Sade Stores: Hair-Versations with Charisse Christine

Sade Stores: Hair-Versations with Charisse Christine

Hair-Versations with Charisse Christine

"Hair-Versations" is a new series where I'll be interviewing my hair mentors and favorite hair vloggers as they share all about their hair journeys, favorite tips, words of encouragement, and more. Next up in this series is one of my dear friends, hair mentor, and inspiration, Charisse Christine from YouTube. Charisse Christine is a hair and lifestyle YouTuber based in Los Angeles, CA. She launched her channel seven years ago and since grown to 120k+ subscribers and over eight million channel views.

Her viewers came to her for advice on natural and relax hair, as well as tips on how to live a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Charisse has collaborated with brands such as Nordstrom, COVERGIRL, Barbie, Neutrogena, and Kohl's on national campaigns to increase their online presence. Thanks to her loyal fan base, Charisse has created a solid foundation for herself and has been able to build a community of uplifting, positive, and empowered woman all around the world.


Hi Charisse! When did you begin your healthy hair journey?

Hi Sade! I began my healthy hair journey about three or four years ago when I decided to officially stop relaxing my hair and transition to natural.


Have you always been passionate about hair?

Similar to many others, my hair has been a big part of my identity from a young age. I vividly remember convincing my mom to let me try and do my own hair one day before school when I was really young. As I got older, I was always interested in trying to learn and understand how to best take care of my hair. Once I really began to see results and started sharing my tips and tricks with others online to help them in their own healthy hair journeys, it quickly became a passion of mine!


Tell us about your YouTube channel Charisse Christine. I first discovered you on YouTube and you and your channel have been a tremendous help to my life and hair care journey.

I'm so happy to hear that! I started my channel in 2011 which has since then evolved into a hair and lifestyle channel where I talk about all things healthy hair and healthy lifestyle! I also love creating videos that combine the two together to share lifestyle tips that can have a direct effect on healthy hair.


What do you have coming up on your YouTube channel?

I'm working on bringing back one of my favorite and most requested series on my channel called "A Week In My Hair Journey" where I share what a realistic week in my hair journey looks like. It's so fun and refreshing to be able to share the honest thoughts, feelings, ups and downs, and day-to-day process of a healthy hair journey!


Tell us about your transition to natural hair.

The funny thing is that I began transitioning my hair without even knowing it. What I mean by that is I had stretched out my relaxer for a couple years before realizing that my new growth actually wasn't too difficult to deal with and that was when I made the decision that I didn't want or need to relax my hair any longer. After that I continued to grow out my relaxed hair. However, I did choose to heat style my hair on and off throughout the process, which I will say isn't the best decision for the hair while it is transitioning because of how delicate it can be. So, I definitely recommend going heatless if you can!



What are your favorite tips to help someone successfully transition back to natural?
First, I would say that one of the most important things is to always take your time and be patient with your hair when washing, detangling, and styling it. While you're transitioning, your hair is very fragile especially at the line of demarcation (the point where your new growth and relaxed ends meet). Do your hair in smaller sections than you would normally do and give yourself enough time to go slow and be careful. Don't rush! Second, find a few go-to protective styles to use throughout your transitioning process. It will make it so much easier and gentler on your hair. Third, find a routine and products that work for your hair and do your best to stick to it consistently. Lastly, be patient and don't give up!

What is hair porosity? How does someone find out what their hair porosity level is? And why do you think this is more important than the hair typing system?
Hair porosity is your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. There are three types of hair porosity: low, medium (normal), and high. Understanding your hair's porosity is more important, in my opinion, than the hair typing system because it tells you how your hair absorbs water, products, and any treatments you use on your hair. There are a few different ways to find out your hair's porosity level including "the float test" and "the spray bottle test" which you can find out how to do online!


What are the best ways to protect your hair from heat damage?

Preparing and protecting your hair before using heat on it is very important in order to reduce heat damage. Be sure to do a deep conditioning treatment beforehand, use a thermal heat protectant, and do your best to only do one or two passes of heat on each section. Also, if you blow dry your hair before you straighten it like I do, gently hold your sections taut and hold the blow dryer at a distance using warm heat to dry and blow out the hair instead of using a comb attachment directly on the hair strands.



You are a huge advocate of healthy and clean eating. How important is nutrition to haircare?
In my opinion, genetics play the biggest role in our hair followed by our chosen hair care regimen and nutrition. However, when we properly feed our hair the essential nutrients and vitamins it needs (Vitamins A, B, C D, and E, Iron, Zinc, and protein) to remain healthy and grow, it does help to make a difference and encourage faster growth. Actually, I recently created a video on my favorite recipe for a healthy hair growth smoothie that includes all of those essential vitamins and nutrients!



What are your current and long term hair goals?

My current hair goals are to rebuild any damaged bonds within my hair strands over the next few weeks along with taking a break from the heat! My long term hair goal is to reach tailbone length and continue to maintain strong, healthy hair.


We are inundated with beautiful hairstyles and models on social media. How important is it to not compare your hair or hair care journey to others?

It's super important! There is just such a large spectrum of unique hair textures, curl patterns, etc. and a combination of all of those factors that make up a person's hair type and while there's no problem admiring someone else's, it's more empowering to embrace our own. Of course, that can be easier said than done, but I always recommend following or subscribing to others who have a similar hair type as you to help you feel inspired and supported in your journey!


When and what was your last hair setback, and how did you come back from it?

To be honest, I would actually say that I'm going through a bit of a setback currently! As you know, I am natural and choose to heat style my hair about once or less a month. While I do use a few super helpful techniques to minimize heat damage that have helped tremendously, over time I've gotten some heat damage mostly on the top portions of my hair. I'm working on nursing those hair strands back to health by using an amazing reconstructing treatment once or twice a week along with minimizing my use of heat styling.


What is one of your favorite hairstyles?

One of my favorite hairstyles is definitely a sleek top knot bun. It's just so convenient, easy, and cute!




What are you currently working on or have coming up that you'd like to share with our readers?
I've been cookin' up lots of new hair videos and content on my YouTube channel that will be released throughout the remaining months of the year and into next year! It's the most hair content I've ever put out and I'm super excited about continuing to build this beautiful hair community that is all about healthy hair and supporting other women in their own hair journeys no matter how you choose to wear and style your hair!


Thank you Charisse for your time and being a part of our new "Hairversations" Series on IC Fantasia's official blog! Your beautiful energy is seen and felt even in your videos and throughout your social media, and I am thankful to have you as a friend.

Thank you SO much for including me in this super fun series! Continue to shine! X



To follow more of Charisse's hair care journey, follow her online:

YouTube

Instagram

Twitter



<3 Team Fantasia


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