flexi-rod sets are all in my arsenal to combat shrinkage. I believe in manipulating the hair to create the style I desire. Black girls have super-powered hair. We can style it to do anything!
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require extra care and attention?
K: My edges and the hair in the back of my head need extra moisture for sure. I make sure to use a little extra leave-in and EVCO on them.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
K: 1) Moisturize constantly and consistently and 2) Be gentle! One of my favorite YouTubers, Nina Pruitt says to treat your hair like a fine lace. That is some of the best advice I heard during the period where I was learning my hair. This becomes easiest when you have products that have great slip or leave your hair fluffy and moisturized.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
K: 1) Always manipulate your hair when it’s damp or wet, NOT when it’s completely dry. 2) Don’t be a serial product junkie! Stick with a product for 2-4 weeks before coming to a conclusion about it. It’s easy to become a product junkie if you don’t. When you find a regimen and product that works, stick with it!
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
K: My YouTube channel is called thekglifestyle: www.youtube.com/thekglifestyle where you can find videos showing all of the things I’ve outlined and lots MORE! My blog is called The KG Theory: www.thekgtheory.com. You can find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kala-G/102108279880826. I’m also in the production stages of launching a website solely dedicated to Black hair and the empowerment of women: www.blackhairpower.com. Bookmark it! :)
Peace & Blessings,
Kala
First I want to say Kala congrats on the feature and your hair is beautiful, love the curl pattern.
The comment posted by Uhhuh is so disheartened for me because it represents the problem in our community, women not supporting one another. It takes courage to put your journey on display for the world to see, coupled with trying achieve healthy hair in the process and to have someone make negative comments is out of order . Life is not perfect and neither is our hair!!! A nicer approach would be to offer a solution because you never know what path your hair journey will lead you and God forbid you experience a similar situation…..you would want someone to be compassionate towards you too. Natural hair cannot be put into box!!!
God is love, Eureka
Did not mean to post this ridiculously big pic, lol!!! #multitasking
I love Bglh so much. I accidentally stumbled on this site when I was desperately searching for how to breathe life into my severely damaged hair. I have decided to go natural and since February, I’ve been going strong. The changes are too slow to be encouraging, but reading all the lovely hair journeys like Kala’s just keeps me going. And I’m now so in love with my natural texture- something I’ve never been comfortable with. Kala, you have such a lovely head of hair, and I hope in 2 years or 3, my hair gets to be as long and lovely as yours. Its difficult, more especially in Nigeria where I live, because its extremely rare to see a natural. I hope I can inspire other women, just like I’ve been inspired by the women I’ve seen on this blog. I love BGLH! And I visit every morning.
With blessings and love..from Enugu, Nigeria
Why can’t people just admire the beauty of the process. If her hair is damaged then so what it’s HER hair! Not everyone is keen to bc, transitioning is an option and quite frankly I think she has done it brilliantly! She is a fine example of someone who has gone through the process and is now coming out the other side. I have never permed and I am currently growing out some damaged ends. She is an encouragement to me.
Peace
Great hair story Kala! Looking forward to being empowered by blackhairpower.com!!
Beautiful hair and face!! Obviously, some women are jealous nitpickers!
Ummm no. You did not inquire or ask about my comment. You completely attacked it that was why I said just bc you dont agree with it, dont turn me into a villain.
There are going to be many other comments about style icons that people wont agree on and I am not apologetic. I already knew someone like you would “inquire” It but to satisfy your “inquiry” I pointed out what I meant was it just looks like it has many products. I did not mean that her hair was not natural etc or other assumptions you claim I meant. Thats it. Her hair looks like its got too many products. Just that. Dont try to “read it between the lines”
Our hair is so similar, it is uncanny. I have subscribed to your channel because I am curious about how my hair will grow out. The coarse strands, the density, and the tighter pattern around the edges and loser in the crown. The only thing I don’t know is if you are low porosity (lol). I am so glad to have read this.
you are so photogenic! great hairstyles. i love all the different lengths and looks.
Beautiful hair! I endured similiar setbacks when I colored my hair. I have been “transitioning” out of the color. You live and you learn. It’s part of the journey. Thanks for sharing KG! {In case you didn’t realize, I also go by KG. :) }
She looks like a professional model — very beautiful face and hair.
Gosh, haven’t been on BGLH in a while—from what mean planet did these meanie posters crawl? You know, it takes a lot of guts to post your pictures for others to critique. Think of how you would feel if someone wrote your comment to you after viewing your picture: would feel good? It is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice. No, you don’t have to like every picture of every woman showcasing their hair but how difficult is it to be respectful? I am so disappointed in 2012–black women are still dogging each other out and treating each other like ish.
:(
Unless you have submitted photos for the world to judge–STFU!
Ikr…smh I got featured a few days ago and the first comment I got was..”Her hook in her nose is Ugly” I to am disappointed also it’s very sad that people will pick you apart simply on how you look…smh
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