Stacie- A Story of Transition

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?

S: No, I tried, but I only transitioned for 5 months this time, the longest I’ve transitioned was 7 months. I’ve been natural 3 times before

I know I’m a HAM. This time my relaxed hair was super damaged, so it just made sense to just do the big chop.

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

S: I BCed August 16, 2009. I’ve been natural previously so it wasn’t a big deal.

I’ve been natural at least 3 times before so since 2003 I’ve been mostly natural… I would always end up getting a relaxer and end up going back natural.

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

S: I tried to do a lot of protective styles, I didn’t comb my hair unless it was wet. I used a denman when I would detangle and that worked wonders.

Products Used:

1. Aubrey Organics GPB conditioner

2. Coconut Oil

3. Shea Butter ( until it started breaking me out)

4. Suave Products ( basically anything cheap)

CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?

S: Initially it was a wash and set, then it was flexi-rods, then it was just ponytails (btw, I wouldn’t recommend transitioning with ponytails, my edges were breaking so badly).

CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?

S: I would use coconut oil sometimes, to be honest I wasn’t consistent so I think that’s why I couldn’t last that long.

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?

S: I’ve been natural before, and I loved it. I think it’s just me, uncomplicated no additives. I’m just not a relaxer girl, when I had a relaxer I was the queen of wash and sets and I spent so much time on my hair, once I became natural in 2003 , I realized how beautiful it was and just couldn’t go back for too long. My biggest problem is I would revert back to perms whenever I was stressed out in relationships or just simply felt down. I’m learning not to use my hair as an emotional outlet.

Relaxed Hair