Are you a Curly on Campus?
It seems that many CN community members are! Share with us the good, bad and the ugly as it relates to your experiences with natural hair during these very important social and formative years (i.e. self-esteem issues, styling options, access to resources and products, etc.)
i BC'd in my senior year of high school so ill be natural in college:)
I know this is kind of late, but I am a freshman in college and have been transitioning since September. When I began doing bantu knot outs very few of my black female friends said they wanted me to do their hair! After a while none of them seem to notice! hmm i wonder what they were thinking because i always wore my hair straight/braids. But I also get more compliments from guys of different races. And the black guys have paid more attention to me HEHE LOOVE IT!!! I go to San Diego State Univ GO AZTECS and there are not many naturals[only have seen 2]maybe later i know they will randomly pop out tho. 🙂
I'm a freshman at an HBCU. I recently moved to NC from a VERY dry climate and after much frustration from the humidity on my natural flat-ironed hair. I wet it and wore it natural. I loved it 🙂 Then, as I was walking to the gym one day, a group of guys walked past. One of them goes, "Look at all that nappy hair. That must be the style now." I wish I would have turned around and said, Oh I'm sorry, is Fat and Ignorant the style now? Needless to say, I let the comment get to me and flat-ironed my hair 3 days later. However, I'm currently sick of my flat hair and want to go back to my curly ringlets 🙂
I actually have had a wonderful experience. I I got to school in Chi-town and was actually coaxed BACK into natural hair by my dudefriend my freshman year. And everyone has loved it except for the old ladies or course…and some of the homeless dudes.
but i go to art school and i have noticed that ALL my friends are natural but one, AND its more excepted by us liberal minded artists (lmao thats so corny)…well, MOST.
I'm a junior at Temple University which is a very diverse campus. There are a lot of naturals out here, but when I first cut off my hair right before my second semester they were not that noticeable. I had gotten a lot of stares that made me feel very self conscious (i guess i did make a very drastic change). The more i Embraced my hair the more compliments I had received. By the end of my sophomore year my hair was already passed my shoulders. I know a lot of haters that I had started to hate even more lol Now I have a lot of friends and people around me who are going natural.. I like to think that I was an influence 🙂
It's funny how you used a picture of University Hall from The Ohio State University and I just graduated from there a couple weeks ago. Anyways, I did the BC the end of my freshman year and can honestly say that every body loved it. If they didn't, well I didn't know about it. I actually got more compliments on my natural hair than I have ever had when I was relaxed.
Im going to be a freshman at the University of Chicago, so across town from someone who said they were starting at Northwestern. I've been natural all my life, so the only new challenge in hair care will be finding better products, and figuring out where to put my arms when washing my hair in those tiny showers! I did a summer program on campus this summer, and both of the other black girls in the program (yup, only three of us) had natural hair as well, though one wore her straightened most of the time. Everyone was amazed with the time it took to do my hair (I did it in the lounge once), and at the softness, but there were no negative comments whatsoever, even when I thought I was having bad hair days. So I think the biggest thing will be that there are people who have never seen black peoples natural hair, and the reaction tends to be fascination rather than immediate disapproval.
The Natural Hair scene at Tennessee State University is GROWING. Girls are getting more confident to let themselves go and stop taking their hair so seriously. It's great!
Darlyn tuition is no joke, but it is so worth it. If you put cost aside and you feel as though Howard is where you want to be then for sure apply. Look for scholarships, but if you have to get a loan it is ok just look at it as an investment.The experience at Howard is one that I would not trade.
I go to a community college in the suburbs of Baltimore. There is a large Black population but I don't fit in at all because I usually wear my hair in an Afro. I am gonna join the Black Student Union and I hope that I'll meet some other naturals.
@Abovealltherest I am considering transferring to Howard but I've been a little reluctant about applying in the future because of the tuition.
I am a little late, but I had to comment on this topic! It is because of my wonderful HBCU Howard University that I was as comfortable with going natural. I tried to do it while I was in high school, but I could not figure out how to combat with frizz. I also would have never BC. It was during the end of my sophomore year at Howard that I began to even think of going natural again. I seen some people going natural and I figured I could as well. It is my Senior year now and you can not go to two feet without seeing a natural. I love it!
@Novemberlady13: Trader Joes in DC is located at:
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Washington, DC 20037
Trading Hours: 8 am – 10 pm
Phone: 202-296-1921
I go to Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.
