Courtney- A Story of Transition

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I was a short term transitioner because I knew if I waited any longer I would be tempted to relax my hair and I hated the difference between the two textures. I wanted to go natural and had gotten my last relaxer August of 2008 and the BC came shortly after that.

CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
I BC’d January 2009 and at first, when I peeked at the floor of the salon, and the hair at my feet, I couldn’t believe that it was all gone, I was like OMG I did it! My mom was there and she was like yep you did…lol. It took some getting use to at first but then I started to like my 4b/4c hair.

CN: How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
I’ve been blessed with a very supportive family, they all pretty much accepted it and told me it looked nice…they couldn’t believe I did it at first because I was such a girly girl that loved my hair. My youngest niece who was 5 at the time told me I looked like a boy and that my hair was nappy, so I just took the opportunity to teach her that natural hair was beautiful as long as you take care of it and everyone doesn’t have to have long flowing straight hair. It’s crazy how young it starts..but now she loves her hair as well.

CN: What was your transition routine?
I used the Curls transitioning diva kit for a while and then switched to using Kinky Curly after my BC. I co-washed like twice a week and would style with the Kinky Curly Curling Custard. I would deep condition when I remembered…I really didn’t do much with my twa.

CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
For the short time I did transition, I wore half wigs and headbands…lol. I was in my last semester of college before I BC’d so I didn’t have time to do much else.

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
I chose to go natural because I was spending way too much money on my hair, and would be in the hair dresser for HOURS. And I always noticed that my hair would grow to a certain length, and then break and I would have to cut it. I saw other girls going natural and I loved their hair so I figured why don’t I. Honestly it’s the best thing I decided to do for myself! Going natural has helped me take better care of my hair and my body, I use all natural products for my hair, my body, and I eat better…so I guess I’m Happy to be Nappy! 🙂

PICS
1st Pic..My last Relaxer in August 2008
2nd Pic..A couple of months after my BC
3rd Pic…My 1 year anniversary of being natural
Last Pic…My niece and I, who now thinks her natural hair is beautiful (above)