Chasity- A Story of Transition

-Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I originally was going to transition for a year maybe even two. After about 2 months of growing it out, my friends convinced me to go to a hair dresser and get it all chopped off. The main reason I did it is because I was tired of trying to find hairstyles to blend the two textures.

-When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
I actually BC’d twice. The first time was in June, but then I had to get it all cut off again in July because it was uneven. The first piece of hair that fell I was just in shock but hey, there was no turning back. When I first saw it, I just touched my head a lot… I couldn’t believe I did it. I took pictures on my cell phone and sent them to everyone. By the end of the day, I was loving it. I had my ups and downs-somedays I thought I was gorgeous, and other days I hated it and thought I looked like a boy.

-What was your transition routine (products included)?
I washed and conditioned my hair with the Organix coconut milk shampoo and conditioner. I workout everyday so I was washing about every other day. I deep conditioned every week with the Pantene Relaxed and Natural Hair Mask and I used the Organic Root Stimulator Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion for a moisturizer.

-What was your staple hair style during the transition?
Well, I used one of those wave irons (I guess that’s what it’s called) a lot. It’s like a crimping iron but not a hard zig zag more like a wave. I wore my hair in french braids and I wore a weave a few times.

-How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
I used used the organic root stimulator hair lotion and it worked well. I had to learn how much is too little and how much is too much while growing my hair out.

-Why did you choose to go natural?
In the beginning I wanted to do it because I like to be different and because it seemed easier than relaxers, but as I read more people’s stories online and read more about how to take care of my natural hair it became more personal. It came down to being true to me and saying to everyone this is me take it or leave it; like it or love it, I don’t care cause I don’t need your approval.