The natural hair scene is growing! A lot of chicks on campus wear hair weaves, wigs, and extensions, but a lot of those girls are actually natural underneath. The thing is that we have extremely cold winters so we have to protect our hair somehow (hats and scarves are never enough for my hair…so the third layer of a wig or weave helps too).
Anyways, as the weather got warmer this year, I noticed that so many girls were donning their natural hair and it was very nice to see. So I'd say that for many Canadian schools, wearing fake hair during the cold months is like hibernation for our natural hair lol.
Of course there are the usual girls who will swear against missing a relaxer and what not, but hey, we all have our own preferences.
My roommates were all white so when they saw my natural hair they were so surprised and didn't understand why it always looked different (shrinkage, etc). And they were so surprised that I use EVOO in my hair lol.
Guys on campus seem to like the weaves and straight hair more, but whatever. It was surprising to me to learn that a lot of African guys on campus actually PERM and texturize their hair…what?! So yes, they have their own hang ups too. No one will ever say anything to your face, but I'm sure some think that natural hair is a no no. However, I do find that I've gained a kind of respect from black girls on campus who are too scared to wear their natural hair…I was surprised when one girl whose fashion and individuality I truly admire came up to me and said, "it's amazing that you wear your hair natural, it is sooooo nice." Made my day because she's secretly my confident-chic fashion idol lol.
I'm a sophomore at Howard so there are tons of natural on campus and around DC. I've been natural all my life, but I just started wearing natural styles my sophomore year of high school. Everyone who has said anything loves my hair. Guys just love to play in my hair, and pull on my twists and watch them spring back (one guy actually said he doesn't know anyone else's hair that does up). And other guys don't particularly like my twist (my winter go to style) but I've never had a problem attracting guys here. When I first got here for this semester this white guy (yea we have white students at a HBCU) told me he LOVED my hair! It was so random and out of no where. So I've yet to have any problem with my natural hair…
I used products that you can find just about anywhere so I don't have a problem with the. Except my shampoo, I haven't found the Trader Joe's in DC yet. lol
Dear Curly Nikki I am also a student at Claflin University but I am a Jr biology major. Anyway Angle who commented earlier about there not being to many naturals at Claflin is mistaking. I can think of at least ten people off the top of the dome(I being one of them) who are natural or transitioning to becoming natural. Claflin is a small school.I think becoming natural is a new trend at my school. i wouldn't be surprised if one day half the female population became natural.
I've been natural for about 2 years, no bc just gradual trimming because of relaxing and golden blonde highlights. I'm a freshman at Illinois State University and on the first day I wore my hair straightened but it was humid so I wore it curly the very first time I wore it curly a girl came up to me and said I had the prettiest hair she's seen..I was soooo happy that day..I've seen a few girls where it natural, so it's cool
I'm a senior at a PWI in central Illinois, and I've been natural since Nov. 08! The natural scene here (when taking into account the minuscule number of black ppl lol) is pretty good! I have never gotten negative comments and have actually convinced about 2 other ladies to transition; it's pretty awesome=o) Ppl of all colors love the fro…the biggest problem I have is getting ppl to keep their hands out of it!
I'm a freshmen in college and I'm currently transitioning. I have only seen 2 or 3 naturals rocking their natural fro. I hope to be able to achieve that soon.
I love this blog and I love that this discussion was started. I go to school in New Orleans but I'm currently studying abroad in Lima, Peru. On my campus (in New Orleans) more naturals appeared in the spring shortly after I BC'ed and I got nothing but positive comments on my hair. Here, in Lima, most of the time I'm the darkest one walking down the street. The only other black person is a girl with my program who is also natural. I haven't recieved negative attention but I didn't anticipate the 28 non-blacks in my program or the Peruvians who are fascinated by our hair. I love the conversations that my hair sparks. I love that when they ask to touch my hair, it opens up a new world of understanding. Embrace being different on your campus.
My tip: wear it like it's nothing different. If you have confidence about who you are then the haters have nothing better to do but accept/pick on somebody else. Fake it till you make it.
