Deandrea- A Story of Transition

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I would say I was a semi-long term transitioner. My last relaxer was in December 2008. I wanted to go longer but I could not take the two textures any longer!

CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
I originally BC’d on September 27th, 2009, but there were still straight ends on my hair, so I cut it again on October 2nd, 2009. I was just routinely co-washing my hair, and there were tangles and knots all around my head that I just couldn’t get out. At that point, I got the scissors and cut one of the knots off. Then, I just started cutting more of the knots off when I said to myself forget it…so I started cutting all my hair off!

My initial reaction was, “Oh my God, I’m BALD” lol. I could not believe that I had cut all my hair off. My hair had never been that short, and I didn’t think I would look right with no hair. But, I just kept telling myself it would grow back, and be healthy finally!

CN: How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
They all liked it. When I first bc’d, I showed my brother, and he said, “what did you do”? I said, “what does it look like? I cut my hair off.” Then he said, “It looks good.” Everybody knew I was going natural, so they were okay with it. Now, I have strangers coming up to me saying they love my hair. Who knew?! lol

CN: What was your transition routine?
The only thing I did was a rollerset each week.That was my staple hair style. That was the only thing that would look right with the two textures. I started co-washing my hair. That’s pretty much all I did the 9 months I was transitioning. The products I used were Giovanni 50/50 conditioner, Cantu Leave-In Shea Butter, and Fantasia IC Gel.

CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
I used Cantu, coconut oil , and water. I also used a satin cap and pillow. Needless to say, my hair still broke at the new growth line.

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
I have officially been natural for 4 months. I was tired of getting relaxers every month, tired of my hair breaking off, and I wanted to see what my “real” hair looked like. I had been getting relaxers since I was 6 so I never knew how my natural hair looked. Now that I am natural, I love it. I can go out into the rain and not have to duck! I don’t have to worry about my head burning when putting a relaxer on. It’s much easier for me. I am experimenting with different kinds of natural products and seeing what works for my hair and what doesn’t. I also go on youtube and forums like these to get tips on styles and products that I may want to try. I’m always playing with my hair and my “curlies”. I’m glad I decided to go natural, it was one of the best decisions I have made!

Pics
1st pic : Relaxer days
2nd pic : Transition Style : Rollerset
3rd pic: 1 week after BC
4th & 5th pics : Jan 8th, 2010 -About 3 months after BC