NaturallyCurly: How long have you been natural?
Gina: I’ve been natural for five years.
When did you start embracing your curls?
Gina: I started to embrace my natural texture when I was at a university. I was surrounded by new experiences and new people who helped me to embrace other forms of beauty in myself and in others.What inspired you to install loc extensions?
Gina: I’ve always wanted locs, but I was never sure because I like to change my hair a lot. The idea of trying out the style was such an authentic and easy method. I was inspired by vloggers Alex Elle and Im Shine Struck who have some great tutorials.What’s your daily routine?
Gina: I try to keep things as simple and natural as possible. I’m currently using a mixture of water, cocoa oil, and Haitian castor oil that I concentrate on my scalp and roots daily. I use a similar method when my hair is loose. I seal in my oil and water mixture with organic coconut oil.
What’s your nighttime routine?
Gina: Again, I apply the oil and water mixture. Then I use a satin scarf for the trusty pineapple method to protect my hair.What are your favorite products?
Gina: Coconut oil and castor oil are my favorite products. I’m fortunate enough to try a lot of hair products but I always go back to simple oils, powders, and butters.What is your favorite DIY hair recipe?
Gina: Flaxseed gel was great when my hair was loose. I like simply DIY recipes that are effective. My mixture would consists of 1/2 cup of Organic Golden Linseed (flaxseeds”>, 2 cups of water, and 1 Tbsp of aloe vera gel (great for added moisture”>.
What ingredients does your hair love?
Gina: Good old H2O and coconut oil always leave my hair soft.
What ingredients does your hair hate?
Gina: Heavy products like glycerin don’t work for me. My hair seems to reject it and it’s left very dry and brittle.
How do the seasons affect your regimen?
Gina: I use my moisturizing and sealing winter regimen year-round. The summer months are short and we get a lot of rain in the UK. Protective styles with clip-in extensions to Marley braids have really saved me since becoming a mummy.Being a mother can call for a hectic schedule. What are your go-to styles?
Gina: I think it’s great that many women still maintain high maintenance hairstyles but I’m definitely very low maintenance now. Though installation of faux locs or Marley braids can take time, you can pretty much leave your hair for up to eight weeks with little intervention.
How do you care for your daughter’s hair?
Gina: I leave her hair to do as it pleases. She is still very young and her hair is still changing. I wash her hair once a week and use water and a little moisturizer when needed but I’m very low maintenance with her hair.
We noticed that your Instagram is culture driven. How does culture influence how you care for your hair?
Gina: I think we can take a lot from our African heritage in terms of how we care for our hair. I’m currently obsessed with the Himba tribe from Namibia. They use red clay to protect skin and hair from harsh climates. I take a lot of inspiration for styling my hair from many of the tribes across the African continent. I think it’s important to reclaim styles such as braiding and hair adornment as a nod to my heritage. It also looks amazing.
What inspired you to start blogging?
Gina: Discovering new things and being passionate about natural hair and beauty.
What do you like most about blogging?
Gina: Sharing my discoveries and learning new things.
Do you have any advice for new natural hair bloggers?
Gina: Blog about what you know and with honesty. Remember you don’t have to be everything to everyone.
What is your number one piece of advice for women with curly hair and loc extension?
Gina: Keep it simple.
You can find Natural Belle online here:
