What's your name and where are you from?
My name is Vonetta, and I’m originally from Georgetown Guyana (South America), but I now live in Brooklyn, NY. http://www.hairlista.com/profile/VonettaFischer
Have you always been natural? If not, what inspired you to go natural? Did you transition? If so, for how long?
I relaxed my hair for the first time in third grade at the age of nine. I totally pressured my mom into doing it. My oldest sister insisted I didn’t because she loved my curly hair, but I so wanted to fit in at my new school in a new country (by this time I was in America for three years) so we did it. I loved having relaxed hair but by the age of 24 I was fed up with it. I couldn’t take the new growth being a completely different texture than the rest of my hair, getting the blow out in between touch ups, the scalp burns I always got when I did relax, it was all just too much. So I decided to be natural. I tried transitioning for about 3 weeks but being the impatient person I am I went to a hair salon and asked her to cut all the straight ends off. It was actually really funny because she looked at me in disbelief she was like “that’s almost all of your hair! Are you sure that’s what you want?” She tried and tried to get me not to do it but I insisted, and when she turned and reached for the scissors, honestly for a few seconds I wanted to back down but I didn’t change my mind. Seeing myself with shorter hair totally freaked me out for a good couple of minutes. I thought to myself” OMG your nose looks ten times bigger now!” but after a while I totally starting feeling the look, yes it was drastically different but I liked it. There were some days in there when I hated it but as time went on those days came fewer and fewer.
(click to enlarge)What is your hair type?
My hair type is a 3C.
What do you love most about being natural?
My curls! I just love having curls, I love when I’m having a great hair day and my curls are bouncy and soft. I can do so many different styles as a natural girl that I couldn’t when my hair was relaxed. The freedom I do whatever I want with it is great! J I like relaxed hair, 3 out of my 4 sister have relaxed hair and they always look amazing, but I stressed so much more over my hair when it was relaxed compared to now. Yes I do have my days when my hair just doesn’t want to work at all, but I just bun it and I’m good J Now that I’m natural my hair is so eclectic it’s amazing! <3
What are your hair goals for 2010?
I’m aiming for shoulder length hair when it’s dry, at the moment I’m about three inches past shoulder length when wet or straight. When my hair dries like almost all curly hair I experience a great deal of shrinkage. I’d also like to have thicker healthier hair, hair, ( I <3 big hair!) I’ve seen so much improvement in the last two months and that has me crazy excited to see how my hair will be in Dec. 10!
Name a few challenges you are currently facing with your hair. Have you been doing anything different to overcome these challenges?
Since my hair has grown out in the last month or two my twist outs have failed miserably I’m currently experimenting with different variations of a twist out to see what will work best, hopefully I figure something out quick, because I’m trying to be bun less for the rest on ’10. If all fails I’ll just revert back to doing wash and go’s (where I co-wash add styling products and let it dry without any further manipulation).
What styles do you love to wear the most and why? How do you go about achieving this style?
I love doing twist outs (see question # 9 for a description on how I do them), I also do this flat twist updo thingy I like to do, it’s a little hard to describe so I’ll post a video on how to on the Hairlista community website.
(click to enlarge)List the products that you use and how you use them. What is your current hair regimen? share what works for you!
Deva Curl No Poo, Organix Coconut Shampoo, Moroccan Oil Shampoo, and Miss Jessies Crème De La Curl Cleansing Crème : if I have a lot of build up on my scalp and feel the need to shampoo
Herbal Essence Totally Twisted, Suave Coconut Conditioner, Moroccan Oil Conditioner, Trader Joes Tea Tree Conditioner, and VO5 Strawberries and Cream conditioner : for Co-washing
So Shine Gel, Deva Curl/Curl Angell, Miss Jessie’s Curly Butter Crème, and IC Firm Hold Spritz,: as styling products
Jamaican Black Castor Oil (thanks the Sunshyne :}) and Moroccan Oil: for scalp oil treatments every time I wash. I also use Moroccan Oil on a daily basis to add shine to my hair.
Yes, I <3 Moroccan Oil ever since my hairstylist Keisha used it in my hair I’ve been addicted. Their line of products are amazing!
What products do you use to achieve soft beautiful curl definition?
Miss Jessie’s Curly Butter Crème, Moroccan Oil and DevaCurl Curl Angell make my have uber soft and manageable.
I always start by co-washing my hair and detangling, to style I add Moroccan Oil to my scalp trying not to over power my hair with too much, the I divide my hair into about four sections I add Curly Butter creme to each and ever strand and repeat the same process using So Shine Gel and Curl Angell (yes I use three styling products at one time, I’ve found this helps my curls pop more when dry) I then double strand twist my entire head adding white rods to the end for added bounce when I’m all finished I spray my hair with IC spritz for added hold. Finally I add Jamaican Black Castor Oil to my scalp right before going under the dryer. I usually go under my hooded dryer for a half an hour, but as my hair has grown I now have to stay under for a whole hour in order to dry my entire head. I HATE!!!!!! Being under the dryer, lol!
(click to enlarge)I always, always detangle when my hair is wet and saturated with conditioner. I separate my hair in four sections and comb thru with a wide tooth comb. I start at the ends and work my way up. If I encounter a knot I stop combing and detangle with my fingers, making sure they have a little conditioner on them.
What product or technique would you say really helped your hair flourish?
I think twisting my hair and taking Biotin has really helped to aid in my hair growth. Now I have fewer knots in my hair and I’ve noticed some added thickness and length.
(click to enlarge)Know your own hair. Honestly, no two heads of hair are a like. What might work for me may not work for you. Realizing this has totally helped me to better understand my hair. I also believe in taking Biotin I’ve definitely seen a huge improvement in growth and thickness since I started taking it. Protect your hair at night, whether it’s by twisting, braiding, setting, or just tying your head with a scarf do it. Also moisture is your friend, when your hair is dried out it’s at its weakest state and can be damaged easily. And own your style regardless of your hair type accept it, own it, and work the heck out of it! Confidence makes any hairstyle look good!
(click to enlarge)Where on the web can we find more about you and your styles?
My best friend and I have a fun/funny blog called http://goinplatinum.blogspot.com. Just us giving our opinion and I want to start doing more hair and make-up posts in the upcoming future.
Thank you Vonetta for sharing all that information with us!