Captured Curls: Fran of Hey Fran Hey!

 I love love LOVE this curly girl. Fran of "Hey Fran Hey" is definitely on my Top 10 favorite natural chicas list. I've been trying to get this beauty and her mane on the blog for a while now and I am honored to have her story posted for your enjoyment! 

Please introduce yourself?

- My name is Francheska Kahlo Medina and I’m a natural living blogger from Harlem, NY.

What is your current hair regimen?

- I’m all about clean and organic products, no heat, no brushes or combs and super low manipulation of my strands. I finger-detangle with unrefined and organic extra virgin coconut oil in small sections. This ensures I have way less breakage in the shower while washing it. Wetting my hair while still tangled is always a hot mess. I then add deep conditioner, either Camille Rose Naturals’ “Algae Deep Conditioner” or the “Anti-Breakage Yucca & Boabab Masque” by Shea Moisture, and sit under my Huetiful Steamer for 20 min. I've found that my hair loves to be deep conditioned before being washed. I retain moisture way better that way! After my hair is finger-detangled, deep conditioned and steamed, I jump in the shower and co-wash with either the “White Camellia” conditioner by Aubrey Organics or the “Raw Shea Butter Restorative” by Shea Moisture. Removing shampoo from my hair regimen has minimized dryness and breakage and vastly improved my scalp health. If I feel I have some buildup by the end of the month, I clarify my hair with an apple cider vinegar and water rinse. As far as styling, if I’m going to do a wash & go, I use Camille Rose Naturals “Aloe Vera Whipped Gel” or “Kinky Curly Knot Today”. I then seal with pure Aloe Vera because it’s light enough to allow for big, obnoxiously voluminous hair (my fav) while still being effective at helping me seal in moisture and shine. If I’m doing a protective style like braids or twists, I swear by the Bee Mine “Curly Butter” or the “Unyevu Butter” by Belle Butters in these colder temps. I seal my ends with Jamaican Black Castor Oil.

When you travel how do you care for your hair?

- I’m the ultimate hippie so I don’t do much to my hair even when I’m not traveling. I usually keep my hair in twists if I’m going to be swimming a lot. The style is easy to re-do when necessary without having to wash it over and over again.

How would you describe your hair type?

- If you’re going by the hair chart, I would fall somewhere in the 3c range. My hair looks stringy and flat when wet but dries extremely huge and dense. I have pretty normal porosity so it’s never overly dry or oily.

What type of products work best for your curls?

- Like I said earlier, I’m huge on volume! I tend to stay away from products containing a large amount of oils since it can weigh my hair down. The all day wet hair look is not for me. I like light and fluffly leave-ins that are more water based or like soufflés and whipped consistencies. However, when protective styling I’m all about thick butters, like shea and cocoa, combined with rich oils. I don’t mind my hair being weighed down since it helps stretch and define my twists.

When did you first decide to go natural or have you been a curly girl all your life?

- I’ve never had a relaxer but I was constantly dyeing and straightening my hair. It started falling out and my edges were practically non-existent. Not to mention my curls were dull and highly heat damaged. I decided to stage an intervention on myself and threw my flat iron away! I embraced my natural curls and a healthier beauty regimen 5 years ago.

Did you big chop or transition? (If you transitioned, for how long?)

- I went from waist length hair to a short bob. My hair was a long disaster. It was worth it to just start over on a clean slate.

Did you ever struggle with curly girl insecurities? If so, what helped you adjust to your naturally curly hair over the years?

- Everyone in my family had long, straight hair so my big, loud curls always seemed hella out of place. I also didn’t know how to take care of them which didn’t help my case. My hair was always a dry colorful mess…lol. My interest in healthy eating and living, after a health scare, helped me embrace my hair. I realized I was eating really well and exercising but still using tons of chemicals on my head and skin. That’s like people who order a salad with a diet soda on the side. Something ain’t right with that logic! I decided to take a more holistic approach to beauty. I try to live as close to nature as possible, from the inside out.

What makes you love your kinks, curls and coils?

- Coils are just so beautiful when they’re healthy. They make everything you wear pop! There’s nothing like walking into a building or a train and watching everyone gasp at the awesomeness. What was the post you had on tumblr? The bigger the hair the harder they stare? That’s all there is to it!

Where can we find you on the web?

- I’m @heyfranhey on every social media site and my personal website is heyfranhey.com

Is there anything else you want to share?

- It may take a while to figure out the right products and techniques, but like everything in life…things that are worth it will always take work. Appreciate the struggle. It makes the fruit that much sweeter in the end!