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.