*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally
Introduce yourself!
A: Hello BGLH community! My name is Ash and I am a Senior (whoop whoop!) at The Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. I am an Exercise Science/Spanish major and I bleed garnet and gold! Go Noles! I was born in Virginia but I know Jacksonville, FL as home.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
A: I’m going to be completely honest. I liked my relaxed hair. I was fortunate to not have many problems with breakage and damage like some have. It wasn’t until I moved out of my mom’s house and on to college that reality set in. I was paying around $80 a month for touch ups because of length and thickness and it was killing my pockets. I can still hear my mom saying “OK you get out in the world and you gonna see how it really works” lol!!
That statement has proven very true as I could no longer afford to get my hair done. I thought I could stretch my relaxers, but my new growth was AGGRESSIVE lol. One day in the shower the relaxed part of my hair began to pop off in clumps (see? aggressive) I big chopped and haven’t looked back since. Now I’m in love with my natural hair! On the 24th of this month will be 2 years. My last relaxer was in August of 2010 and I can’t believe it’s been that long!
How would you describe your texture?
A: I believe based on looking at others’ pictures I am a 4A. My hair is coarse, but surprisingly soft lol and very thick.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
A: In some of my photos you will see that I liked to experiment with twist outs, braid outs and even wash and gos in the beginning. Nowadays that has changed for me. I know this won’t get too many high-fives, but I am working towards being a straight-haired natural. I know this can be a taboo subject, but someone has to be the first brave soul. (go easy on me ladies) I just want to be as honest as possible. I deep condition and wash every 2 weeks. If my hair needs it I will deep condition 2x a week. I straighten once a month, sometimes twice, and if my hair is starting to revert a little (Thank you Florida humidity) I do bantu knots or I bun it until it needs to be washed again.
What does wash day look like for you?
A: A wash day starts by using oil (hemp) as a pre poo. I wash with DermOrganic Shampoo and deep condition for about an hour with DermOrganic Treatment Masque. I use heat protectant, blow dry on cool and straighten. I apply no additional heat until my next straightening.
Derm Organics shampoo and conditioner are my staples. They do the job and have finally cured me of the product junkie epidemic. I get them from a salon, but they are surprisingly affordable. ($12-16 but last me 1-2 months)
Tell us about your hair color?
A: My hair color is the natural color I was born with. This can sometimes make my hair naturally a little drier, but I make sure to give it the proper love and drink lots of water. I’m sorry in advance for any “color treated questions”.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
A: If I ever feel like I don’t want to straighten one month I absolutely love bantu knots which I do using Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Curling Cream, or I bun it. Even though I LOVE the different styles all you ladies do and sometimes will try one or two myself, I like to keep it simple. Simplicity is key lol.
How do you combat shrinkage?
A: It is rare for me to wear wash and gos unless I’m rushing, so usually aside from straightening, any stretched style will do, i.e.: bantu knots, twist outs and buns.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
A: Because I use heat I have to make sure my hair is always properly prepared before and properly repaired after. I’m pretty sure I’m 4a all over so my hair is fairly easy to work with. I have had slight heat damage in the beginning, but with proper hair care I have been able to keep my curls.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
A: Satin pillowcase / Deep conditioning
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
A: Not using heat protectant / Blow drying on hot temperature setting
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
A: SURE!
https://www.facebook.com/ash.sanders.7
http://www.youtube.com/user/AshxAmore/featured
Instagram: thatdam_ginger
You probably know the jealousy you’re causing with this naturally AWESOME red hair! TOO CUTE! I must admit I’m a bit of a natural nazi on the down low so initially the straight haired natural statement made my eyebrows start to come together but the point is YOU’RE NATURAL! You’ve made the effort to make sure your straightened hair is both HEALTHY and CHEMICAL FREE so no other natural should have anything negative to say about your choice. I know plenty of naturals who wear nothing but straight styles and I adore them so I adore you too! (See natural nazis can be reformed! Hahaha!) Go on witcha bad self girl!!!
