Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care

CN: Are you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I am definitely a long transitioner! This month ‘officially’ makes 1-year. But as I write, I realize that it has been more like 14-months! I had braids for most of the summer of 2009. When I took my braids out I just could not bring myself to put anymore cream crack in my head! So I began to search for other ways to style my hair straight without relaxing. I came across Diva Smooth. For me at the time, I really didn’t realize I was transitioning; I just wasn’t relaxing. My 13-year old decided she no longer wanted a relaxer. I was shocked! She had only had a relaxer for 2 years but just hated the process.



With the Diva Smooth I was able to wear my hair the same way without chemicals. Then this summer, I unexpectedly went home to New Orleans (the humidity capital of the south!!!). I was home for the death of my step-father and my mother and I had several errands to run in preparation for the funeral. I had washed my hair the night I arrived and flat-ironed as usual. My hair was gorgeous, then I walked outside and it puffed up. We were out and about and no help in sight! We stopped at a store similar to Marshall’s. I grabbed a wrap and threw it on my head. The wrap was really big, so I twisted and did a big bun in the bag. It was fly! This was when I wrestled with going to get a box of creamy crack or embracing my hair in its natural state. For the rest of the week, I experimented with different styles; mostly a French roll or my wrap.

I called my girlfriend back in DC that is natural too. She told me if I could go without the relaxer in the ‘Big Easy’ (N.O.) then I could definitely do it when I got back. And I did. As soon as I returned home, I hit the internet researching and came across CN!!! It was like the light bulb went off. I had seen some other sites but CN had so much information. This is when I realized that I had been ‘transitioning’ all this time but not in the best way with so much heat usage.

Immediately I began trying twist-outs, Bantu knots and roller sets. The twist-n-curl is fast becoming my favorite.

CN: When do you plan to BC?
I probably won’t BC; not because I’m scared or anything, but I have had short hair for the past 20 years. It is never been a big thing for me to cut my hair and keep it moving! I always seemed my most confident when I rocked a short do; especially when I cut it down like Jada in the last scene of ‘Set It Off’! But I’m going on 40 and actually having hair is a BIG change for me, so I have decided to transition as long as possible, but I can’t stay away from the scissors. I find when my wiry relaxed ends stick out; I just pull out the scissors and cut away!!!

CN: How have family and friends reacted to the new you? How have you responded to them?
Surprisingly, my family has been very supportive. My husband doesn’t have a preference as long as I’m happy. My 13 year old daughter has been supportive and envious. She started transitioning at the same time I did but gave up after 4 months. Now she is starting over and mad that she didn’t hang in there when she sees my twist-outs. Co-workers (mostly Caucasian) are mesmerized; not quite sure how to react. My friends are supportive and encourage me every step of the way!

CN: What is your transition routine?
At first, my routine was using Diva Smooth (basically a DC) and flat-ironing my hair once a week after co-washing with Wen and doing a DC every Sunday. I would then wrap my hair at night and wear it straight. Now I co-wash with Wen on Saturdays and deep condition with Olive Oil deep conditioner under a heat cap for 15-20 minutes. I use Infusium leave-in con and style. I use Cantu Shea Butter on the ends. I have also just done Henna and am loving it!



CN: What is your staple hair style during the transition?
Until recently, it was flat-ironing. Now I wear a twist-out or twist-n-curl using Aveda Defining Whip Cream or Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue.

CN: How do you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
Even though I was using some heat with the Diva Smooth, the process had my hair healthier than it had been in a long time with the relaxer. Everyone comment on how healthy my hair was. I love the Rosemary and Tea Tree shampoos that came with the kit and the virgin coconut oil. I use herbal oil by Oasis for moisture and a little shine.

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
My girlfriend laughs at me because 10 years ago when she told me she was going to stop relaxing, I laughed at her and told her, “You go ahead. I’ll never do that.” Uh! I learned never to say never.

I had been doing my relaxer myself for some years and had over processed. I started to see holes in my temple area. No matter what I did, the spots would not grow back; even when I regularly went to a professional.

