Tawanna answered the call for 4a/4b divas. After a long term transition, and an even longer mental transition, here she is…more beautiful than ever!
CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
T: I was a long term transitioner. I was not prepared for the outcome. I totally went by the textures of my edges and I knew my hair would not be manageable. So afraid of the unknown, I prolonged the debut of the natural. From Oct. 2008 – Sept. 2009 I wore wigs, weave… any anything to not deal with my hair.
CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
T: I BC’d July 31st. I cried myself to sleep. I told my husband that I could not believe I was this UGLY–all the while, he was snapping pics of me telling me how beautiful I was. That helped, but I didn’t believe it. Everyday, I went out to buy a relaxer but didn’t go through with it.
CN: What was your transition routine (products included)?
T: I conditioned my hair, twisted it, and put it under a wig. I loved the wig! But I really wanted to wear my hair out. I used cantu leave-in conditioner which I still use, and Aphogee reconstructor which helped me to comb through it while co-washing.
CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
T: I used Garnier sleek and shine conditioner. I love this stuff. Then I put a leave-in conditioner on it, Cantu, and the oil moisturizer. I never experienced breakage.
CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
T: I chose to go natural because I had a little girl in Nov. 2008, and I never plan to relax her hair. I want her to know she is beautiful in the skin she is in, no matter what. So I started thinking, how can I tell her this if I’m addicted to the CREAMY CRAC?!. So it became more of a challenge and a true journey for me. Best decision I ever made!
Wig
Natural!
Wow! I am sooo saddened to read that you tought you weren't beautiful! Obviously you didnt see what us outsiders can/do! You wer epretty before, but your natural hair fits you better and makes your smile and eyes pop! Please dont ever go back – not for any other reason than it suits you. 🙂 Great pics!
CJ
Your hair is gorgeous and you are radiant with the fro girl! Your texture looks almost identical to mine! Just BCd three weeks ago and am overwhelmed by my thick 4b? coils. could you please tell me A) what products you use? especially for daily maintenance as my hair just wont stay moisturized
and
B) the style number for that cute wig when I wanna change my look up!
TAWANNA!!!! THIS IS LATRISHIA BARNES FROM LIVINGSTON AL!! I was looking through the forum and saw your pic!! Girl relaxed or not, you are still beautiful!!! I was so excited to see your pic (explains the exclamation point)LOL! contact me at latrishiabarnes@yahoo.com
I hope to hear from you soon!!
You are absolutely beautiful, love your natural look.
I think that your husband was 100% correct. You are absolutely gorgeous.
I am just now reading this post. Bravo to this young lady. Type 4 hair beauties unite! Lol.
Tawanna, don't let anyone tell you otherwise: You are GORGEOUS just the way you are. And your daughter will appreciate what you've done for her. Let's pray that more women will do the same so that someday our children and grandchildren can put this shame of natural Afro-textured hair behind them.
I LOVE that headband. Your hair is beautiful!
Enjoyed this post and most of all the honesty. It is a decision of a lifetime.
enjoyed your story!!!! I agree with all the ladies above, beautiful hair & pics~
You look absolutely RADIANT! 🙂
I am loving all of this type 4 love!! Woot Woot!!
Girl, your hair is bangin! ROCK IT!!
Curlylikeme.blogspot.com
Your hair is so pretty! Love the style with the flower. 🙂 ~KF519
Thank u 4 representing for the 4b's and representing WELL!!!! You are Beautiful, and to think u were hiding all that Beautiful hair under a wig and beating it down with that Creamy Crack!!! I am glad to call you SISTAH, MY SISTAH!!!
You are beautiful Sister! Your natural 'fro looks much prettier than your wig…Trust!
Oh….your story almost made me tear- your husband was snapping photos while you cried??? wow! now that is what you call support and a true cheerleader! thanks for repping 4b!
tawanna i think you look very pretty with all of the hair styles but i am partial to the natural look. 😉
You are glowing, you look younger and you and your daughter will reap the countless benefits of your wise decision!
Your hair is so big and beautiful!!! I'm glad you decided to let it shine 🙂 And thank you for your story!! I have nothing against women with other curl patterns, but I, like some other new naturals I've observed, felt very lost at first when it seemed all the natural women had very loose/close to wavy curls. I'm so grateful to see all the various curl patterns and know that my type of hair has a home on the shelf of beauty also 🙂
The creamy crack will have you brainwashed! lol 🙂
Your husband is right and I am so happy that he got you though your mental transitioning with your hair. I love the last picture with the flower. Your hair and skin is just glowing!
so pretty!
Absolutely love your hair! Thank you for being such a gorgeous 4a/4b example!
One question for you. What type of curlers did you use for the middle photo? I would like to try the same on my hair.
Tawanna, thanks for sharing your story. As a 4b sista I felt my hair was not right because it did not conform to some imaginary beauty standard set by others! I even wrote a comment here in the early days of this blog crying about how horrible my hair was! However bear in mind that my hair then was nowhere near the condition yours is in – mine was dry, breaking and generally lacking TLC. Fast forward nearly a year, lots of moisture, henna treatments and growth and my hair is gorgeous! I absolutely love it, so does my hubby and whenever I wear it out I get so many compliments. I truly would not trade it in for anything now. I am so glad your hubby is there to tell you the truth- you and your hair are beautiful! I think if my hair had looked as good as yours when I started out almost a year ago, I would have had more confidence then.
Thanks for repping 4b's. You're an inspiration!
Also please share the secret to your amazing skin!;-)
Thanks for this post. I just BC'd last week and am in the "feeling ugly" stage and am very tempted to perm my hair. As the days go by I am getting a little more comfortable with my new look and reading your story is encouraging.
Gorgeous! 4As and 4Bs for the win! 🙂
Your natural hair is FAR pretty than your wig! You're beautiful!
You are absolutely beautiful!!! I can relate about one jugding their hair texture by the edges…my daughter is afraid for that same reason to go natural 🙁 However, she is talking more about seeing beautiful naturals, like yours…:) There's hope…God Bless you and your baby girl!!!
Girl, u are FAR from ugly…and ur hair is the bomb!
your hair is so shiney and it looks so thick!you look pretty ! The one with the flower in your hair.
you look beautiful and thank you for your honesty, I'm also a type 4 and the first month after my BC I was real tempted to relax my hair again.
You better rock that thick beautiful fro! You look great with your natural hair.
You look beautiful, esp in that last picture! Love the flower.
Your hair is positively lovely. I agree with the other commentators that your natural hair really complements your gorgeous features.
Beautiful hair!! Love it.
Gorgeous!
I BC'd the same day as you and I also felt so ugly, probably because my hair shrunk into a nothing!
You look lovely with your natural hair!
The wig was nice, but I think your hair looks WAY better. It's fuller and more flattering to your face.
It's refreshing to see someone as open and honest as you about your transition to natural hair. You look wonderful, and it seems you have a wonderful husband too! Was there any one moment that helped you decide to wear your hair out? You're looking fab!
Wow! You look beautiful. You were pretty with relaxed tresses, but you're stunning in your natural crown! Thank God for sistas learning to see their true beauty. It was always there, some of us just didn't know it 🙂
wow…your curls are gorgeous. and your skin is…so smooth and pretty!!!
Your natural hair is too sharp!!! Blessings to you as you continue to journey on with natural hair while inspiring the onlookers!
Hey Tawanna, I love your hair!…And the fact that you managed a way to stay away from that cream crack. I know that your daughter will grow into a beautiful young lady, since her mommy has set such a great exaple! Take care 😀
Wow, You are an extremely beautiful natural sistah!!