LOL! I really appreciate that. Im already getting a little backlash but I expected it. I love that the my hair is VERSATILE more than anything. I’m all about retaining length and having healthy hair and straightening it has allowed me to do that. its just frustrating when others think Im not a natural when I have gone through and CONTINUE to go through the exact things that those who wear their hair curly do. Water is the great equalizer lol! but regardless I don’t want it to ever be misunderstood that I dont love my curls! I love them! :)
And love of your curls fuels your desire to be fierce either way! Who cares what others think? I myself love to wear my hair in curly wavy styles and about twice a year I get an itch to flat iron it and when I do I’m bored, haha. But if straightened suits you and you’re most comfortable with it that’s your prerogative. We should really support our fellow naturals when their hair is healthy and not just because it’s styled a certain way. I’m not a fan of adding chemical color or wearing weaves, but I can appreciate the beauty of wanting to spice it up or using weave as a protective style when (like me) you just can’t keep your hands out of your hair because you’re fascinated by it’s versatility and you ma’am have shown us all just how versatile natural hair can be!!!
i’m a sgt in the natural police and i don’t understand why anyone would be jealous of her red hair.
seriously? what’s there to be jealous of?
her hair’s pretty, but it ain’t the most beautiful head that’s been posted here. there are other heads of hair i’d definitely like to have.
maybe you’re jonesing for her hair and/or elevating her look.
I haven’t seen one comment on here saying it is the most beautiful head on the planet nor do I expect to see that. as far as “elevating” my look that is YOUR opinion. others may feel different.
“people don’t have to be open to everything everyone does. understanding that would be an evolution.”
…your words
+1000
“You probably know the jealousy you’re causing with this naturally AWESOME red hair!”
avanti’s words…
my words…i stick by them all. please revisit my train of thought and words i was commenting on. clearly, she started by saying people would be jealous of you/your hair because of its natural color.
i’m saying, the color should not/is not a reason to elevate you or your hair. in this statement, she has elevated you/your hair just because its color is different. i don’t think i’m misreading anything.
and no, i don’t understand why there would be jealousy at all. as i’ve said, there are those here whose hair i truly envy.
The fact that a grown woman refers to herself as ‘a sgt. In the natural hair police’ shows that she has issues. You are attacking this girl for something someone ELSE said… Did pointing out you dont think her hair is great make YOU better? Otherwise you wouldn’t have made it a point to say so. Typical person trying to uplift your own self esteem by downing others… Self worth…. Get u some and pray about it
lmao.
it’s a frickin joke. you know…people always referring to the “natural” police. dang. get a clue.
:roll eyes:
geesh…
@Venus – Girl, PREACH!!!!!!
prettyy! Everything. and cool hair color that so awesome! :)
That’s that you’re going to get heat damage. Why can’t we embrace our texture. She shouldn’t on yhus blog if she wants straight hair all the time
Here you go….
LMBO!! +1 Accurate. @TinaSmith stays upset.
LMAO! +2
Dang @ Tina Smith always has an ax to grind, lol. Wasn’t she upset because a previous feature was natural before Youtube (Denys)? Tina dear, why are you so invested in the way other women wear their hair? You really shouldn’t let other people’s choices (appear to) annoy/upset you so
Lol she was also upset Bc another woman said she didn’t have to braid or wear protective styling for her hair to grow…. A little prayer will do her well I think
No Tina Smith. YOU shouldn’t be on this blog if YOU are going to spew such one-sided ridiculousness all the time. Evolve. It does a body good.
how does being open to straightening hair mean that you’re evolving?
i see no correlation between those ideas.
if she doesn’t understand why a natural would be so into straightening her hair, that’s her prerogative. it’s a blog/forum where people express their opinions. that means they may not be yours. but, unless the blog owner deletes or blocks comments, she is entitled to her comments/opinions just as you are yours.
people don’t have to be open to everything everyone does. understanding that would be an evolution.
“people don’t have to be open to everything everyone does. understanding that would be an evolution.”
Seems to me you see the correlation just fine.
and just as you felt compelled to comment on my opinion, I felt compelled to comment on hers.
So…
i’m glad you understand that people are free to comment and have their own opinions. makes no sense to get annoyed with people who have an opinion on a forum of all places. i don’t attempt to squash people’s efforts to say what they want to say. that’s the difference.
and nope, imo, there’s no correlation between evolving and wanting to always straighten your hair.
if that’s the case, then why not throw some creamy crack in the hair? that’s evolution…i mean, then it wouldn’t revert at all.
