Brooke- A Story of Transition

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I made the decision to transition back in March, but I postponed it because I was going to Miami, and I wasn’t ready to tackle my hair, so I used a relaxer one last time. I’m glad I waited because it wasn’t until after I came back that I stumbled upon your website. My initial plan was to be a long term transitioner, but I was so anxious to cut my hair and get started on my natural hair journey. I’ve had my hair short before, and this is the best time to do it (summer time = wash n’ go!)

CN: Why did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
Over the last two months, I started cutting my hair in stages. I was too scared to go all the way, so I cut an inch off about every 1-2 weeks. Yesterday I was down to my last inch. I had butterflies in my stomach as I held the scissors to my head for the last and final chop. It was scary and exhilarating at the same time.


CN: How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
My mom and sister have not seen my recent “small” big chop yet, but they did see my last hair cut before that and they liked it. My co-workers LOVED it. I was surprised, but I really didn’t care. I’m owning it, loving it, and growing it. That’s all that matters to me, and me alone.

CN: What was your transition routine?
Well, because this is a short transition, I haven’t yet found my routine, but I have tried a lot of products. So far, I like Aubrey Organics (HSR, and J.A.Y). I recently tried Garnier Fructis Sleek N Shine Leave In, and it works really great on my hair so I’m going to use that for a while and see how it does. I also tried the Yes To Carrots (found a sample size at Target), and I’m liking that also. This is still a work in progress. Any advice is welcomed with open arms.

CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
I cut my hair in a really cute short style and I was doing the wash n go’s – after washing (or cowashing), I put some foam in my hair, tousled it, and let it air dry. Again, got a lot of compliments from the coworkers. My hair was growing really fast over the last couple of months.

CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
At night, I just used some hair butter or coconut oil and sleep with a satin bonnet on my head.

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
I was totally clueless! I didn’t know there was another world in hair care – natural hair care. The only thing I knew about natural hair was the dreadlocks – I didn’t want to go there. I didn’t beg my mom as a child to get me a relaxer, she just took me to the hairstylist, and I got a relaxer, and it was pretty. That’s all I knew. My hair was long as I was seeing a stylist, but that costs money that I could invest in more productive things. So, I started doing my own hair. I’ve been maintaining, but it’s never been as healthy as it was going to my stylist. Besides, I don’t like my hair relaxed, it makes me look so plain and lifeless. I’m a positive upbeat person, and my hair just didn’t match with my personality or attire. I also like curly hair, but never knew how these natural beauties rocked those curly do’s – then I recently learned about the braid outs/twist outs. I was sold immediately! Watching youtube and following your website, I was completely amazed at the endless number of styles you can do with natural hair.

Going back to question one – it was all in the timing. Several years ago, I contemplated going natural (before discovering CurlyNikki, LHCF, and YouTube ). So I asked my hair stylist (who is by far one of the greatest healthy hair care specialists in the world), and she told me that I would have to cut out my relaxed hair – of course, this is her tactic to discourage me from doing it, this is potential loss of money for her – I can’t blame her she has to put a roof over her head too. Well, I chickened out and never thought of it again. So that itch has returned and this time I am armed with plenty of resources to help me through this journey.