Captured Curls: Model Ajolique Jude

I am very excited to feature this lovely lady! This week's second Captured Curls is my dear friend and model for my ALS brand, Ajolique. I must say this is a personal post for me because I went with Ajo to get her BC a couple months back. I am beyond proud of her decision to embrace her beautiful curls. Next week I plan on posting about Ajo's big chop experience; I have some great behind the scene footage of her hair chop. In the meantime please enjoy her newly natural story...

 Please, introduce yourself!

My name is Ajolique Jude. I am from Silver Spring, MD, but currently I reside in Towson, MD. I work as a model with Wilhelmina of PA. Aside from modeling, I love writing poetry, short stories and recently started recording some of my pieces as well. I am also the face of the lovely shopALS brand!

What is your current hair care regimen?

I am very low maintenance with my hair and my regimen is fairly simple. I shampoo and condition my hair about twice a week. Sometimes I’ll co-wash quickly in the shower if my hair is a bit dirty but doesn’t need a shampoo.

What is your hair type and what works best for your texture?

My hair type is 3c and fine, fine, fine. I often compare my hair to baby hair.  So what I’ve found is that it’s necessary for me to shampoo twice weekly because product/dirt seems to build up on my hair quickly and will start to irritate my scalp. Right now, my favorite shampoo and conditioner is Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo and Curl Junkie Beauticurls Strengthening Hair Conditioner. I swear by Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner for my wash and go days. It defines my natural curl pattern and doesn’t weigh down my curls at all. If I’m trying to elongate my curls and have even more definition/style, I love Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue. It works great on my hair type, and even the next day my curls look amazing with a little water spritzing!

What reaction did you get when you first decided to go natural or have you been relaxer free all your life?

I’ve never had a relaxer before because my hair is already really soft. I’m sure my hair would have fallen out if I ever attempted to relax it.

Did you big chop or transition, for how long? If you’ve always been natural, did you ever have any curly hair girl insecurities? If so, what helped you adjust to having naturally curly hair over the years?

I was moved to “big chop” on March 22^nd of this year. Before BC’ing, I was wearing my hair in a bob haircut, which required me to straighten my hair quite often. Although I’d worn a bob a few years before without any issues, this time my hair got severe heat damage. My curl pattern was completely ruined! So once I had about an inch and a half of new growth, I went to Salon Zoma in Silver Spring with Alex and chopped all of that dead hair off. I’ve never been the type to be super attached or obsessed with my hair so it wasn’t too big of a deal to me like it is for some women. My dad’s first reaction was pretty funny because he said I looked like my brother, but it’s definitely grown on him now. Everyone else immediately loved it! Thankfully my modeling agent likes it too and supports my quest for healthier hair. When I was younger I definitely had my insecurities about my curly hair because I had no clue how to style and manage it. My hair would look like a big ball of curly frizz so I hated wearing it out. Most days I would put in a bun or a ponytail so I wouldn’t have to deal with it. I used to be really envious of girls with really straight hair mostly because of my grandmother. She always preferred for me to wear my hair straight and would only compliment my hair when it was straightened. Eventually in college I finally started to embrace and love my curls because it made me different and unique. I’ve definitely grown to love my curls even more after my BC because my curls are healthier and more defined. I just love how healthy my hair feels now.

What makes you love your kinks, curls and coils?

I love my curls because they are uniquely mine. I’ve realized that there isn’t just one type of pretty hair and although I experience hair envy at times, I’m content with what God has given me. Whether you have kinky, curly, wavy or straight hair, there is beauty in each type. There are things I can’t do with my hair that women with kinkier hair can do. I wish I could wear a huge puff, but I know my fine hair just won’t sit up like that. And that’s absolutely fine! That’s the best part; my curls are beautiful in their own way. But most of all, I love my curl pattern.

Where can we find you on the web?

You can check out my writing on my personal blog, http://www.loveintheink.com. Also follow me on Twitter, @Ajolique.

Anything EXTRA you want us to know?

YES! I would love everyone’s support in my latest endeavor. I was chosen to be one of the Top 12 semi-finalists in a model search for Vanessa Simmons’ new lingerie line, Rose by Vanessa Jean. I will be traveling to LA June 4-8 to compete with the other girls to be one of the final 3 Rose Gals. Right now Vanessa has a voting system set up on her website that will count as part of the judging in LA. I really need to catch up in votes with the other girls and FAST. So if you could please follow this link: http://rosebyvanessajean.com/ajolique_jude.html

Instructions to vote: You must click the vote button AND share it with one of the listed social media (twitter, tumblr, facebook, google+, etc) in order for the vote to count!

While there, check out my video to find out why I want to be a Rose Gal and why you should choose me! I truly appreciate the outpouring of support from everyone and this experience has already been amazing and humbling. Thanks so much! You’re all helping me pursue a dream that I’ve had since I was 15 years old.