Erin aka Esperanza Maria is a content creator, influencer and co-founder of #CurlTalk (with Tacha J.). She started her blog The Sunflower Experience as a way to document her experiences and share some of her life with you. Below she shares with us the journey it took for her to love her curls.
1. Why did you go natural? How long have you been natural?
I started going natural back in 2013. I was getting relaxers along with going to the Dominican Salon to get my hair pressed and it was becoming so thin and brittle so I nixed the relaxers and started taking heat breaks in the summer, but I wasn’t taking good enough care of it. I ended up just putting it in a bun and kept it moving.
Eventually, I learned the benefits of not using heat and started doing styles to my hair when it was wet i.e. twistouts and braid outs. From there I found great products that worked for me and perfected my techniques.
2. Can you summarize your current hair regimen?
I do my hair once a week and I always cowash. I only shampoo when absolutely necessary! I deep condition every time I wash my hair and do a protein treatment every 4-6 weeks. When I style my hair I use the LCO method (i.e. Leave-in, Cream, Oil) and I almost always do twist outs.
3. What are your staple hair products? Which could you not live without and why?!
I cannot live without Eden Body Works’ Jojoba Deep Conditioner, Mielle Organics’ Pomegrante and Honey Leave-in and Twisting Custard.
4. As a blogger/YouTuber do you feel pressure to always have your hair perfect?!
Sometimes, whenever I do photoshoots I am always conscious about wearing my hair out and making sure every piece is in the right place or else it doesn’t get posted. I rarely wear my hair in a bun or ponytail in photos but I’m trying not to submit to the pressure as much and even if I have a bad hair day to not let that hinder taking bomb photos at a shoot.
5. What are your hair goals for the rest of 2019?
My hair goals are to try new styles and not be afraid to do what I want to do with my hair despite other people’s opinions.
6. Who is your celeb/influencer curl crush?
My celebrity/influencer crush is Elaine Welteroth.
7. 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)?
My Curls Understood moment was when I realized like everything else in life my curls are ever changing and will grow and need different things and techniques along the way but my journey thus far has been beautiful and I’m grateful to be on it no matter where it takes me.
See more of Esperanza Maria…
Site: The Sun Flower Experience
Instagram: @theesperanzamaria
