-Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
Yes, I considered my transition to be long term. I transitioned for about 8 months.I wanted to do as much research, investigating and stalking as I could. I wanted to learn all I could while I was transitioning so that I would have my own napptual journey all under control.
-When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
I did my BC in August 2008. I was so shocked and not happy with my initial results. I had been wearing braids for months, so the new growth was thick and coarse. I did not know what to do with my hair. I kept cutting my twa to try to get it just right, but nothing was helping. Then I got online and chatted it up with some real inspirational sisters on NP who told me just what to do, to get my twa to work for me. I washed my hair, conditioned it, oiled it and went to Target to buy me some more products and headbands. In the end, it turned out well.
-What was your transition routine? Staple Hair Styles?
My routine was daily co-washes and moisturizing, moisturizing and co-washes. I kept a spray bottle of water, coconut oil and rosemary eo with me at all time, and because I BCd at the end of summer, I was able to keep my co-washes going for a few weeks. As my hair grew and the weather started getting cooler, I started doing weekly washes with Pantene Natural/Relaxed products, weekly DC w/ a combo of Pantene, Oyin’s Handmade, CocoNut Milk, and a heating cap. Then I would spend about 1-3 hours putting in micro twists. I would wear the twists for about 4 days, then let it loose and rock a nice coily fro for the rest of the week. By day 3 or 4 my twists were loose enough that I would pull the sides up for a twist fro hawk.
-How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
I used a combo of oils and moisturizers to prevent breakage. I used Jojoba oil, coconut oil and olive oil as a hot oil treatment once a week. My hair can get really really dry and “crunchy” I would use HE Totally Twisted condish as a leave in, along with my spritz. I think that breakage may have occurred if I did not moisturize, I have never experienced the breakage so I will stick to over moisturizing.
-Why did you choose to go natural? Are you happy with your decision? I chose to go natural because I started 2008 with a goal to be healthy, happy, and me! I wanted to be healthy all around and not just so regular. My relaxed styles just made me seem like everyone else, I just really wanted to find out about the real me. Due to the relaxer and weekly doobies, my edges were thinning out, and my hair was constantly all over the floor, and in a very unhealthy state. I also love working out and if I worked out too hard, my doobie would always sweat out. My life was limited because of my hair. I wanted to make a good impression on myself, and rebuild my self-esteem. The woman I was, was not the woman God planned for me to be. So now I am reacquainting myself with this Brown Skinned Queen and loving every bit of it.
I am so happy to see my story on this site. All of the stories are so great, I had to throw mine in the midst.
@Precious-Olivia…Thank you so much, I am trying realy hard to keep it up! @Mlle.Bubois… I love the fro hawk too and come to think about it the Janelle Monae resemblance is there @cherrylola… Thank you
After the BC
2 months post BC
4 months post BC
I am so happy to see my story on this site. All of the stories are so great, I had to throw mine in the midst.
@Precious-Olivia…Thank you so much, I am trying realy hard to keep it up!
@Mlle.Bubois… I love the fro hawk too and come to think about it the Janelle Monae resemblance is there
@cherrylola… Thank you
Love it!
I really like your fro-hawk! It reminds me of Janelle Monae.
very pretty, keep on the excellent work. 🙂