Just so that we are clear, my response to Tina is NOT in reference to her opinion on straight naturals. It is regarding the fact that on many posts she is negative, telling people they have no right to be on this blog, making comments about how she can’t stand this or can’t stand that. I don’t personally care if someone else straightens their hair. Nor do I care if people are opposed to it.
Exactly… My response to Tina is the fact that she is ALWAYS negative on these posts… ALWAYS saying how someone doesn’t have the right to be on this blog Bc they don’t fit HER standards of what natural is. There’s plenty of things I see I wouldn’t do or don’t free with and I just MOVE ALONG. What’s the point in being angry.. ALL THE TIME
Nothing wrong with liking your hair straight. I’m the same way, and three years’ natural. What heat protectant do you use?
I use chi products and chi flat iron:)
Nice hair color and beautiful curls. I don’t really see a person as truly natural when the majority of the time they wear it, it’s straight or in a weave. Im surprised no one else has said anything about it, but let someone say they are a 3c and look like a 4b, chicks on here would have been going crazy! I guess because of what happen to your hair when you had the relaxer, kinda forced you into being natural. With that being said at least you do wear your natural hair sometimes!
That hair color and those freckles!!!! Girl, you are stunning!!!!!
I love this feature.. It’s the one I can relate to the most.. My hair wasn’t damage or broken off when I permed my hair and indidntnhave some huge disaster to make me natural either. I didn’t get my first perm in high school so I already knew my natural curl pattern. I went natural Bc i discovered that I could be more versatile as far as styles if I stopped getting perms… I’ve worn my hair completely curly for 2′years straight (and I love them) but now my hair is BSL and I want to enjoy Flowy hair for a while.. I straighten it once month and rock twist outs until my next wash… I use low heat and a protectant so there’s no damage…. I’m loving it. Good for you.
*i didn’t have
Thank you. its nice to hear more stories like mine :) good luck to you !
I love it I love it! Beautiful healthy hair and Ash is a doll baby!
I’m a 4A as well and straighten maybe 3-4 times a year. I would do it more, but it’s so time consuming and my hair has enough problems maintaining moisture.
I’m a product junkie and, even though I have my fave products, I try out others to see what results I will get from them. I need to go to product rehab though…it’s ridiculous…
LOVE IT! I am a natural who only wear my hair straight too. I love the fact that you embraced what make you HAPPY!! Love the hair and cool. I am happy that there is someone out there just like me and loving it.
this is one of my favorite features to date. the combination of her hair color and skin color (and the fact that it’s all natural) is so gorgeous
She’s gorgeous with beautiful hair. Girl, do you! Don’t let anyone tell you how to wear your hair; it’s yours. Great interview
Her hair is very pretty and looks well maintained. However I don’t see the point in features like this. There is nothing wrong with keeping your hair straight,but the tag line to this very site is “celebrating the dopeness of natural hair”. I thought that was meant to mean celebrating the texture you have and maintaing that texture as is. Hec we all know how to get straight hair! More and more so called natural hair websites are promoting these type of things and it just makes one go “huh?” If you keep your hair straightened all the time YOU ARE STILL NATURAL, but you are not embracing your texture as is period. Im not saying that you have self hate or anything but logically it doesn’t make sense to be a “straight haired natural”. That is like saying I’m a fat skinny person. Nothing wrong with changing it up but if your gonna keep it straight 24/7 I don’t see the need to showcase straight hair. Haven’t we all been there done that with straight hair? Isn’t this the reason for natural hair blogs and sites? Gorgeous hair but don’t see how it relates to people who want to work with what they have. Someone please explain this to me. Seriously not trying to be funny.
The misconception about “straight hair naturals’ is that the hair is straight 24/7. As you can see from the pictures I do much more with it than just straighten it. wearing my hair this way has allowed me to retain my length much better than anything I’ve ever tried. the point is to show and share MY natural hair journey because regardless of what the finished product is, I still big chopped. I still have bad hair days. and I STILL deal with my natural texture and LOVE it. im actually sitting at the comp right now with a head full of bantu knots. i think its silly to try to ‘define” what a natural is and what a natural isn’t. the title of this website is black girl long hair. not natural girl curly hair only. I hope I’m not coming across too harsh because the internet can be tricky but its this type of thinking that has to stop. bottom line; I do work with what I have. and if anything this showcases just how VERSATILE natural hair can be don’t you think?
