Diamonique caught our eye on Instagram after we saw the amazing photos of this gorgeous natural dancing. It’s not enough that she has fabulous hair but this lovely lady’s body is on “pointe” too! We just had to reach out and get the low down on her and find out her favorite natural kinky hair styles…
1. Why did you go natural? How long have you been natural?
Ever since I was a little girl I’ve always wanted beautiful hair. I’ve had my hair in many styles from: relaxer; straight; weave; and braids. But everything I thought worked for my hair only damaged it more and more. The damage came from the straightning and from puttin bad chemicals in my hair. I wanted freedom. A way to feel confident and true self.
I became natural mostly because of my older sister Starr Moon who is a hairstylist. She told me the best thing for me is to go fully natural. I looked at her crazy of course, knowing my hair looks like “rats nest” without anything done to it. I thought about it for almost 6 months. One day, near the end of three months with braids, I told myself… TAKE THEM OUT. So I did!
I went to the bathroom and took out my braids. I was scared at first but after I had my hair natural for a few months, I realized it was so easy! And it made my hair grow faster and become healthier. I’ve been natural for a year and a half now.
2. Can you summarize your current hair regimen?
I normally wash my hair once a week or every 2 weeks. I don’t wash my hair more often than that because it usually doesn’t need it. Every now and then after I wash, I’ll do a deep condition because I believe your hair needs it keep to moisturized. Then I wash it out, use my moisturizer and some kind of oil or grease combined. Finally i either braid or twist it.
3. You’re a professional dancer. How do you adapt your hair regimen to fit into your lifestyle as an athlete?
My dancing actually has a big impact on my hair. Before I became a natural gal, I had many hairstyles. Some hairstyles worked with my intense dance training and some were more difficult then others. I felt at times that my non-natural hair would hinder my ability to truly perform because my hair was such a struggle to deal with. I personally don’t sweat too much, but when I do I sweat most from my scalp. Now that my hair’s natural, its condition after a day of dancing isn’t so much of a problem. I just wait until it dries, braid it, then in the morning I’ll unbraid it.
I can get things from the dance floor in my hair such as dust, other people’s hair (gross, I know!), lint and general dirt. So, if I do movement on the floor I make sure to go to sleep with a clean head of hair. Overall dancing with my natural hair has been nothing more than a big positive in my life. When I first started dancing with my natural hair I felt more confident in my own skin than ever before. I feel like going natural was a release of freedom from a shell that I was sunk into… I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel ALIVE and the TRUE Diamonique Bell. It’s completely ME everyday and I’m in my moment when performing.
4. What are your staple hair products?
I use the following:
• Elasta Olive Oil Mango Butter
• Carols Daughter Hair Honey
• Renewing Argan Oil of Morocco
I love these products the most out of anything I’ve used. They keep my hair shiny, soft, refreshed and they never dry my hair out. I’m currently experimenting with new products but these are still my go-to.
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5. What are your favorite hairstyles?
I love wearing my hair curly all the time. I keep it simple. But I do love side braids, front braids, straighting my hair (not too often), pony tails, regular braids and cornrows. But my curly afro is all me.
6. For many naturals it’s a journey to fully understand their hair. It’s a process of trail and error. What was your “Curls Understood” moment (the moment you felt like, “I’ve got this!”)?
In the beginning of my natural hair journey, I wish I had known that you need lots and lots of product. When I first started experimenting with my hair, I would put a moisturizer in my hair but when I would take out my braids it would seem dry. Then my sister explained that I wasn’t putting enough product in it. I had to buy 2 containers to last me almost 2 weeks. I have thick hair so I must use a good amount or it won’t do much. So for me, the more the merrier!
See more of Diamonique…
Instagram: @DDiamoniquee
Tumblr: Dymopimp
Photo credit: Photography by Lisa Flory
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