Ashley- A Story of Transition

Greetings,
I’ve been following your blog since my big chop a month ago and I’ve found so much helpful information. However, I’m having a hard time finding a lot of twas out there. And I went through a hard time adapting to being natural over the past month and would like to help others with my story! Thanks for allowing me the forum to do so.

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
Ashley: I was a short term transitioner. A family friend was visiting and suggested I go natural. I never thought I could because my hair is so thick and “nappy”. Once I did more research and went to the natural hair care salon she suggested I was ready to transition. But after 4 weeks I got tired of the two textures and had my stylist cut the rest of the relaxer off on a whim.

CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
Ashley: I big chopped three days before my 22nd birthday. *Geminis Represent* So, it was June 7, 2009. I’m not going to lie, initially I was depressed. I felt ugly with these new found “nappy” roots and I refused to leave my house without wearing a wig for three weeks. However, one day I called my mom (it was during the third week of wearing a wig) and she told me beauty starts with inner confidence and if it radiates to the outside others won’t be able to help but love me the way I am. The next day I had my big “reveal”, and sure enough EVERYBODY LOVED it. Now I’m having fun being able to wash it when I want, trying twist outs and comb coils (which I cannot master to save my life).

CN: What was your transition routine (products included)?
Ashley: $90 a week for a shampoo/steam hydration/press a week. Yes, I’m a broke law student who was skimping on groceries just to get my hair done :/

CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
Ashley: I had a staple style? lol I’d have to say a two textured hot mess!

CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth
line?
Ashley: I tried numerous products but then just did the big chop. I guess you can see I was an unsuccessful yet successful transitioner b/c I still reached the end goal of being natural!

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
Ashley: At first I chose to go natural because I became more in tune with the health of my hair and not just wanting long hair. Because it would grow, but then be all damaged and weak due to the relaxers, braids, and weaves. However, this journey has become so much more than that to include learning more about the inner me and embracing my roots physically and emotionally. It’s hard to explain, but I feel closer to my roots with my curly hair than I ever have before due to growing up in a military family where we were generally the only African-American family around.

The first couple of pics are of me with relaxed hair and the last one is a few weeks after the big chop. It’s grown even more since! Check out my blog at http://curlconfessions.blogspot.com for updates! It’s growing like crazy!!