Feature Friday: Curly Casey!

Today is feature friday with the beautiful Casey Chatman! I really enjoyed this interview! She gives great advice on how she gets her luscious shiny curls and shares how she has learned to love her curls during her natural hair journey. Check it out :)

1. Name and where you are from:

My name is Casey Chatman and I'm originally from sunny southern California!

2. Tell us about yourself!

I am a student in New York City. I enjoy traveling, eating new foods and critiquing restaurants, working on numerous personal art projects and snapping photos on Glowria (my camera).

3. How long have you been natural and what made you decide to do so?

My last perm was in 2010 and I "went natural" unknowingly. During that time, I had never before heard of the term "natural", as it is used today.

One day I was too lazy to get up and buy a box of perm. I decided I liked the wavy texture the perm had made my hair so I would stop perming and start wearing my "curly" texture. After a while (a couple of years), I noticed the wavy texture was NOT my natural curly texture. I don't know what made me think it was haha! So I had a chunk of thick curly hair at the roots that was my natural texture, and a chunk of ends that were wavy from the perm.

Over the years I tried to blend the textures by using a curling wand on the wavy ends, but this required much more effort than I was willing to put into blending the textures of my hair. I went on a straightening streak, where I wore my hair straight everyday for probably a year and half. I noticed more and more that it was getting harder to get my hair pin straight, as my natural thicker texture had grown longer. I decided to slowly cut off the permed ends.

On January of 2013 I cut the last portion of permed hair and decided to start my natural hair journey-Clean slate for that new year! Now its January of 2014 and the idea of putting a flat iron to my hair is not nearly as tempting as it was a few years ago. Over time, I have learned my hair; what works for it and what doesn't. I have grown to love my curly locks and I am very happy that I have learned to appreciate what God has given me!

4. How would you describe your hair? What does it mean to you?

I would describe my hair as a portable pillow! It is big, curly and soft and has made a great emergency head rest for traveling via plane or train :D

My hair doesn't really have a special meaning to me. I care for it as I do for the rest of my body, but my life does not revolve around my hair. It is apart of me and I love learning about it! It is versatile and fun! I dye it, I cut it, I enjoy it!

5. What is your natural hair regimen (including the products you use)?

I wash my hair when it needs to be washed. I do not have designated days for certain hair care procedures. I travel quite a bit and each environment I'm in requires a different type of care. I tailor my hair regimen to its needs, not to what is convenient for me. That is like saying, "I put lotion on my hands every 30 minutes". That is ridiculous. If you're in Alaska that might seem reasonable, but if you're in Sub-Saharan Africa, that might be a bit unnecessary. You shouldn't have one logic and apply it across the board for all environments and situations. Generally I respond and tell people that I wash my hair every 4 days. This is a foggy, broad range. Sometimes I will wash it every other day, sometimes I can go a week without washing.

When I do wash my hair, sometimes I will use shampoo. In this instance it is always a sulfate free shampoo. I have been using Kinky-Curly's Come Clean for this. I follow every shampoo wash with conditioner. Other wash days I will not use a shampoo and opt to use only a conditioner. The product I use for this varies. My hair really likes As I Am coconut Cowash and LUSH Cosmetic's VEGANESE conditioner.

Right after I rinse the conditioner out of my hair (while my hair is still wet with water) I will apply a leave-in-conditioner. My hair really likes As I Am's Leave In Conditioner. Sometimes I will use Kinky-Curly Knot today instead. I air dry and at night before bed I will tie a loose hair band around my hair and wrap my hair in a silk scarf then hit the hay :)

6. How do you retain your length and keep your hair healthy?

Low manipulation has been key for me in retaining length. I don't try too many different hairstyles. I wash and go 98% of the time. When I am feeling adventurous I'll try a bantu knot out to experiment or I'll do finger coils (my other favorite hair-style besides wash and go's) but I really like my natural hair in its wash and go state and find that the less you do with your hair in terms of styling and handling it, the less susceptible it is to breakage from combing and touching etc.

Moisture is also key, we've all heard this. I have stopped using products that contain shea-butter, any silicones, and I've avoided using oils (aside from the oils that are already mixed into the products I've listed above). Oil does not moisturize your hair it keeps moisture in. If you put oil on dry hair, not only will it stay dry because you've coated it, which stops moisture from going into your hair, but now your hair is also greasy.

I have been silicone free for 2 months now and have noticed a HUGE difference. My hair is softer and does not break off. I'm excited to see the length that will come from being silicone free. Silicones, like oil, coat your hair, leaving it dry underneath. It might look good but the hair strands can't be penetrated with moisture. I used to love my silicones but I love the feel and look of my hair now that I've stopped using them.

7. What is your favorite natural hair style?

Wash and Go.

8. Who is your hair crush?

All the lovely ladies I follow on Instagram :)

9. What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned during your natural hair journey?

Your hair grows! Be patient, live it up at every length!

10.What is your favorite life lesson ?

You mustn't depend on others for happiness. Depend on God. ;

Don't let others stop you from doing what makes you happy.

11. Is there a website/blog/Twitter/Instagram where we can find you?

Twitter: @WhoDatBlasian

Instagram: @Curly_Casey ; @CaseyChatman

Youtube: Http://Youtube.Com/ItsCurlyCasey

12. Is there any other advice you’d like to leave us with?

Take lots of pictures :)