Letting Go of Natural Hair Expectations Led Me to My Perfect Hair
Venecia shares how she came to terms with her natural hair expectations and how this realisation led her to truly embrace her gorgeous curls.
In keeping with our tradition, every month we highlight naturals from all over the globe and gain insight into how they care for their hair.
After all, the natural hair community that shares together, grows together!
Q & A session with Venecia
Our March 24′ hair feature hails all the way from Alabama and not only is she gorgeous, but she has a healthy mind-set on all things hair.
Profile: Venecia
1. Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m Vee, I love writing but I also love theatre. I used to have a natural hair page, but posting about my hair all the time just became tiring.
In December of 2023, I shaved all of my hair off so that was a fun time!
2. How long have you been natural?
I’ve been natural my whole life. My mom never put perms or relaxers in my hair (no matter how many times I begged) and honestly, I’m grateful for that.
3. What prompted you to go natural?
My mom always took care of my hair when I was little.
She would do all sorts of twists and braids with the ball balls (or bobbles) and different coloured barrettes. 
Once she passed, I struggled to learn how to do my hair and honestly, I dealt with a lot of anxiety and trauma from it.
But now as I’m getting older, I’m figuring out what my hair likes and doesn’t like.
4. What hair type are you and how long is your hair?
I’d say I have 3b/3c hair and my hair stretched out is past my chin, almost past my neck.
Check out our Natural Hair Feature: How I grew my daughter’s hair to waist length?
5. Do you have a hair regime and if so, share it with us?
I wash my hair once or twice a week.
I only deep condition when necessary. I’m not a huge fan of leaving conditioner sitting on my hair for long periods. Then I apply a leave-in and mousse and finger coil my hair.
I then let it all air dry and then pick and scrunch it with some oil.
Catch up on the 50 Top Natural Hair Buzz Words in our Glossary.
6. What are the top 3 hair products you cannot live without?
The top 3 hair products that I cannot live without are:-
🌺Eden Bodyworks Coconut Leave-In Conditioner
🌺Mielle Organics Curl Defining Mousse.
🌺Garnier Pure Clean Shampoo.
7. What is your go-to protective styling?
Definitely Box Braids.
8. What is the biggest lesson you have learned on your hair journey?
Life is so much more than what your hair looks like. 
After doing the Big Chop last year, it gave me time to build my confidence in other aspects of myself.
My hair honestly was the most stressful part of living just because I felt like I had all this pressure for it to look good or to look like this one hair influencer’s hair or whatever.
Don’t let your hair define who you are or what you think you’re presented to be.
9. How do you deal with hair envy?
I actually don’t experience it often!
In the past I always wished my hair was looser because of how pretty the waves were, but then I would wish my hair was coily so I could have those nice looking twists.
But now I choose to embrace every curl pattern, most especially mine.
Curious about hair challenges? Get a feel of what is involved by catching up on our 3-month Hair Challenge using Moringa Powder.
10. Bonus question – what is your dream hair like?
Probably box braids all the time.
I wish I had like a button or something that would just re-braid my hair for me.
(Ed. Get inspired by other naturals. Check out our Natural Hair Feature Nqobile’s take on caring for her natural hair and get the 411 on her natural hair crush.)
