Lucia– A Story of Transition

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!