Chances are if you’re newly natural or a veteran curly girl, your MacBook browser has pointed to curlynikki.com at some point during your natural hair journey. As one of the founding mothers of the natural hair blog movement, Nikki Walton has made an indelible mark on the curly-haired community.
If you’re new to Nikki or are overwhelmed by the thousands of posts on her blog, you’ll be happy to know she’s bundled up the goodness of her site into her new book, Better Than Good Hair, which hits shelves today! In honor of the book’s release, ESSENCE is hosting a giveaway and two lucky readers will walk away with a brand-new copy. Make sure you follow us on Twitter, @Essencemag, for your chance to win.
We were so thrilled to hear about the book release that we had to get the scoop on the book and ask Nikki to share a few never-before-revealed tips on her hair care regimen. Cause, um, yea…her curls stay poppin’!
ESSENCE.com: What inspired you to write Better Than Good Hair?
NIKKI WALTON: The book is a companion piece to the blog. All the info is in one very organized place within arm’s reach. Four years of daily posts can become overwhelming for a newbie or someone thinking about going natural. There is a LOT of content out there. Even the well-seasoned natural can get lost when she’s looking for very specific information.
ESSENCE.com: What is the best part of being a blogger?
NIKKI: The joy of saving the last nerve of the tens of thousands of women fighting off information overload. When I first started blogging, there was hardly any info. Now, there’s enough to fill an encyclopedia. Everybody doesn’t have time for that!
ESSENCE.com: Why are you most proud of your blog?
NIKKI: Because it’s about more than hair — it’s about a lifestyle. My readers are tech savvy, beautiful, educated Black women that are empowering and supporting each other, not tearing each other down.
ESSENCE.com: What is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to you as a result of your blog?
NIKKI: Rubbing elbows with, not only celebs, but idols. John Legend, Tracee Ellis Ross, Chaka Khan. If you would have told me a few years ago I could call some of these celebs my friends, I’d have looked at you sideways. Not only that, but being able to have a book published has been awesome! Being an author is pretty cool.
ESSENCE.com: What are your three favorite blogs to read other than your own?
NIKKI: Aroundthewaycurls, So Delicious and Funny or Die.
ESSENCE.com: What is the funniest comment you’ve ever received on a blog post or via email from a reader?
NIKKI: The funniest ish? Every week I compile the previous week’s #NaturalMoments. There are too many to list, but if you ever need a Monday morning laugh, tune in ‘cause my girls get into some foolishness!
ESSENCE.com: If you could write a non-beauty related post, what would it be about?
NIKKI: My daughter, Boogie! Again, the blog is about more than hair and much to my reader’s dismay, they get to read all about my mommyhood misadventures — poop, drool, national geographic boobs, everything.
ESSENCE.com: What’s your strangest hair obsession that your readers would be surprised to know?
NIKKI: So yeah, I can’t rest my head unless it’s on satin or silk which means my neck is often rather stiff. I rarely lean back on my headrest in the car, on the couch or wherever. It’s become such a habit that I don’t even think about it anymore. I definitely have Superwoman neck muscles now!
ESSENCE.com: If you could interview anyone in the world, who would it be?
NIKKI: Queen Bey or Michelle Obama. Duh.
ESSENCE.com: What was your biggest hair splurge ever?
NIKKI: Too many to count. Some were failures, others successes. It’s my money, I spend it, and usually on my hair. It’s one of my vices, and since I don’t spend tons on other things, I allow myself this one thing.
Better Than Good Hair is on sale now on Amazon! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, @Essencemag, for your chance to win a copy of the book on its release date, Tuesday, January 29.