I'm a freshman at a college in Upstate New York in the middle of nowhere (not homesick though because I went to boarding school for high school)and there are few black people here to begin with, especially since it's a pretty small college. I haven't really seen any natural girls here except for what I can count on one hand (literally) which is pretty sad. However, the girl across the hall is natural but hates her hair. It's my mission to get her to understand it and love it (she has a white mom and lived in an almost all-white town so I can only guess). You know I'll be sharing all my fancy/expensive hair products with her so she appreciates it more. : )
I'm going to be entering my first year of college at Northwestern University (outside of Chicago) in a few weeks, and I'm planning on wearing my hair in twist-outs and my usual scarves on in between days. I've been natural for about a year now, but wore braids for the past school year. This post is very interesting to me, because I hadn't even considered what reaction I would get for my hair, lol. I don't know if the school has much of a natural population, given that the amount of African Americans there is tiny to begin with. Any advice for being natural on campus would be highly appreciated!
I just started my second year of college. My two year natual anniversary is this December. I BC'd my senior year of high school! I get nothing but compliments on campus and in the city surrounding it. And these compliments come from people of all races and both genders. My female friends who are African American always compliment the different styles I do and ask me about the products I used. Some of them are relaxed and others are natural, but only wear it straight. Those who aren't black are very curious and fascinated by my hair. They have a hard time understanding the whole shrinkage think and how it looks long one day and shorter the next! hahaha! But overall, being natural in college has been a very positive experience!
I attend Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va and not only is my school the biggest in VA but it is the most diverse. I also belong to a department that is mostly white and I have not received one bad comment since BC'ing almost a month ago. My boss (who is white) told me that she thinks it looks so professional and actually likes it better than my long hair and my classmates all love it and want to touch it. I am in my senior year here and when I came back to school it was a blast of naturals everywhere. I dont care if people are doing it because they think its a fad or because they are like me and going on the journey to their true selves, I'm just glad that we as black women are stepping outside of what society deems "appropriate" and showcasing our true selves! =)
To the homesick freshman hang in there. It is likely that because you are homesick everything seems worse than it actually is. Focus on your classes and find some groups to join that interest you. You are not the only student on campus feeling this way.
Like Sarah from JHU I also went natural while in grad school. Most of the black women I knew in grad school wore their hair natural.
I'm a professor and I secretly love to see natural ladies in my classes! I know it takes courage for them go natural and stay natural when most of the black women on campus have weaves or perms.
I am a junior in college. ( Brooklyn, NY) and I've been transitioning for almost a year now. I've heard ALOT since my big decision. How do I get to have a "story of a current transitioner" because I have so much to say !
BTW – Nikki i love what you're doing! I check this site almost everyday. Congrats on your baby girl. God bless
I go to Mcmaster University in Canada, Ontario. There appears to be a natural hair movement on campus. Most girls still like their braids, weaves and relaxers but so many of them are going natural. For some reason there is tension between the naturals and the other girls…i'm not sure why. I've been insulted, stared at (not in a good way) and laughed at (mostly by black girls…some of which i considered as friends). But I also received compliments mostly from other races.
Black guys are so clueless over there. A lot of them prefer other races in general. the catch phrase on campus is "there are no good black girls at Mcmaster". As far as natural hair is concerned, i've been told that i look better with braids. One thing is certain: i refuse to let others dictate what i should look like. God doesn't make mistakes.
I go to Howard and there are so many naturals here of all different styles and textures ( TWAs, fros, twist out, braid out, two strand twist, colored hair, locs, etc). I got more comfortable/confident with my own natural hair by attending HU. It's been great.
Way off subject, but I LOVE your little character at the top.Its so cute to see you and your baby girl evolve.thanks for searing natural hair growth information.
I recently made the BC. Personally, it took a while for me to get used to my drastic, new look. After my hair started to grow and I learned different styles…I became a lot more confident. I definitely noticed that a lot of my guy friends who knew me before when my hair was much longer, have a problem getting used to it. On the other hand, a lot of people love it. Its different and refreshing.
I'm a Spartan (UNCG) & I def have to say that we have a huge diverse campus w/ every hairstyle u can think of. At first the freshmen laughed at the females w/ natural hair like myself but now they realized that we can do what they can't: go out in any kind of weather and not worry about our hair.
I attend the University of Memphis and although Memphis would be considered a good area for natural hair, the city is predominatly white so on campus its a warped view. Last fall their was a wide spread of girls who went natural but come Spring they were back to the weave and the creamy crack. I have been natural for 7 months now and love the experience and the freedom I have with my hair now then I did with relaxed hair. The only thing that I do not like is how it is hard for me to get a hold of certain products (no car). I do love how girls come up to me and ask me questions about my hair and what they can do to make their's healthy. I like the different styles I can create. I don't like the random people touching my hair though. I love college life and the hair journey as well.
