![Duchess Gabrielle’s #NaturallyCurly Guru Tag](https://live-essnc.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/09/oj_Duchess-Gabrielle-250x3001-1.jpg)
NaturallyCurly: How long have you been natural?
Gabrielle: I have been natural for a little over three years.
When did you start embracing your curls?
Gabrielle: It was a gradual process. I went from absolute panic when I big chopped to curiosity and finally passion when it comes to my hair. Somewhere in there I just fell in love.
What’s your daily hair routine?
Gabrielle: I lightly spray a leave-in conditioner then roll, tuck, and pin my hair. I am a little styling challenged but I’m working on it.
What’s your nighttime routine?
Gabrielle: I moisturize with an herbal tea, finish with a water based herbal hair crème, and then put my hair in chunky braids. I always wear a satin scarf and lay on a satin pillowcase just in case.
What is your favorite hair recipe?
Gabrielle: My favorite hair recipe would be the one product that has most transformed my hair, which is the leave-in conditioner spray. I use a blend of mucilaginous and moisturizing herbs in conjunction with aloe vera juice and water-soluble shea butter. It’s also multi-purpose – works as detangler, leave-in conditioner, and refreshing sprits. Gabrielle: My favorite hair recipe would be the one product that has most transformed my hair is the leave-in conditioner spray. I use a blend of mucilaginous and moisturizing herbs in conjunction with aloe vera juice and water-soluble shea butter. It’s also multi-purpose – works as detangler, leave-in conditioner, and refreshing sprits.
What ingredients does your hair love?
Gabrielle: I would say herbs, herbs, and more herbs. My hair tends to favor oils as well.
What ingredients does your hair hate?
Gabrielle: My hair hates silicones and commercial gels mostly. I avoid heavy conditioners because they weigh down my light density (thin”> hair.
How do the seasons affect your regimen?
Gabrielle: Since my regimen is mostly plant-based, I don’t alter my regimen that much. The only difference is in the winter I add a thick butter to coat my hair. Other than that, I just switch the herbs around depending on my mood mostly.What are your go-to styles?
Gabrielle: The roll, tuck, and pin is my main go-to style. Although I think I finally have understood the concept of twisting so styling twists is next on my list. Since my regimen is mostly plant-based, I don’t alter my regimen that much.
How has your healthy diet affected the health of your hair?
Gabrielle: From the beginning I understood that blood is the critical link between the hair and the rest of the body. And whatever is present in the blood, whether toxins or nutrients, is transferred to the hair root, which determines hair growth. I have always paid attention to what I eat, but it was reinforced by the fact that I wanted to have healthy hair.
What inspired you to start vlogging?
Gabrielle: I saw a lot of people with my texture, which made me so hopeful of the potential my hair had. But as my hair got longer, I realized that although the texture was the same, my thickness didn’t measure up to my mentors. I realized I had thin hair, an element that was unspoken for in the social forums. I figured I might be able to help guide others, just like I was guided.
How did you keep your content fresh?
Gabrielle: I am naturally very curious. For me it’s not enough that my hair is growing – I want to know why and how. It’s not enough to know that my hair needs conditioner – I want to know why and how the conditioner works with hair. So off I go down the rabbit hole every time.
What do you like most about vlogging?
Gabrielle: I like sharing discoveries with the community, which triggers conversations with fellow hair enthusiasts.
Do you have any advice for new natural hair vloggers?
Gabrielle: The first one is definitely integrity. Your content must be sincere. Second, in order to stay relevant you must bring something fresh or a different angle to the table. The beauty of it is no two heads of hair are 100% alike so there’s always something to learn from each other. Third, your voice is just as valid as that guru with a gazillion subscribers. Give your thoughts a voice but without bashing anyone else’s. Fourth, start where you are with what you have but most of all just start now. You’ll go through changes and adjust as you learn and evolve. Fifth, follow your bliss and have fun.
Any upcoming projects/events you’d like to tell us about?
Gabrielle: I have been working on a hair crème for the past year. The initial recipe is shared on YouTube. There has been such an overwhelming demand for this crème so I decided to go into production for sale. The crème should be out in the market beginning March 10, 2014.
What is your number one piece of advice for women with curly hair?
Gabrielle: You have to establish a relationship with your hair, which means you have to listen to it, accept it, and love it unconditionally. This is the only way to successfully care for your hair.You can find Gabrielle online here: