Three Women Open Up About Embracing Their Natural Hair & Leaving Relaxers Behind
“My friend has a company called Adeba Nature. She bottles African black soap and corn-kernel oil that she grows in her backyard in the Ivory Coast. It’s the best shampoo. And I mix two leave-in conditioners — Carol’s Daughter Pracaxi Nectar Wash-N-Go Leave-In and Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner — and put them in my hair right after I wash it. If I have a meeting, I get my hair put into flexi-rods at the salon — I get elongated curls when they take them out. If not, I’ll put in a little almond oil, leave-in conditioner, Bantu-knot my hair, let it air-dry, then take it out the next day. Doing my hair is a good time; nobody can bother me. If somebody calls me and I say, ‘I’m washing my hair,’ they’re like, ‘Oh, call me back when you’re done.’ If I say, ‘I’m getting dressed,’ they’re like, ‘OK, girl, listen, so….’ Doing my hair is a ritual. People know if she’s washing her hair, give her time.”