I go to Auburn University (War Damn Eagle!) a predominantly whit school and I've been transitioning for about 5 months now. I've occasionally worn my hair in rods and then combed it out to the cutest afro. Well now that I just wash and go my hair ends up the same way. A lot of my friends were very supportive but my grandmother was not (and still isn't) too happy about my decision. I told her that this is how my hair was intended to be and that I like it! Plus I kindly reminded her of when she used to have an afro so maybe she'll come around one day lol
I've been natural for almost two months now… I did my BC about a month before school started (A Freshman) and most are receptive to it! I am attending a PWI in the south, so there are some sly comments and clueless people, but other than that, no one really thinks to say anything, which is great. I've found some who are natural, including my academic advisor, but I love it! The only thing I hate is that others who are still addicted to the creamy crack get more stares sometimes then I do, which comes as a surprise to me. I know what it does to the psyche, as do all of you, but as for me I feel so free being natural!!!! I lcve college and being a curly girl!!!
At Spelman…I wouldn't say that there are a lot of naturals..but a decent amount..I'm a senior and I started transitioning December of my sophomore year and BC'd in October. I've noticed a lot of my Spelman sisters make the transition to natural hair which is a beautiful sight to see. Relaxers and weaves still rule the campus..and naturals who like to straighten their hair all the time…I prefer to rock my curls in big out styles. I get lots of compliments…and the statement from relaxed women…"i love your hair…I couldn't go natural because my hair is too nappy..but you have that good hair"….oh please lol. I had no idea what my hair would look like when I decided to go natural..and I didn't care. I was going to do my senior thesis on hair because it would be such an interesting topic on Spelman's campus with the whole "spelman image" mess..but I decided to go a different route…I think…lol. That's all though…
I'm in grad school at UNC-Chapel Hill. When I BCed last year I got such great positive feedback from everyone around me. What I found interesting however was the few people who had issue with my TWA were a handful of African and African-American women I worked with. Chapel Hill is pretty open to diversity which is a great thing for a college town. I did teach in middle TN and was also presently surprised to see so many natural students.
I went natural my first year in graduate school. I mainly wore twists and braids to school and received nothing but compliments BUT interestingly my other classmate (the only other african american in the program, a male) wore his hair in an afro most days and received nothing but stares and negative comments.
I didn't know how pervasive it was until he wrote on his facebook about how he was thinking about cutting his afro. All the classmates were very quick to chime in about "how they thought it was time" "how unprofessional they thought it was" etc. It made me wonder what they really thought about my hair.
I have been natural since my junior year in high school. However, I used to wear my hair straight all the time. Not until the end of my freshman year in college did I start wearing my hair in its natural state. I am now entering in my sophomore year in college. I go to UC Santa Barbara where there is a large majority of white people. The college and the city itself are not very diverse. Of the few other black women on this campus, a good portion of them are natural. Sometimes I can't help but feel envious of others hair textures! Most people seem to like my hair, while I do notice a few stares every now and then. However, I just ignore them! haha. And because Santa Barbara is a beach town, there is so much moisture in the air, which makes my hair really frizzy when worn straight. So I usually just wear a bun and leave it curly. I love the way that my hair feels now that I have begun to fully embrace myself the way I am instead of putting tremendous amounts of heat onto my hair. It feels so healthy!
I had to go to campus today and I was thinking about my natural curly hair on campus… I've worn my curl on campus before but I had never thought about it.. College life and natural hair go hand in hand to me. I feel like my hair makes me feel liberated; just like going to college. I plan to graduate from the University of Michigan next year… hopefully rockn my curls under my cap (if it fits)
I go to Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN and I started transitioning after my freshman year. There are SO many curlies here and I love it! They are all very encouraging and helped to decide to go natural. It can be frustrating sometimes, because I don't have time to style as much now as I did in the summer because of all the school work, but I love it all the same. I no longer have to worry about sweating out my hair as walk in the southern heat/humidity from class to class =)
I attend an art school here in the city of Atlanta, and everyone is very different in their own way as far as style and hair. I haven't noticed many natural women. I do notice a lot of natural hair on men. Beautiful dreadlocks, curly fros and blowout which in essence I find very attractive. 😉 I embrace my hair even more while attending class because my school allows each individual student to express themselves without the criticism.
