
Lucia writes:
Hey Nikki!
I would first like to thank you so much for your wonderful website- I just wish I would have found it sooner! The stories I’ve read on here, including yours, have been so inspiring to me. I recently BC’d about two months ago and I can truly say it was the best decision of my life. After struggling with my hair and hating it ever since I can remember, it felt so good to fall in love with beautiful tress- once and for all. Going natural is a decision I’ll never regret- I LOVE IT!
CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I only transitioned for about two months before I BC’d because before I decided to go natural, I had a short “Halle” type of hair cut. It was becoming increasingly difficult to find transition hair styles and I simply just didn’t know what to do with my head! I tried braids and twists with synthetic hair but that just tore out my already “weak” edges. I even wore half-wigs for a while- something I NEVER in a million years thought I’d do! But after seeing my new growth and being afraid that I was damaging it with all of these hair styles, I made a decision that enough was enough. It was time to BC.
CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
I BC’d toward the end of February 2010. My initial reaction to my BC was…..SHOCK! LOL. I was soooo shocked at myself, I couldn’t believe that I actually had the guts to cut off all of my hair. Even today, I’m still in awe that I did it! I was so excited to see my natural hair for the first time in 11 years, it felt so liberating. I felt like I was on top of the world- seriously!
CN: How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
I live in New York City and my mom lives in North Carolina. When I initially told her that I wanted to go natural she was so confused, she kind of tried to talk me out of it! Naturally, she couldn’t understand why I wanted to do it. But I explained to her how important this journey was to me and that my goal was to grow a beautiful head of HEALTHY, natural hair. She was like “oh, ok” LOL. A couple of months later I BC’d and didn’t tell her. About a month and a half after my BC, I flew to NC to visit my family. My mother said she didn’t recognize me when she was looking for me at the airport! Her initial reaction was SHOCK, I could see it in her face. I think as the day went on it began to grow on her. Finally, after a couple of days she told me she liked it! I was so happy that it grew on her! But either way, I LOVE my TWA! My other family members love it also. I think the funniest reactions I receive were from my 5 and 7 year old nieces. They walked into the room and just stared at my head in amazement. They looked at each other, and then back at me- trying so desperately to figure out what to say. Finally, one of them said “Soooo auntie, ummm….you cut it?” I said “Yes! Do you like it?” They both said “Ummmhmm, it’s niiiiice”. I couldn’t help but laugh, they were so confused. LOL, they’re so cute! I explained to them why I did it and eventually it grew on them as well. Kids are so funny!
CN: What was your transition routine ?
During my transition, I wore braids, Senegalese twist, half-wigs, and scarves. I discovered prepooing and cowashing so I began doing that. I prepooed with Organix Coconut Conditioner, washed with Giovanni Smooth As Silk shampoo, and deep conditioned with Giovanni Smooth As Silk Conditioner. I oiled my scalp every other night and used a moisturizing hair cream in between my oil days.
CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
I would say my staple hair “style” was the half-wig because I did that for the longest.
This was one of my transition hair styles- my friends called it my “curly sue” half-wig. LOL. I always wore a hat with it because I didn’t like the way the front of my hair looked with the half wig.
CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
I made sure to moisturize at night with a cream and then again in the morning before I wore the half wig.
CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
I decided to go natural because to be honest, I was fed up. The short hair style I had was so high maintinence! I had to go to the salon every 2weeks, perm every 5-6 weeks, trim every week or so- it just became too much of a hassle. It was also taking a toll on my hair and I noticed my edges quickly disappearing from the frequent perms. All of a sudden the “cute” little hair style that I loved wasn’t worth it anymore. My hair appeared healthy when in reality, it was a total wreck! I’ve been wanting to go natural for a few years and I admired the beauty of people with natural hair. I always wondered- wow, they must feel so free! I envied their freedom and I finally figured, what the heck am I waiting for?! Am I waiting for all of my hair to fall out from the perms before I make a decision?! NO! I had waited long enough and society would no longer tell me what I had to look like. No longer will I let this worlds’ perception of beauty dictate what I do with my hair. It was time I made a decision to leave behind this “creamy crack” that my hair never liked in the first place- so I let it go. Now I’ve fallen in love with my hair for what it is- naturally BEAUTIFUL!
It feels so great to break out of what’s considered “the norm” and do what makes ME happy- no matter what everyone else thinks. It took me long enough, but I’ve finally gotten down to the “root” of who I really am (literately…lol). I can honestly say that for the first time in my life, I am happy with my hair. There is not a perm in the world that can give me the confidence that my TWA has given me and I thank God for my natural hair everyday!
i love seeing how different people look AND feel when going from relaxed to natural…it's a whole new person…looking good lucia 🙂
Beautiful!
Cute!:-)
Great story, I relate to it a lot and you look wonderful!
Our stories are very similar. I also decided to go natural after rocking a short relaxed Halle Berry look and deciding it was a ridiculous amount of work.
very cute i can relate to your story as well, i also have short hair, and its so damage, that tryin to transition is very hard, i leading toward bc but not sure how my hubby will feel about it.this goin natural stuff is hard work, hopeful i work up the nerves soon.b blessed
I am very proud of you for making such a major decision! I love you bestie. BTW You look GORGEOUS! 🙂
Gorgeous!
I am also transitioning from a short 'Halle'cut in which I was and still in love with. But she descirbed everything I was feeling. Looking back it is very high maintence and my hair looked healthy when in fact it was not. Plus I love my natural hair, it looks better and its far more edgier.
i like the short look but what do you use to make your hair curly?
lucia has the same style I did. that made me find it difficult to transition with a protective style, but I am almost 3 months strong and planning to go six months. the back is all natural.
Currently I have a short pixie cut and find it hard to transition. I feel like I just want to chop it off. I don't want braids and I don't wear weaves or wigs. I only have about a half inch of new growth. My last relaxer was at the end of July. I think I am about to pull a you and just chop it off. It won't be that drastic (at least I don't think! LOL) since I am already short. Your hair is super cute.
GORGEOUS!!! Great story!
This message is from your older sister Elizabeth Andrea Wiggins. I am extremely Proud of you. You and my husband have been my biggest inspiration to go natural, and my biggest supporters. The Lord designed you to be a naturally beautiful Hispanic black Queen and don't you ever forget that. Te amo mucho hermanita. Dios te biendiga.
OMG!! I'm transitioning from the same cut. My last relaxer was the end of December. My relaxed hair can't hold a style for a day so I flat iron it daily. Such a pain and that can't be good for my hair either. I don't see myself transitioning for long, and I'm anxious to grow a TWA. Great post 🙂
Very inspiring story Lucinda! Love the hair keep it up!… Guess it's only fitting that I follow suit 🙂
Heyy Prima!! I <3 your story! & U look absolutely Beautiful! Wish i had the guts to chop it all off!! It truly is a Journey..Love you! From Sammy sosa lol <3