My Hair Story – Kim

Introduce yourself . . .

Hi, I’m Kim. I was the last of the women in my immediate family to go natural. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. I am a Type 1 Diabetic (which means that I am insulin dependent) and I have to take care of my body and stay healthy at all times.

Going natural was the best thing I ever did for myself in my whole life; I feel more beautiful then I ever have and my confidence levels have risen so much. I feel like…me again.

Are you relaxed, natural, texturized or texlaxed?

I am 100% natural !!

What’s your story, how did you get to where you are?

For a long time with relaxed hair, my parents always had my hair done and I never knew how to do my hair or how to style it. So by the time I got to college, I didn’t know what I was doing and my hair was breaking off.

I couldn’t afford to travel to get my hair done or the pricing. So I just went without the relaxer and flat ironed. Unknowingly, I was transitioning. I got fed up one day and did a self-relaxer (luckily I didn’t destroy my hair) but by the time graduation came around my hair was a hot mess. I hate my grad pics!

So, after graduation I transitioned fully for 1 year until my birthday and chopped off the relaxed ends!

What is your typical weekly regimen?

No matter what I wash and deep condition each week. I tried washing every other week -it didn’t work. I also steam my hair every other week. I may do it once a month now to avoid heat damage.

Are you happy with your progress so far?

I am happy. I wouldn’t say ecstatic. But I am so pleased with how my hair has grown, the health of my hair and how much I have learned. I am on a 1 year protective style challenge that started in September. I can’t wait to see my progress! !

What’s your signature style?

It was twists. But now, and I am sooo glad I can finally do this and say this, my signature style has become the bun. I know it’s almost cliche….I guess? ? But, personally, I am just glad I can get my hair into a bun.

How do you ensure that your ends are protected from the elements and your hands?

I keep it up and out of the way and in a style that I actually like so I won’t want to touch it! You have to make sure when you put your ends away, you leave them alone!

Give them a break otherwise you’re just messing with them and pulling them out and defeating the whole purpose of protecting them. So put ’em up, in something you like that you won’t want to keep taking down, and leave them alone!

Do you have a goal length or are you more concerned about the health of your hair?

Yes. My dream goal length is waist length. But right now, its mid-back length. But I can’t wait to reach bra-strap length!

Is there anything that you hair hates?

My hair is not a fan of non-Ph-balanced products! (If I make them I test their Ph with with strips). Or heavy butters*. They weigh my hair down and just coat my strands and gets them all oily and sticky and then my scalp starts itching. Oh I get so irritated. I don’t like scratching my scalp.

Do you have any favorite hair products?

The homemade recipe of Kim Love’s Leave-in conditioner. Awesome! Excellent! Also the As I Am Twist Defining Cream* and the As I Am Coconut CoWash*.