I transitioned for 10 months. That might not seem “long term” for some people, but to me it felt like an eternity! I originally wanted to wait 1 year, but I didn’t want to fall in love with the length because I felt it would make it harder for me to cut it. I also just felt it was the right time to cut. By the time I did cut my hair I had about 5 inches of new growth.
-When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
Pure happiness! I hated having short hair, but knowing I could wash my hair every night if I felt like it, was the best feeling in the world! I loved the way my curls popped. I actually never liked relaxers, so to see my real hair again was pure bliss for me. A few weeks later it hit me, Oh my God I have short hair! I was on a mission to find products and it turned me into a product junkie. I had fun experimenting. Once my hair was long enough for a ponytail (about 5 weeks after my BC) it was a much easier for me.
-What was your transition routine (products included)?
In the beginning I didn’t have a clue as to what I was doing. I had a ponytail in my hair and didn’t use any heat for about 6 months. The first thing I did was cut about 3 inches of hair to make sure my hair didn’t fall out due to raggedy split ends. That definitely helped. After a while my hair was so thick I couldn’t wash and go anymore so I started to do rollersets. My rollersets concealed the two textures, my hair looked thicker, and I was getting compliments left and right. As my hair got longer I decided to just do the BC because there was no way I was going to cut BSL or longer hair in the future. During my transition I used Aphogee every 4 weeks, deep conditioned with Diez en Uno once a week, I didn’t co-wash but I did dilute Johnson’s Baby Shampoo with water. Co-washing was easier after I did the BC.
-What was your staple hair style during the transition?
Rollersets was the only way I could tame my hair. Rollersetting and then flatironing. I always made sure to use a heat protectant.
-How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
Low manipulation styles helped me the most. I just made sure to use protein and deep condition every week.
-Why did you choose to go natural?
It was never my choice to get my hair relaxed. I hated the way my hair was so thin and slicked down. When I was a little girl I would twirl my hair all damn day (I’m 37 and still do this) and I had beautiful, thick long hair. My mom decided to put a relaxer in my hair when I was 10 because she had 2 babies and just didn’t have the time anymore. Plus, it was just something you did to your daughter after a certain age. I had so many setbacks due to needless trims, stylists putting strong relaxers in my hair, and not realizing how bad blowdryers and curling irons were. I tried on and off for about 7-8 years, but it wasn’t until I found online support that I was able to successfully transition. I knew I didn’t want to relax my hair for the rest of my life. Me going natural has inspired many people, including my sister and niece who are now 100% natural as well.
May 2007
June 2007
After BC
Pretty, pretty hair!!