Alexandra, Actress from Brooklyn

Meet Alexandra in her own words...

From relaxed to natural ...
My relaxed hair was pretty long (bra strap length), I cut it to chin length so I could manage it better, as the relaxed pieces of my hair became more brittle. I did 2 strand twist sets most of the time until I was ready for my big chop in 2006. My last relaxer was in spring 2005.

My hair care regimen ...
Depends on what's going on with my hair. If I have cornrows or twists I can go for 2 weeks without washing my hair. When it's loose, I cowash it every couple of days and clarify at the end of the week.
I deep condition once a week, trim my hair every two months and I straighten my hair maybe 3 or 4 times a year tops. For the most part, I only do it for roles if a costume designer asks me to do it for a part I'm playing. I've never colored or dyed my hair. I really want to try. As for my favorite hairstyle, I love wearing my natural curl in a loose afro letting my hair do it's own thing

Hair secrets ...
My kitchen is my beauty supply when it comes to deep conditioning: any mix of honey, eggs, mayo, avocado, olive oil and l'huille maskerti (haitian "super oil").

Favorite products ...
I use Shea butter after I wash my hair every time. It leaves my hair so soft. Miss Jessie's Baby Butter Creme is a god send, Cantu leave in conditioner, Beautiful Beginnings detangler are mainstays on my dresser.

Favorite hair place ...
I went to Miss Jessie's and fell in love! Only I can't afford to go there regularly. I style my hair myself for the most part and I'm lucky that I live near tons and tons of beauty supply stores in Brooklyn. Ricky's is also great for curly hair products. For a blowout, I go to Fantasy Hair Spa in Harlem because they get my hair straight, but don't murder it to the point where my curls don't snap back.

More Alexandra...
As an actress, I love the versatility my natural hair gives me. Going natural is one of the best decisions I've made. I in a show: Alfred Preisser and Randy Weiner’s CALIGULA MAXIMUS, currently running at La MaMa’s Ellen Stewart Theatre through April 10th in New York. Scheduled performances are on Thursday and Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 8pm and 10pm, through April 10th. Tickets are $30, $25 for students and seniors and can be purchased online at www.lamama.org or by calling the box office at 212.475.7710. For more information, visit www.caligulamaximus.wordpress.com.