Akande- A Story of Transition

-Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I was definitely short term. I’d had long hair all my life (my permed hair was to my waist) so I wasn’t used to seeing myself with really short hair and was scared of it.

-When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
October 2003. I thought, why does this look so regal on other women and not on me?? LOL. I was worried that I looked “boyish”. But I learned products that worked for my hair until it grew the needed 2 inches for the locing stage. Hilarious how it seemed like a long wait at the time – looking back – it was only a few months before I loc’d up. Now, I wish I had taken the time to enjoy that stage.

-What was your transition routine (products included)?
I washed with Creme of Nature Daily Moisturizing Line. I was a Creme of Nature addict! Then I would apply a defining lotion (tried a million different ones…some I liked, some not so much) to help define the curls. All of a sudden – I was loving my BC. It looked so shiny and healthy.

-What was your staple hair style during the transition?
TWA

-How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
I suffer from sebhorric dermatitis so breakage and dry scalp tortured me. I used all moisturizing products. The defining lotion (BB Olive Oil Moisturizer or Fantasia IC) always had a moisture agent in it and I used that daily so I didn’t experience breakage even with my condition. I also tied my hair up in a satin or nylon scarf. I discovered the “Loc Soc” which I used even as a TWA because it stayed on all night . I still use the very same one now with my locs (that are to the middle of my back). What a great investment.

-Why did you choose to go natural?
I wanted to see what I’d look like if I stopped trying to box with God. Would I come out looking regal or resentful?? Curiosity was my favorite childhood nemesis. I thought about locs for a long time before I BC’d. My boyfriend was very supportive which helped. then I saw a picture of Goapele and I KNEW – it had to be done! I wanted locs like hers!