Over the past few years I have been trying to become more health-conscious. In doing so, I realized how damaging relaxers are. My daughter really gave me the final incentive when she started researching relaxers and how damaging it is for us. When she decided, I admired her and forged ahead as well. It has been the best decision I’ve made about my hair in years. I am once again become confident with my hair (I was probably most comfortable when it was all cut off). Now, I love the puzzled looks as I rock my twist-n-curl!!!

I, like so many sisters, had the fear of being in the corporate world and conforming our natural selves to the ‘system’. Now, I am embracing my hair’s beauty and the new freedom of doing so!

I'm a 21 year old college student majoring in journalism in the beautiful southern state of North Carolina. So far I have been natural for about 7 months. I decided to go back to my natural roots due to my crazy and uncontrollable hair breakage. I remember I would get a relaxer just about every single month and was becoming addicted to having straight, beautiful hair (I thought straight was the only beautiful then). With my hair shedding and becoming too wild for me to handle, I knew I had to make a change.

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I was definitely a long term transitioner. I was skeptical about having very short hair (it would be the very first time in my life), so I figured a long transition was a way for me to gradually prepare for the change in texture and length. I first decided to go natural back in January of 2009, unfortunately I became frustrated after 5 months (due to lack of research) and ended up relaxing my hair in May 2009....if there was anything that solidified my decision to go natural...it was relaxing my hair again. As soon as the relaxer touched my hair I knew I was making the wrong decision...that was my last relaxer.


CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
I recently BC'd June 26th, 2010 after 13 months of transitioning. What initially was going to be a "trim" turned into a complete BC! I had finally reached the peak of my frustration trying to manage two different textures. Doing the BC was just so liberating, I didn't feel trapped by my hair anymore, I could finally REALLY begin my journey into having healthier hair. I won't lie though, initially I was pretty shocked. I lost a lot of hair that day... it was a big adjustment and as time goes on I become more confident and comfortable, not only with my hair, but with myself as well.



CN: How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
My close family and friends LOVED it! My friends embraced the new hair and my father, oh forget it, he just loves his daughter's new look... being that he lives in VA and I live in NY, he saw the big change via facebook and he called me just to say "I just love the new hair, you look beautiful".

CN: What was your transition routine?
I co-washed my hair once a week with Herbal Essences Hello Hydration and Deep Conditioned with Pantene ProV's Breakage Defense mask. As a moisturizer I used Elasta QP's Mango Butter or Jane Carter's Nourish & Shine. I tried my best to keep the two textures moisturized and Elasta QP's Mango Butter definitely worked well with both textures. Other than that, I just always kept a satin bonnet/scarf handy, those were my best friends!

CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
Bantu knot out, bantu knot out, bantu knot out, I livedddd by these! As time went on the new growth became a little stubborn so I crossed over to 2 flat twists (inspired by chisellecouture YT)

CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
Due to me naturally having dry hair I moisturized my hair with water, water, water, Mixed Chicks Leave In Conditioner, Coconut Oil and that good ole satin bonnet.

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
I chose to go natural because while I was relaxed I noticed my hair was beginning to thin out and even though I was retaining length my hair was breaking off rapidly. I wanted healthier, stronger hair. At first I was concerned about the length being so short but I've realized as long as you treat your mane with care, the length will come eventually. I'm 100% natural and have absolutely no regrets and have no plans on returning to a relaxer.

Notthecoolmom writes:

Lately, I've been getting a lot of questions from transitioning ladies asking about how long I have been natural, what products I use and how I style my hair.

This is great, but what "quick hits" would you give someone if you are pressed for time. I try to include products that are easy to find and not costly, Youtube and websites like Curly Nikki, of course!

Hola Chicas,

Lawd... there aren't even words! I'm physically and emotionally drained, but have fallen head over heels in love with someone I just met yesterday!

