D. Nelson- A Story of Transition

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I thought I could be a long term transistioner but I couldn’t handle the new growth. I have zero patience! I transisitioned about 5-6 months. I was too excited to see my natural hair anyway and try new natural hair styles. Twists, twistouts, etc were looking so hot on my transitioning hair.

CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
I bced on June 29 2008. I was just about ready to give up and relax! In fact my friend was on her way to give me a relaxer with Phyto. But I remember DH saying something to me and I knew in the back of my mind, I really wanted to go natural. So I called my friend, told her there had been a change of plans and went to my bathroom and chop chop chopped!

I loved my hair. I probably had about 2-3 inches of hair when I BCed (I think) but I loved it! I went out that day after doing my first ever Wash-n-Go (I didn’t have any gel) and I thought I was hot!

CN: What was your transition routine (products included)?
I just cowashed like crazy! Almost daily. Joico Moisture recovery was a favorite plus the treatment balm for dcs (I added honey an EVOO when I was trying to stretch it). I also liked ORS hair mayo before they changed the formula and the olive oil hair lotion. I used various oils (jojoba being my all time favorite) and before I realized sulfates were NOT my friend I shampooed with any shampoo. I really liked Ovation Cell therapy- the entire system.

CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
I didn’t know how to style my hair during my transition! So mostly I would just wear a poofy bun or I did a dry rollerset on occasion. I had lots of wigs, though and I wore braids. I did a bantu knot out once that I loved and got lots of compliments on.

CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
Well I always cowashed and then I would use the ORS olive oil lotion or HE LTR leave in. I really liked that stuff (wish they sold in larger botles!)

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
I was inspired by seeing so many beautiful heads of natural hair on LHCF and naturallycurly.com and other hair sites. And I realized I was only relaxing b/c it was all I knew. I felt it was time to know ME. I have no regrets!