Featured Natural: Ylenia Amore

PC: What is your name, age, and how long have you been natural?
Y: My name is Ylenia and I am 14 years old, but most people tell me that I look older. I've been natural for my whole life and i don't regret it, although sometimes it was hard being natural.

PC: Why are you natural? 

Y: I live in Germany and here, most of the girls have blonde straight hair. I like to be different than the others, so I decided to stay natural. Also, I don't like how I look with straighten hair... My curls are my favourite accessory ;-)

PC: How do you feel about your hair?
Y: Many years ago my hair wasn't that curly, but in the last years my curls got tighter. First, I was insecure about my curly hair. I always wanted straight hair like the others. I tried many different hair products but they didn't work, so I realized that I had to live with it. Some time ago I became friends with a girl, who had hair like mine. She showed me some other hair products and many hairstyles that I had never known. Now I see, that there are also cute hairstyles for curly haired girls and I really enjoy my hair.


PC: What products do you use?
Y: You see I am Italian but I live in Germany ... and there aren't as many hair products for curly hair as in other countries.

Here is a picture of my shampoo and conditioner. I don't use things like deep conditioners or moisturizers, because they don't really help .. I use normal hair gel, so that my curls stay in shape.



PC: What is your hair care routine?

Y: After I washed my hair with shampoo and used conditioner, I divide my hair into 4 layers and put gel in it and then I blow dry my hair a bit, not too much!! On the next morning I have to wet my hair and put gel in it again and let it air dry for 20 minutes. That's it!



PC: What are your favorite hairstyles?

PC: What has been the hardest part of your natural hair journey?
Y: It was to watch other curly haired girls having long hair. I cut my hair once and then after 2 years, when it was a bit longer, I cut it again. It was a really big mistake and I often had triangle hair. Now it's 2 years ago that I cut it and I am happy with my hair, but it could be a bit longer ;)


PC: What was your proudest natural moment?
Y: Normally, I can't just go out after I washed my hair and blow dried it. Some days ago, I had a photo shoot and I was a bit late, so I washed my hair and after I blow dried it a bit, I already had to go. When I arrived there, the photographer told me that my hair looked better this way. After I looked in the mirror, I saw that my hair really looked better than on the other days. The pictures were amazing and I was really proud of my curls that day.


PC: What tips/suggestions do you have for other naturals? 

Y: There were many pupils in my class, who told me that my hair was too big and I should straighten it. I didn't listen to them and now I have healthy curls. Why do I have to change my hair? I was born this way and don't forget that your curls are special and not everyone has it :) So, don't ruin your hair!! 




Wow! Ylenia has a head full of amazing, beautiful curls! I love how she is proud of embracing her curly hair amidst a sea of straight hair. Thanks so much for allowing me to feature you. Be sure to check out Ylenia's Tumblr blog, My Head Is Full Of Curls!