To make a very long story short, my birthing experience was not at all what I wanted or expected, but such is life. I went into labor on my own, stayed at home for a while to make some progress without intervention, and arrived at the birthing center only to learn that despite the hard and frequent contractions, I hadn't dilated much. They started me on Pitocin to move things along (which produced horrendous contractions without breaks in between-- I knew this ahead of time, along with the other side effects and really didn't want it). I was a total G though. With the help of hubby, my mother and my mother-in-law, I breathed through the contractions without tears, moaning or screams. But the pains became intensified after the breaking of my water and the introduction of Pitocin, so I requested an epidural. After the epi was administered I was able to rest-- I had already suffered through about 13 hours of unmedicated BACK labor! It's just as horrendous as women describe. It felt like charlie horses in my back.


At 8cm, I stopped dilating and my cervix actually began to swell. Apparently sister girl was facing the wrong direction, so while she was trying to work with me to make her grand entrance, my body just wouldn't allow it. Later, I'd also learn that she was an ounce shy of 8 pounds and 21 inches long! 8 pounds??!! Probably due to all the strawberry pancakes. Needless to say, they started talking C Section, which resulted in me balling my eyes out. After talking out the pros and cons and getting over the disappointment and feelings of failure, I agreed and 30 minutes later I was face to face with the little diva.

She was born on 8/29/2010 at 2:20 am. Unlike me at that age she has a head full of hair! She's my heart and I can't stop staring at her. We're doing great with breastfeeding and watching her and hubby together is truly remarkable. My recovery is going well and I feel okay.

Thanks ladies for the well wishes, donations, kind words and prayers. I read through your comments to the 'In Labor' post while in labor for motivation and to help keep me positive. You all played a bigger role than you'll ever know! So, to all of the CN.com honorary aunties, little miss Gia Nicole has arrived and she is ridiculously precious. I couldn't be happier or more excited.

Love you guys,
Nik

CN: When you first chopped, what were your thoughts and feelings? How do you feel now?
When I first Big Chopped I was so excited. I just took out my braids, which I only had in for a month (those itch monsters were driving me crazy!!), and while applying my conditioner my natural hair just popped out at me!! I only transitioned for 3 months so I didn’t have a lot of new growth but I had enough to see. Looking at my beautiful little curls made me get this urge to Big Chop early. I waited for a couple of days contemplating if I really wanted to do my big chop early, and after two failed attempts of transitioning styles (I swear it’s hard transitioning if you have a short hair cut) I decided to do it!! My sister helped me do the chop in my bathroom, blasting to some India Arie “I am not my hair” (that was my theme song for weeks). When she was finished I fell in looooooove with my new look and my natural hair...it was real short (maybe an inch long) but I’m used to short hair, I’ve had a short style for 4 years...my confidence that night was through the roof. I have no regrets about doing my big chop early, I can now see my natural hair grow and learn how to take care of it. I cant wait to go back to college and show off my new look.

CN: How did you cope with the responses from your family and friends?
Although I loved my twa and felt very confident, I was really nervous about how my parents would like it...the morning after I did my BC I went into my parents room hoping to get a great reaction. Well yea I got the total opposite...my dad thought I was crazy for chopping my hair off...HAHA he kept comparing me to Brittney Spears (who was infamous for shaving all her hair off). My mom on the other hand liked my new look but I think she was in shock. She didn’t think I was going to go through with the “natural thing”...but besides that all of my friends and family members loved my new look!! So many people said it complimented my facial featured and made me look older (which was a plus since I always get told I look like I’m 15!!).


CN: What are your plans for your hair?
You know what, that is a good question. I love short hair on me, like I said before long hair makes me look young…I think I do want to keep my hair short. I want to grow it out to about chin length.

CN: Do you find it necessary to 'doll up' your look to feel more feminine?
I don’t find it necessary to ‘doll up’ my look to feel more feminine but I find it necessary to doll up my look just because I absolutely love love love accessories!!! I’ve always loved scarves, earrings, bracelets and especially hats (I swear I’ve rocked the funkiest looking hats)...so accessories are always a must for me...I don’t even feel right if I don’t have a pair of earrings hanging from my ears..but with a twa I love how much more my accessories seem to POP!..I'm not a big fan of make up and eye shadow but I occasionally use eyeliner.

