2 Sisters. 2 Textures!: 2 Part Hair Talk with The Greene Sisters...Part 1

As a natural, you hear many that will group their hair type or compare their hair to someone else. Many judge others hair based off their ethnicity and how their parents hair is. Is this an accurate analysis though??? I must confess that I was one of many who felt that way but soon I learned that no two textures are the same, maybe similar, but not the same. Does this mean that your natural experience will be different from others, Yes! Does it mean that you cannot wear the same styles though? NO! I wanted to address this misconception in a previous post but I decided to talk to some women who all have different textures.

Charla (left) VeCoya (Right)

To start with my findings, I am featuring two gorgeous ladies Vecoya and Charla Greene of the awesome blog TheGreeneVademecum.com who happen to be blood sisters, sorority sisters, and natural sisters! I've known these two gals since high school and even though we are all in different places in our life now we share our love for our natural hair and blogging. 

When I thought about varying textures among families I automatically thought about the Greene sisters. They both have beautiful textured natural hair but it is also very different. I wanted to explore the differences of their textures further than what the eye can see so what better way to do that than to ask each of them about their natural hair!  Check out my 2 part interview with VeCoya and Charla. First let's start with VeCoya! After all she came out first :)

Vecoya

I know you very well, but my readers may not. Tell us a little about yourself.. 

Let’s see what can I say … VeCoya here! I’m bubbly, a tad bit sassy, a ball of fun, a daughter, a sister, and a great friend.

I am an outgoing, determined, independent young lady trying to find her path in this crazy world. I love GOD, great food, fab hair, positive vibes, having fun, learning, growing, and honestly I could go on and on for hours LOL.

 How long have you been natural and why did you choose to go natural? 

I received my last relaxer in January of 2009. I went the natural route because my hair was breaking off due to excessive heat. I was using the flat iron entirely too much, I’m talking almost daily WITHOUT A HEAT PROTECTANT! I was sooooo CLUELESS at the time but hey you live and you learn.

 Did you transition or big chop? 

Transition - Through the transition process, I was surprised and intrigued by my natural curls. Thanks to Youtube videos and natural hair sites like Protecting your Crown and Glory and CurlyNikki, I began to learn how to care for my own hair. I transitioned for a little over a year because I wanted to get to know my new hair and I cut off my relaxed ends in February 2010.

  

How did others (family, friends, and colleagues) react to your decision to go natural? What was your response to them? How do they feel now? 

All of my family and friends were super supportive.  A lot of them actually felt like natural hair suits me better.

 What is/was your biggest hair challenge/obstacle?  How did you overcome it or what are you doing now to try to address the problem? 

My current challenge is realizing that the more hair I have, the more patience I need to deal with it lol. Detangling is truly a process, therefore if I’m tired or irritable I avoid dealing with my hair. I’ll bun it up lol hair is fragile so I must handle it with care.

 You and your sister are both natural but have completely different textures, is there one style you can do that doesn’t really work for her? Or a product that only works for you? 

No, I haven’t encountered a style or product that she can wear and that I can’t or vice versus. I’m the product junkie so I’m always giving her my extra products and she seems to love everything.

 What do you love most about your natural hair and/or about being natural? 

One word versatility. I love the ability to wear my hair in so many different ways

 

 What is your current regimen? 

No set regimen, Within the past month I’ve rocked my hair in various styles; flexi rods; straw sets; I braid it back into protective styles; wash 'n goes and I wear buns.like I said I love variety!

 Are you a product junkie? What are your favorite products? 

I'm a product junkie! It's so gotten bad that I don't allow myself to go to the beauty supply store anymore lol. But if I were on a deserted island and could only have two products I would choose coconut oil and Jane Carter Solution Leave In Revitalizing Conditioner. I use both daily and they are full or fortifying and natural ingredients.

 What is your “go to” style? 

If I had to choose a favorite style I think it would be the bun though, it’s an easy go to protective style. Plus, my sister showed me this awesome technique to make your bun appear much fuller than it actually is lol.

 How often do you straighten your hair? 

Whenever I feel like it lol but on average maybe 4-6 times a year. Not at all during the summer months since its so humid around these parts.

 Has going natural impacted other areas of your life (i.e. health & fitness, style, environmental consciousness, etc.?) If so, how and in what ways? 

I try to eat healthy and exercise but that's always been important to me.

 Do you ever miss the creamy crack? Will you ever go back to it? 

No, not really. I honestly didn't know there was any other way to care for your hair besides getting a relaxer before returning to my natural hair state. It was a matter of educating myself!

 Do you have a “hair crush?” If so, who? 

Who isn’t in love with Traci Ellis Ross’s curls?! I also love Elle Varner’s hair. Anyone with thick voluptuous curls really! 

 Who do you follow online (i.e. blog/website, Youtube, etc.)? 

Of course Curly Nikki: curlynikki.com 
PRoy: www.steelfeatherlaceelephant.com
Your awesome blog

The aroundthecurls.com blog

Protecting your crown and glory: glorycrown.blogspot.com

BeeUtifullyMade Youtube Channel

 

Honestly I'm always surfing the web and there are an endless amount of inspiring blogs that I look at. 

 What advice would you give someone who is contemplating going natural and/or becoming discouraged with their natural journey? 

My advice would be to develop patience because this journey is definitely a process.

Fall in love with your texture and your natural curls. Don't compare yourself to others because this is your journey. That applies to products as well, what works for me may not necessarily work for you and vice versus. Experiment and try new products and hairstyles to see what works for you.

If you are experimenting with a new hairstyle and it turns out disastrous, try again. The more you try, the more you will learn and the better you will get at it, just like anything else in life.

 You and your sisters have an amazing blog and your youtube page is evolving into something big! Where can my readers find you online? 

Thanks love! We try lol we can be contacted very easily.

 Our blog the greenevademecum can be assessed by going to greenevdc.com. The definition of vademecum is ‘A handbook or guide that is kept constantly at hand for consultation.’ We are sisters blogging about aspects and areas of life that inspire us. That includes positive vibes, cool spots, fab hair, cute trinkets, music & more! We hope that our blog can serve as an outlet and that our positive words and experiences produce thoughtful and positive actions. Please join us on our blogging adventure. 

Instagram: thegreenevademecum

Twitter: greenevademecum

Youtube: greenevdc

Facebook: thegreenevademecum

Email: thegreenevademecum@gmail.com

 Anything else that you’d like to add? 

No maam, thank you so much for the feature. Keep up the awesome work on your blog Faith! Love ya much hugs & kisses!

Vecoya, Thank you so much for allowing me and my readers to learn more about your natural hair! I think everyone would agree with me when I say looks strong, healthy, and gorgeous!

Remember I said this would be a 2 part interview! So make sure you all check back tomorrow to see what Vecoya's baby sister Charla shares with us on her natural hair! Until then check out this great video tutorial below from the Greene's sisters youtube page on an easy protective style