Well im a freshman in college…im homesick!!..but my college is up in northern nj…no naturals here but me…everyone wears their hair straight.or a weave that straight..and the boys hear over pass me…sometimes i wonder is it because i wear my hair up all the time or is it just my face?! i dunno the standard of beauty over here is somethingnot used to. I never felt so unattractive in my life. I felt so much more beautiful and accepted at home not to mention…it was more naturals!
I'm transitioning & entering my senior year at a PWI. I can definitely say that the natural scene at my school is almost non existent unless its hiding under a weave lol. There's a small African/African American population at my school. I know most if not all of us and I can say that from conversations with the other females that hair is a touchy subject. I know and have witnessed relaxer sessions where we all get our hair done in the same day/weekend lol and just the anxiety about not having your hair correct … I've been thinking about it and after many conversations I started wondering what was wrong with MY hair?! I'm one of the few to think there's nothing wrong with rocking my own hair. I've had people tell me that I have "good hair" so I could go natural.
Even in our multicultural student union (not enough for just black, hispanic, asian, etc lol) most of us have relaxed hair or weave.
I started transitioning while I was abroad but I told my friends & I've gotten mixed reactions. It's going to be interesting to see how people react in person. I've gotten compliments over facebook/twitter, etc but we'll see how it goes, but I don't plan on returning to the creamy crack any time soon !
I'm a curly girl on Central State Universities campus. Most of the people on my campus accept and love my hair. I have had some people ask me am I gonna lock my hair and what not but right now i'm all about exploring my natural hair texture and I'm soo happy about my hair decision. my boyfriend loves my hair but i don't think he understands how much I love to take care of my hair. I think of it as a hobby and I feel like if i take care of my hair it will grow long and luscious.. 😀
@CurlyQueso, i agree!
i'm a grad student at JHU and my students, mostly white, look at me as if this is the way black hair SHOULD look. they know the straight hair look on black women is a hoax. and it's cool to them. and if they give you the side eye, it's not because they don't like your kinky hair… it may be because they don't like your dark skin. #justsayin
what's funny is that most of the undergrads have processed hair, but most of the grad women have natural hair. i transitioned right when i started school and when i joined the black grad assoc. i noticed that most of the ladies were already natural 🙂
I attend a HBCU in rural North Louisiana. I BC'd the fall semester of my sophmore year and i DID NOT get good responses. i cried like twice a day. my twa was okay….but then it just kept growing. so im back now for the fall of my junior year and i look around on campus and the weaves have come out and theres nothin but big chops! im not gona say i was the first to do it, but i do think i was an influence. since i am kinda important on campus (lol) i am alwyas in the spotlight. and i think since girl that werent natural saw me and they werent as hesitant. as far as products….smh….we have ONE hair store like 2 cities away! but its okay. not too much stuff for natural hair. however my mom owns a natural hair salon back home so she sends me care packages! www.anutwist.com so im good! i love my hair and i love that i can help the newbies with thier journeys!
I'm a freshman at Claflin University. My major is Mass Communications with a minor in African Studies. I went natural during my senior year of highschool. I have gotten so many compliments on my hair that it's crazy! I have not gotten any negative remarks.
My school is in South Carolina (I'm far from home) lol. There are not many naturals down here. The fact that I'm a natural curly with red hair makes me stand out even more. Everyone loves my hair, and if they don't, it won't bother me. I have built up enough confidence to embrace my hair and that's all that matters.
