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Curly Nikki

Carlita– A Story of Transition

By January 27th, 202111 Comments

Meet Carlita…a gorgeous natural from Delaware that initially second guessed her BC. Now she’s rockin’ the TWA proudly, and oh so chicly!

Carlita-- A Story of Transition

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
C: Well, I didn’t plan on transitioning at all. I was looking for ways to improve the health of my hair so I was looking at Fotkis and different things online and I came across natural hair blogs. I was like ‘Wow, this is so me .’ I became intrigued at how much longer and how much healthier natural hair is. Before going alnaturale, I would blow my hair out but never flat iron it because I loved the volume. I have one picture of me when I was 4 years old and I had the most gorgeous unique puff, I was like ‘Mom, why you put a relaxer in my hair?’..lol..she said I begged her for one..(damn, those Just For Me cassette tapes..lol). And I was also tired of hair dressers cutting too much of my hair. I had been going to salons since I was in 7th grade and I had always gotten the same style..Doobie. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had inches cut off my hair for nothing, just to have it grow back and be cut again. And I never used heat unless I blow dried my hair which I did 2 or three times a month and I deep conditioned regularly. It didn’t add up. I transitioned for 5 months.

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

C: I had my last relaxer in the beginning of February 2009. I had made up my mind in May that I was going to go natural. I could not deal with the two textures! I BC’ed July 27th, 2009. My hair finally had personality! I couldn’t wait to embark on this journey of healthier thicker natural hair. I wanted to test my confidence, and I knew I would have to get used to the new texture sooner or later. I thought it would turn out different too, but it looked so dry and my curls weren’t juicy like I had envisioned… but I still rocked it to work the next day! That is when I started having a second thoughts. I was clueless on how to maintain my hair. I did not know what to do with it, so I put the braids back in.

CN: What was your transition routine?
C: S-Curl, Cantu shea butter, kemi-oyl, olive oil, pure shea butter and lots of other things. I co-washed my braids maybe 5 or 6 times within the 2 1/2 -3 mo I left them in. I had no product routine.
CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
C: Micro braids most of the time, and my Pocahontas in between getting the braids back in.

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?

C: It was time. I wanted healthy hair that I could manage myself. I wanted to look on the outside, what I felt on the inside. Weaves and straight silky hair, I felt, was never me. I’ve only worn those styles to grow out a perm or not put up with my lifeless hair. I love everything about natural hair and I knew with help from CurlyNikki.com and other informative online resources I could do this and I am so happy that I did. There is something raw and funky and sexy and alluring about it. I also have two nieces and I want them to see that you don’t have to hide behind pounds of hair or be ashamed of what you were blessed with. I am still learning about mine. I don’t have a routine down yet and I’m still trying to find my hair’s likes and dislikes but I’m sure I’ll figure it out. Best decision I have ever made.

Me in Kindergarten

Carlita-- A Story of Transition

Relaxed Hair

Carlita-- A Story of Transition

Transitioning with braids

Carlita-- A Story of Transition

11 Comments

  • Anonymous says:

    you were sooo cute as a baby and grew into a gorgeous woman!

  • Neta says:

    Hello…Congratulations! You have began your journey with the right attitude.Your natural curls looks very cute. Reading your post made me reminisce when I transitioned.
    Funny, I cried when I first cut all my hair to start over. Now I kind of miss the tom hair style.
    Love yourself and enjoy the journey!

  • Maria says:

    So cute! You have the same baby face from the kindergarten picture.

  • Carlita says:

    Thank you all for your kind words! It is so heartwarming! And to answer your questions;

    @ 7:16 No, I do not have a fotki yet, but that is something I plan on doing. I need more pictures first..lol

    @ 8:27 Be encouraged, sis. Going natural is not easy but once you do it, there is an immediate feeling of relief and it is so freeing. Whatever your hair texture happens to be know that it was designed and created especially for you.

    @ 8:43 Thank you so much! As my fro grows and my curls unfold I will definately keep you all posted!

  • nellboogie says:

    Super cute Sis! Stay focused and keep up the good work…you look fab with your TWA! Once you find a routine, your confidence will grow even more and you will truly own your natural style. Good luck, God Bless, and keep us posted!

  • Anonymous says:

    What's the problem? You're cute as a button.

  • Anonymous says:

    You look like baby Beyonce in your kindergarten pic! Your hair looks great btw.

  • Anonymous says:

    Thank you for sharing! I'm a Delaware woman with relaxed hair. I've been considering going natural on and off for years, but I'm so scared. I can relate to your mom's comments about why you got a relaxer at a young age. My mom tells me that I begged her for a Jheri curl back in '85 and that I needed one. I went from the curl to the perm and 24 years later, here I am. Nearly 30 years old and I don't know my hair texture!

  • Anonymous says:

    Ah, that kindergarten pic is toooo cute! Lol! Lovely girl and lovely hair. Is there a Fotki?

  • Anonymous says:

    http://public.fotki.com/Renabme/

    Oh yeah,
    I used to love those just for me tapes! You looking good tho! It feels good to be free doesn't it?

  • Anonymous says:

    I know how she feels. I hated my short cut for the first 1-2 months because I don't like my hair line and I have a round face. 5 months later I have more hair to work with, but I can't wait to hit the one-year (and then the two-year) mark for a fuller 'fro.

    In the meantime, when I'm not wearing it as a curly fro, I'm getting it twisted for some variety.

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