CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
Michelle: I would consider myself long term because I wore a lot of braids until my hair was long enough to work with. I also love changing my hair. I think that is what is so amazing about our hair. It is versatile.

CN:When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
Michelle: That is actually a very funny story. I tried to dye my hair red in 2001. My hair was still relaxed and I had no intentions of going natural. I had not had a relaxer in months because my beautician stopped doing hair. I really did not trust anyone else with my hair. After I dyed my hair my roots were bright red, the relaxed ends were black. I am a bit of an impulsive person so I decided to let my sister-in-law just cut off the relaxed ends. I then looked like little orphan Annie. It was a drastic change in texture, length, and color. I went to the beauty supply the next day and bought some hair for micro braids. My second cut was after having my hair relaxed in 2004. My hair broke off very badly so I did the BC myself and wore comb twists and braids until it got longer.

CN: What was your transition routine?
Michelle: My transition was so crazy both times, I really did not have a routine. I wore braids and would cornrow my own hair and un-braid it. I would wear that some times. I was always a fan of big hair.

CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
Michelle: Micros, micros, micros

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
Michelle: It was actually an accident after the hair dying fiasco. The second time around was because I just missed my big hair. I have really thick hair and when I relaxed it again it was just so flat. As long as my hair is natural and I want to wear it straight, I can always put in a sew in. I do that from time to time when I want to give my hair a break and just want a different look.

I hope that my story helps someone. Right now, I pretty much wear two strand twists. My favorite is my twist out after wearing my two strands for a week or two. I use a ton of bobby pins and try different things. I have really been enjoying your site for ideas!