I recently graduated in May from a predominantly white university also but I didn't really have any negative experiences and the ones I did have were brought on by my own perceptions of what OTHER people were thinking about me. Styling was never an issue because my schedule gave me an ample amount of time to create the styles I wanted which is much harder now that I am working a 9-5. Most of my college buddies are naturals so it was nice to exchange hair products and talk about what worked for us and didn't work for us. Product wise, it is much easier to purchase the more expensive products such as Kinky Curly now because I am no longer on a ramen noodle budget….kinda. In college, I was forced to buy whatever I could afford, even if it wasn't good for my hair. Now when those student loans start rolling in, that's another story;-)
I attend a predominantly white college… I dont spend too much time physically on the campus (online classes and off campus internship) since I've been natural… but I've had mixed experiences…
From white people staring at me like they've never seen hair that wasn't straight and silky…
To white people who look like they're in awe and tell me they wish their hair could do what mine does lol…
From Black people who look at me like I'm crazy, to fellow naturals who look at me and give me that "knowing" smile… There aren't too many people around here who rock naturals, but it's always great to see one about and about! ♥
I go to a school full of diversity in the South even though its still a mainly white school and i see tons of naturals just like me. I think they have always been here i just never really noticed them until i BC'd this summer before returning to school. I think we notice others who like us. I used to walk around with a very short hairstyle (relaxed of course) last year and the only females i really paid attention to was the ones who hairstyles resembled mine. But anyways i get alot of compliments from men and women. The one thing that kinda upsets me is how guys and FEMALES will say your the only female who can really wear this style (my TWA) when there are soo many other beautiful women with TWAs.I still dont understand this.
Sometimes i have issues with my hair but i think thats just how it goes during this journey. =)
While I attended Spelman there were MANY naturals. Its actually one reason why I decided to stop relaxing my hair. There were so many women with beautiful locs and fros. Of course there were way more weaves.. lol. The first time I wore my hair in its natural state, I received a compliment before my 8:00am class by a professor who NEVER looked my way before. I haven't looked back since.
As a 5 month natural sophmore at an all womens college in the south I recieved no negative reception to my hair from my fellow classmates. Most of them are very nice about it, and I've gotten more hair compliments natural than I ever did with a weave. It's very easy to maintain my hair now as well because I don't use many products, I just spritz on my leave-in conditioner and add a headband and I am out the door.
Heys!
I'm 19 and I'm a "college curly" – I BC'd back in June after transitioning for 6 months, during summer semester. Granted, during summer semester, there aren't as many students (especially at 7:00 in the morning, when my class was,) so I'd like to say I used them as my "guinea pigs".
I was still pretty self conscious. I always felt like people were staring at me and even when people said they liked my hair, I didn't believe them I thought they were lying…
But this fall semester, I came back with a whole new attitude! I don't know if it's just because I'd gotten more used to the short hair or whatever, but I was definitely more confident. It's great! I love being natural 🙂 and I don't really care what anyone else thinks about it, but it really IS all about confidence! Now people tell me they like my hair all the time and I think the difference is the fact that I exude confidence!
Way off subject, but I LOVE your little character at the top. Its so cute to see you and your baby girl evolve. I can't wait til she's got lil afro puffs! God Bless you and your bundle of joy…
At first when I decided to go natural, I planned on transitioning for a loooooong time b/c I was scared to wear my hair short. I was also scared b/c when a good friend of mine went natural, she was ridiculed be EVERYONE. But I decided that I didn't care about what people had to say and decided to just go for it. I BC'd about 2 months ago and since then, EVERYONE is in love with my hair. Especially white people lol.
On a side note–> it is a shame that other races love AA natural hair but our own people don't.
Anyway, a couple of my colleagues have actually gone natural and aren't afraid anymore b/c of me and that makes me so happy! I love my natural hair. I wish I would have went natural sooner!
I go to a school in southern California that is mostly White and Mexican. Most Black women don't wear their hair natural, but a lot of them do. Before I went natural, I really didn't notice all the naturals, but now I definitely do. I stopped getting perms in the middle of my freshmen year due to money (unofficial transitioning), and then started actively transitioning after I went to a Miss Jessie's product demonstration in L.A. That really woke me up to the world of natural hair, and I started researching blogs, watching youtube videos, and preparing my hair to BC. Before I didn't know what to do with my hair, and I had had a lot of breakage. After I started deep conditioning and trying out products, my hair did better. I BC'd Spring Break of my sophomore year with a little over a year's worth of hair growth. And I love it! My hair feels so much stronger and so much like … me! My friends were very supportive, and I had several girls who were recently natural as well. We tried out products together. But I did hear a lot that I had "good hair," and that they couldn't wear their hair "out" like I could, though they had natural hair as well.
