Monique- A Story of Transition

-Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I haven’t had a relaxer since 2004 and all my hair is completely natural, BUT I would consider myself a long time transitioner because I constantly had my hair pressed-out leaving much of my hair permanently straightened.

-When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
I never BC’ed but when I did have a relaxer, I was always aware of my natural texture because I didn’t keep up with relaxers on “schedule” and I wore braids. I really liked my natural texture and I couldn’t understand why I ever wanted to straighten such cool hair but was afraid to go natural because all I knew was straight hair and didn’t know how people would react to my natural hair or even if I would look right wearing it.

-What was your transition routine? Staple Hair Styles?
I started to get my hair in kinky twists with weave at the salon. Then when I started losing hair around my edges, I started to do them myself. There is a whole lot of products I use because I’m still experimenting, trying to find what works with my hair the best but I love Neutrogena’s Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask. It really makes my hair soft and smells really gooooood. I like Ojon’s Ultra Hydrating Shampoo. When I use that first, I squeeze all the water out of my hair and slather globs of Neutrogena’s hair mask and leave it for like 5-10 minutes, it does wonders! Other good conditioners are Nexxus Humectress and their KerapHix which is a protein reconstructor. I used to use that after I took down my twists. I recently started doing twists with my own hair (because I trying desperately to stop using a blow dryer and flat iron!) and I would put in Organix coconut milk conditioner in it while it’s wet and twist it.

-How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
All my hair is basically new growth! : ) With the twists, if it’s my own hair, I will use the Organix coconut milk conditioner while it’s wet or use Sheamoisture, both are good. If I have a weave, I use Ojon Revitalizing Mist. I’m telling you, that revitalizing mist is AMAZING! Just twist your hair for about a month and use that every day on your hair and when you take them out, your hair will be glorious!

-Why did you choose to go natural? Are you happy with your decision?
I chose to go natural because I was not born with straight hair and I felt like I was trying to be something I wasn’t on a crazy level… using harsh chemicals on my head, and being afraid of the rain and going swimming! I didn’t like that I couldn’t be myself because society tells us our hair is basically “unacceptable” and not beautiful. Also, while I was straightening my hair to look “normal”, I was envious of girls rocking big curly hair and I was like, “Why can’t I have hair like that?!” I’m totally happy with my decision and once it grows to the length I want it to, which won’t take forever, it will be even more fabulous to me. If you love your hair and take of it, it will love you back!