Stewarding the Crown: A Conversation on Healthy Hair

Interview with Sister Samantha

In a culture flooded with hair trends, expensive products, and constant pressure to “fix” our hair, many women feel overwhelmed and disconnected from what healthy hair truly requires. In this candid conversation, Sister Samantha shares her lifelong hair journey and reminds us that healthy hair is not complicated—it is rooted in patience, consistency, and stewardship.

The Interview

TCWM: Can you share your personal hair journey? When did your healthy hair journey begin?

Sister Samantha:
Believe it or not, my healthy hair journey started when I was twelve. I’ve always taken care of my hair. One of the main things I learned early on was not to do a lot of combing or brushing with tools. I mostly finger-comb my hair to detangle it so I don’t break my ends.

At night, when I was younger, I would moisturize my hair and put it into a French braid. Now that my hair is longer, I usually do two twists instead—but the purpose is the same: protecting my ends and locking in moisture.

TCWM: Have you ever chemically treated your hair?

Sister Samantha:
Yes. When relaxers became popular, I eventually convinced my parents to let me get one—but it wasn’t a good experience. It burned my scalp and took out my edges, even when I used sensitive formulas. That was a clear sign I never should have had it.

In college, I cut my hair very short and even bleached it. But when I grew it back, I went back to what I knew worked—gentle handling, moisture, and consistency.

TCWM: What does your wash and moisture routine look like now?

Sister Samantha:
I shampoo and condition, but I only detangle while the conditioner is in my hair. I rinse with lukewarm water instead of hot so the moisture stays in. After washing, I don’t rub my hair with a towel—I pat it dry with a T-shirt so it stays damp.

That dampness is important because moisture has to be locked in. I use a cream moisturizer and mix it with a small amount of oil in my hands, then apply it starting at my ends and working upward. When you do it that way, the moisture can last two to three days.

TCWM: How often do you wash your hair?

Sister Samantha:
Not often. Everyone’s scalp is different, so you have to listen to yours. When I was growing my hair intentionally, I washed every two weeks—and it grew very fast.

Our natural scalp oils help our hair grow. Over-washing strips the hair and dries it out. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your hair is leave it alone.

TCWM: Do you use expensive or specialty products?

Sister Samantha:
No. I use basic, store-bought products. I’ve used the same products many of us grew up with. It’s not about the product—it’s about what you’re doing with it.

I might spend fifteen to twenty dollars a month on haircare. I use a cream moisturizer, oil, and a detangling spray. I’ll add essential oils like tea tree for scalp health, peppermint for stimulation, and rosemary for growth—but I keep it simple.

TCWM: How do you approach trimming and heat styling?

Sister Samantha:
I flat iron my hair once a year, and that’s when I trim my ends. The rest of the year, my focus is on keeping my ends moisturized so I don’t need to cut a lot later.

Hair grows from the root, but length is retained at the ends. Moisture is the key.

TCWM: What does your nighttime routine look like?

Sister Samantha:
At night, I re-dampen my hair if needed, moisturize it, and put it into two twists or bantu knots. I wear a satin or silk scarf so the fabric doesn’t absorb the moisture.

How I set my hair at night determines how I wear it the next day. My nighttime routine is really my styling routine.

TCWM: What are some common haircare mistakes women make?

Sister Samantha:
Coloring—especially blondes and reds that require bleach—is a big one. Bleach is extremely damaging if you don’t know how to keep your hair moisturized afterward.

Another mistake is constant combing and brushing. Hair sheds naturally, but excessive manipulation causes breakage. I’d rather see full strands shed than broken ends.

TCWM: How do you define protective styling?

Sister Samantha:
Protective styling doesn’t mean adding more hair. I protect my hair with my hair. Twists, bantu knots, roller sets—those are protective styles when done correctly.

Learning how your natural hair behaves gives you freedom instead of limitation.

TCWM: How does caring for your hair connect to faith and self-worth?

Sister Samantha:
I nurture my hair with love. I’m gentle with it because it’s my glory. When you treat your hair with patience and care, it responds.

That mindset extends beyond hair—it’s stewardship. If the Most High gave it to us, then He intended for us to learn how to care for it.

TCWM: What encouragement would you give to women who feel discouraged?

Sister Samantha:
Be brave enough to learn how to care for your hair. Someone can teach you.
Be consistent long enough to see the growth happen—and once it does, stick with it.

Hair is meant to grow. Stop chasing trends and start using wisdom. You don’t need more products—you need understanding.

Closing

This conversation reminds us that healthy hair is not achieved through excess, but through faithful care practiced consistently. When we slow down, simplify, and steward what we’ve been given, growth follows—quietly, steadily, and beautifully.