My sentiments exactly! I wanted to go natural so I would have more versatility with my natural hair…if I wanted straight, I could do straight or if I wanted curly, I could do curly. Natural to me is chemical free. Whether straight or curly, as long as you have let the lye die, you’re all good. My main goal is to have healthy hair no matter which way I choose to wear it. Your hair looks great, Ash, in every style you have posted; it looks healthy and full. As I said before, “Love it!!”
No offense taken. I get what you and others are saying. I re-read your entry. It is my fault for not understanding the main purpose of this site which is to grow long hair not a ” no altering texture natural hair” website. Diffrent hair sites and blogs have a diffrent voice and focus. People go natural and stay natural for diffrent reasons. Its not about you big choping and still having bad hair days and occassionally wearing your hair Nappy( yes I said nappy.)I’m not calling you out for being a fake natural because you are not.I will just say that I respectfully disagree. That versitility you speak of is why your hair and many other hairs fell out in clumps. Heat and other alteration done to black hair can be damaging to our fragile strands. Period. Just saying from a HEALTHY stand point one persons versitility can be another persons poision. If it were all good as you make it to be natural hair sites wouldn’t have a place. Switching it up with a weave, flat iron, wig etc is all good, but you have to understand that wearing our hair as is is not the norm for us . Until it is I will take issue. Sorry but thats how I feel.
I feel as if you are reading too literal into things. if straightening my hair is “altering” my texture than my curls would cease to exist every time I decide to wash my hair. but they always come back. those “clumps” you speak of come from bad hair care practices. period. relaxed/natural/straight natural etc. I actually had more hair breakage when I was always wearing it curly than I do now. this is what works FOR ME. I don’t expect you to understand or agree because I’m sure we have different hair journeys. but I wonder if you feel just as strongly about some of the big-named naturals that “blowdry’ their hair before a braid out or to stretch their hair. this too is a form of altering the texture. I completely agree that it is sad that more of us don’t embrace our texture but to assume thats the case with me is reaching. My major is exercise science and that alone has helped me with better ways to take care of your body/hair. and natural sites are in existence today to help each other learn ways to better take care of our texture. this includes learning the proper way to use heat IF you ever decide to do so. So sure, take your stance, but it is falling on deaf ears. I am a natural who enjoys the versatility of my hair curly AND straight. and that’s how I feel.
The point of all of these hair sites it to share and exchange ideas on how each INDIVIDUAL takes care of their hair Bc the fact remains tht everyone is different. I’ve seen many naturals who claim that having straight hair helps their hair grow Bc it cuts down on breakage … Others claim protective styling is their cure all when others (including myself) find that protective styling a useless to them… achieving HEALTHY hair is subjective to whose ever head the hair is growing from lol once again putting EVERYONE’S story on the site is a great thing..bc no matter WHAT of hair you hair.. We can take comfort in knowing there is someone out there that understands your hair and can achieve the looks you enjoy and still be healthy.
And can I also point out that this idea that there’s only ONE way to style and do natural hair is why SO many revert back to relaxers… I’ve seen it happen plenty of times.
you know what jennid, the blog owner over at nappturality.com doesn’t (when i used to visit) allow talk about straightening hair.
i think it’s baffling to some people at times. but i think the reason it’s done is because they want to rid black women of the desire for straight hair – to sort of encourage them to fully embrace kinky hair. i mean, there is a constant pull on black women to have straightened hair. and having straight hair becomes like crack for a lot of black women.
i don’t think there’s anything wrong with trying to figure out why a so-called natural would want to always straighten their hair.
suffice it to say, not all “naturals” are natural for the same reasons.
personally, i’m anti-weave/wig. but i am so for reasons that go beyond an aversion to wearing my hair straight. i don’t straighten my hair because i just have no interest in it.
imo, you’re entitled to your opinion/position.