CN: If so, what are your favorite accessories, or go to ways to glam up your look?
My favorite accessories have to be earrings and hats!! I have so many pairs of earrings its ridiculous. I love big earring and pearls. Hats are also a favorite of mine. I have beanies of every color. They work wonderful when I have bad hair days.

CN: How do you keep it moisturized?
I co-wash daily with Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose (I love that stuff so much I even use it as a Leave-in sometimes), my hair loves being co-washed if I go a day without co-washing it becomes really dry (this will probably stop once it grows out some). I also seal my hair with shea butter and olive oil and spritz it daily with water.


CN: What products and techniques do you use to style? How often do you style?
Well since the BC I have experimented with a lot of products (yes I admit it I’m a product junky to the fullest). But I do think I found one staple product, which is the Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner. My hair isn’t long enough to get into many styles so right now I’ve just been rocking wash n go’s. I simply co-wash my hair, add a leave in, seal, and add some gel to define my curls. I love how simple wash n go’s are!!

CN: How do you get your waves or curls popping?
Gel and a thick leave in does the trick for me!! I’ve also learn that touching my hair throughout the day kills my curls (it’s a habit) so I’m trying to keep my hand out my hair.

CN: How do you preserve your curls at night?
I fold a satin scarf a couple times and cover the front of my hair with it to keep my baby hairs lying down...then I throw on my satin bonnet...usually in the morning my twa is all smashed so I spritz it with some water and rub coconut oil in it to give it a shine

Hola Chicas!

I'm coming to you bedside from the Labor and Delivery ward!!! Finally, right?!

I started having awful, timeable and frequent contractions last night around 11pm (after crying for 2 hours because I feared I'd be pregnant forever) and was unable to fall asleep. So what did I do? I got up, slowly made my way to the shower and did my hair! The warm water helped ease the contractions and going through the motions of twisting my hair was very therapeutic. After laboring for a while at the house, we arrived at the hospital around 6am this morning. Unfortunately, I was only 3 centimeters dilated (80% effaced), but since my contractions were so fast and furious they kept me. And here I sit.

Currently, between (the absolutely dreadful) contractions I'm watching Coming to America and keeping y'all posted ;-) I've been a G thus far... you divas would be so proud! I will need one of y'all to sneak me a sausage biscuit though... I'm starving!

Later Gators,
Nik

CN: When you first chopped, what were your thoughts and feelings? How do you feel now?

Maria of To Be A Naturlista writes:



I’m willing to bet the number one concern, or at least in the the top three, among the online black hair community is hair growth and retaining that length once gained. There are countless threads, blogs, vlogs and groups challenges dedicated to getting hair as long as possible. Women have admitted to swallowing vitamins, hormones, using hair growth oils, lotions, magic potions and shampoos made for horses all in the name of growing their hair. While certain vitamins do aid in the growth of hair, the point many miss is that vitamins serve as a supplement for what is lacking in one’s diet. In other words, poor nutrition and diet can affect the growth of our hair and while vitamins can step in temporarily, a more permanent fix is alteration to our diets that will result not only in healthier hair, but healthier people.

Just like a positive, permanent change in diet can result in a healthier body overall, exercise not only benefits our our shape but the growth of our hair as well. Regular cardio can mitigate conditions caused by hormone imbalance. Additionally it can lower and or eliminate one’s chances for diabetes. Hair loss is a symptom of diabetes. But be careful about what type of exercise you choose. All too often, when visiting my gym, I watch newbies, who are visually in need of exercise, go straight to the Nautlius room and proceed to concentrate on assisted weight lifting with all their might as a means to avoid running and other cardio. But consistent heavy weight lifting has been found to be a culprit of hair loss.

Additional forms of exercise noted for having a direct effect on promoting hair growth includes yoga. Yoga poses such as the downward dog and head stands allow blood to flow to the scalp. Hair follicles require a constant optimal blood flow to get nutrients and oxygens that stimulate hair growth. So even if you are sallowing tons of vitamins twice a day, if you have something restricting your blood flow such as high cholesterol, those pills may not even matter.

