Hair Feature — Althea aka Unphased_Introvert
Meet Althea, a natural hair enthusiast who’s overjoyed with all things natural hair — coils, kinks, styles and more. She shares what being natural has done for her self-esteem and gives detailed steps on maintaining her slightly colored mane.
What is your name and where are you from? Alethea aka Unphased_introvert.
When did you go Natural? Did you transition or did you big chop? I went natural November 2011, I transitioned for a month then cut the rest of the 6-8inches of the perm off.
What prompted you to go natural? My mother always took me to get perms and I needed an alternative. I hated perms, they burned my scalp constantly and they became very expensive going every 4-6 weeks. I also couldn’t take care of my hair unless it was straightened.
What is your favorite thing about being natural? Everything from wash day to, and everything in between, to styling.
What is your least favorite thing about being natural? My least favorite thing has nothing to do with being natural, rather that being natural is not widely accepted, especially in black communities.
Did you receive any criticism regarding going natural? Yes, I was told it’s a phase and I look like a wild child when my kinky hair was worn out.
What is your routine? (To include nighttime regimen):
In this order:
- Place hair in 5 sections
- Twist hair with Deep condition (with mayo, 2 eggs, honey)
- Leave overnight
- Next morning:
- Clarify with apple cider vinegar rinse
- Massage scalp
- Finger detangle twists with VO5 condioner
- Retwist
- Pineapple hair
- Cold Rinse
- Dry with tshirt
- Oil ends of hair
- Bun hair
- Satin bonnet at night
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Has your journey inspired your friends or family to go natural? If so, How? My hair journey has inspired my friends and family, they have decided to attempt or go all out natural.
How has being natural shaped your self-esteem? I am more in love with myself and I am comfortable. I have embraced every curl and coil with a passion. My natural hair journey became how I found myself. When I was younger I was ashamed of my hair when it wasn’t straight because I associated that with being pretty. I wasn’t pretty if my hair wasn’t straight. Now I live for puffy afros and curly twist outs! I am proud of who I am and who I am becoming.
How do you respond when strangers ask to touch your hair? I don’t particularly mind strangers touching my hair. It’s amusing that people think my hairs a wig most times lol
Knowing what you know now, is there anything about being natural that you wished you’d know before you started your journey? I only wished I went natural sooner, but I’m glad it happened when it did.
Who are your favorite Bloggers/vloggers? Jouelzy, Naptural85, Jemy1415, African Export, Glamtwinz334 and Fusion of Cultures.
What are your favorite products? Oils (jojoba, castor/Jamaican black castor oil, glycerin); and Shea butter.
Your go to hair style is____? Twists, flat twists and twist outs.
Who are you hair crushes? Eclark6 and MahoganyCurls.
Where can you be found on social media? IG & Twitter: Unphased_introvert. Youtube: Unphased introvert channel.
