Welcome back to Hair Diaries X No Knot Co! This is a blog post that aims to inspire and uplift as we explore the natural hair journeys of our favourite influencers and their advice to other wavy, curly and coily babes. We interviewed the gorgeous Joanna, who bounced back to her natural hair in 2015 and has never looked back! She talks us through the importance of scalp massages and how to embrace everything that makes you beautiful and unique. Are you ready to learn and discover new tips and tricks from @itsjojobaybee's hair journey? Then keep on reading!
What is your hair type?
I have Type 4 Hair 4B/4C, it is low porosity and high density.
How would you describe your relationship with your hair growing up in comparison to now?
Growing up I didn’t know anything about how to take care of my natural hair, all I knew was that my hair was a thick Afro and I didn’t know anything about hair types. I wanted it to be like other girls and so I would straighten it, texturise it, add gel etc. But all that did was consistently damage my hair. It’s amazing to look back at my hair journey because now I love and embrace my natural hair! I’m continuing to explore what my hair loves and the various ways to restore and nurture it. This year has been a time of experimenting and embracing my hair again, trying new hairstyles and I find that sometimes putting in less effort, it turns out good haha. I also have tried out new products and getting to know my hair fully. So I’m proud of how far I’ve come with my hair. I have finally got to a point where I’ve started to let my hair out and not let it be in a bun hidden away.
Did you ever feel pressured to straighten your hair?
Yes, I definitely felt pressured to straighten my hair especially because that was what I would see all the black men and women doing. I feel like because within the media and TV what is really shown is type 3 curls. And then most of the black women with type 4 hair would always have their hair straightened or relaxed so for me that was what I was made to feel as beautiful and refined in that sense.
What are your top 3 go-to hair products?
My favourite is my deep conditioner mostly because I can see the benefits straight away and it’s like a little pampering session for my hair.
I would also say my scalp oil! I love taking care of my hair, and it’s so important to have a healthy scalp as that’s the root of where your hair grows from. I particularly love using herbal ingredients that stimulate and soothe the scalp. I also love it because it helps to release stress and tension throughout the body.
My third would be clarifying/hydrating shampoo. It has to be sulfate-free as I have low porosity hair, the product build-up is definitely a struggle. So I need to make sure that I gently clarify my hair without stripping moisture from it.
What natural hair tips/advice would you give your younger self?
Health over length!! I would tell my younger self that your natural hair is beautiful and that you don’t need to look like the other girls. I would also tell her to step away from the straighteners and to stop comparing yourself to everyone else and start to embrace all the things that make you beautiful and unique.
When growing up did you have any hair role models?
I didn’t, to be honest, but I always wanted to have type 3 hair. This was because those were the only curls that got showcased. So in my head, that was the only look of “beautiful” natural hair that I saw around me. But obviously, my hair was nothing like that!
And how long is a typical wash day? Talk us through it? What are the steps?
Do you put your hair in Protective styles? Which styles are your favourite?
Yes, my hair is pretty much always in either a protective style or a low manipulation style. My go-to style is usually a bun. But my favourite is definitely twists or box braids. I have some tutorials on my page where I have crotchet tutorial, twist in and twist out, and I try to be creative with my styles too.
What steps do you take to keep your hair healthy?
What advice would you give to all your fellow curly sisters starting their natural hair journey?
Be patient. It’s not going to happen overnight. So, you need to just enjoy your journey. Keep it simple, sometimes less is more. Especially when it comes to products, make sure that you take the time to understand your hair and scalp properly. Get to know what it really needs, and what ingredients work best for you and what to stay away from as well.
Who is your hair inspiration?
If your hair journey was a song, what would it be?
It would have to be, India Arie “Just do you,” I love that song!! The lyrics resonate with me the most with my journey of learning to love and embrace my hair.
MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW JOANNA @itsjojobaybee ON INSTAGRAM!
- No Knot Co x
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