A 2008 study conducted by Columbia University found 31% of African American women sampled said they avoided exercise because it would interfere with their hair styles. While all the women acknowledged exercise is important, less than 25% actually met the CDC’s requirement for recommended exercise rates. It should then serve as no surprise that the American Obesity Association reports ”by race/ethnicity and sex the obesity prevalence was highest for non-Hispanic black women (39.0%) followed by non-Hispanic black men (32.1%).” Taking this into account, we need, more than anyone else in this country, to take a serious re-evalutation of what we are putting in our mouths and how we respect our body.

What does that mean for naturals? Because our hair choice thrives off of moisture, our hair is no excuse for not exercising. The benefits of exercise overwhelmingly out weigh any cons an extra wash session or two per week may offer: exercise along with a healthy diet promotes weight loss, prevents heart disease and diabetes, make us feel better both physically and mentally plus, it helps our hair grow!

Sources:

http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2008-04-01/zeveloff-obesityhairdo.html

http://www.obesity.org/statistics/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/58993-exercise-hair-growth/

http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/hair/hair_loss_massage.htm#Yoga

Hola chicas!

It's that time again! The images below are of CN readers at their flyyest...at work, on the town, and with the fam. Showing us all that natural hair is not a fad, it's a way of life...an extension of our beauty! Click on the images to enlarge them:

This pic was taken on a Friday morning in May, 2010, Trinidad, before heading to work. I was actually holding my niece who was born a few days from the actual photo date. The hairstyle is flat twist, horizontal and diagonal on one side with shake n go curls. Hair was washed and treated with Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding and a little styling gel.

I’ve been natural since I was twelve, but I’ve only worn my hair curly for about eight years. During this time, I’ve noticed that my attitude or personality changes depending on whether my hair is curly or straight. Now, this may all be in my mind, but I feel that I carry myself differently depending on how my hair is styled.

I feel my curly locks make me appear to have more of a funky/spunky attitude and personality so I embody that and embrace it. When my hair is straight; I feel that I look younger, reserved, and quiet. Although my personality is the same in either style, I feel my curly locks better represent the person I have become. I feel more hip and free to be myself when my hair is curly. My curly hair gives me the green light to stand out in a crowd, experience new things, and live life to the fullest.

I don’t feel that my curly hair developed my personality or attitude, but I do think that it has helped me stay true to who I am as a person. My curly hair helps me present to the world the type of person I want them to see and remember. So to all my curly girls, embrace your curls and allow them to open you up to a world that you would never have considered with your straight hair!

Super Food of the Week: Flaxseed

With an abundance of heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids, the warm , earth and subtle nutty flavor of flaxseeds have become increasing popular in the diets of many health conscious consumers. Flaxseeds are available year round in the form of whole, ground, as well as in oil form. Flaxseeds are slightly larger than sesame seeds and have a hard shell that is smooth and shiny. Their color can range from deep amber to a reddish brown depending on the variety. However all varieties are nutrient dense with a host of healthful benefits.

Flaxseeds are rich in a particular type of omega-3 fats which are used by the body to produce anti-inflammatory hormone-like molecules. Omega-3, specifically the alpha linoleum acid found in flaxseeds, have been shown to promote bone health by helping to lower the ration of omega-6 to omega-3 fats. By lowering this ratio it reduces the amount of bone loss. Omega-3 fats are also used to produce substances that reduce the formation of blood clots, which can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with atherosclerosis or diabetic heart disease. Omega-3 fats are essential in producing flexible cell membranes. Cell membranes are the cell’s gatekeepers, allowing nutrients in and the elimination of wastes. Although important for everyone, it is most critical for persons with diabetes since flexible cell membranes have a much better ability to respond to insulin and to absorb glucose than stiff cell membranes.

