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Curly Nikki

Cali- A Story of Transition

By January 27th, 202116 Comments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adveOF9j0BM

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I was a long term transitioner. Yep, it took me 18months! I’ve always had long hair, so I wanted to get my natural hair to a length that I was comfortable with.

CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?

I did my BC Feb 14, 2009 it was kinda funny actually. My boyfriend ran off to NY 3 days before V.day and promised he would be back before the holiday, well he called and said he couldn’t make it. I sat in the house bored the whole day doing a deep conditioning treatment. After I washed it out, i couldn’t figure out what to do with my hair, i noticed my natural hair was touching my shoulders. I bought some hair scissors earlier that week, I planned on taking about 2 inches off. I hopped on YouTube and looked at some hair videos and came across a young lady who transitioned for 18m and did her BC and saw that her natural hair was about the same length as mine. So I’m thinking “oh my gosh, this must be a sign”. I grabbed my scissors and went for it. I just did it, I was thinking omg I can’t believe I’m doing this! I called my boyfriend and was like “hey baby, guess what I’m doing with my hair” and started laughing he’s on the phone yelling “No0o0o, don’t tell me you cut it! Did you cut it? No0o!” i’m like yep, happy valentines day! lol he loves long hair, I think he has a fetish for it! I missed my length but I was so happy with my curls!

CN:What was your transition routine (products included)?

In the beginning, I blowdried, flatironed, hot curled, about 1 every 2 weeks, and wrapped it every night. When it got hotter out I did bantu knot outs, wore buns, and there was this one style i did when i pinned my hair under into a bob! Here comes the products… da da dum… GREASE & PINK LOTION! I was so uneducated about what to use on my hair. ( I discovered natural hair blogs and videos late in my transition!) Doo Gro and BB were the brands of the grease, I also used the Doo Gro oil, and Extra Vigin Olive Oil. I know now to stay away from Petroleum, and Mineral Oil.
CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
Bantu Knot Outs, it was fast and easy. It also made it hard to distinguish between the two different textures. So I didn’t have to hear the “gurl its time for a perm” comment every 2 seconds, and then have to explain to ignorant people what growing your perm out meant, and why I was doing it. Ugh, It got so annoying! But now that I’m natural and they see my hair they always come up and say “Omg how did you get your hair like that, its so cute” I’m like yeah i know! lol

CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
I always had a bad habit of putting too much grease and oil on my hair. So I think that definitely saved it. I also did alot of home-made Deep Conditioning treatments that I researched on the Internet, and ACV rinses. I stopped using shampoos that contained Sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium laureth sulphate.

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
Well, at first I didn’t really plan on going natural. I never got perms very frequently, maybe 2-3 a year. So I hadn’t had a perm in a couple of months, and my newgrowth was pretty long. Once I actually noticed how curly my roots were, I fell in love with it! I questioned why I even needed a perm, natural hair is so versatile. Also a friend at school was also transitioning so we kinda competed on who had the most growth lol. Seriously, she’s one of the reasons why I stuck with it! However she got this cute short haircut and went back to perms!

Cali- A Story of TransitionCali- A Story of Transition
Cali- A Story of TransitionCali- A Story of Transition

16 Comments

  • Anonymous says:

    I commend your effort. Transitioning is a SERIOUS committment! I personally broke down in tears and gave up after four months because of the breakage. My hair was falling out, snapping off and frankly very angry with me. After the BC having 1 inch of hair was VERY liberating. I celebrate any choice to go natural but I must say the TWA is a very powerful and liberating experice. I think every woman should try it in her lifetime.

  • CHELSEÁ ESTELLE says:

    Thanks CN for profiling a long transitioner. It gives us girls not wanting to do the BC much needed inspiration when we need it. This was great! Please do more like this.

    xo

  • Anonymous says:

    PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do a styling video and product showcase. I will check your youtube page daily with crossed fingers on the edge of my seat!

  • Anonymous says:

    Cali, you have fabulous hair!

  • Anonymous says:

    Girl you sho’ do take a lot of pics:)—but very cute and like your funky style.

  • Rose D. says:

    you have a great curl pattern! work it girl!

  • keisha says:

    your curls are beautiful!

  • Unknown says:

    Love it. Gives me some inspiration to keep going.

  • Claudia says:

    I just love the curls, they look great, it looks so much more sophisticated than the straight hair. Love it!

  • Cali says:

    Yay Nikki, you’re the best!
    The picture with my natural hair I did the conditioner only method, washed it then left tons of V05 conditioner in it!
    Its a great style for lazy hair days! lol

  • D Alexandra says:

    your hair is beautiful!

  • Anonymous says:

    I like your curly hair goes very well with your fashion sense. Congrats. You will amazing 🙂

    Blessings<3

  • RefurbishedLover says:

    I love her hair.

  • Anonymous says:

    off the subject, but what’s the name of the song in the vid? i love it.

  • A. says:

    Those curls are BANGIN!!! How do you get them? Is that a wash n go or twist out, bantu knot, what? Gorgeous girl – gorgeous hair!

  • Hair Milk says:

    She is too cute! Keep the long transitioning features coming… I need the inspiration.

    Dani

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