1. Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey.
My name is Merica Profit- 37 years old. I am a working mom of 2. I have a 4 year old daughter Bailee and 14 year old son Jacob. I have been married to my best friend Jacob for 13 years whom I met when I was 13. I am from Little Rock, AR. I enjoy hosting parties, I LOVE to have a great time, I enjoy family & friends but most importantly I talk A LOT it’s always a great conversation!
My hair journey is simple. I am a licensed cosmetologist who keeps her license up to take full advantage of great hair/beauty products. It’s crazy how my hair journey keeps me going because I have always changed my hair. I graduated from beauty school when I was 21 years old and I always wanted to do big things in the beauty and fashion world but never did. Once I embraced my natural hair I thought I could really do something that I absolutely love so off I went!
2. How long have you been natural? Have you always embraced your curls?
I have been natural for 2 1/2 years (2nd time around). I have embraced every single journey of my hair and I learned a lot along the way. I wore my natural hair for 13 years until I begged my mom for a relaxer at 13. I played sports back then so natural hair at that time only lasted a few days. Imagine you get a wash and press every Tuesday but by Friday you sweated and there goes those bangs! No YouTube, no tutorial just back to Big Poofy Hair. My mom would say “I thought you got your hair done”. So as a young girl I would wear different looks and I continue to do just that today.
3. What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
I transitioned from relaxed hair to natural with several chops along the way. I wanted a change because I have always enjoyed different looks but more importantly after I had my daughter my hair would shed so much from getting my hair flat iron regularly. It was long and pretty but I didn’t want to spend hours at the salon any longer and I got tired of cleaning out my sink.
4. How would you describe your hair?
My hair is big and wild. I have at least 2 different textures: curly and wavy. 4a-4b.
5. What do you love most about your hair?
I absolutely love the versatility.
6. What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
The most memorable is watching my fro get bigger and seeing how fabulous it is. My husband loves old urban movies and he would always say babe you would look so hot with your natural hair like ” FOXY CLEOPATRA”. At the time I laughed but I always thought about it. Going back to my natural state has been really easy because I only got relaxers 3 or 4 times per year. I have worn it short, long, straight, curly, layered….and so forth.
7. What are some of your favorite hairstyles?
I still rock my 2 strand twists. It’s my go to style because it’s simple, fast and my hair lasts all week if I let it.
8. What have your experiences been as a ‘natural.’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
As a natural I get the usual “can I touch it” I might have to do a matrix move on you if you are going for my head and I don’t know you. BLOOP!!
One memorable moment was at a drive thru and a young lady was like what kind of hair is that you are wearing? My reaction huh? What? The young folks had to school me on natural weaves. I didn’t know they wore them. I was kind to the lady because I really wanted my food.
9. What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
I am a busy mom so I wash every Sunday ( sometimes 2x week) it just depends.
I shampoo, condition, and use a leave in conditioner each week. No matter what style I wear I massage my scalp with coconut oil, I keep my hair stands moisturizer weekly too. My favorite products are DesignEssentials The Avocado Natural line works wonders for me. I also love SheaMoisture products. My absolute favorite utensil is my flat brush by Goodies. It detangles my hair with ease.
10. What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
I fell in love with TarenGuy from several years ago, her fro was inspiration. Naptural96 because she keeps is so simple. Moknowshair- why not, I live my color moments thru her. Right now my biggest crush is Chime Edwards- She is absolutely gorgeous and since she is from the south she understands all this heat and humidity that the southern naturals experience.