Omega-3 fats are far from all flaxseeds have to offer. Flaxseed meal and flour provides a very good source of fiber that can lower cholesterol levels in people with atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease, reduce the exposure of colon cells to cancer-causing chemicals, help relieve constipation and stabilize blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. Magnesium is also found in abundance in flaxseeds, which help to reduce the severity of asthma by keeping airways relaxed and open as well as lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attach and stroke. Flaxseeds have also been found to be rich in lignans, a special compound found in other seeds, grains and legumes which aid in the production of hormone-like agents that demonstrate protective effects against breast cancer. In addition, flaxseed has been proven to reduce hot flashes in postmenopausal women by almost 60%.

With an abundance of nutrients flaxseed ranks right up there with salmon for one of the healthiest foods to foster healthy hair. Although salmon does have a huge host of different nutrients from flaxseeds are off the charts with the amount of omega 3 fatty acids which makes this a great omega 3 alternative for vegetarians. Flaxseeds are actually higher in omega-3 fats than salmon. Flaxseeds can be added to homemade muffins, cookies, or bread recipes. You can beef up the nutritional punch of your breakfast shake or hot or cold cereal by adding ground flaxseeds. Also you can add a table spoon of flaxseed oil to your smoothies.　

Fit Tip of The Week: Q & A

Q: Which vegetables and/or fruits are best when juicing?

A: This is kind of a difficult question to answer. To be honest, I really don’t have an answer. For one I’m not a juicer (with the exception of Orange Juice and V8 splash) and second every fruit and vegetable offers different nutrients in different amounts. My best advise is to juice your colors. Regardless if you juice or eat your fruits and vegetables whole, choosing a variety of fruits and vegetables rich in color ensures that you get the most bang for your buck. Juicing or eating fruits and veggies of different colors offers your body a wide range of valuable nutrients, like fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamins A and C. For fruits and vegetables that are orange (like carrots, pumpkins and peaches) will contain beta-carotene and bioflavonoid which are powerful antioxidants. A few years ago The National Cancer Institute in partnership with the 5 A Day government campaign published a chart that brakes down fruits and veggies into 5 basic colors; green, orange, red, blue/purple, and white. They also described the polynutrient found in that particular color group as well as the benefits and examples of foods that would fit into that color group. This chart still pretty much holds true. Again eating a variety of colors from this chart not only keeps boredom at bay it helps to balance your diet thereby balancing your nutrient intake. That would my best answer to your question. Now how you choose to combine these to make your juice is up to you and your tastes. If you would like to check out the chart I mentioned you can find it here: http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/dhpw/Wellness/SavorSpectrum.jpg

I hope this helps. Until next week…

KinkySheaPT

Hola Chicas,

It's that time again!

Remember that an affirmation can help you replace a negative thought (ex. I'll never find love) with a more helpful positive one (ex. I'm worthy of love, and I will find it in time). By using the power of positive affirmations and by repeating them, you can recondition your brain and change how you feel and think about any situation (your appearance, your hair, a relationship, etc.). You can choose to be happy, no matter the circumstances! It will transform your life.

Share your affirmations here, but remember to revisit and reflect on them everyday-- in the evening before retiring, in the morning before rising, during prayer, meditation, or while exercising! This is one habit you need to develop... as another reader stated, don't just think them, say them aloud! Own it :-)

KinkyShea writes:
I came across an article on MSNBC.com and thought the CN.com community might like it. It's about the destructiveness of "Fat Talk" and a blog aimed and ending "Fat Talk" and negative affirmations called OperationBeautiful.com. You can find the MSNBC.com article here. Both sites give insight into why we punish ourselves with negative affirmations as well as how to end the self destruction. I just thought it was awesome and wanted to share. Take care!

Greetings!

I have been "Natch" (lol) for 11 months now.... I've wanted to go natural for the past 5 years but I was too afraid of my natural state (WHIMP, LOL!). I had always been told that my hair was too thick and that I "needed" a relaxer because without it my hair was too uncontrollable. (I'm a 4b/c-h,i,j,k,l,m,n,o,p!) But I felt like I was being a slave to the salon! Granted, I love being pampered and the girl talk that comes with being around other women in the salon, BUT ALL DAY AND A BURNING SCALP? Nine in the morning til three in the afternoon... and broken ends, brittle hair, that can only be "bouncified" by the beautician. Try to re-create the bounce at home if you want to... FORGET IT!!!!!


