Nicole Walters is a Baltimore, MD transplant and Washington, D.C. native. After spending years relaxing her hair Nicole finally joined #teamnatural in 2011. NapturalNicole.com began as a personal journal of her natural hair progress. Her fun and warm personality permeates through her Instagram account so we were so excited when she agreed to be our Beauty of the Week.
1. Why did you go natural (assuming you haven’t always been natural)? How long have you been natural?
I didn’t really plan on big chopping my hair or going natural, it was an ‘accidental’ BC. In between my (dangerously tight) weaves, I noticed that my previously thinning edges had now balded severely and I didn’t have enough to start my weave at the front of my hairline. It looked really terrible. I have pics on my blog, NapturalNicole.com as a cautionary tale!
Knowing the damage I’d done, I still convinced myself that all I needed to do was get my ‘ends clipped’ and take a short break between weaves. CRAZY TALK! I explained to the stylist that I just wanted ‘my damage cut off’ and I walked out with a short, fluffy TWA. I guess she listened ha ha! It wasn’t long enough for a weave, and it was too short for me to braid. I didn’t have a choice but to figure out what to do. That’s when I Googled styles and stumbled upon the amazing online natural hair community – and evolved from a supporter to a contributor! It’s one of the best mistakes I’ve ever made! My official ‘unofficial’ Big Chop day is November 9, 2011.
2. Can you summarize your current hair regimen?
Do you have two weeks for me to go into all of it?! Zola the Fro’la (the birth name of my hair) has very demanding needs! Ha Ha! Here we go:
Hair Cleansing Schedule
• Co Wash: Every 3 days (if hair isn’t in protective style)
• ‘Shampoo’: Every two weeks
The Process
Step One: Dry (with Olive Oil) Finger Detangling
To begin my wash process, I carefully divide my hair into four sections, and use butterfly clips to hold each section back. Next, I apply Extra Virgin Olive Oil to each section and use my fingers (NO COMBS) to gently remove hairs using a clap and drag method. I am sure not to over-detangle. I don’t separate any curl or clump that would be big enough to slip through a wide-tooth comb. This keeps my hair from being frizzy, or suffering excess manual breakage. The remaining detangling can be done in the shower, under running water with conditioner.
Step Two: Washing
Co Wash Method: I use my cheapie conditioner (Aussie Moist as of 05/13) to wash each section of my hair twice. I make a point to use the pads of my fingers to scrub my scalp to remove buildup and loosen shed hairs. When finished washing the section but before rinsing, I use the ‘Clap’ method. I close my hands at root of the section, and drag them down slowly. This carefully removes shed hairs, and helps direct my cuticles downwards to smooth the hair. (20 mins)
‘Shampoo’ Method: I mix a traditional batch of bentonite clay and apply to my sectioned damp hair. I cover with a shower cap. I allow the product to sit for 30 minutes, then rinse using the ‘Clap’ method described above. If I’m feeling lazy, and want to use a bottle shampoo, I use Jessicurl Cleansing Cream. It’s got so much slip, I can detangle while I shampoo. (20 mins)
Step Three: Moisturizing, Sealing and Style – L.O.C. Method- Liquid, Oil, Cream
To my freshly rinsed, still damp, sectioned hair, I then I apply a quarter-sized amount of Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner to each section. Next, I apply some Almond Oil to each section. Lastly, I seal in the moisture a with a quarter-sized dollop of my Homemade Crisco Creme applied to the full length of each section. Once my hair is properly sealed and dry, I am ready to style! (20 mins)
3. What are your staple hair products for this Spring/Summer?
Zola the Fro’la has a mind of her own. Fortunately, after 2 years of natural hair everything, we have a pretty good relationship! To use ‘standard’ typing terms, she’s a 4a, low porosity, fine textured, spiral curl, with too much sass and a lot of attitude. Ha! My must have, can’t live without, store product is Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave in Conditioner/Detangler! Zola drinks up this yummy all natural concoction, and it’s a staple since day one, in my regimen.
Shop The Products
4. What was the last compliment you received about your hair?!
That would be this morning from my husband – fondly known online as “The Hubbin.” I’d just finished a cowash, and was preparing to two strand twist my hair – when he looked over and said “Baby, your hair looks so good. You’re edges are fleeking awesome!” I laughed so hard! My husband is my biggest fan, and has learned so much about Natural Hair through the NapturalNicole.com social media platforms. Once in a while (too often!), some of that knowledge slips out! Ha!
5. What are your favorite hairstyles?
I am SUCH a curly wig girl! My favorite wigs are from PrivateStockHair.com. They are 100% human hair and blend seamlessly with my natural hair and I don’t have to use heat, or products to blend. I’ve always been a big fan of protective styling for growth, health, and to just take a break!
6. For many naturals it’s a journey to fully understand their hair. It’s a process of trial and error. What was your “Curls Understood™” moment (the moment you felt like, “I’ve got this!” or any essential advice you wish you had known at the beginning of your hair journey)?
When I first big chopped, I knew absolutely nothing. I spent the next several months not just viewing every YouTube, reading every blog and buying every product, but I also invested a lot of time in reading scientific studies regarding the chemical/physical composition of hair and generally learning how and why natural hair behaves as it does. It took some time but it’s been incredibly valuable. Ultimately, natural hair is a personal choice, and it’s important that we acknowledge that wearing chemically altered hair is one too.
If you find that you don’t know how to manage your natural texture and you rely on relaxers and hair extensions in order to feel “presentable” and compromise the health of your hair because of it – then it’s worth examining this emotion – and exploring other options. Anything we do to alter our natural beauty should be done to enhance it, not replace it. Healthy hair first!
See more of Nicole…
Site: NapturalNicole.com
Instagram: @napturalnicole
Twitter: @napturalnicole
Facebook: NapturalNicole
Pinterest: NapturalNicole
