Hi Whitney, please introduce yourself!
My name is Whitney Rochette García Devers. I was born in Curaçao and raised in a Dominican family. At the age of six I moved with my family to Holland and we immediately settled in Rotterdam. Currently, I am a project manager at Unilever which is actually an internship. I work in the category Oral care. I study International Business and Languages at the University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam. From January this year until May this year I lived in Chico, California as part of a mandatory exchange program.
How long have you been writing?
Honestly, writing is my life. Since I was twelve I have been writing stories which I of course never shared with someone, because I was very shy back then. However, last year I really felt the urge to communicate with a group of readers. Thus, I started writing beauty and lifestyle articles for Vrouwen.nl which is a Dutch website focusing on women. Since I was writing monthly I decided to chase another dream: starting a fashion blog. In December 2013 I started Whitneyfromtheblogue and a couple of months ago I started a beauty and health blog, Curlsnlashes.
Texture does not define the beauty of your hair, but its health does.
How long have you worn your hair in its natural state?
In 2011 I stopped relaxing my hair. Nevertheless, I was not used to the texture of my roots. Hence, my mother recommended me to use a texturizer. Unaware of the consequences I used it multiple times…until 2013. My hairdresser did not understand why the relaxer was not going out of my hair, until I told her that I have been using a texturizer. She immediately informed me that a texturizer is the same as a relaxer. So actually I am a year natural now.
What is the naturally curly hair community like where you live?
Year after year, there are more naturals in the Netherlands. A few years ago the supply of curly hair products was very low, until the natural hair movement started. I think that this motivated more girls to stop relaxing their hair and to take profit of the great hair products which are now available in the Dutch market. Lots of people like the beauty of our curls and ask continuously questions related to hair care and products.
What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned when it comes to your hair?
Texture does not define the beauty of your hair, but its health does. At the beginning of my natural hair journey I was getting more and more disappointed when I noticed that my curls became smaller. It was so difficult to let my hair shine, but as time went on I realized that I was not taking care of my hair as I was supposed to. So I started embracing my hair type more, I started doing some research and at the end I started to get to know my hair. So please know, that the transitioning process is not easy you have to invest time as well as money.
Describe your everyday style.
I like both bohemian and edgy style of clothing. Sometimes I have a very colorful outfit and sometimes my clothes are pretty dark and mysterious. My make up style is natural, mainly because I have a nose ring. The piercing already grabs attention. Hence, I only apply some mascara, eyeliner and lip gloss. In the winter I wear somewhat more makeup, but overall I try to keep it calm and dreamy.
My favorite hairstyle is the curly afro or a high bun. The curly afro is the easiest for me to create, since it is the most natural state of my hair.
What are your favorite hair products right now?
At the moment I use the leave-in conditioner of Sheamoisture regularly. I love, love, love the co-wash of Sheamoisture as well, because it does not strip my hair and in cleanses it thoroughly. I love castor oil in order to seal my hair, it makes my hair real soft and shiny.
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Where can we find you online?
If you are interested in fashion, you can follow my fashion blog- Whitney from the blogue. For beauty and health, follow me and my friend at- Curlsnlashes
Blog- WhitneyFromTheBlog
