Raychelle- A Story of Transition

-Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
Short term for 3 months. My plan was to transition until all the relaxer grew out or until I was happy with the new growth length.(1-2 yrs) I was too scared to BC, mostly scared of the reaction of my famliy. My permed hair was always so thick and looked natural. But deep down inside I was looking for something different.

-When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
I gave in..I could’t handle the two textures… My last relaxer was July 3, 2008 and I used a “super” relaxer to get it really straight because my hair is really curly and thick. After a couple of weeks, my new growth started to grow quick. I was like no way..So I stopped relaxing it and dealt with the two textures and on October 11, 08, I had a friend cut off the perm and I was so in love with my natural hair. Before the BC, I saw that my new growth was curly and wavy and after the BC, it came out healthier looking. I have no regrets since going natural and I was so excited, like I won a million bucks or something!!!

-What was your transition routine (products included)?
Well, mostly I was lazy..so I would wash it with Motions shampoo and conditioner 2 x a week and apply Dark n Lovely moisturizer. I was so tired of relaxed hair, so basically I didn’t care as much as I did before I decided to go natural.

-What was your staple hair style during the transition?
My routine was simple..I would wash it and put it in a bun and let it air dry for the week. Then on the weekends or special occasions, I’d wrap it and flat iron it down. Or on rainy days, I would wet it and let it air dry curly using Smooth Shine Wrap Foam. My relaxed hair was so limp and dull, I couldn’t find a lot of styles for it.

-How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
I was a huge fan of Olive Oil Sheen and Motions Mosturizer, but they caused me to have dandruff really bad, so I switched to Softee Olive Oil grease, it worked a little bit… I had a really hard time finding a good moisturizer for my hair, because my hair sucks up everything like a sponge 🙂

-Why did you choose to go natural?
Wow, I love this question!! I went natural for a number of reasons…First my hair was thinning due to over processing of relaxers, I like to work out alot, so therefore I had to keep perming it to keep it straight and from looking nappy!! (due to all the sweat that ocurred). Secondly, I was tired and bored with the “relaxed” look. I’m not a big fan of extensions, or braids. ( my mom made me get them all the time when I was younger:) During my research on natural hair, I noticed all the beautiful results and styles from other ladies who went natural, and to be honest I was jealous. Then I thought, I have the option to have the same thing! I noticed my hair was naturally curly during my transition and I was like, this is my HAIR that God has blessed me with and I need to start taking better care of my Temple. Plus, I was at a point in my life where I was ready to try different things. I use to love my relaxed hair once in my life, but I used so much heat on it that I was doing more harm than good. Everyone expected so much of me, because I was all about my hair before. I wanted the “real me” to show up and stop living for everybody else.I have to live with the results which are beautiful…natural is so real to me:) I treat my hair with care and love now. This is a journey that I am in for the long run.Natural Hair is like opening up your presents at Chistmas…you never know what your gonna get!!