PrettynPink- A Story of Transition

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
* I was a long term transitioner. I transitioned for an entire year, and had my ends cut twice. I transitioned for a year because I just wasn’t ready to have short hair. I’ve always had mid-back length hair, so as I pictured myself with a little Afro, I personally knew I wasn’t ready to BC all the way. Yet, once I BC’d my hair was about chin length, and I learned to love and accept my hair regardless of the length.

CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
*I BC’d after I transitioned for a year. Once the beautician started cutting of my permed ends and they began falling on the floor I was a bit sad to see my hair go. I feared that my hair would be too short for me to handle. I will not lie, but I was not pleased when I left the salon with a blown out Afro. But, once I added product and saw how cute and curly my hair was w/o permed straggly looking ends, I was won over.

CN: What was your transition routine? Staple Hair Styles?
*While transitioning I wore a lot of phony ponys (see top pic below), sew-ins, braids, and Dominican blowouts. My routine was to wash and shampoo once a week. Transitioning was hell! The two different textures looked a hot mess. People would say, “Girl, you need a perm.” LOL…I just told them wait and see ’til I am 100% natural—then you will be wishing you never got a perm.

CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
*I applied any oil or grease to my hair line both morning and evening. I also made sure not to put my hair in a tight ponytail when wearing a phony pony or natural pony.

CN: Why did you choose to go natural? Are you happy with your decision?
*I chose to go natural because I just didn’t want to keep mistreating my hair with harsh chemicals. I always got burnt and spent days healing my scabbed scalp. That just isn’t right! Though it is taking time for me to cope with not wearing my long straight hair anymore (all the time) I am beginning to accept my natural hair. I have been 100% natural for five months now. My hair is now APL…I will be straightening it for the first time at either six or eight months. My biggest fear is that my hair will burn or will not revert to its very curly state. Overall, I am happy with my decision…Plus I get to experiment and use tons of products– I never did this too much when I had a perm.