CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
T: I was a short term transitioner. I really did not have the patience for longer than 4 months, LOL. Plus, I had no idea how to style my hair during my transition.
CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
T: I BC’d on April 25, 2008. I was not scared at all, but excited! I needed a change during that time in my life, and decided that my hair was going to be it. I had sort of a mixed reaction to my hair after it was cut. I liked it. It felt lighter. But I wanted it to be curly, and it was like a cloud with a few coils here and there that you could only see when you parted the hair. But I had no regrets. I told myself that whatever texture it turned out to be, I was going to love it. And I did! I thought it was kind of chic.
CN: What was your transition routine?
T: I started letting my hair air-dry after washing it to prepare myself for no heat. I washed with with commercial shampoos and conditioners during this time, as I was still learning about product ingredients. I deep conditioned every two weeks, and washed every week.
CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
T: My transition was very short-lived as I didn’t know what to do with my hair! When I got my last relaxer, I had the stylist cut my hair to a jaw line-length bob with fringed bangs to prepare myself for short hair. Everybody loved that! But it was for a purpose. As it grew out, I couldn’t put it in any buns or ponytails because it was still so short. So when the new growth started to clearly show, I wore wigs for about 2 months. Then I got Kinky-twists for the other 2 months.
CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
T: Before I moved to my current location, I had a stylist I loved. I probably would have never even considered going natural. But once I got to TN, I bounced around from stylist to stylist. I was paying higher prices for living in a bigger city, and I was spending way too much time in salons for simple styles. One day I did the math (I’m an Accountant, so that kind of stuff is in my nature.) I could not believe how much time and money I was throwing at my hair. I was really agonizing over it. There were significant things I was trying to do with my life, and trying to maintain straight hair just seemed so unimportant. I would go to church and see half the people there with natural hair, and I was intrigued about my own natural texture. I asked myself could I do that. Yes I could! And I was going to. And I did. I have not regretted one single day of it.
1st pic- 1 month post bc
2nd pic- 5 months post bc- coil-out with blended beauty
3rd pic- Sept 13, 2009- braid-out with CD HHB, almost 1.5 yr natural
do you henna
I.Love.Your.Hair. I just learned about the twist-out and have never heard of a coil out, but yours is fyah! I love your coil out and braid out!
Hey dollbaby!!! This sistah is my real sister as well!!! OMG I cant believe your on the net. Cool points!! Any whoo, i'm so proud of you and Dee for making this transition and sticking with it. Oh snap!! you better work baby!!
Tip
so pretty
This sistah is my real sister and she was my inspiration to go natural. Although, I'm at a 1yr2months and my hair isn't as long as her. LOL.
Congrats! Very beautiful hair! How do you do a coil out? Can someone please share?
Very nice!! Your hair has really grown! ~KF519
Sister, your hair is the business!!!! Keep us updated on what you are using as your hair looks so soft and healthy…Congrats!
tawanna your hair looks great!
Tawanna you are gorgeous! Your hair looks fabulous and you've given me ideas. Thanks!
Thanks to everyone for wonderful complements. Its really been a great journey for me, and I'm still learning a lot. Thanks to CurlyNikki for spolighting me! I read your blogs every friggin day! And to Makeda- CD HHB means Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter. Thanks again beautiful ladies!
——Tawanna
Beautiful hair! So I'm thinking that once you BC that your hair takes a minute to develop it's curl/coil at the end?
I agree. Very nice growth!
Your hair has grown so beautifully. I wanted my hair to be curly as well when I got my BC but like you.. I had clouds and coils (at the root)also. LOL
Beautiful…
Gorgeous hair!!!
I am loving the coil out!! One thing about 4a/b texture is that it coils like no other…I can get a perfect coil just using my fingers..crazy…
Your hair looks amazing! 🙂
WOW! i'm close to 15 months and my hair isn't that long on the sides. her hair has great growth! she really kept all that new growth.
your hair looks so cute and soft. what do u use. sorry, im not up on all of the abbrevations…lol
Beautiful hair! Can't wait till I hit that mark!
ITA w/ Namun! Your growth is amazing!
Lovely hair and awesome growth!