This week we’re excited have Hermela Solomon as our Beauty of the Week. Hermela is an incredibly popular Ethiopian influencer and blogger based in the DC area. We bet you’ve seen her glorious mane all over Instagram and Pinterest so we had to catch up with her before summer ends to find out how she keep those gorgeous curls so healthy!
1. Why did you go natural? How long have you been natural?
I personally have never chemically treated my hair, but instead would completely damage my hair using heat! I decided to go natural in 2013 when I went through with the big chop. I finally began to love myself for who I am and how God made me. It was time for me to embrace my natural hair and start learning how to take care of it and help it flourish.
This all started when I finally begun attending college. During the first semester, I was surrounded around girls that had completely different hair textures than myself, and I felt the need to fit in and to change my appearance to appear more beautiful to others.
I think there was an internal moment where I decided I wanted to create my own beauty standards and to really embrace who I am. My hair is in everyway a reflection of my being and personality.
2. Can you summarize your current hair regimen?
Currently, I wash my hair with shampoo once a week in order to restyle my hair. Before jumping out of the shower, I never forget to rinse my curls under cold water to seal in the moisture and curl pattern.
My curly hair routine always consists of three different products, leave-in conditioner, a style cream, and finally a gel. This combo always helps prolong my curls for the week. You can also always count on me fitting in a deep conditioner once a week as well. This for sure helps with rejuvenating my curls back to life after a crazy week!
3. What are your staple hair products? Which could you not live without and why?!
My staple hair products consists of the following, Jamaican Black Castor Leave-in Conditioner from Shea Moisture, SuperCream Coconut Styler from DevaCurl, and lastly the Ultra-Defining Gel from DevaCurl as well.
Hands down my favorite deep conditioner is the Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masque. Once I’ve found something that works for me, it’s really hard to try other products and branch out :)
4. As a influencer/YouTuber do you feel pressure to always have your hair perfect?!
Honestly, at times I definitely do feel the pressure to always have my hair looking perfect. Many of my followers know me because of my hair and it’s volume. Recently I’ve been playing with more styles for days I don’t feel like doing my hair and it’s been working for me.
Currently I’m obsessed with creating a silk bun as it really shows off my face when it’s usually hidden by my massive hair haha! It’s important to remember we are more than our hair and that our beauty shines without it as well.
5. What would be your number one tip for an up-and-coming curl influencer?
My biggest advice would have to be to create a brand for yourself that you strongly believe in. And to also create a platform that influences others through your vision and knowledge. Consistency…consistency…consistency!!
6. Who is your celeb/influencer curl crush?
Ugh, of course Tina Kunakey, Arlissa, and Coral @curlswithcoral. Each one of them have totally different hair textures and I’m in love with them all!
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)?
For me I think this has been the most impactful journey of my life. This journey provided me the courage and strength to finally stop apologizing for being me. To me this journey is more than just my hair, but also about my personal strengths and love for myself and others.
See more of Hermela…
YouTube: Hermela Solomaon
Instagram: @hermela
