*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally
Introduce yourself!
T: My name is Tamika Fletcher, I am the co-owner of Natural Resources Salon in Houston, TX. I’ve been natural since 1997 and for the last 15 years I’ve had an intimate affair with my hair. Like most good relationships I’ve tried to be tender, kind, patient and understanding about exactly what it is without trying to change its true identity.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
T: I started this affair because the relationship I had with it before was damaging its core, so I decided to change. I kept going back until finally I felt like some of the damage was possibly irreversible mentally and physically. I was losing more hair than I was growing. So the answer at that time was to stop everything and research better possibilities.
How would you describe your texture?
T: My hair type is a very curly 3C.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
T: I shampoo and condition my hair once a week. I detangle first with Nourish – Earth’s Nectar Leave in Conditioner. I twist my hair into large twists prior to shampooing. I shampoo while in chunky twists to prevent tangles. I remove the twists during the conditioning, rinse out step. I then use a blow dryer and Earth’s Nectar Hair Conditioning Cream to stretch the curls.
Stretching out curls with a light blow dry makes natural pin ups easier, which is my favorite natural look when I’m on the go. I’ve never lost curl definition using a blow dryer. However, so far in 15 years I’ve been too afraid to flat iron my hair straight or offer the service at the salon because so many of my friends and customers suffer heat damage after flat ironing their hair at the 450 degrees it would take to straighten my hair. So, the most I’ll do is a blow dry. It helps to add volume and length when twisting, curling, or pinning up hair.
I love micro twist outs on my wet hair for hot summer months, or natural two strand pin up buns on hot days when I need to pin it all up and away. My fav go to accessory is the Upzing by Conair. It holds my thick curly hair together giving me the modern version of my favorite old school banana clip that my hair has physically outgrown.
Tell us about your hair color?
T: My hair color can be achieved with Dark and Lovely Honey Blonde. I definitely have to condition more often now to make sure I’m balancing the effects of the color on my hair.
What are some natural hair care do’s and don’ts you would recommend?
T: One of my favorite tips is never shampoo tangled hair thinking “the conditioner will detangle it.” you will actually have more tangles that are easier to break wet. Take the time to gently detangle with leave in conditioner or a small amount of conditioner mixed with water in a spray bottle.
Don’t put tension on your hairline with hair bands or by pulling it back with hair ties too often. It will weaken your hairline over time. Try a two strand flat twist or braid from ear to ear (w/o tension) to frame the face and jazz up a simple Afro style.
Don’t flat iron with high heat. You could possibly lose a significant amount of curl.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. The first style I recommend to naturals is to try every version of a twist out possible (wet hair, dry hair, damp hair, with gel, with oil, blown dry, small twists, large twists!) This is great practice for the basic skills you will need the rest of your “natural” life.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
T: Please look for us on Facebook as Natural Resources Salon – we post something new and interesting everyday!
YouTube: NaturalResources TV – lots of informative natural hair videos and DIY beauty product videos
Pinterest: natural resources salon
Instagram: naturalrsalon
Love those hairstyles!
That’s type gorgeous hair!
ditto and that’s all that matters.
Amen! This entire hair typing thing always seems frivolous to me.
Tamika!
I was so excited when i read your post, it was really inspiring. i can’t wait til my hair is that length!
Question: I live in AZ, so HIIIIIGH temps during the summer months, do you switch up deep conditioners or condition more often during the summer time?
also what conditioners have you found to work best for restoring moisture & protien?
She’s beautiful and so is her hair! not to mention i’m loooovinggg the color, rock on girl! :)
Tamika’s hair is GORGEOUS, no doubt about that, but I always thought of 3 type hair as “shiny” with loose curls. Hair for example like Tia & Tamera’s natural hair texture. Of course we don’t know if she has loose curls because her hair is not in its wet state, but from looking at it dry and stretched, she looks like a 4 type.
I COULD BE WRONG, but I’ve seen other naturals on BGLH with hair stated as type 4 that looks just like hers.
There are a lot of type 3′s that can look like type 4′s when stretched – maybe you should look at them before you go breathing down her neck. Natural chica looks like a 4b when her hair shrinks but she is obviously a 4a because it defines when wet. She may well be a 3c and she shouldn’t have to prove anything, its her hair – she’s knows it better than all of you.
I REPEAT A LOT OF TYPE 3′S CAN LOOK LIKE 4′S! DON’T ANY OF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HAIR! You are not her, so if she says its a 3c, why not believe her. Also, many 3c’s aren’t shiny! for goodness sake – MOST OF YOU CLEARLY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT HAIR AND THINK THEY CAN TELL AN ACTUAL STYLIST ABOUT HER OWN HAIR! Get over yourself.
UNLESS YOU SEE THE HAIR WET, YOU CAN’T KNOW. PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME STUPID ARGUMENT, claiming that some1 is obviously a 4, when they have never seen there hair wet. Natural hair is more diverse than any of you know. You can get people with non-shiny, very dull wavy hair.
Um…it ain’t that serious to be writing in all caps and insulting people. Relax–you make a good point but look insane snapping like that. Elevate the discussion, don’t come on here trying to insult people. For real…at the end of the day it’s just hair. Learn some anger management skills.
But Lela7 is expressing her OPINION (I used caps!!! so I guess I’m shouting too) I thought that the point of the site is express different views…. If she wants to rant about it, leave her alone. I see nothing wrong with hair typing cause no matter what every one will still find a way to say either -ve or +ve things about natural hair. To you it might be just hair but to someone else it isn’t so don’t judge!!