In my opinion, we as women get so attached to our hair and the significance or lack thereof that it may hold... I felt like my hair defined me. If my hair wasn't on point or the weave wasn't whippin', then I wasn't pretty! (Crazy, I know)... We all have insecurities that we must face or that we mask in the form of something else... Mine being my bone straight hair since I was told that "nappy" wasn't cute....

Moving to Atlanta, I have been surrounded by so many beautiful, confident, natural women... They, in turn, gave me the confidence to do the Nike... JUST DO IT! Granted, I wore my sew-in for 10 months before actually wearing my hair out (I've been wearing my hair out for 3 weeks now.. YAY ME!)

The natural hair community is such a warm and supportive circle of people that I never had the chance to know in my life's travels...

I feel so relieved... I feel more confident now than ever before... This is my "Take me as I am, You don't like it, oh well, you can kiss it, free for all" attitude! I always told myself I didn't want to be one of those "I'm going natural because I'm trying to find myself" people (no offense to anyone at all. All love&hugs here). But, in going natural, I found strength, I found calm, I found power, I found me....

CharriseRenee
www.sweetheartconversation.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/CharriseRenee

It's truly amazing how the process of going natural can have such an impact on other aspects of our lives. The author, HJ Lutz shares that since the Big Chop she has become a mad chemist, more confident and a 'product-label-reading fool'.

Charla writes:

Hey Nikki!

So I was thinking about the "honeymoon phase" that many naturals go through with their hair after the big chop (or mini chop in some cases). That is something that I've experienced as well. I was COMPLETELY in love with the texture I hadn't seen in 18+ years and couldn't get enough of my natural coils. But today I was thinking, maybe that honeymoon phase was to cover up deeper feelings I kept hidden about my hair. I tell you I was styling my hair every other day because I wanted to see everything it could do! Twists one day, twist out the next day, random WnG thrown in the mix, and an attempt at flat twists that turned into a puff - all in the same week! To be honest I am still in the honeymoon phase now. I love Chlo "The Fro" Bella!!!! (that is my hair's name, lol)

I feel like there are a few reasons that I was so smitten with styling my new hair:

1) I was interested to see what it could do.
2) I was determined to show everyone else that being natural doesn't mean you can only wear a fierce fro everyday! It means that you have options and a whole lot more fun =]
3) I was possibly styling my hair for myself, to convince my own mind that I truely loved what I saw in the mirror. By no means was this love affair a hoax or a fake image, but just maybe I was attempting to prove to myself that I made the right decision.

My question to the lovely CN community is this:

Lynnieluve writes:

On August 9th, I celebrated one year being natural. I have to give the CN.com community credit for the progress I've made. I don't know what Roxie (my hair's name) would look like if it wasn't for your blog and the forum. I wanted to share my natural hair journey in hopes of inspiring others. Thank you again for all you do for the natural hair community!!!

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I was a long term transitioner (15 months)…my last relaxer was March 13, 2009. Why…good question. I’ve had long/med length hair all my life and going short was an extreme decision for me to make. I usually stretched my relaxers for 3 to 4 months so I knew I could manage my hair up to that point so I said why not stretch a few more months. The longest I’ve ever gone without a relaxer before this was 6 months. If BC’ing was my only option, I think I would have had no choice but to go that route.



CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
Didn’t BC…I mini-chopped and trimmed my ends. I always trimmed my ends every 3 to 4 months when I was relaxed so I kept up with that routine especially since it would help with getting rid of relaxed ends. I also did 2 mini chop sessions…March 13 and June 12, 2010.

CN: How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
Well, I didn’t have any issues with family and friends. Family…my mother is natural and has been all her life. She’s been rocking a low fade for years. Friends…I have a few friends that transitioned as well. But to be honest, I was not thinking of family or friends when I made the decision to transition. I think I had my first relaxer when I was in middle school (11/12 yrs old). My mother was the one that made the decision and I think she may have been persuaded by a family friend. She made the decision based on the fact that I would better be able to manage my hair myself as I got older, plus she was also lacking in the styling department. Oh, my BF LOVES my hair as well…he loves my hair when I wear it “curly”. He has never had an issue with my hair relaxed or natural.

