Laila-Jean Washington and Her Natural Hair (FusionOfCultures)

Laila-Jean Washington is proud to wear her natural hair. On her channel FusionOfCultures, her mission is “Helping black women to redefine their beauty by loving what God gave them.”

A London resident born and raised in Ghana, Laila is admired for her natural hair philosphy, ditching sulfate-free hair care products in favor of Ayurvedic treatments, and products containing shea butter, bentonite clay, bamboo monoi oil and herbal tea to moisturize her Afro mane and keep it healthy.

Acknowledging the challenges of maintaining an Afro, let alone styling it, Laila has opened her shower door wide open to let her viewers see how she goes through her wash day routine from start to finish. She has plenty of tips on how to wear hair like hers once its has gone through thorough washing, getting inspiration from modern hairstyles and old, like those of the revered queens of Africa.

Laila joined YouTube in December 2009, and her hair care and hairstyle tutorials have since been viewed more than 18 million times. Her 280,000 subscribers rely on her candid reviews of hair products and other hair accessories (like wigs), and advice on how to deal with problems that plague kinky or curly hair as well as challenges faced when transitioning from straight to natural hair.

But there’s more to her YouTube channel than her glorious mane. Laila occasionally offers life advice, shares her thoughts, and grants her audience a look into her travels abroad in her vlog “A Nubian Life.”