I would like to introduce you to our first lovely Blogger Naturalista: Naturally Leslie from www.naturallyleslie.blogspot.com. I personally love her blog…read on and you’ll see why she is super great! : ) [Note: She recently wrote an excellent article for The Coil Review about envying curl patterns/hair types of other naturals..Check it out!]
Natural Chica: How long have you been natural? And if you haven’t been natural your whole life, what prompted you to make the change?
Naturally Leslie: I have been natural for 10 years. My junior year in high school I decided that I did not want to continue going through life without knowing my natural texture. I felt like I was missing out on something that I needed to try so I could be complete! I cut my hair the day after my high school graduation after growing it out my senior year. I straightened it too much, though, and ended up cutting it all off again in 2007, down to about 2 inches. So the hair I have now is from 2007 forward.
Natural Chica: Do you feel that anything changed in your life (i.e. Boost in confidence) when you became all natural?
Naturally Leslie: I did experience a change but confidence did not come at first. There were no blogs, sites or other resources for natural hair like there are now so I had to come up with styles, choose products, and just do the best I could all on my own. After a while, I did gain confidence as I learned what worked best and how to style my hair. I also noticed many of my close friends and family members going natural around me so I felt good knowing I had inspired them.
Natural Chica: When and why did you start your blog?
Naturally Leslie: I started my blog in January of 2009. I stumbled on another woman’s blog and after reading for a while I noticed a button at the top that said create a blog. At first I was nervous because I did not know what to expect but that is what made me want to try. I felt like it was a new year and I saw it as a challenge for myself to be open and out there. So I started and the rest is history!
Natural Chica: What types of topics do you post on your blog?
Naturally Leslie: Lately I have been doing posts about hair. But I started the blog with the intention of it NOT being only about natural hair. There are a ton of great blogs out there already doing just hair so I wanted to talk about politics, culture, society, etc.
Natural Chica: What do you love most about blogging?
Naturally Leslie: I really love meeting new people and learning that something I posted really helped another woman on her journey. I have made some great friends from it and it really connected me to new ventures.
Natural Chica: How would you describe your hair?
Naturally Leslie: My hair is thick, super coily/curly and big! If I had to put it in the typing categories, I would say it is mostly 4a with some 4b and 3c. It is a mixture of lots of textures and shrinks like crazy! It can do anything pretty much and I love it. Sometimes it is difficult to work with but I challenge myself to keep at it, even after 10 years, so that it can thrive to its fullest potential.
Natural Chica: What are 5 products your hair can’t live without?
Naturally Leslie: I love my shea butter/coconut oil combo for sure! I also like any oil like olive, jojoba or grape seed. I NEED Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner and Aubrey’s Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner.
Natural Chica: What words would you leave with someone who is thinking about going natural?
Naturally Leslie: You owe it to yourself to at least give it a try! Even if you decide it is not “for you” as some people say, it was made specifically for you and nature always looks best, whether it be color or texture. I didn’t realize that one day I would feel so much more comfortable with my natural hair than relaxed hair but I do. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat and I can;t imagine ever being without my hair in its natural state. I love it!
Natural Chica: Do you have any other electronic means that we can use to keep up with your natural journey? (i.e. YouTube, Fotki)
Naturally Leslie: I have a fotki but I do not update it too much!
Thank you so much Leslie for taking the time to tell us a bit about yourself!! Keep on blogging! : )
Izzy 
her hair is to die for! so thick and gorgeous!
Thanks so much for the post, I am totally flattered!!!
I love her hair. I first read her blog a little while ago, but since seeing your feature, I've added her to my Google Reader. Seeing others doing cool things with their hair keeps me inspired to not just settled for pulling my hair back in a puff.
I also likes that she blogs about various things besides the natural.
Wow shes beautiful..plus beautiful natural hair (double wow)… cool article!