Lexi With The Curls interview
Blogger Lexi With The Curls has thousands of dedicated readers and devotees who can’t get enough of her honey-blonde hued tresses. The Virginia native turned Atlanta resident garnered her following organically through a flurry of posts on her LexiWithTheCurls blog and matching Instagram and Twitter pages. Below this curly, kinky diva dishes on her chemical-free coiffure. -danielle canada
When did you first go natural?
I started my second and final natural hair journey in 2003 when I was in college. I was away from home and knew I could make the plunge without my mom in my ear every five weeks urging me to get a relaxer touch-up. After about eight months of transitioning, I ended up doing the big chop. My hair ended up being about four inches stretched and I got micro braids immediately after to help me adjust to the length.
How long have you been blogging about natural hair?
I have been blogging about natural hair since 2008. I started a YouTube channel first and then expanded to a blog sometime in 2009.
Do you identify with a certain texture of natural hair?
I consider myself 3c/4a based on that type of system. My hair is curly-kinky, some areas are softer curls and some are kinky coils.
What do you love the most about your natural hair?
I love that I have versatility. I can wear a ‘fro one day, curly and elongated one day, twists one day, and straight the next. Natural hair has so much versatility and this is the reason I chose to go natural. It wasn’t for political reasons like a lot of people think when they see someone that’s natural. I just love to change up my style all the time and natural hair gives me the versatility I desire.
What — if anything — is most difficult about your natural hair?
The most difficult thing about my hair is that it is so coily and curly in some areas that it tangles a lot. Because the curls wrap around the other curls, this creates tangles. If I wait too long in between washes, detangling my hair can take about 25 minutes in the shower with me doing it in sections with tons of conditioner. That’s pretty much the only difficult thing.
What are your favorite natural hairstyles?
My go-to hairstyle is generally a twist out. It is super easy to do, I can do them from wet or dry hair. I can literally wash my hair and sit and watch a TV show while twisting my hair and it takes no time at all, [then] in the morning I have a full, defined twist out.
In addition to a twist out, I love updos. Whenever I am having a bad hair day, I can twist my hair up and get several bobby pins to set my hair in place. It’s elegant but can also be casual.
Do you have any go-to natural hair products?
I have many, many go-to products. My first loves are Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding, Paul Mitchell’s Foaming Pomade, and Cantu Shea Leave In. Now I have added several brands into the mix like Au Naturale, ORS, Nene’s Secret, Beautiful Textures and EDEN BodyWorks. I am not brand loyal at all; I try it all and I love products from many brands. There are so many amazing brands out there for natural hair it really is hard to narrow it down.
Tell us about your blog.
My blog is mostly about my natural hair, I sprinkle in celebrity hair as well. Recently I started documenting my weight loss on there, my fitness goals, fashion posts and beauty. I wanted to make my blog more well-rounded and talk about all things that I love. You can find hair product reviews, tutorials and natural hair news there as well.
Twitter: @CurlyGirlLexi
Instagram: @LexiWithTheCurls
