Shaka- A Story of Transition

CurlyNikki readers, meet Shaka…the big haired DIVA!

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
S: I was both. I began transitioning in 2005 & ’06 but kept texturizing and my hair was breaking really badly. So in August of 2007, I was sitting at work one day & I was like “eff this” I’m going to lunch.. I went to the barbershop & cut all my hair off! I got a mohawk…been natural ever since.

CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
S: I bc’ed in August of 2007. The summer of 2007 was very emotional for me & I think I took it out on my hair by going to the barbershop, lol.. When I was at work, I loved it! When I got home later that evening I hated it!! I grew to love the style! It was a drastic change for me. I loved my natural hair & the plans I had for it, so I stayed strong & believed in what I did. I can’t say the same for others lol!

CN: What was your transition routine (products included)?
S: I didn’t have the knowledge as I do now re: transitioning. Thank God for NC.com! Those ladies (including you) were/are God sends! I didn’t mess with my hair too much during transition… mainly wash & sets.

CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
S: My staple transition style was wash and sets, and blow outs… nothing else.

CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
S: I used castor oil & coconut oil at the growth line & I didn’t manipulate my hair too much. Patience is definitely key during transition & with natural hair PERIOD..

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
S: I chose to go natural because of selfish reasons at first… I had a really short haircut in 2001 a la’ Nia Long short & I noticed when I washed it how beautiful it would look while wet. Fast forward years later, and I wanted my hair to look like Tracee Ellis Ross’ & Kelis’ hair! I needed that crazy BIG hair! I was like, ‘that’s me’! So I stopped perming slowly but surely. Now that my hair is growing out, not down (it’s crazy big! I still LOVE the attention & stares my hair gets (I guess it’s the Gemini in me). The random questions people ask, the “where can I purchase the wig you’re wearing?” or the “guurrrll what kinda S curl is that?” or the ” I’m a new transitioner please help because your hair is GORGEOUS!” I LOVE em’ all!! Now that I’ve gained the knowledge by visiting some of the natural sites & doing research my hair is healthy as ever & thick as can be! I LOVE MY HAIR & WOULDN’T CHANGE IT FOR THE WORLD!!!