As far as products … I think for most people, saying that going natural has saved you money on products is B.S. Obviously that's not for everyone, but for ME – When I had a perm, I could care less about what I used in my hair. My stylist told me to use KeraCare, so I did. But I hardly ever washed my hair, and I didn't know about moisturizing or anything! That's what I thought my stylist was for! When I went natural I went crazy buying products and figuring out what worked. I probably spent around $500. It's not about five months after my BC and I have started to find things that work for me. But I've definitely spent more time and money on my hair since I've been natural. Perhaps after I've been natural for awhile it will begin to be cheaper. However, I don't really mind all the money I spent. I'm in college and I have a job, so after books and things are paid for, I don't have many bills. This is the time in my life to figure out who I am, and what I like, and this includes my hair. I've really enjoyed trying out products.
I love being natural and helping others learn about the benefits It brings. However, I've talked all of my family and friends' ears off about it 😀 haha
I'm currently in medical school in Kansas City and I recently BC'd in June. I go to school with mostly Indians that have no idea what I had to do to my hair to get it straight! One of my good friends (an Indian) didn't even realize my hair didn't grow out of my scalp straight!! LOL! After the cut I wasn't really worried about the reception I'd receive from everyone because I know at least five other girls in school with me that are natural and wear it proud!! If anything all my friends love it! I haven't heard a bad word about it yet and I'm not even worried about looking "unprofessional" in a hospital setting because my older natural sisters are already proving it's no big deal!!! I wear my kinky hair proud everyday and look forward to showing any and everybody it's totally possible to rock a "revolutionary" hairstyle and still be professional!
well I think that ATL is the natural hair capital. So in college there were naturals everywhere and everyone is very cool about it for the most part
I've been fully natural for a little over a year and a half. I go to a HBCU, so of course I'm surrounded by black women. When I first cut my hair off, I was probably like 1 of less than 10 on my campus who were natural. Now, almost 2 years later, natural hair is popping up everywhere. I see a lot of straw sets (transitioners) and TWA's.
Self esteem is one thing being natural has helped me with. One night, I had 2-strand twisted my hair and went to a house party. A few girls in the party didn't like my hair (saying I didn't have enough for the twist) and ended up posting a picture of it on Twitter, while proclaiming their distaste for my hair. I retaliated saying my hair was natural and that they were natural twist, no weave added and that I didn't appreciate the girl putting my picture on the internet like that. This caused a BIG scene on twitter (amongst my peers) and it really hurt my pride. I didn't understand why these "mature" girls would do something like that, and then say it was all a joke. (Note: I'd never had a conversation with any of them).
NOW!! Half of the girls who talked the most smack that night are attempting to go natural, and have all, at one time or another, been caught staring at my hair in admiration. That night taught me that, my natural hair is FOR ME and that it didn't matter what others thought about it. I continue to wear my twist and I continued to be someone who's hair they admire.
One more thing being natural has helped with was MONEY. Before I went natural I was in the salon every 2 weeks, which was $40 for a wash and set, and every 6-8 weeks I'd get a relaxer, which cost $60. I don't want to do that math, but in 3-4 month span that's almost $200. While being natural you can spend $30-$40 on products that will last that same amount of time.
I'm a junior at Auburn Univerisity (War Damn Eagle!) and I BC'd my the fall of my freshman year. I got mostly positive comments about my TWA when I returned from Thanksgiving break, however there were a few negative ones sprinkled in as well. I didn't care though because for the first time I was seeing the "real" me and I enjoyed learning what my real hair texture was actually like at each stage. I also inspired people to go natural, transition, or even stretch their relaxers. I've notcied that this year's incoming freshman have a lot more naturals than my class did. I can't tell you how many locs, twa, and transitioners I've seen, it truly makes me feel good! I'm even thinking of hosting a forum about healthy hair at my school.
Well, I'm a post-grad student at Widener University (15 minutes from Philly). Honestly, no one cares that much. The school is a PWI (predominately white institution). Because I am very involved in the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW), I have come to appreciate my natural hair even more as it is a reflection of my ancestors, so I am proud to wear it in its natural glory!
I have been natural for going on a year now and i attend a hbcu in the south and when i bc'd last year not many girls on campus were natural so except for my friends no one truly knew what was under the hats i wore while i was transitioning and when i bc'd, when i finally rocked my twa many people were very supportive and loved it while others whom never actually came up to me but expressed how they felt to others felt as though i screwed myself over, and that guys wouldn't find me attractive and how would i get a job in corporate america and blah blah blah ( crazy i know and these were guys that said it!) that didn't stop me from holding my head up high everyday and steady showing everyone that you can be beautiful rocking the kinks, coils, and curls … but returning back to school this fall its like an outbreak of naturalistas from transitioning to some rocking their big chops, to their twas to just about everything … it's wonderful to see so many young women finally embracing their natural hair but some how others may see it is a fad or whats in style… whatever the case may be i am proud to attend an event on campus and see so many naturals sitting in the audience.. or sit in class and have a fellow classmate ask me about my hair and later on tell me that she herself is transitioning but afraid to big chop! i think its great! thank you CN for being such an inspiration!
