Meet Sandria Washington

Name: Sandria M. Washington
Age: 30
From: Chicago, IL (United States)
Founder of: My So-Called Writer's Life blog; writer/model
Natural Since: 2002
Locked Hair Since: 2005

You have beautiful hair! What is your hair regimen?

Thanks so much for the compliment!  Honestly, I take a very 'hands off'' approach to my hair – very low maintenance. I typically have my locs tightened every 4 to 6 weeks. My primary loctician, "Shanny," started my locs nearly six years ago and it's because of her that I am addicted to using Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap to shampoo my hair. You have not experienced the feel of clean until you've washed your locs with Dr. Bronner's (and the peppermint is a nice aromatherapy bonus)! Between maintenance, I'll oil my scalp once a week. I was so much of a product and styling junkie before I went natural, but now I've learned that less really is more.

What is your favourite hairstyle and why?

Well, when my locs were shorter I dreamed of the day I could get all of my hair into one ponytail. That day finally came a couple of years ago, but now that my hair is long enough to do way more exciting things than a ponytail, that's usually the style you'll find my hair in. I guess I should have dreamed bigger. But, I love experimenting with new styles. 

What is My So-Called Writer's Life and what inspired you to you start it?

My So-Called Writer's Life is my blog that's part of the ChicagoNow.com network. It's the home of all-things-Sandria. I've been in love with reading and writing since I was able to do those things, and began freelance writing in 2002 (which coincides with the time I went natural). I've had the opportunity to write for some great online and print outlets and interview everyone from local entrepreneurs to internationally known artists like Laz Alonso, Eric Benet, Malcolm-Jamal Warner (and Kanye even waved in my direction in a club once). When I would write for other people and about other people, I always felt this pressure to write in a certain format or sound a certain way. I started this blog in an attempt to just sound like ME. I wanted the liberty to write about whatever I wanted, however I wanted--from serious topics like being a caretaker to my mother, to the utterly random and mundane like posts on hating my feet as a kid or anaylzing Drake lyrics.

Do you believe natural hair takes a lot more time to manage? 

I've saved so much time and money since going natural. Pre-locs I had to spend a few hours once a week doing two-strand twists or blowouts, which was nothing compared to the time I spent waiting in salons to get my hair relaxed for nearly 20 years. These days, it really is get-up-and-go for me. I spend more time ironing my clothes in the morning than I do whipping my hair up in a ponytail (lol).

What do you love and hate most about your natural hair?

On some level, I believe I hated my hair as a child. There's even an incident with me cutting my bangs off after playing in the water because my hair started to "go back" and I was trying to cut the naps out. At the end of the day, I love my hair. No hate here.

I love that my locs don't really look like anyone else's. My hair is just as unique as I am. I love the versatility of my hair. I love that, depending on where I am, I'm displaying that locs can be work appropriate, sexy, elegant, fashion show haute couture,  hip hop and  mainstream-friendly. My hair has opened up so many opportunites, such as ad campaigns (Entwine Naturale Coiffure Collezioni) and hair shows (1st Place award-winning model, 2010 World Natural Hair, Health & Beauty Show).

What should we expect from you and your writing in the future? 

I know there are books and other projects inside of me fighting to get out! I would love to create a sitcom, write for theater and start a literacy-based nonprofit. In the meantime, you can expect more blog posts, a celebrity interview every once in awhile, creative writing workshops (specifically working with youth) and more steps toward those greater projects.

Where can you be found online?

Please check out my blog at www.chicagonow.com/mysocalledwriterslife, follow me on Twitter @sochilitetimes or friend me on Facebook.