I stand by my statement. If a person is getting all upset and yelling (and yes all caps usually means one is yelling–look it up if you don’t believe me) and not elevating the conversation then it becomes disrespectful and stunts conversation about a topic that needs to be discussed delicately. We should be searching ourselves for the answer to why we get all riled up, instead of going on forums and venting frustrations in a way that puts a focus on the anger (and the presentation of the information) and not the topic. I’m tired of people doing inappropriate things (online and in rl) and then when someone calls them on it, they claim to be expressing their opinion or exercising some right. We all have the right to be jerks, but how does that help conversation and overall communication? You know this site is for expressing different views, ain’t nobody say nothing about that. Rude is rude however you try to dress it up (come to think of it, my post was a bit snappy too). No one said anything was wrong with hair typing, but if it takes you to a level when you are disrespecting other people–it’s not that serious and it’s just hair. Deal with it…
People 3c hair is curly and kinky! The curls are tight and well-defined, but not loose by any stretch of the imagination. It shrinks a ton, too! It can get frizzy, too!
This is what I think about when it comes to 3 type hair and maybe 3c is a bit kinker but still the same texture.
You remind me of Tamera Mowry .
That is not 3c hair!
Tamika is my absolute favorite. She’s great with your hair and her heart is as beautiful as her mane. I’m so proud to see her success.
Her hair might be a 3C. The typing system is all about the size of the curl, not the texture. All 3Cs aren’t silky, Maybe when her hair is wet, the curls are 3C size. But whatever her type, the hair and color are gawgeous!!!!!
Absolutely beautiful! Love the feature and the things she and the salon are doing. Way to go!
Thanks So much for your kind words ladies, I loved sharing with you guys. I’ve always defined type 3 hair as hair that has a defined curl. Type c hair is defined as thick curly hair. If I’ve insulted any 3C naturals I apologize. I teach my clients to love every turn of every curl in their hair so I certainly don’t feel insulted nor do I mind being reclassified by any definition of curl. My first thought was not to answer the question because I’ve always felt we are creating a hierarchy of curl that is continuing to segregate us instead of helping us all appreciate what we have. I understand identifying curl patterns to understand what products to purchase but any other reasons feel counterproductive. I’ve operated a natural salon for 12 years caring for type 3 and 4 hair in the same way with very successful results. Thanks again for having me for today’s feature!
That was a very gracious reply. Your hair is truly beautiful. I’m glad that you were featured!
Very tasteful response, because it was getting ugly out here. I used to not mind the hair typing system, but when I saw how seriously others took it, I just said, forget about it. As one commenter said, you have type gorgeous hair.
What a nice response.It’s good to know you are teaching your clients to love their hair,we need more stylist like that. I was just confused that’s all, no matter what tetxture your hair is it’s beautiful and looks like it is well loved. :)
Love your hair! I feel bad you even felt the need to further elaborate on your texture.
Thanks for the classy response, but I’m still eager to know if you really use a Denman to brush your dry hair b/c I thought that was a no-no. And which Denman do you use? I posted earlier…
There is no need to apologize. The whole arguing over the hair typing is just a bunch of hot mess. Your hair is beautiful so you are deservedly a natural hair icon.
Thanks for sharing your story!!
Great hair styles!!! Love them!
Wow, she’s really pretty, and I LOVE her sense of style! I think I may have found a hair twin too. I can’t wait to try some of these up do’s—so elegant and classy! GO girl!
Ok call me a copycate but I’m about to bite some of these styles!
THANK YOU FOR PUTTING A NAME TO HER FACE!!!
I have seen her pictures on various tumblrs and have always admired her hair. GORGEOUS!!!
this is one natural hairstylist that I would actually trust with my hair!!! LOVE IT!
lmao how in the hayell are y’all attempting to argue about her hair texture when it clearly says she blowdries after ever wash and didn’t provide any pictures of her hair wet??
beautiful hair, Tamika!
I’m not clear as to what type someone believes her hair to be is so important.
That’s why when anyone asks, I call myself a 1-4Z. That way all basis are covered.
Meant to say 1-4A-Z
“I call myself a 1-4Z.”– I LOVE this! I don’t believe that hair typing is important either because everyone’s hair is different, and what works for one may not work for another.
hair typing is bullshit in general. Whether you say you’re a 39z or a 3t, it won’t change the hair on your head, so it doesn’t matter. Also, the system is damn confusing, and everyone seems to think different things = different numbers. I don’t think it helps as far as product recommendations either. I don’t use the things other folks with similar curl patterns use. Most people who’s hair looks similar to mine seem to have issues with moisture, but my issue is too much moisture. So, I don’t believe the shape/size of curls/coils matters when it comes to products.
I came across this pic on pinterest with alleged visual representations of the hair typing “system.” Idk if it’s right, but here it is for anyone who was curious about what a “3c” might look like.
looks about right
How exciting to see a post featuring Tamika! I have been planning to go to this salon ever since I started my transition almost a year and a half ago. My co-worker Esquire went there before he moved and many of my clients go to your salon as well. I live about 10 minutes away. Once I complete my transition I will definitely be paying you a visit! Reading your story makes me even more excited! I have heard nothing but great things about your salon from my clients. Beautiful woman and beautiful hair! :)
Gorgeous hair and color but it’s not 3c, perhaps 4c. There’s NOTHING wrong w/ classifying/identifying differences!
On one hand you guys say hair typing is rubbish then come down on the lady for typing her hair ‘incorrectly’. Give it a rest already
Re-read sweetie, “There’s NOTHING wrong w/ classifying/identifying differences!” in other words, WTF is the big deal in labeling hair types. The boo-hooing over a simple observation does need to be given it a rest. Some act as if calling 4a-b-c hair 4a-b-c is a curse word. =/