Barbara- A Story of Transition

I was a long term transitioner. My last perm was in October 2007. I transitioned for 14 months before chopping off the remainder of my relaxer. I waited because I’ve always had hair past my shoulders and I thought that I would feel strange with very short hair.

CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?

I BC’d December 2008. My initial reaction was wow!! My hair is curly and I actually went through with cutting off the relaxer. When I left the shop fear began to set in, as I wondered what my husband and family would think of my shorter hair.

CN: How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
My family and friends were somewhat surprised with my shorter new looking hair. My husband said that he just had to get used to it. I remember people asking me why I cut my hair with a look of shear shock on their faces. I responded that I wanted it to be healthy. I used self-talk to encourage my self about my new look, because I knew that it would grow back at some point and I wanted to remain positive. A friend once told me “If you don’t believe it no one else will”. So I was forced to put that motto to use.

CN:What was your transition routine?

When I first started transitioning I went to shops to get my hair washed, blow-fried, and curled every 2 weeks. I went to those shops that advertise that a wash and curl is done in 45 minutes to an hour. My hair was so thin post perms and relaxer that I started asking them to cut it in layers. So I wore layers which were short but made my hair look really full. Then I started wearing flat twists across the front with roller rod sets in the back. Toward the end of my transition I just washed my hair and wore it in a ponytail. I didn’t know about co-washing during this time, and I just used cream of nature shampoo and conditoner. I also used IC fantasia gel to slick my hair back. I also ordered some Carol Daughter’s produccts.

CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?

I had a variety of styles during different phases of my transition. Blow dry and curls, ponytails, and flat twists with roller rod sets. Oh and I almost forgot that I wore cornrows and braid outs. I even went to a shop and got twists toward the end of my transition and they didn’t work for me with the straight ends.

CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?

I used coconut oil grease and I started using Carol’s daughter hair milk. Detangling was a night mare though. In fact the way that the shampoo lady detangled my hair coupled with a lot of extra talking in a different language when I visited the hairdresser, was another reason that I decided to go ahead and chop when I did.

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?

I chose to go natural because after years of perming, adding highlights, and childbirth, my hair began to thin. No matter how often I went to the shop it never grew back as long and full as it had been in the past. I got tired of the ends of my hair looking thin no matter how much I cut it. I also got fed up with having to wait so long in hair salons to get my hair done, while thinking that I could be saving some of this money spent at high end salons. I completely love my natural hair. I finally have a good routine in place. I also love styling my hair and my 4 year old daughters hair into different styles. Your site has given me so much inspiration and direction with how to care for my hair.

Please check out my website/ blog at BarabaraNaturallySpeaking.com for photos on how to achieve various natural hairstyles on adult and children’s hair, check out my natural hair routine, obtain information on healthy meal ideas, and read words of encouragement.