My name is Nika. I’m from Monroe, Louisiana and I’m currently living in Shreveport, Louisiana.

How long have you been natural?
I started out natural until the age of 10 yrs old. I got my first relaxer at the age of 11 yrs. old. I choose to return back to my natural tresses on September 24, 2011. I didn’t like my relaxed hair because it was very thin. It never held a curl, and it would literally be stuck to my head from chemical burns. I didn’t want to go through that anymore so I chose to transition for 7 months from February 5, 2011 to September 24, 2011, and I did the big chop. I really enjoyed my short natural hair. It was so easy to manage. I just did wash n go’s. I am glad I have more length now because my twist outs last longer than it did when my hair was shorter. I’ve been natural for 2 years now, and I’m enjoying my natural hair journey.

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How would you describe your hair?
My hair texture is fine yet coarse at the same time. I believe my hair falls in the 4a category. The front of my hair has a looser curl pattern, and the back of my hair has a tighter curl pattern. My hair is also low porosity, and it takes forever and a day to dry.

What is your hair regimen?
My hair regimen consists of me doing a hot oil/deep conditioning treatment every week on Sunday using Shea Moisture Black Soap Purification Masque mixed with Olive Oil, Peppermint oil, and Tea Tree Oil followed by a clarifying cowash using VO5 Kiwi Lime Clarifying Conditioner. After I cowash I use a leave in conditioner by Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deeper Moisture conditioner or Kinky Curly Leave in conditioner. I use Eco Styler argan oil gel to lay my edges down. I always flat twist or regular two strand twist. I don’t do wash n go’s often because my curls get really tangled, and I get fairy knots. I choose to twist my hair in order to keep my hair stretched. Shrinkage is real!

What does wash day look like for you?
I wash my hair every Sunday after church. The first thing I do is turn on my music so I can sing while I’m doing my hair. I lightly spray my dry hair with a mixture of water and olive oil until it’s damp, then I put on my hot oil/deep conditioning treatment. After all the oil and conditioner is applied to my hair I place a plastic cap over my head, and I sit under my hair dryer for 45 minutes. After I get from under the dryer I cowash my hair with VO5 Kiwi Lime clarifying conditioner, add my Giovanni as a leave in, gel on my edges, twist and air dry. I try to keep my regimen simple.

Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
My favorite go-to hairstyle is hands down the high bun. I just love doing high buns when I don’t have a lot of time. During the week, I’ll start out with a high puff, and towards the end of the week I’ll form the puff into a bun. I love it!

How do you combat shrinkage?
I’ve come to accept the shrinkage. It comes with the territory. I don’t mind it at all. I do twistouts most of the time in order to keep my hair stretched. Pineapples don’t work for my fine hair because the hair around the perimeter of my head will get real straight, and my hair never falls down right. It always look a hot mess, so I retwist at night, or I’ll do a low bun. I always cover my hair with my satin scarf.

What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
The crown of my head is my problem area. It’s always dry. I have to apply extra product to that area. I also have to apply gel to area because it’s always the frizziest area.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
I love your blog and website Global Couture, I love Curly Nikki blog by Nikki, ConfessionsofaBlogvixen by West, Quest for the Perfect Curl by DenimPixie, Whosthatcurl blog by Lashawn Henighan, Around the way curls blog by Shanti and Antoinette, Her best hair blog by TiaShauntee, KinkyKurlysistas blog, and Natura Magazine blog, and I watch just about every Naturalista on Youtube, it’s hard to list them all.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy or difficult or both?
The most memorable part has been just learning my hair and finding great products that moisturize it. I’ve learned that my hair definitely needs heat during a deep conditioning due to it being low porosity. My hair cuticles are tight, and the heat opens it up so the moisture can go into the hair strand. My hair does like light watery products like VO5 conditioner and Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave In Conditioner. My hair hates shea butter or any butter because it weighs my hair down. Most thick products just sit on top of my hair. I have to use light products. My low porosity texture didn’t take when I tried to lift my jet black hair to a lighter color. It did not lift at all. Only my roots turned a bright orange color, and the rest of my hair was still black. It was a total disaster. So I just dyed it back black. This journey has been both easy and difficult, but I’ve learned to manage my hair better as the years go by. I’m in love with my hair.

Is there anything you would like to tell someone who is thinking about going natural?
My advice to other naturals is to love the hair that grows from your scalp. Natural hair is beautiful. If you are thinking about going natural I think you should go for it because going natural is the best decision I have ever made, and my scalp is healthier. My hair has grown longer than it has ever been, and it’s because I went natural. It’s an awesome feeling to be a natural. You can go from curly to straight and right back to curly. Natural hair is very versatile, and that’s what I love about it. Natural hair is definitely not boring because you can do so much with it. I say go for it and tune out all negative opinions around you.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
You can find me on my YouTube channel named PiecesofNika:http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsNikaR
Instagram: @PiecesofNika
Twitter: @PiecesofNika
Google+:@PiecesofNika
Thank you so much!!!!
~Nika~