INTERVIEW WITH SHAKERA

SO, I KNOW YOUR HAIR IS NOT NATURAL, BUT YOU WORE WEAVES FOR YEARS. WHAT MADE YOU REVERT BACK TO WEARING YOUR OWN HAIR?

I wore sew-in weaves for 10yrs straight and my main reason was my hair was growing very thin because it was not getting the treatment it needed to grow healthy. While having your hair braided up all the time does make your hair grow but, it also damages the ends which causes hair breakage. You have to allow your hair to breathe for a certain amount of time and receive hair treatments. I wanted my hair to be as healthy and thick as it was before I started wearing weaves.

DO YOU NOTICE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR HAIR NOW PRIOR TO WHEN YOU WERE WEARING THE SEW-IN WEAVES? IF SO , WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

There is a big difference. My hair has its original thick texture and no breakage. When I was getting my hair braided up in weaves I would leave some of hair out in the front and some in the back. Plus I would just perm that part of my hair which let me have two different textures and my hair was at two different lengths. The constant relaxing of just certain parts eventually broke off the front of my hair. My hair would grow very thin because of the constant damage. Now my hair is stronger and grows all at one length.

WOULD YOU SAY YOU DAMAGED YOUR HAIR AFTER WEARING WEAVES A LONG PERIOD OF TIME?

Yes but the main reason was I wasn’t taking care of my hair in between each weave. I should have taken at least 3-month breaks in between weaves to get my hair treated with conditioning, trims, and hot oil treatments. I truly recommend that if you get weaves you should only keep it in for 1-month tops.

            Your hair does break off when you constantly braid it up.

WHAT WAS THE MAIN REASON YOUR WORE WEAVES?

There were several reasons now that I think about it. First it gives you that length you always want when you can’t grow it yourself and I was lead to believe that if you wore sew-in weaves your hair would grow because you are “giving your real hair a break” that is such a lie. Now that I know what I know now I wish I never would have put weaves in my hair. Your hair will grow if you treat it well.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE HAVING A BAD HAIR DAY?

Well I have a short cut now so when I have a bad day I can either wear a hat or simply spike my hair up with spritz and have the messy short cut look works every time.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU RELAX YOUR HAIR?

I relax my hair every 4 weeks. My hair is short now so I have to make sure the back of it is lying flat so I make sure my perms are done in a timely fashion.

DO YOU THINK YOU WILL EVER GROW YOUR HAIR OUT NATURAL?

I am not sure. I always said I would never go without a perm. I do agree perm does do a lot of wear and tear on your hair but I believe if you use them moderately you should be ok. I think if I get a very low cut I can go natural but I will do that later down the road.

DO YOU WORK OUT? IF SO, HOW DOES IT EFFECT YOUR HAIR?

Yes I do work out and I usually tie my hair up when I do and it usually doesn’t sweat at all. I put spritz on it prior to working out so everything stays in place.

DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE HAIR STYLE?

Yes my signature style is my side part in the front and short all the way around. I like my eye slightly covered to give a little style.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR HAIR THE MOST? 

               My hair is the healthiest it’s been in years. I love its texture now. My hair grows nicely and is manageable. I didn’t think my hair would ever recover from the damage I did to it but fortunately it did.  

ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL PRODUCTS/HAIR TOOLS THAT YOU JUST CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT?

My Mizani hair sheen is wonderful. I don’t like heavy oil sheen on my hair so Mizani gives my hair that clean finish that doesn’t weigh my hair down.

WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU, HOW YOUR HAIR LOOKS OR THE HEALTH OF YOUR HAIR?

I would definitely say the health of my hair is more important. I do not want to be 50 yrs old with 2 strands left on my head lol.

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Regardless if you're relaxed or natural, what's most important is that your hair is healthy. I really believe that it's not always about the products you use on your hair but what you put in your body. Your hair is like a plant...you have to water it to grow. With that being said, drink plenty of water, exercise, and take care of yourself PERIOD!

Lata, CHAN, PJ1