CN: What was your transition routine?
After reading tons and tons of information and watching tons and tons of videos it was very hard for me to decipher which products, regimen and hairstyles would best suite me and my hair. I would do a mix and match of products and hair regimens that I read about on blogs or watched on YouTube. So, this is how I started out and remains my routine to this day. The only things that change is a few products here and there….

Regimen…

* Co-Wash (1x a week)/ Shampoo (1x a month or when my hair felt gunky)
* Detangle ( using Kimmaytube’s detangling method)
* Deep Conditioner…1x a week
* Leave in

Products Used (to name a few)…

* Vo5 conditioner (co-wash and detangle)
* Infusium 23
* Jane Carter Solutions line…nourish & shine, replenishing conditioner, revitalizing leave in conditioner
* Elasta QP Mango Butter
* Organix Passion Fruit and Guava Shampoo and Condtioner
* ORS Replenishing Conditioner (Deep conditioner)
* ORS Mayonnaise (Deep Conditioner)

CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
I would endlessly watch YouTube videos on ways to style my hair (which I still do today) but I would always fall back to my staple style…plaits…and when I had to go out I would unravel them for an out do or do some type of updo. Every now and then I would ask my cousin to cornrow my hair for me. I tried not to make a habit of this because I wanted to learn to do my hair myself…hence my version of cornrows/braids…plaits.

CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
I hardly had any breakage except for my first trim session 6 months after my last relaxer. I think I was using olive oil as a moisturizer during this time. I also tested out homemade leave in mix. Then I decided to get shea butter and try my hands at shea butter mixes. I don’t think I had an emphasis on lack of moisture causing breakage. I just made sure that I detangled from ends to root.

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
I don’t have one concrete reason for going natural but a few things played a part with making my decision…job loss, I was tired of having to go to 3 different salons, hated fresh relaxers and the whole process of relaxing and last but not least the curiosity of knowing my natural hair again.

As I mentioned before my last relaxer was March 09….prior to this November 08. I was at the 4 month mark and had no urgency to relax my hair…I was just going to go with the flow and see if I could go longer than 4 months before relaxing again. Let’s backtrack a bit…back in January 09, an announcement was made at my job that the entire accounting department was getting pink slipped…“due to the economy”…yeah right! After my nerves calmed down a bit and March rolled around (our end date was April 7th), I thought to myself not only did I need to update my resume and wardrobe in preparations for interviews, I also needed to get my hair done as well. So, with my last salaried check, I made my hair appointment. Next thing I knew, I was in the 4 month stretch of my relaxer and with hardly any interviews, contact with recruiters and having to now be frugal…I decided once again to just go with flow. Another key factor to my decision was that I was starting to get tired of going to 3 different hair salons, yes 3….Salon#1 for my relaxers, Salon #2 for my quick and cheap wash/doobie/blow outs and Salon#3 for my trims/cuts. My hairdresser at Salon #1 had cut her shop hours down to 2 days a week…Friday evening/night and Saturday. When going to her, I have to gear myself up for staying for HOURS so her cutting her days was not making me a happy camper, plus she was the only one I trust to relax my hair…didn’t trust Salon #2 for relaxers and Salon #3 cost an arm and a leg. In June (the day Michael Jackson passed away) I had my hair washed and roots blown out for the last time at Salon #2. And for the remainder of my days at home not only did I job search and re-do my budget/finance I also researched “relaxed to natural hair”. I must say that as a long term transitioner, I had an advantage that most people don’t have during this phase and that’s TIME. I had time on my hands while being at home to have the patience to learn how to do my own hair. I am very happy that I made this decision and stuck with it. I do NOT miss having a relaxer and I love being NATURAL!

I must say that I never knew YouTube was so informative…never knew Blogs existed…until I decided to venture on this journey back to my Natural Glory. Thanks to all the Bloggers/Vloggers out there, including Curly Nikki, for keeping me on track and up-to-date.