CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I was a short term transitioner. I planned on being a long term transitioner but after taking my braids out and noticing how much of my hair was coming out along with the detangling process I decided to let my mom (who doesn’t do hair by the way, lol) cut it for me.
CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
I did the BC on August 16, 2010 and my initial reaction was one of pleasant surprise. I cried before my mom cut my hair, while she was cutting it and afterwards too, but when I first saw it, my heart jumped in excitement and I actually thought I looked kinda sexy ;). I still was very sad at the fact that I didn’t get to transition the way I wanted to and because I wasn’t ready, I cried more, but had my sisters at my side.

CN: How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
My mom and baby sister were there with me while I cut it and they both liked it. Actually my baby sister, who actually started transitioning a month before me, loved it and immediately wanted to start playing in it and trying her new Garnier products out in it…and I let her, lol. My other sister was shocked, I caught her right in the middle of a sentence and her mouth remained open as she stared. She then busted out laughing asking me if I really did it, or if I had my hair in a ponytail, LOL! My dad looked like a deer in headlights when he saw me for the first time, he didn’t say anything he just stared and then turned around and went about his business. My dad is a long hair lover though so I actually expected more from him.
CN: What was your transition routine?
My transition routine consisted of tea tree oil, shea butter and Tresemme Shampoo and Conditioner. While I had the braids in, I oiled my scalp every 4 days with the tea tree oil and shea butter and before I had the braids I washed my hair every two weeks with Tresemme. I also flat ironed my hair every 2 weeks and did not flat iron in between then, I just wrapped my hair and applied oil as needed.
CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
My staple hair style was flat ironing my hair. I didn’t do ponytails because I noticed that even before I knew about going natural they pulled my hair out and I have a big head so the skinny ponytail only magnified it for people, lol! I also wore braids for 2 months.
Tea Tree Oil and Shea Butter during the days I was not washing my hair and Tresemme Shampoo and Conditioner. Sometimes I would leave the conditioner in and just let my hair do its own crinkle thing that it did.
CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
I chose to go natural because I was tired of the way perm’s left the words “I Can’t” in my vocabulary. I couldn’t go to the pool when I wanted to, I couldn’t dance as hard and as long as I wanted to because my perm would sweat out, I couldn’t just fall asleep without some type of hair protection, I couldn’t LIVE MY LIFE! I wanted out of that and I wanted to embrace what so many other beautiful curlies around me were embracing which was their natural hair! After finding this website and speaking with a dear friend of mine who has been natural for 2 years now, I decided now was the time for me to make the change and she promised she wouldn’t leave me in the cold so I jumped right in! I can honestly say it’s one of THE BEST decisions I’ve made in my life thus far!
Lol sorry! But yea I know her and you looked familiar.
@Anon 12:17 Hey Soror Char (didnt know if you wanted your name up)! Yes it really is and I am enjoying pretty much every moment of it (let's see how I feel once it gets some length to it haha!) This is my fave natural hair site as well, then comes MopTopMaven and ManeAndChic :))
@Anon 11:33 Yes I am you know my sister?? Her gov't is all out there now LOL!
Hey boo! So surprised to see you on my all time favorite hair site! You already know I love the hair it looks good on you. Being natural is a joy isn't it? I am happy that you are embracing your new naturalness….:)
SPR HT 98 #10
Aren't you Diamond Hillyer's sister?
Shannon!!! Thank you!!! :))
Talk about dynamic! I'm too proud of you and the courage that you continue to show, only further exemplified through your hair story. Happy growing my love π
Shannon
cute pic. the natural definitely suits you!
You BC'd on my birthday! Yay!!! Congrats!!
Your hair looks beautiful! It fits your pretty face.
@LBell @Anon4:22 @Doc @Anon 4:59 Thank you so much! :))
@supernatural Britt?!?! OMGEE email mee!
@Reketta Yesss that's crazy! Have you submitted your story yet? I would love to see it! Thanks and congrats on yours as well!
Your story is sooo similar to my own its almost scary. I had a terrible time with my detangling process after took my sew in down. I was planning to be a long term transitioner, but alas, it wasn't meant to be. August 19th I BC'ed..My last relaxer was also in April 2010. I'm telling you the similarities are amazing! All in all, You look great!
The Big Chop looks good on you! I think shorter hair shows off your features more too. π Good Luck with your career!
woooow
BC looks awesome!
absolutely gorgeous
Congratulations on your BC!
You look beautiful!
That's my cuzzo! You look sooooo good boo! I was dying to see this cut, you know your youngest sis snitched to mine so I already knew lol. I neeeeverrrr thought you would go natural, I love it! π
"I chose to go natural because I was tired of the way perm's left the words "I Can't" in my vocabulary."
That's probably one of the better descriptions I've heard in a while. Back when the only option was straight hair, and your only choices were the perm or the hot comb, perms did provide freedom. But today, we see how little freedom straightened hair IN GENERAL provides compared to natural hair.
Congratulations on your BC!