I transitioned for 7 months after deciding to stop relaxing my hair in February 2010. I transitioned for awhile because I wanted to allow my natural hair to sprout out as well as give myself time to research natural hair care. I did not feel comfortable just shaving all of my hair off and not knowing how to take care of it. Although I was shocked after my BC, I loved it and embraced my curls immediately. My boyfriend, sister and sister’s boyfriend came to witness the experience and loved it as well. I told my parents about my transformation, but since they live in GA, they still haven’t seen me in person yet. To be honest, I really did not have a main routine with my hair, my hair is weird. I would just wet it, put some gel on it and throw it in a bun and was literally good to go. Other times I would wash and condition it myself and my protective style was the two strand twists. I used CURLS clarifying shampoo, and Suave coconut conditioner and I put honey in it. To keep my hair moisturized I would use Cantu Shea Butter leave in conditioner. Right now being 100 % natural, my hair loves Pantene Relaxed and Natural conditioner for women of color. Its creamy and thick and my curls react to it very well!
Thanks for the support!
I am lovin ur curls. I transitioned over two years and have yet to cut off the last 2 inches of relaxer. I just stopped pressing every week about 7 months ago. oh and also You have the same last name as my sister friend stephanie louis-jaques. she goes to South carolina state univ and lives in charleston SC. any relation?
Love the texture of your natural hair–pretty!!!! Definitely can relate to the "infamous bun"…I have been wearing mine to work for the last decade…;( Can't wait to follow your journey…thanks for the inspiration!!!! U look great!!!!
Oh my goodness…I love your curls! About three years ago I noticed that around the nape of my neck, my hair line was missing like an inch in width of hair (it was smooth like a baby's bottom). I went a dermatologist and was told I beginning stage of traction alopecia. This came from pulling my hair back in a bun for two years. I didn't catch it in time so now today (three years later) my hair still hasn't grown back in that spot. So, even while your hair gets longer in it's natural state, try not to pull it back as much.
On another note, the dermo told me that i had to stop perming my hair and pulling it into a bun if I wanted to have any left. So, from that day, I transitioned, then at the beginning of 2010, I cut the rest of the perm off. I LOVE MY WAVES & CURLS! Some parts of my hair doesn't quite curl (it's wavey instead) because of heat from getting it straightened while I transtioned. It's naturally wavy with spirals curls on the end, so I don't mind! Well, Thanks for sharing your inspiration, you look great!
Love your curls. I have an infamous ponytail that I do during my transition. Wish I could do a real bun but hair is different lengths. Is that a DST graduation stole I see? Heyyy soror!
Thank you ladies! Appreciate all the kind words. Yes! I noticed the left side of my hair was thinning out due to pulling my hair back so tight with gel with a perm. I just didn't know how to style my hair so the bun and ponytails were my way out. I like my short natural hair for now, but looking forward to seeing its length so I can experiment with different protective hairstyles. I am happy to know I am an inspiration to women out there.
Yes that is a DST stole! Nice to meet you Soror!! 😀
Congratulations on your big chop! You look beautiful. You have just the rigth features for a short haircut.
You look great! Love the hair. ~KF519
Congratulations! You look amazing, I too have been transitioning for about 7 months and my big chop is scheduled to take place in approximate 2 hours. Wish me luck!
Hi Soror, love your hair! Question for you…what is the tool the gentleman used to make your coils?
Hey Love Jones,
He actually used a sponge. It was a technique that be adopted from going to DC, and it was a way to bring out my curls. He used it after putting some leave in conditioner, squeezed some almond oil onto the spongy area and circled it around my head clockwise. I let me keep the sponge as a souvenir and sometimes I actually use the technique if I am in the mood.
Hi christine,
Love the hair. I live in Massachusetts and was wondering who did the sponging for you. I'm looking for someone for the big day.