I’m Dalia; a beauty/fashion writer originally from Toronto, now living in Montreal.
2. What made you decide to go natural?
It wasn’t really a conscious decision. I “went natural” at 22, precipitated by my hairdresser’s absence. I had a short little Halle Berry type hairstyle back then, but my roots were growing in. There was a big, festive long weekend in Toronto happening at the time, and I wanted to get my hair re-done. She wasn’t around, and I refused to be seen with my hair in the state it was in, so I chopped it off. I wore it like that (short and curly) for years.
3. What made you decide to get locs?
This is my second set. The first time around, I was inspired by my cousin, but I started them too small, and they were too much work (no one told me about the fuzzies). So after six months of trying to look cute (and failing miserably), I unpicked them.
I only started the second (current) set because I moved to Montreal last year. I was wearing a big afro again, and the colder, drier climate was wreaking havoc on my hair. I didn’t want to to a big chop in the cold, so I decided to loc again.
4. What is your hair regimen?
Oh, I’m really low maintenance. I do a weekly wash in the shower with organic surge sulfate-free shampoo, rinse with ACV. After I’ve towel/air dried them for a bit, I oil the locs (not my scalp) with either grapeseed, olive, or jojoba oil. Whatever’s handy. Then I palmroll.
Sometimes I braid them after a wash while they’re still damp. Sometimes I use sponge rollers (old school!). I can’t wait until they’re long enough to tie back.
5. What are your least favorite products?
You know, I can’t say I have a LEAST favorite, because different things work/don’t work for different people and hair types. I’ve realized over the years that my while my HAIR thrives on oils like olive and grapeseed, my SCALP doesn’t like any oils whatsoever…not even the residue left over from conditioner.
I have a sensitive skin type, so I use things straight from nature whenever possible. No brands or no product lines. If you come to my house, all you’ll see is the aforementioned oils in big bottles; some witch hazel, lavender, clove or rosemary, EO’s, ACV, and glycerine.
6. What do you like about being natural/having locs?
Having locs has been great because I’m weather proof! LOL. When my friends are running from rain, snow, or wind, I’m out walking and not worrying about my hairdo falling flat, curls melting, or shrinkage (like I did when I had an afro).
To be honest, I don’t LOVE having locs because right now I’m married to one look, more or less. Yes, I can twist them up, curl them, or pull them back, but at the end of the day, my hairSTYLE is locs, period. Since they’re neither short nor long at this moment, I’m at a perpetual in-between stage, which makes me antsy. I look best with either REALLY long or really short hair…
I was happiest when I was bald. Not a TWA. Bald. Like a buzz with a number 2 blade at the barber. I was at my most comfortable (and cute-haha) then, but the locs are just another chapter in my hair story. I may cut them, I may not. However, I’m thankful that they’re healthy and growing like crazy!
I’d been thinking about doing it for awhile, but after a rogue relaxer broke off a significant chunk of my hair (it was in the back on the left side, so it could go unnoticed), I decided to go for it. I’ve always been a person who changes up often, so it wasn’t a big deal. Didn’t do anything special, so I was jacked up for a while. Anywho, I transitioned for about 7 months & on New Years day…I CHOPPED! I just told my Mom I was ready & she took me to the shop. She was a little sad to see my hair go though. Not because of the relaxer, but because my hair was ALWAYS long. Relaxer/No relaxer…preferences of hair has never been a big deal at home.
WOW! Have I ever even had a regimen? Hmm, well currently I don’t have one. I’m at a limbo as to where I want to go with my locs, so I’m just washing & that’s it. I just pull my hair back & go. I have so much new growth that my locs are only in the tail!
I always wanted to go natural, but never really coughed up the courage to do so. My relaxed hair was always so “healthy.” It was never damaged, but I wanted to do something different. I wanted to see my natural hair again! My first relaxer was at 8 years old because my hair was TOO THICK for my mom to handle it! My dad always always told me that I needed to stop putting those chemicals in my hair, so January ‘08 was my last relaxer! I embarked on a journey that will last a lifetime. Oh how excited I was, and still am.
My hair routine is very simple and not at all COMPLICATED! 
I two-strand twist it for the most part and keep it in for about a week. Or I will do different styles every week. I ONLY use shea butter for moisture and cholesterol to condition my hair. I like to change it up. I hate for my hair to be the same all the time! If I don’t feel like doing it and want to give my hair a rest, I will wear a wig, wrap my hair up, or wear hats…lol.
Tough question! Anything I didn’t like I tossed. I was using Pantene Relaxed & Natural because I love the smell, but it was definitely drying my hair out. Another product that got chucked was hair oil. My hair hates it and so do I! I find that a butter or cream soothes my hair much better than that pore clogging oil in a jar. Now occasionally I do use natural oils like coconut and lavender in moderation, but that thick pasty oil is definitely not for me!
I got soooo frustrated trying to keep up with the health of my hair after moving away from home. I got mismatched touch ups at irregular intervals for two years, then out of desperation and undergrad poverty, I decided to cull out ALL of the relaxed hair to start over. After living with my short, natural hair for about a week, I decided I didn’t need another relaxer or texturizer. Ever.
I wash my hair about once every 2 or 3 weeks and I co-wash it every 4 to 7 days if I’m wearing it out. I de-tangle in the shower with a large tooth shower comb and plait it in 4 sections for styling later. I rinse with cold water. I go back and forth between protective styles like twists and up-dos and wearing it out in wash and go styles. I use creams and leave in conditioners mostly, and apply oils and natural pomades last, or by mixing them in with my leave-ins. I use Ecostyler, IC Fantasia, or Kinky Curly for hold with my wash and go’s. I trim my own hair about every 6 months or more often if I have knots or issues de-tangling. I tend to cut scraggly ends as I find them with my pair of professional shears. I wrap my hair in a satin scarf every night, usually piling my hair on top of my head.
I love that I can accept a compliment on my hair or looks with total dignity and honest gratitude. I like that I can be an example for so many peers and young women who need to know about alternatives to conforming to mainstream beauty standards. I love that I am free to swim, or dance/work out, or smell fresh from head to toe, or go from daytime to dramatic in 2 seconds. I love being free from any costly alterations or routines that effect my self esteem.
up to them and find out how they were caring for their hair because at the time, my shoulder length relaxed hair was just acting ugly! It was on fotki that I saw my first few natural inspirations and was completely stunned! I couldn’t believe how beautiful their hair was. I started researching natural hair and I was instantly converted after joining Nappturality.com and hearing all the powerful statements sistahs were making about being natural. At the time, my sister was going natural and that was the extra push I needed, I was sooo on board!
Now, if my hair is dry, I do this, if my hair is too moisturized I do that…etc. The basics of my haircare are pretty much condition, washing every week, or every other week. Moisturizing and sealing my hair everyday with my spritz. Deep conditioning every other week and giving myself a good detangle. Protein deep conditioning has become a must every month now that my hair is colored, and when I do one, I include a good shampooing with a gentle shampoo that really deep cleans. I never comb my hair unless it’s soaked with conditioner and I don’t do many trims. I decided annual or bi annual trims will be just fine.
There are two product lines that do absolutely nothing for my hair though. One is Tresemme, and the other is Pantene’s Relaxed and Natural. I’ve learned all about choosing products based on their ingredients. NO SULFATES, NO ALCOHOL! I think a lot of women think being natural and choosing great hair products has to be expensive and honey, it sure doesn’t! None of my products are ones that I can’t pick up at any beauty store or even the local drug store EXCEPT for my beloved shea butter and my Verifen Moisture Shampoo!
