Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey.
My name is Tiara Simons. I’m a multicultural black American, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. The majority of my family is from North Carolina. My family has Native American, Caucasian, and some Latin descent.

How long have you been natural? Have you always embraced your curls?
I have been natural for a year. I never used to embrace my curls because in middle school, kids picked at me about my hair if it wasn’t straight. It was also due to an incident in high school when a girl told me the roots of my hair were African and my length was Spanish.

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What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
I became a transitioner because I come from a family that really cherishes long hair. My hair had always touched my stomach, until I decided to bleach it for an ombre effect. I would straighten my hair every single day and I got a perm because I wanted to try it out; neither of these helped my hair. My hair gradually got shorter and shorter. I didn’t realize it starting to touch my shoulders until people asked me, “why did I cut my hair?”. I was definitely a transitioner. I was not ready to be practically bald, I knew I wouldn’t have confidence in myself.

How would you describe your hair?
My hair has a lot of volume and is very thick. I would say I have a 3b curl pattern. It doesn’t take too much to moisturize my hair.

What do you love most about your hair?
I love how versatile it is. It takes really well to being straightened but honestly I don’t care for that anymore. 

What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
The most memorable part was when I washed my hair and didn’t have to put perm rods at the ends of my hair because it naturally curled on it’s own. It has definitely been difficult because I was the only natural in my family. Everyone around me kept telling me to straighten my hair and I just wouldn’t give in.

What are (or were) some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos’?
Some of my favorite transitioning styles were braid outs, I think they definitely saved my life. Perm rod and flexi rod sets gave me wand curls without the wand. I definitely still do perm rod sets on my hair.

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural’? Any memorable reactions from family or others?
When I straightened my hair for the first time for a length check everyone in my family was shocked, as well as friends. My hair has never been so thick and healthy before.

What is your hair regimen?
After I wash my hair, I take a spray bottle filled with 1 part conditioner and 2 part water and spray my whole head damp after detangling it. Then I section my hair in four parts. In each part I use the Shea Moisture Hair Mask and Curl Cream to the mid shaft and ends of my hair for ultimate moisture. After, I apply olive oil to all my hair and some Vasline Cocoa butter to my ends. I complete the whole process with bedhead’s curl cream to define my curls. And then I’m done.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
I watch a lot of naturals on Youtube such as, naturalneiicey, SunKissAlba, Andreaschoice, BerryBeautiful, SayriaJade, Leahallyannah, glamtwinz334, Muchmorethanbeauty, and lanasummer. I created my own Youtube channel to help others with natural hair and makeup tutorials.

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
DO NOT GIVE UP! Honestly, it’s difficult at first going natural because everyone is so accustomed to straight hair, but trust me, it is going to pay off in the long run. Don’t think about the process, think about the outcome and how beautiful and radiant your hair is going to be. Love your natural self.
  

Where can people find you for more information?
You can find me on instagram @Royal.t.e.e and on Youtube @Royal.t.e.e 

How is your dating life as a natural? Has it been a positive or negative experience?
I’ve definitely have gotten a lot more attention being a natural because my hair is so big in general. I would say it’s a positive experience because the guys I’ve dated loved that my hair was real and not a weave. Plus it’s a conversation starter.