Mane Chic Cierra

According to Merriam Webster’s definition, a mane is long and heavy hair on a person’s head. Personally, I don’t think it has to be long and heavy.  If you have hair growing from your head, then I consider this to be your mane.  Chic (pronounced sheek) is defined as smart elegance and sophistication.  With that being said,

Meet Mane Chic Cierra!

How long have you been natural?

I've been natural for about 8 or 9 months

What is your goal for your natural hair?

My original goal was to see if I could actually let my hair grow out without giving in to the weak moments I knew were to come and perming it, and also to love and accept my natural hair and texture. I have so far accomplished that goal. So my next goal is to see how much it grows and the different styles I can do with it

How does your natural hair make you feel about yourself?

Sometimes my hair makes me feel self conscious especially when I try out a new style (I can NOT do hair to save my life, but I try) or when I am around people who still have negative misconceptions about natural hair (usually all of that goes away when they ask to touch it and find out that it is soft) or people of different races who rarely see Black women with natural hair and don’t know what to do about it. Other times I feel so beautiful because my hair is soft and manageable and a random new style worked out for me.

If you could go back and change anything about your natural hair journey, what would it be and why?

I would have either stayed natural my freshman year in high school making this year 8 years natural or I would not have permed it last December making this first year milestone come faster. I would have stayed natural my freshman year if I had known what I know now and possibly if I knew others I was surrounded by including family and friends were going to be supportive. Looking back I'm not sure about my family, but I don’t think high school would have been any more enjoyable with natural hair because kids are so cruel and as much as college is a time to find and be oneself high school is the time everyone wants to be accepted and blend in with everyone else. 

If you were to go on a hair product diet for 6 months (summer through fall) by not using more than 5 products on your hair, what products would be in your stash?

Oh good Lord, I am quickly becoming a product junkie as I devour information on the internet about what to use in my hair. I have not been able to try out all of the products I've heard about especially the expensive ones, but I do have a few. I’d have to say the industrial size Eco Styler Gel (LOVE that stuff!) Lusters Pink Lotion, Shea Butter, Tea Tree Oil, and umm. Herbal Essences Color me Happy Shampoo and Conditioner (does that count as two?).  Any of their Shampoo and Conditioner duos for natural and thick hair would do I'm sure, but my hair is colored so, I'm going with the one for color treated hair.

What is your staple style?  Give a quick tutorial on your staple style. 

I usually go for the Big Ole Puff, with a flower on the side. My hair is still growing and not quite long enough for a scrunchie, so I tie it back with a shoelace and hide the ends in with bobby pins. Sometimes I’ll put two or so flat twists in the front to change it up. It is easy and kind of stylish (with the flower) especially if I was too lazy or tired to twist it up the night before. I just spray water in it add some Pink Lotion  and my lovely Eco Styler gel and brush it up with a hard/round brush, and I'm good to go.

What is one product that you have found to have more  than one use and you used it on your hair?  For example, you look at the ingredients of your favorite body lotion and decide that it can be used as a great moisturizer for your hair.

My special shea butter concoction is absolutely awesome for my hair. My twist are the BOMB when I use it. They come out like spiral curls and look great.

What tips/advice do you have to share about natural hair?

If you’re just starting out and afraid of the Big Chop like me, then ease into it. Pretty soon you’ll get tired of the scraggly ends left by the perm and you’ll want to cut them anyway. And YouTube is your friend. J

If you had to choose one word to describe your mane, what would it be and why?

Beautiful. I've finally realized that my hair is absolutely beautiful in its natural state.

Thanks Cierra for showing us your Mane Chicness!!    

Have a wonderful weekend!
Indulgenceiskey