Meosha was originally featured on February 21, 2011.
Introduce yourself!
M: My name is MEosha and I’m originally from “G.I.” but have resided in the suburbs of Chicago since my early years. I’m a writer here on Black Girl Long Hair, I craft jewelry for my line 1MeNaturally on Etsy and I’m an infrequent :D vlogger.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
M: I’ve shared previously that I went natural because I always adored my mother’s hair, and even though I had no idea what being natural meant coming up I couldn’t help but notice women with this beautiful textured hair that differed so much from mine. I just had a relaxer since the beginning of my time and that’s just the way it was. Yet in still, all through high school I was wearing blowouts and braidouts trying to emulate that look. It’s the type of beauty I always wanted for myself.
Now the decision to go natural on the other hand came in the form of unemployment. My hair was already pretty short and I had just decided to leave a job that was literally making me ill. I had a conversation with my stylist and told her this was the last time she would see me because I couldn’t afford it anymore (getting a relaxer every 3 weeks to maintain my “Rihanna” cut) that is. She even told me she would do my hair for free so I could at least look good for job interviews, but I never took her up on that offer. I had just started watching YouTube and I just let it happen. I was transitioning. I’ve been fully natural since my LC (Little Chop) in July of 2009. It’s been 3 years and I’m two chops into my journey. *My photos are from this last year.
How would you describe your texture?
M: My hair is unique, as is the hair on the head of every individual. There is only one me ;) But in answer to the question I identify with 3C naturals. As I’ve gained intimate knowledge of my hair it is now clear to me my hair is multi-textured. It’s looser on the sides and in the front, and from my ear downward in the back it’s tightly packed and much more coarse than the rest. It grows and detangles in a completely different fashion down there in the kitchen. My hair is fine, curly, kinky and coily all at the same time and although it appears thick it’s actually that I have a large amount of strands all clumped together. My mother always told me growing up that I had more hair on my head than the average person.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
M: Because I have worked from home for the past couple of years I have struggled with maintaining my hair on a schedule like I did in the first year and a half of my journey. That may sound backwards since it may seem I have a lot more time on my hands, but a lot of times if only a select few are going to see me anyway “iown curr”!
The regimen I am getting better at; the one that helps my hair to thrive is co-washing at least 2 times a week. Although my hair combats water it loves it! My typical routine looks like this. I co-wash with conditioner and oil on Sunday and wear a wash and go style. I don’t apply more product after the conditioner is rinsed out. Outside of gently squeezing out the water, I don’t touch my hair much at all afterward. That same night once fully dry I randomly chunky twist my hair with the use of a generous amount of Jane Carter Solution Nourish & Shine. This is the only time I sleep with a hair bonnet. When my hair is loose hair bonnets pack my strands together, create tangles and unwearable next day fros. I undo the twists the next day with a light untwist and smoothing motion. I do not separate the hair once untwisted. I just shake my head back and forth and go. That night I go to bed with my hair uncovered on a satin pillowcase and wake with a fabulous, shrunken and textured fro. I’ll either wear my hair as is, misshapen and all after a light application of oil, or I will wear it in a puff. If I’m not being lazy I will do it all over again on the 4th day, Wednesday.
My products of choice are Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner, Giovanni Smooth As Silk Conditioner (the original formula), Organics by Africa’s Best Olive Oil Deep Conditioner, Jane Carter Solution Nourish & Shine and grapeseed oil.
What does wash day look like for you?
M: Wash day is honestly a painful process. Luckily I only have to wash when my scalp is in need, which is only about once a month. My hair takes a lot to just get wet. I have to practically wash and soak my hair with only water before I can even get the soap to penetrate. And don’t get me started on the tangles. I recently tried prepooing, detangling, then washing my hair in twists, and although it was a lot of extra work it was easier on my hair. I just can’t get with the idea in my head. I didn’t feel clean afterwards, so that will take some getting used to.
Because they do different things for my hair, my shampoos of choice are using Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deep Moisture Shampoo twice and Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Shampoo on the third and final wash to give me back some needed moisture.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
M: My favorite style when I’m short on time (and cuz it’s cute) is my version of the puff. My hair grows at a different pace in different sections, and is a different texture in the back so I have yet to be able to pull it into a textured puff since my last chop. I don’t like brushing and gelling my hair into manicured looks so my puff is usually done on third day hair that is settling out of a dry twistout. I place a thin Scunci headband over my head and back up so my hair poofs in the front and back and cascades down out of the headband.
How do you combat shrinkage?
M: Shrinkage and I are on good terms. It’s a natural part of being natural for many textures. I love how my hair can look a completely different texture and length depending on how it’s styled.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
M: My areas that require special attention are many. To name a few my scalp, ends, hairline, crown and most definitely the areas I lightened with peroxide at one time and bleached and dyed on others, which lead to my second chop in May of 2011. It’s been an interesting journey. I thought being natural meant my hair would be indestructible. I could do all the things to it I was afraid to do when I was relaxed. In reality, my hair needs more tlc now than it ever needed when I was relaxed.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
M: DO mix in oil when applying conditioner. This provides the necessary slip and leaves a base of moisture behind when the conditioner is washed out. Applying a coat of oil first before conditioner also seals in moisture and helps reduce drippies in your face while detangling your mane. DO maintain a schedule for clipping ends. My ends have always been an issue whether natural or relaxed.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
M: DON’T go to sleep with wet hair. Whether loose or in twists going to sleep with wet hair leads to tangles. It also makes my scalp tender for some strange reason. This last one is important, so I have to mention it again. If they are damaged, DON’T “sleep” on maintaining your ends. It leads to big chopping.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
M: You can find me here, on the BGLH Forum and on our Pinterest site of course ;) You can also find me on the following sites:
http://www.1MeNaturally.Etsy.com
http://1menaturally.tumblr.com
http://adiarrheaofthemouth.tumblr.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/OneMeNaturally
We should do away with the typing and change the name of the website to blackgirlhealthyhair.com I don’t like that it’s “long hair” but sorry for ranting on your post , your hair is very beautiful and inspiring :)