CN: When you first chopped, what were your thoughts and feelings? How do you feel now?
Before doing the BC, I watched tons of YouTube videos, researched, and stalked your site every chance I got. I’d grown accustomed to longer hair– I’d always had healthy, medium length relaxed hair or wore a sew-in. Before doing the BC I confided in my husband, parents, and my best friend who were all very supportive of my decision.
The first time I went to get the BC, my stylist refused to cut my hair because she felt like I was “just joining the natural hair bang wagon” (I know, right?!?!). A week later, on October 1st, I went to another stylist. I was super excited! I wasn’t nervous, just anxious to begin my natural hair journey. I only transitioned for 8wks, but still can’t figure out why I waited so long to discover how beautiful this is.
CN: How have you coped with the responses from your family and friends?
Overall everyone loves my new look. My husband acts as though he likes it but he doesn’t care what I do to my hair, lol. My dad admitted that he didn’t think I’d do it (BC) but after seeing how happy I am and how good it looks, he’s glad I did. Those who don’t like it know not to give their opinion because it doesn’t matter and I didn’t ask. Everyone’s use to me changing my hair like I change socks so it’s not surprising that I cut all my hair off.
CN: What are your plans for your hair?
For now I plan to keep my TWA for a while…I LOVE IT!! Maybe next year I will want to change it up by growing it out, but for now I receive so many compliments on my TWA that there’s definitely no rush to grow it out!
CN: Do you find it necessary to ‘doll up’ your look to feel more feminine?
Before the BC I always wore earrings, eye shadow, and other accessories. I guess it’s safe to say I’m a “girly girl.” However I do feel the need to spice it up a little. I have noticed I’m more concerned with my lashes and different earrings now that I don’t have hair to work with. Now, in the morning, I always feel like I have to put something on rather than walking out with a bare face.
CN: How do you keep your TWA moisturized?
Although I’m a newbie natural, I already have a few staples. Giovanni Direct Leave-In, Tresemme for Dry Hair, Herbal Essence Totally Twisted, and Extra Virgin Coconut Oil are a MUST. I deep condition once a week with Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose mixed with Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, & African Royale Hot Six Oil. I co-wash, acv rinse, and do the baggying method when needed. Throughout the day I spritz my hair when it feels dry.
CN: What products and techniques do you use to style? How often do you style?
So far I co-wash, apply leave-in conditioner, EVCO, and Fantasia IC GEL and that’s it. As mentioned above those are my staples that I use to style. My spritzer contains H20, Aloe Vera Gel, Hot Six Oil, & EVCO. I style everyday or every other day. HE Totally Twisted Conditioner & Fantasia IC GEL (not together) is most responsible for defining my curls
CN: How do you preserve your look at night?
I haven’t figure out a sure way to preserve my curls at night. However I sleep with a satin scarf; without it my hair will get really dry and look a mess. I also spritz my hair before going to bed.
after
Love it! You are an inspiration for me to do the BC without waiting!!! Can't wait! Thxs..Pls keep me posted
I've never gotten those comments, mostly because I believe the people who know me also know better than to pull that stunt with me. *adjusts halo* In any case, this is one 'trend' I will happily follow.
Your hair looks great!
Well if this is a trend/fad, it's one I'm very proud of. I guess i never thought of it if that way, I just see it as a lot of women seeing that are many, many more options for our hair via these online communities. I love that. I've not had a relaxer/grew out my perm for about 8 years now, so no wonder it shocks people when they ask me. However, I never wore it in it's natural state (I wore either micros, kinky twists, blow outs) until about 3 years ago. Now I don't desire neither of those but love the option if I chose. I see straight hair for me as a 'style' rather than the norm.
I recently went to a stylist for the first time in a VERY long time. She asked me if I had joined the natural hair bandwagon and was surprised when I said, "No, I've been natural for 15 years." I find it interesting that stylists are finally picking up on some of the things that have been going on online for close to 10 years now…
beautiful!
Her hair looks cute! I too have been accused of just going through a phase by my mom. She likes my hair long/straight and believes that I will go back to relaxing. It frustrates me that my own mother doesn't accept my natural hair being that she wouldn't even let me relax it until I got to high school! So I tell her to just get over it as it is MY hair!…lol.
Artina you look Beautiful!! Get um girl!! I tell people that I knew I was attractive when I wore my hair straight.. but I now know how beautiful I am now that I'm natural!
Oh, yes, Artina, you and your hair are lovely!
LMBO at shamigreen, "…decided to stop eating fried food…"!
My husband told me that I am on an Eryka Badu kick. I told him I am doing it for the health of my hair. The fact that I get tons of compliments from lots of diverse people is just icing on the cake.
Big ups to Artina! You look fabulous girl!
Regarding the comment "oh, you going natural too?!" I have never heard anyone say "Oh, you've decided to stop eating fried food too?!" or "You've decided to start excercising too?!" Can a sistah try to better herself w/o being considered a follower?
People are crazy… they'd have you believe there's some coalition travelling from door to door with natural hair brochures & product samples, Baa ha haaa!
Will I ever perm my hair again? Who knows… I simply tell people I'm just trying something new. NUFF SAID
Thanks for your comments ladies. Those earrings came from Forever 21.
@Rachel That day I had just deep conditioned and co-wash before heading out to PF CHANG's (I love to eat…haha)
@Lori haha "PREACH" I have not been back to my stylist but plan to as soon as I can. I would NOT return to her unless it's to get a sew-in which she is GREAT at doing but I don't see any sew-in in my future singing "I've got a new attitude" Ohh & like you said it's your hair & it doesn't define who you are as a person. 🙂
When people say "ohh you going natural too" it makes me feel like they're saying "she's following the trend" Call it what you want but I'm thankful for "the trend" for if it had not been for "the trend" I would have not known anything about being natural. All I ever knew was relaxers…sad huh.
*****I also meant to say this & forgot but most people's first response is "What type of activator do you use" or "Ohh so you decided to get a texturizer" What an insult?!?!?! Uhhh no I don't use activator or have a texturizer that defeats the purpose of being NATURAL…CHEMICAL FREE…smh anywho I love you ladies, thank you soooo much for "the trend" for I have found how beautiful being natural truly is.
"Those who don’t like it know not to give their opinion because it doesn’t matter and I didn’t ask." Preach! LOL You look beautiful. I'm curious…have you been back to your original stylist who refused to cut your hair so she can see the results? Would you return to her in the future for any other styling?
"Have you ever been accused of joining 'the trend' or going through 'a phase'? How did you respond?" So far the people who have commented the most about this being a "phase" or a "trend" have been my own family members. They call me Angela Davis in an accusatory tone and ask me if I'm trying to "be black", or "What are you trying to prove?". My brother is especially good at digging in and twisting that ugly knife.
Initially my response was simple: "I want my hair to be healthy. Period." Since then I've had to "go there" with him and ask him why my 'fro is such a problem when his wife wears braids and a puff as her default style. He and my parents don't have a problem with other natural heads (curly, braids, kinky, fros, etc.), but for some reason my decision to do this (and I've stuck it out for a YEAR and been consistent) offends them. I know it's because I've always worn my hair straight, but since I'd never worn my hair in it's natural state before, you'd think after the first month, then the second month, then the third and so on until Sept. which was a YEAR, they'd realize I was serious and this wasn't a phase.
I love them, but they get on my dang nerves with all the attitude about my hair. It's MY hair. /endrant
Your hair looks super moisturized
Those earrings in your TWA shot are HOTTT!