Hey Curlies,
Here’s another ClassyCurly profile!
Name: Aaliayh Martin
Social Media Names: la_pinktacos
Hair Type: 4b/4c
URL: curlybbg,tumblr.com
How long have you been natural?:
I’ve been natural since May 8, 2012
Why did you go natural?:
My big sister suggested it to me. I thought it was a good idea because I’m always up for something new. I never actually considered going through with the process until I knew that I needed a lifestyle change. I’ve always had straight medium length hair my entire life. I started getting into things during my high school years that I know my parents didn’t approve of, so instead of acting out, I cut my hair off and been natural ever since.
A short regimen you can share:
I wash my hair as needed or when I have time. I’m a college student with jobs, emphasis on the “s” in jobs.
I separate my hair into 4 sections (a top, 2 middles and a back). I dampen my hair and start off with heating up castor oil or coconut oil and rubbing it on my scalp. I then put a plastic cap on my head. When I have done that for 15 minutes, I got to the shower and massage as much as I can out of my scalp.
I have a mixture of water and Apple Cider Vinegar that I put on my hair as a cleanser. It helps rid of the dandruff that I have from time to time. Once I have put that on my hair and massaged it through, I use Suave Professionals Shea Butter + Almond conditioner as a cowash. I go over all the sections twice with the conditioner.
I don’t use shampoo at all in my regimen. Once I have finished all the sections and washed out all the conditioner, I immediately find coconut oil to seal in all the moisture that my hair has obtained. Once the oil is on, I put Cantu Shea Butter’s Argon Oil leave-in repair cream on top.
I usually am doing this at night unless I’m off and I don’t have class, so after the repair cream is on, I twist my hair in sections and leave the twists out to air dry until I put my satin cap on and go to sleep.
What are some of your favorite products?:
My all-time favorite product right now is the Suave Professionals Shea Butter + Almond conditioner. It smells nice and leaves my hair feeling really moisturized. I also love Cantu’s Argon Oil leave-in repair cream. The third thing that I can’t live without is coconut oil. That is the love of my hair’s life. Everything that I use in my regimen basically!
What are some of your favorite styles?:
I love to do tiny twists into my hair and leave it twisted for days. I do high puffs often, but nothing compares to a fro. It’s so classic and retro. I also will pull my hair back in to back puff with a hump bang in the front. The longer it gets, the more versatile it gets.
What is your most favorite and least thing about being natural?:
My least favorite thing is never knowing how long my hair actually is. I know that it’s longer than when it was permed, but since I don’t use heat, that’s something that I’ll never get the chance to know. At least not any time soon anyway.
What is one piece of advice that all women should have(pertaining to confidence)?:
DON’T QUIT. We all go through those stages where we’re like “Why did I do this to myself?” But believe me, it’s worth it in the end. Keep going. Get inspired by the wonderful women on YouTube like Naptural85.
What natural hair bloggers/vloggers inspire you?:
Naptural85 is the person who inspires me the most. She just has a positive attitude and was the one who inspired me to continue my hair journey. I honestly wanted to quit until I saw her YouTube channel.
Do you have any advice on going natural?:
If you’re someone who wants things to happen fast, don’t do a big chop. Transition. If you expect your hair to be BSL after a year, that is very unlikely. Going natural taught me how to care for something other than myself and to be patient. It takes time and effort. That’s another thing, if you aren’t willing to put the work in, then your hair is not going to do what you want it to do. Be patient and kind to your hair. It will do what you want it to do in the end.
