Meet Toi…newly natural and learning to love the shrinkage that comes with the territory!
CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, why?
T: My last relaxer was June ’08 and I transitioned for about 8 months with hopes of continuing longer but I couldn’t take it any more lol!
CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
T: I bc’ed February ’09. My initial reaction was sort of surreal…I had finished taking out my braids and I just reached for the scissors and started cutting. I didn’t really feel anything immediately until I went to bed and cried myself to sleep! Not to mention, some of my friends weren’t feeling my decision at first. I immediately got more braids and I didn’t fully rock my natural until the summer. I’m so happy with my decision of BC’ing now of course!
CN: What was your transition routine?
T: For the first few months I would flat-iron my hair bi-weekly. After that, I would mainly wear twist outs, buns and braids/weaves. I also liked to co-wash with Suave or Herbal Essence Hello Hydration and deep condition with Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose.
CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
T: I made sure to deep condition weekly and treat my hair with gentle hands. I always applied conditioner or moisturizer (B&B Oil Moisturizer, Mango Butter) in sections to make sure that no part of my hair was missed. I used sulfate-free shampoos to alleviate the stripping of moisture from my strands. Coconut oil was also a major lifesaver for my hair.
CN: Why did you go natural?
T: I went natural because I had been contemplating it for so long and I just felt it was time to finally do it. I was so tired of getting relaxers which yielded a sore scalp or going to salons and dealing with the long tedious process. I love big hair and I did not like the lifeless look of my hair post relaxer. My hair is very kinky, coily, soft, and I absolutely love it (learning to love the shrinkage!). I feel so happy and pretty now, more than ever and I love to see the growing number of naturals on my campus…it’s such a beautiful sight! CurlyNikki.com has been very influential in my healthy hair care journey and I make sure to tell all of my friends about it! Thanks so much, you are truly an inspiration!
1st photo: flat-iron 5 months into transition
2nd photo: twistout, my favorite transition style
3rd photo: my hair now!
Toi is also my name (birth name). We are too fly…lol
Aww she went to high school and college with me!!! Hello Toi!!!! :))
I just realized that I will be 2 years without a perm this March…Wow..that's insane. I've been wearing braids, my own hair (no sewn in or glued in weaves), pressed hairstyles and then roller sets or braid outs… I love big hair and bigger hair…I won't be Big Chopping for various reasons….I love the look on here from you natural wonders who have inspired me to keep doing what I'm doing and I hope to learn more that I can comfortably do myself….
I hope you continue to post your progress on this site as each and everyone of you inspire me to stay natural and curly….
You have beautiful hair. I'm glad that you learned to like your hair. Have fun with it 🙂
when i saw this i was like wait a minute that is my name. but no, not me. it just caught me by surprise. i know no one else with that name.
Aww. Her hair texture looks like mine. &hearts I transitioned for about 6 months.
You hair is beautiful!
I'm transitioning and I also like twistouts.
I feel the same way you do about going natural. I was also tired of getting relaxers and ending up with a sore scalp. I also did not like the long tedious process. I know what you mean about having lifeless hair post relaxer. I didn't like that either.
omg, Nikki that was fast…thanks for posting my story and I appreciate the compliments ladies!! Congrats on your BC Alana! I adore this site and I love being natural 🙂
Your hair looks great! You're rocking that puff!
Nice hair! 🙂 ~KF519
Your hair is gorgeous!!! Way to go Sis!
Love it! I transitioned for ten months.(BC'd YESTERDAY!!!) I love my length. I chopped my hair at the perfect time.
Love your hair! It looks like it's growing well and it is a good length. Hair like ours is anything but "lifeless" so you got your wish!
Hawt earrings, too !
you transitioned for a long time! i had no patience. i bc-ed and then regretted it, then loved it, then hated it. lol it's def a journey but i'm very happy with where i am now. 🙂 your hair looks great!