I attend a community college in New Orleans and there are plenty of "naturals" walking around. I have had alot of people tell me "if I had good hair like you…I'd go natural too"…but I wonder if I didnt have 3C hair, if I'd get that same compliment? I LOVE being natural…and wouldn't trade it for all the creamy crack in the world! "Team Naturals"
I did my BC during the summer, and I do not have many friends on campus, so noone really noticed that I chopped my hair off, I see very few naturals on campus than I see at my home city, we have alot of naturals at home in DC area, I love it. But the only bad thing is that i dont have time to style my hair the night before school because of the overwhelming work and studying so i just rock a fro most of the time, wishing that I had the time to do more like i did in the summer.
I'm currently 8 months post, I plan on being a long term transitioner! I'm a senior at a small predominatly white christian university. So far the comments have been mostly positive, but many of them coming from people of other races, not african american. I've only counted 2 other naturals so far, but I'm proud of my hair and plan to continue on!!
I have been natural for one year now. On campus I see alot of naturals sportin there curls everywhere. In October I hope to start a natural hair club so that we can get to know each other better and discuss tips. My sophmore year of college I transitioned for 2 years straight. CN has been a inspiration for me and continues to be. UNCP is the most diverse University on the east coast. People ask me questions and give me compliments on it all the time. Last year there wasn't that many naturals, but now there are so many of them walking around on campus. I guess they transitioned over the summer or had there tucked in under those weaves ! lol
I'm actually a returning student and of the few african americans I do see on campus, NONE of them are natural, 🙁 …but that does not stop me from rockin' my styles LOL
I go to a pretty diverse school in the south. When I first BC'd there weren't many naturals on campus, but I didn't mind because I thought I was being innovative lol. But now there are lots of ladies who recently BC'd and I think its great. Hopefully these ladies don't think of it as a fad.
I went natural my senior year in undergrad and it was pretty well received by everyone, except my boyfriend. To this day he hates my natural hair, but he knows it's not going anywhere. Since graduation I have started law school at Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu, CA. As you can imagine, the natural scene isn't very popular, but it does exist. Most naturals on campus I see, wear their hair pinned up. I think I'm the only one who wears my hair in a fro. I love it though and a lot of my classmates do as well. I constantly receive compliments when I wear it out. I have to travel to Los Angeles to get my products, but there is an abundance of cheapy products like Herbal Essence"hello hydration" and V05 conditioner.
i see naturals *occasionally* around campus, but mostly relaxed wraps and rollersets and weaves…2 of my friends are natural, but i never knew because they exclusively wear braids and weaves…but whenever i do see a natural around i make it a point to tell her i like her hair lol
I recently BC'd about 5 days before returning to school for my final semester. So far people have been very receptive to my new hair, some people say that I no longer look like myself (still trying to figure out what that even means). It is kind of hard getting used to my hair while im in school because going to school in a white town there isn't a lot of choices in the hair care department, but lucky for me I stocked up on hair care products before I left home. I can't lie the temptation is there when I walk around seeing girls with perms and weaves but I'm going to keep my promise to myself and stick it out. I've got enought hair accessories to help me get used to my TWA and I have a great set of friends back home that are always there with some words of encouragement when I need it. In the words of india.arie i am not my hair and hair doesn't change who I've been and who I'm going to be.
– Newly Natural and Loving IT
I can remember when I first BC'd in 1998, I had just finished my first year at a HBCU down south and everybody looked at me and my circle of sisterfriends, as "voodoo" withces and "the Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hills" LOL….. I loc'd my hair a few months later and had locs for another 9 years before taking them down in 2008. When I first started growing my locs, classmates were ok with it, but most females on campus were not natural at that time. So it was sort of looked at as "It's cool that you can do that, but if I did I would not look right". So really, one has to draw strength from within and love the journey that you have embarked upon.
Sincerely,
Natty Head Since 98'