LOL!!! obvious troll is obvious.
bottom line: its my hair.
you’ll live.
have a good night!
There was nothing troll like about that post. merry often posts on here. Just because her opinion differs from yours, does not mean she is out to get you. You’re happy with straight hair but surely you knew that some on this site would have something to say that you may not have liked. I think overall you got a positive response.
Natural and curly aren’t mutually exclusive. I think this was a nice article because it shows the options of having natural hair. I’ve been natural for 3 years and I’ve yet to wear my hair straight. Why? Because I’m too scared to do so. Seeing stories like this help by explaining the importance of heat protectant. While stories like this may not matter to all…it does matter to some. I hope this helps. Have a blessed day!
+100000
I believe this is where personal perception comes into o,at. She hasn’t permed her hair for years so technically she is ‘celebrating the dope ness of natural hair’ Bc fact is our natural hair is so dope that we can have ANY and every style we want and still be healthy. How is that not celebrating it? When women use braid outs and twist outs or Bantu knot outs they are STILL manipulating their texture if u thnk about it lol but no one gives them any flack for it. I think more people need to embrace the versatility we have and use that to unite.. Instead of segregating ourselves just because others choose to be more adventurous in their styling… I love that fact that my hair can appear down my back.. Or in a cute little bob ( shrinkage) and appreciate that it’s all mine and I grew it. Regardless of what states it’s in…putting limits on what we ‘can not’ do to our hair limits it’s possibility greatly… Which to me is a very sad thing
And while these articles don’t relate to you and others like you.. It’s obvious by this posts there are many naturals like her including myself that took the same journey with their hair… I would assume its fair to post stories that EVERY one can relate to right? Bc honestly.. I can’t relate to people who have super thick, 4c etc etc hair Bc my hair has a looser curl…but I completely understand why there’s plenty stories about them… Just as there are posts about hair types like mine… Bc point is we are ALL natural. Period
+1
I really couldn’t have expressed this any better. no limitations, just possibilities! :)
IA JenniD,
+1000 It’s ok to wear straight hair from time to time, but most of the time is a no no for me! I wouldn’t really be natural because I’m never showing my natural hair.
Actually, you can be a skinny and fat at the same time. It’s called SoFi and it means skinny on the outside, fat on the inside. It describes a person who has an unhealthy body fat percentage but still looks thin. Despite the appearance that person is still at risk for the same health problems that plague visibly overweight people. It sounds like I’m joking, but I’m legitimately serious.
I wonder if she trims her own hair or gets it professionally trimmed. She and her hair are beyond gorgeous!
I trim my own hair. I’m scared to let anyone touch it. lol
I wouldn’t and dont blame you one bit about being a straight haired-natural. I was just complaining about my hair. The only reason i dont wear my hair straight is because i was worried about my curls. now i dont care about my curls, because they dont care about giving me a hard time. ive been natural 2 years now and im ready for a blow-dry and flat iron.. its too much. these stupid fairy knots and hair poofing up seconds after you leave the house. you look totally different by the time you get to the car and i dont know how to style my hair enough to keep my interested. im going to be a straight haired natural instead of getting a perm
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL!
You are too cute and your hair is absolutely gorgeous!!!
DUVAL!!
Ash, Beautiful hair! I’ve found that the older I become, the more the red comes out in my hair. Be you…it’s simply gorgeous.
Love your styles and the natural color is awesome! And GOOOOOO GATORS!!!!! LoL
lol!!!!
Great feature. There is a line in my family in Ghana where, every generation, a few kids with red hair just pop up. It’s really lovely and eyecatching and people in the family always nod and say “Yup, s/he’s one of us!”
What do you do to keep humidity at bay when you wear your hair straight? And how do you keep your scalp from being a sweaty itchy mess after a week or so? I live in Hawaii and wearing my hair flat ironed doesn’t last long at all. It takes so long to straighten, it would be nice if I could make it last a bit longer.
the more routine my straightening gets the more my hair lays down. I recently started to use this nuunat brazilian keratin leave in protectant. its not the actual chemical its like a conditioner. that has helped some. when it does start to revert, however I just do bantu knots to stretch it a little more. Im still learning though what works well with my hair. hope this helps some.